| Welcome to the Brussels Edition, Bloomberg's daily briefing on what matters most in the heart of the European Union. It may be overshadowed by the multiple crises the EU is juggling right now, but a real life-changer may be in the works. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is likely next week to announce a much more ambitious emissions-cutting target for 2030. Yes, the bloc's pledge of climate neutrality by 2050 got its fair share of headlines. But let's be honest, 2050 is a generation away. By contrast, the 2030 target will need immediate and sweeping overhauls in the way our economies operate. With national governments still embroiled in hydrocarbon-induced spats — from Nord Stream 2 to Mediterranean gas reserves — it's unclear whether they have grasped the magnitude of the binding commitments they're signing up to. — Nikos Chrysoloras and Ewa Krukowska What's Happening Brexit Talks | After a heated exchange of warnings and barbs, the latest round of trade talks between the U.K. and the EU begins in London, with low expectations for a breakthrough. Brexit veterans know by now that tense rhetoric usually precedes major concessions, so stay tuned. Bond Bonanza | The most-recent twist in the Brexit saga does mean it's looking good for the U.K.'s first bond sale through banks since June. Concern about the prospect of failure to reach a deal means that this week's offering of 15-year debt should attract investors seeking safety in sovereign securities and the prospect of increased buying by the Bank of England should also spur demand. Belarus Unrest | With Belarusian opposition leaders mysteriously disappearing, the EU is under pressure to agree to sanction officials involved in the dubious election and the violent crackdown on the protests that followed. We may get more clarity on whether the required unanimity on the names has been reached as soon as this week. Obesity Epidemic | The worst recession in living memory is forcing millions of people to eat more of the cheapest — and most fattening — foods available. The virus is exacerbating the obesity epidemic, our dispatch from one of Europe's most overweight countries shows. In Case You Missed It Getting Better | Alexey Navalny, the Russian opposition leader who German authorities say was poisoned by a weapons-grade nerve agent, is improving and has been taken out of an induced coma. For Germany, this doesn't mean President Vladimir Putin is off the hook for what happened. New Normal | Uncharacteristically for a German government official, Werner Gatzer, a deputy finance minister, said yesterday in a speech in Berlin that "a balanced budget isn't obligatory.'' Could it be that Germany's massive debt-financed spending during the pandemic will herald a new approach rather than just a temporary break from the tradition? Greek Quarantine | Boris Johnson's government imposed a 14-day quarantine for travelers arriving from seven Greek islands in a shift in its coronavirus strategy. It's another blow to the battered tourist industry of the EU's most indebted state. Airplane Cabins | With a coronavirus vaccine possibly years away, airlines need to persuade the public that it's safe to fly when an infected passenger might be next to them. This is how different airplane cabins may look the next time you fly. Chart of the Day  German manufacturers ramped up production for the third straight month in July, though the pace of growth slowed considerably. The Economy Ministry said German industry is back at nearly 90% of pre-crisis levels, and predicts that improved sentiment and declining short-time work will continue to drive the recovery. Today's Agenda All times CET. - 9 a.m. Brussels Economic forum featuring Spain's Nadia Calviño, EU's Valdis Dombrovskis, Paolo Gentiloni and Charles Michel
- 11 a.m. Eurostat to publish 2Q GDP and employment readings
- 1 p.m. EU's top antitrust official Olivier Guersent gives a speech at the International Bar Association conference
- 3 p.m. Bloomberg EU Policy Series webinar with German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz
- Car Summit in Berlin with Chancellor Angela Merkel and CEOs
- Post-Brexit trade deal negotiations in London
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