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German lawmaker warns of budget implications if exports dont increase; Chancellor Friedrich Merz expresses frustration over trade deal delays; EU-Mercosur agreement nears finalization, with France and Italy seeking safeguards for European farmers.

French intelligence is probing a suspected foreign operation after high-tech spyware was found on a ferry in Sète. The vessels IT system was breached, leading to a judicial investigation led by DGSI. Two crew members, one Bulgarian and one Latvian, were arrested, with the Latvian suspect charged with conspiring to penetrate the system for a foreign power. Russia is suspected, but not confirmed, to be involved.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has thrown a wrench in the EUs 25-year-old trade deal negotiations with South American countries, demanding significant changes to protect Italian farmers. Her stance could potentially give France, which has also expressed concerns, enough allies to veto the deal. Despite this, European leaders are still scheduled to sign the agreement in Brazil this weekend, which would cover a market of 780 million people. However, farmers from across Europe are protesting, fearing the deal could negatively impact their livelihoods.

U.S. Threatens Retaliation Against European Companies in Trade Dispute The U.S. administration has escalated trade tensions with the EU by threatening direct retaliation against nine major European companies. The targeted firms, including Accenture, Amadeus, Capgemini, Publicis, Mistral, DHL, SAP, Siemens, and Spotify, have enjoyed extensive market access in the U.S. The U.S. claims these companies have benefited from unfair EU rules, suggesting their access could now be at risk. This is the first time specific European companies have been publicly identified in this dispute. The EU has defended its digital laws, stating they are not discriminatory and apply equally to all companies. The combined market capitalization of the listed companies, excluding Mistral, is over eight hundred billion euros. This development is seen as unhelpful for ongoing negotiations between the EU and the U.S.

French authorities are investigating a suspected cyberattack plot on an international ferry, with a Latvian crew member in custody. The incident has prompted Frances counterespionage agency to launch a full investigation, as France and its allies accuse Russia of engaging in hybrid warfare. The Latvian national is charged with criminal conspiracy and hacking-related offenses, while a Bulgarian crew member was released without charge. The ferry has undergone security checks and is now back in operation.

Former UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron denied intelligence watchdog access to sensitive documents, marking the first time a public body refused such access. The documents pertained to James Bond licenses, special authorizations for intelligence officers overseas. The Investigatory Powers Commission (IPCO) later obtained the documents, emphasizing the importance of transparency in maintaining public trust in intelligence oversight.

British Government Issues Final Warning to Roman Abramovich: Release War Victims Fund or Face Legal Action

Belgium Stands Firm on Ukraine Financing: EU Talks Stall Over Asset Usage, Safeguards Belgiums ambassador to the EU, Peter Moors, expressed frustration during closed-door discussions, stating that negotiations are moving backward. Belgium, which holds a significant portion of frozen Russian assets in Euroclear, demands substantial financial and legal safeguards to protect against potential Russian retaliation. The country also insists on unlimited financial guarantees and the termination of bilateral investment treaties with Russia. Belgiums prime minister, Bart De Wever, will make the final decision on asset usage. The European Commission has explored alternative financing methods, such as joint debt, but Hungarys veto threat and legal constraints pose challenges.

Germanys government has approved a new law to manage growing wolf populations, allowing for the culling of problem wolves that threaten livestock. This move aims to balance conservation efforts with the concerns of farmers and the public, addressing the rise in livestock killings and the divide between conservationists and agricultural communities.