E-Mobility Partnership: Schaeffler and CATL signed an MoU to jointly develop battery management systems and integrated “X-in-1” power solutions for European automakers, aiming to scale electrification know-how with localized European production. Rail Manufacturing: Türkiye’s first indigenous electric locomotive, the E5000, secured EU interoperability certification, with serial production underway (30 of 95 units completed) and export ambitions to the EU and beyond. UK Competition Watch: The CMA cleared Vandemoortele’s Délifrance deal with a proviso, requiring a sale of a UK sales operation to a suitable buyer and monitoring of the remedy. Industrial Policy & Power: A new push argues electricity reliability is the real economic policy lever for AI, advanced manufacturing, electrification and data centres—calling for baseload focus, including nuclear and better public-private execution. Food Packaging Scrutiny: Consumer advocates warn of “trickflation,” where brands use fancier packaging to hide volume cuts behind higher prices. German Competitiveness: ifo reports worsening international competitiveness among German manufacturers, hitting autos, metals, chemicals and machinery hardest. Defense Procurement: Switzerland seeks extra funding for air defence in 2026, citing long delivery times and higher threat levels. Market Pulse: Europe’s sentiment was dented by a jump in German factory-gate inflation, while oil prices rose on Iran-related supply fears.