Eurozone finance ministers may invite the European Commission to consider allowing cross-border financial firms to opt into pan-EU regulation to cut red tape and deepen capital markets.

Eurozone finance ministers have invited the European Commission to assess barriers to stock exchange integration.

The draft document shows: The euro zone finance minister said that if the capital markets union does not improve as soon as possible, the EU will face the risk of falling behind.

German Chancellor Scholz: Welcome Microsoft’s investment of 3.2 billion euros. Microsoft investment could build artificial intelligence ecosystem in Germany.

According to Ukraine TSN News: A series of explosions occurred in Belgorod, Russia. The Russian side said it was shelling. Video from the scene showed that the front of a shopping mall was seriously damaged.

The European Commission approves €6.9 billion in national hydrogen infrastructure aid, expected to unlock €5.4 billion in private investment.

According to i24News: The Israel Defense Forces say they have concluded a two-week operation in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza.

Governor of Belgorod, Russia: Five people were killed in shelling in Belgorod.

Thai Prime Minister: The Thai government will comply with fiscal regulations and digital wallet laws.

Israeli Military: Fighters struck dozens of Hezbollah targets in the Wadi Saluki area.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh: Any deal should ensure a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a serious prisoner exchange agreement.

The EU maintains its Eurozone inflation forecast for 2025 at 2.2%.

The EU lowered its 2025 Eurozone GDP forecast from 1.6% to 1.5%.

French Finance Minister Le Maire: France and the EU need to cut bureaucracy to promote growth.

French Finance Minister Le Maire: The 2024 growth forecast will be revised in the next few days.

Nasdaq 100 futures erased gains and were now flat.

European Central Bank President Lagarde: The European Central Bank has successfully anchored inflation expectations.

ECB Governing Council member Hernandez Decos: The next step will be to cut interest rates.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde: The last thing I want is rash decisions and then inflation rises again.