Drug Shortages: The EU is pushing to tackle persistent medicine supply gaps, with reports citing manufacturing problems, rising demand and over-reliance on a small set of foreign suppliers. Rule of Law in the Balkans: Albania’s PM Edi Rama hit back after the Supreme Court upheld Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj’s detention, saying the capital is again without its elected leader. EU Accession & War-Criminal Glorification: MEPs condemned Serbia’s Ratko Mladić funeral honours and pressed for tougher EU accession conditions, while also challenging the EPP’s ties to President Vučić’s party. Moldova-Slovenia: Parliament speaker Igor Grosu met Slovenia’s president in Ljubljana, stressing reforms and EU negotiating momentum. Canada-EU Pivot: Mark Carney said visa arrangements could be part of talks on a “unique alliance,” with core negotiations set for October in Montreal. Online Kids Act: The Commission is set to propose age checks for social media and AI chatbots for under-15s, with parental controls for younger children. Energy Implementation: The Commission launched an Energy Regulation Academy to help national authorities deliver electricity market reforms. Hybrid Threats: Kaja Kallas urged the EU to raise the “cost” on Russia, including tighter controls on Russians entering Schengen. Middle East Trade Pressure: HRW and Amnesty renewed calls for an EU ban on trade with Israeli settlements. Armenia Trade: The European Parliament approved temporary tariff relief and trade liberalisation for Armenian goods. Markets: Europe’s stocks slid as bond yields and oil prices climbed, keeping risk sentiment weak.