Digital Enforcement: The EU hit AliExpress with a record €550m fine under the Digital Services Act over illegal, unsafe and counterfeit goods, warning that “scale is not an excuse” and giving the platform a path to further penalties if it fails to fix controls. Rule of Law Watch: The European Commission’s Slovakia report credits some judicial reforms but flags persistent corruption gaps, weaker protections for journalists, and concerns over lobbying and transparency in lawmaking. Heat & Energy Pressure: Europe’s extreme heat is worsening health and economic strain, with WHO-linked figures pointing to tens of thousands of heat-related deaths and rising pressure on power systems. Water Security: A new engineering report says Europe’s water infrastructure is under mounting strain from droughts, floods and ageing assets, calling for long-term investment and smarter management. Border Friction: EU Entry/Exit System checks are driving longer waits for Britons—airports warn queues can triple—adding fresh summer travel stress. Energy & Geopolitics: The Commission urged EU states to waive methane-law penalties for three years to avoid supply disruptions, while markets watch oil spikes tied to the Iran conflict ahead of the ECB meeting. EU Integration Push: Cyprus is pressing for Schengen membership within 18 months, despite “special circumstances” including the Green Line and British bases. Energy Corridor Bid: Turkey has started building a gas pipeline to northern Cyprus, with talk of reverse flows toward European markets.