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Latvian Coalition Collapses After Ukraine Drone Fallout

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Latvia’s coalition government was thrown into crisis after the left-wing The Progressives withdrew support from Prime Minister Evika Silina, leaving her administration without a parliamentary majority. The move follows the dismissal of Defence Minister Andris Spruds over the handling of incidents involving stray Ukrainian drones entering Latvian territory from Russia.

The Progressives said the prime minister no longer had the party’s backing and urged President Edgars Rinkevics to begin consultations immediately on forming a new government. Party leaders stated that Silina could either resign voluntarily or face a parliamentary vote aimed at removing her from office.

Silina said she was holding discussions with her centre-right New Unity party and coalition allies from the Greens and Farmers Union to decide the next course of action. Meanwhile, opposition party United List announced plans to initiate a no-confidence vote and signalled its readiness to lead a new government if the current coalition collapses.

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Arrieta Wins Rain-Soaked Giro Thriller as Eulalio Takes Pink Jersey

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Spain’s Igor Arrieta claimed a dramatic victory on stage five of the Giro d’Italia after an intense breakaway battle with Portugal’s Afonso Eulalio in torrential rain. The duo broke away from the peloton with around 50km remaining and rode through dangerous, waterlogged roads before both suffering heavy crashes on slippery corners late in the race.

Arrieta crashed first with 14km left and briefly lost significant time while changing bikes, but Eulalio also slid into the barriers just a few kilometres later. Despite cuts, ripped jerseys, and chaotic conditions, both riders pushed on towards Potenza. Arrieta nearly lost control again entering the city and even took a wrong turn before recovering to chase down an exhausted Eulalio in the final metres for an emotional win.

While Arrieta celebrated the stage victory in tears, Eulalio secured the overall race lead and took the iconic pink jersey thanks to the huge gap over the peloton. Race favourite Jonas Vingegaard finished safely with the main contenders more than six minutes behind, though the mountain stages ahead are expected to reshape the general classification battle.

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Macron Faces Political Test Over French Central Bank Nomination

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French President Emmanuel Macron is facing a major political challenge as lawmakers prepare to vote on his nomination of former chief of staff Emmanuel Moulin to lead the Bank of France. Critics argue the move is part of Macron’s effort to place trusted allies in key institutions ahead of the 2027 presidential election, where the far-right National Rally is expected to be a major contender.

The parliamentary vote is considered a key test of Macron’s influence as his presidency enters its final phase without a clear majority in parliament. Opposition lawmakers from both the left and right have questioned whether Moulin can remain politically independent after serving closely under Macron. However, supporters say Moulin is one of France’s most experienced economic policymakers and well-qualified for the central bank role.

If rejected, the nomination would mark an embarrassing setback for Macron and strengthen claims that his political power is weakening before the next election. The Senate vote is expected to be decisive, with conservative lawmakers divided over whether to back Moulin or oppose another Macron ally taking a powerful institutional position.

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Cruise Ship Stranded in France After Stomach Flu Outbreak Among Passengers

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More than 1,200 passengers, many of them British and Irish nationals, remained aboard the cruise ship Ambition in Bordeaux, France, after a stomach flu outbreak spread among travelers during the voyage. French health authorities initially restricted disembarkation as medical teams monitored the situation and treated affected passengers on board.

Officials confirmed that a 92-year-old British passenger had died earlier during a stop in Brest due to a cardiac arrest, adding that the death was unrelated to the gastrointestinal illness outbreak. Authorities also clarified there was no connection between the incident and the recent hantavirus cases reported on another cruise vessel near the Canary Islands.

French authorities later allowed some passengers to leave the ship under strict health precautions, including frequent handwashing and self-isolation for those showing symptoms. Gastroenteritis, commonly known as stomach flu, is highly contagious and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, though it is generally less severe than diseases such as hantavirus.

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Pope Leo Slams Europe’s Military Build-Up, Calls It a Blow to Diplomacy

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Pope Leo XIV criticized Europe’s rising military spending, calling it a betrayal of diplomacy and warning that increased rearmament only fuels insecurity and conflict. Speaking to students at Rome’s Sapienza University, the pontiff said governments should not describe expanding arms budgets as “defence spending” when such investments reduce funding for education and healthcare while benefiting powerful elites.

The pope’s remarks come as European military expenditure reached its highest level since the Cold War, driven by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump for NATO members to increase defence budgets. Trump has pushed allies to raise military spending targets and recently prioritized U.S. weapons sales toward countries investing more heavily in defence.

Leo also warned against the growing use of artificial intelligence in warfare, pointing to conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran as examples of technology making wars more inhumane. Urging students to reject divisive ideologies and nationalism, he appealed for global unity and encouraged young people to become “artisans of true peace.”

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Trump’s Greenland Interest Boosts Tourism and Investment More Than Mining

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Renewed global attention on Greenland following comments by Donald Trump about acquiring the Arctic territory is driving fresh business interest and investment opportunities. Danish export credit agency EIFO said tourism is likely to deliver quicker economic benefits and job creation for Greenland compared to large-scale mining projects, which still face regulatory and environmental challenges.

Officials say Greenland’s growing tourism sector could benefit from expanding infrastructure, including a new international airport near Ilulissat and improved facilities around Disko Bay, a region known for Arctic scenery, wildlife, and cruise tourism. EIFO is supporting studies focused on increasing visitor capacity, improving transport links, and distributing tourism activity more evenly across the island. Analysts believe the heightened international attention has created a stronger sense of urgency around investment opportunities in the region.

At the same time, interest in Greenland’s rare earth minerals and natural resources continues to grow, especially from the European Union and the United States. However, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stressed that environmental protection would remain a top priority despite rising foreign interest. Experts say major mining projects may still require political guarantees and public-sector support before becoming commercially viable at scale.

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Mbappe and Bardella Clash Again as France’s Political Divide Deepens

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A fresh public dispute has erupted between Kylian Mbappé and far-right politician Jordan Bardella over the growing influence of France’s far-right movement ahead of the 2027 presidential election. In a recent interview, Mbappe warned about the consequences of a potential victory for the far-right National Rally, saying such political changes could negatively impact the country’s future and social unity.

Bardella responded by mocking Mbappe’s departure from Paris Saint-Germain, pointing out that the club won the UEFA Champions League after the football star moved to Real Madrid. The exchange quickly gained attention online and reignited a long-running political disagreement between the two figures, who have previously traded criticism over immigration, inequality, and the role of celebrities in political debates.

The clash reflects broader tensions within France as the country prepares for a closely watched presidential election next year. Analysts say the National Rally has gained momentum due to rising living costs, anti-immigration sentiment, and growing dissatisfaction with traditional political elites. Bardella is widely seen as a possible presidential candidate if Marine Le Pen remains barred from contesting the election.

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Russian Drone Strikes Kill Nine Across Ukraine After Ceasefire Ends

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At least nine people were killed and 28 injured in fresh Russian drone attacks across Ukraine following the expiration of a three-day US-brokered ceasefire. Ukrainian officials said the central Dnipropetrovsk region suffered the heaviest damage, with eight deaths reported, while another casualty occurred in the eastern Donetsk region. Authorities said a total of 14 Ukrainian regions came under attack during the latest wave of strikes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said more than 100 Russian drones were active over the country on Wednesday morning and warned of continued attacks. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 139 drones within 24 hours, with 111 intercepted or destroyed, though several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including railway facilities and residential areas. Regions including Kharkiv, Odesa, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Poltava also reported injuries and property damage.

Meanwhile, Russia said Ukrainian drones targeted industrial and energy facilities overnight in multiple Russian regions, including Astrakhan and Krasnodar. Russian officials claimed hundreds of Ukrainian drones were intercepted and confirmed damage to a gas processing plant and other industrial sites, though no casualties were reported. The renewed attacks highlight escalating tensions after the temporary ceasefire collapsed amid mutual accusations of violations from both sides.

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German Court Rules Milka Misled Consumers With Shrinking Chocolate Bar

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A court in Germany has ruled that chocolate maker Mondelēz International misled consumers by reducing the size of its popular Milka Alpenmilch chocolate bar while keeping nearly identical packaging. The case, brought by Hamburg’s consumer protection office, accused the company of deceiving buyers after shrinking the bar from 100g to 90g while also increasing the price from €1.49 to €1.99.

The Bremen regional court said the unchanged purple wrapper created a misleading impression for customers familiar with the product over many years. Judges ruled that the issue was not the packaging itself, but the gap between consumer expectations and the actual product size. The court stated that clearer and more noticeable labeling about the reduced weight was necessary to avoid deception. Mondelēz said it respected the decision and would review the ruling, though it still has the option to appeal.

The case has become one of Germany’s biggest examples of “shrinkflation” — the practice of reducing product sizes while maintaining or increasing prices due to rising production costs. Consumer groups say chocolate has been especially affected because of soaring cocoa prices linked to poor harvests in West Africa. Other products, including toothpaste, oats, and coffee, have also faced similar criticism, while brands like Ritter Sport have also come under scrutiny for reducing chocolate bar weights.

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Helsinki’s Massive Cycling Expansion Wins Praise but Faces Backlash Over Costs

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Helsinki is continuing its ambitious push toward sustainable urban transport with major investments in bicycle lanes, tramways, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. In April, nearly 50,000 people attended the opening of Finland’s longest bridge — a 1.2-km structure connecting the inner city to nearby islands and designed exclusively for pedestrians, cyclists, and trams. The project, including adjacent bridges and tram investments, cost around 326 million euros.

While city officials say the infrastructure will support greener mobility and reduce car dependency, critics have questioned the rising costs and lack of vehicle access. Helsinki has already developed around 1,300 km of cycling routes, including a growing “bicycle superhighway” network that is expected to expand further by 2029. However, cycling’s share of city transport has remained relatively unchanged over the past decade due to the network still being incomplete and the city’s harsh winter conditions.

Despite criticism, supporters argue the long-term benefits outweigh the expense. Officials are also expanding the tram system and recently approved plans to restrict cars from a major central street near the main railway station. Residents and cyclists have welcomed the improved connectivity, saying the new infrastructure will make commuting faster, safer, and more convenient, especially during the summer months.

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