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France Signals Openness to SAMP/T Air Defence Sale to Turkey

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France is showing renewed openness to a potential sale of the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defence system to Turkey, marking a significant shift after years of political resistance. According to sources, the change follows recent discussions between French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, although negotiations remain at an early stage and no agreement has been reached.

Turkey is seeking the SAMP/T system as part of its planned “Steel Dome” integrated air and missile defence network. The project, launched jointly by Turkey, France and Italy several years ago, had stalled due to tensions over Syria, Libya and disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkish officials now say there is renewed political willingness among all three countries to revive defence cooperation, including possible technology transfer and joint production.

Despite the positive signals, any potential deal is expected to face diplomatic and political hurdles. France is likely to consult with Greece and Cyprus before moving forward, given its defence partnerships with both countries. Officials stress that the latest discussions represent only the beginning of a lengthy process, with any future agreement likely to involve the upgraded version of the SAMP/T system.

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Massive Wildfire Forces Thousands to Evacuate in Southwest France

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More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from over two dozen towns and villages in southwestern France as a fast-moving wildfire continues to spread near the Spanish border. The blaze has already burned around 4,600 hectares in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, with strong winds expected to worsen conditions and make firefighting efforts more challenging.

France has received support from the European Union, which is deploying four waterbombing aircraft from Cyprus and Sweden to help contain the fire near Perpignan. The wildfire has injured five people, including a firefighter, while authorities have restricted public access to areas near the route of the Tour de France to allow emergency teams to operate safely. The race will continue with reduced support vehicles.

The wildfire follows an unusually hot early summer across France and Western Europe, leaving forests and grasslands highly vulnerable to fire. Across the border in Spain, another wildfire has scorched thousands of hectares, while separate blazes have also forced evacuations in the Castellon region. Authorities are continuing investigations into the causes of the fires as emergency crews battle to bring them under control.

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Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd Resume Suez Canal Route for Key Shipping Service

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Danish shipping company Maersk and Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd have announced that one of their joint Gemini network services will resume transiting through the Suez Canal instead of taking the longer route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. The move marks a significant step toward restoring normal operations on the crucial Asia-Europe shipping corridor.

The two companies had previously diverted vessels around southern Africa due to security concerns in the Red Sea, where attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militants disrupted global shipping routes. The prolonged detours increased transit times and shipping costs for international trade.

Maersk said the decision was made jointly with Hapag-Lloyd after conducting detailed assessments of the current security situation in the Red Sea. The companies described the move as the beginning of a gradual return to the trans-Suez route while continuing to monitor regional conditions closely.

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SSPX Priest Says Future Pope Could Reunite Breakaway Catholic Sect with Vatican

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A priest from the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), a traditionalist Catholic group recently excommunicated by the Vatican, expressed hope that a future pope would restore ties with the Church. Speaking during a Mass in Wil, Switzerland, Father Georg Kopf said he believes another pope will one day “open the door” and welcome the group back into full communion, similar to the actions of Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.

The SSPX was excommunicated after four bishops were ordained without the approval of Pope Leo, a move the Vatican described as a serious violation of Church law. Founded in 1970, the Switzerland-based group is known for preserving the traditional Latin Mass and opposing several reforms introduced by the modern Catholic Church. The Vatican said it had offered dialogue before the ordinations but considered the unauthorized appointments grounds for automatic excommunication.

During his sermon, Kopf insisted the ordinations were not intended to create a parallel church or sever ties with Rome. Instead, he said they were carried out out of loyalty to the Catholic faith and concern for the spiritual well-being of believers. Drawing parallels to the reconciliation efforts of Pope Benedict XVI, he expressed confidence that future Church leadership could once again seek unity with the breakaway group.

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Uber Halts Most Europe Food Delivery Expansion Amid Delivery Hero Pursuit

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Uber has paused most of its planned food delivery expansion across Europe, just months after announcing its entry into seven new markets, according to a report by the Financial Times. The company has reportedly shelved launches in five of the seven targeted countries, including Austria, Norway, and Greece, while continuing operations in Finland and Denmark.

Earlier this year, Uber had unveiled plans to expand Uber Eats into Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, the Czech Republic, Greece, and Romania, expecting the move to generate an additional $1 billion in gross bookings over the next three years. However, the company is now focusing on strengthening its presence in markets where it has already launched.

The reported slowdown comes as Uber continues pursuing a takeover of Germany-based Delivery Hero. In May, Delivery Hero confirmed it had received a €33-per-share takeover offer from Uber. Reuters also reported that Uber increased its stake in the company to nearly 37% after acquiring additional shares from Aspex Management. While Delivery Hero declined to comment, Uber has not officially responded to the report.

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Ukraine Launches Major Drone Attack on Russia’s St. Petersburg Oil Port

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Ukraine launched a large-scale overnight drone attack targeting Russia’s St. Petersburg and the surrounding Leningrad region, striking oil infrastructure and port facilities, according to Russian and Ukrainian officials. Russian authorities said the city’s oil terminal was hit but reported no casualties in St. Petersburg, while officials claimed that dozens of drones were intercepted during the attack.

The governor of the Leningrad region said drones also struck the port of Vysotsk, a key Baltic Sea hub that handles oil, liquefied natural gas, grain, and coal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the strikes were aimed at oil infrastructure that supports Russia’s war efforts and also targeted Kronstadt, a strategically important Russian naval base near St. Petersburg.

The latest operation is part of Ukraine’s intensified campaign against Russian energy and military infrastructure. Russian officials also reported that drone attacks in the Bryansk region and Russian-controlled Crimea killed one person in each location, while additional drones were intercepted in the Pskov region, where minor damage and injuries were reported.

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NATO Leaders Meet in Ankara Amid Trump Tensions

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NATO leaders will gather in Ankara next week for a high-stakes summit aimed at reinforcing alliance unity despite growing tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. European members are expected to highlight increased defence spending and stronger military capabilities as Washington scales back parts of its military commitment to Europe. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the summit will focus on turning higher defence budgets into combat-ready forces and expanding the alliance’s defence industry.

The meeting is also expected to reaffirm NATO’s support for Ukraine, with leaders pledging continued military assistance in its war against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will attend a dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Trump. European leaders hope the personal ties between Trump, Erdoğan and Rutte will help keep discussions constructive despite recent disagreements.

The summit comes after months of strain within the alliance, including disputes over the Iran conflict, Trump’s criticism of NATO spending, and U.S. troop reductions in Europe. European officials remain concerned that renewed tensions or developments in the Middle East could overshadow the gathering. Even so, NATO diplomats say leaders recognise the importance of presenting a united front and maintaining the alliance’s collective security commitments.

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Vatican Excommunicates SSPX Bishops and Warns Followers Over Growing Church Schism

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The Vatican has formally excommunicated the six bishops of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), a conservative Catholic group, after it consecrated four new bishops despite direct instructions from Pope Leo XIV not to do so. In an unprecedented move, the Vatican also declared that lay members who formally adhere to the group’s teachings and regularly participate in its religious activities may also be considered excommunicated, while inviting those who leave the society to return to the Catholic Church.

Founded in 1970, the SSPX rejects many of the reforms introduced by the Second Vatican Council, including celebrating Mass in local languages instead of Latin and other modern changes within the Roman Catholic Church. The group, which has an estimated 600,000 followers worldwide, maintains traditional practices and opposes the Church’s increased dialogue with other Christian denominations and other faiths. It has a significant presence in countries including the United States, France and the United Kingdom.

The Vatican clarified that not every SSPX member would automatically be excommunicated, but those who consistently participate in its services and publicly support its doctrinal positions would be regarded as being in schism with the Church. Excommunication is one of the Church’s most severe penalties, preventing individuals from receiving sacraments and fully participating in Catholic life. The latest decision marks a major setback in years of efforts to reconcile the Vatican with the traditionalist movement.

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Ukrainian Woman Named Main Suspect in Monaco Bomb Attack, Believed to Have Fled to Germany

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Monaco authorities have identified a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman as the main suspect in the bomb attack that injured a wealthy businessman and his family earlier this week. Prosecutors said the suspect, Anastasiia Berezovska, is wanted for attempted murder, criminal conspiracy and placing an explosive device in a public place. An Interpol Red Notice has been issued after investigators determined she fled Monaco and is believed to be in Germany.

According to investigators, the suspect allegedly left a parcel containing an explosive device outside a building in Monaco before detonating it remotely as Ukrainian-born businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner and their son arrived. The blast left all three injured. Officials said the suspect escaped on foot into neighboring France before using a rental car from Germany to travel through several European countries, including Italy, and eventually return to Germany.

Investigators believe the attack was carefully planned and are examining the possibility that the suspect did not act alone due to the sophistication of the operation. Two individuals who were detained in Monaco during the investigation have since been released without charges. Judicial sources later confirmed that the suspect was reportedly spotted in Frankfurt as authorities continue their international search.

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ECB Chief Lagarde Says Early Exit Before 2027 Term Cannot Be Ruled Out

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European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde has said she cannot completely rule out leaving her position before the end of her term in October 2027 if she decides to play a role in French politics. In an interview with French newspaper Les Échos, Lagarde said it was “possible” she could depart early, adding that she believes a strong European voice should be part of France’s presidential debate.

However, Lagarde dismissed suggestions that she is preparing to run in France’s presidential election next spring. When asked whether she would support a candidate or become one herself, she initially joked that she would “reflect on it” before clarifying that such a move is “not currently on the agenda.” She emphasized that her priority would be to contribute a European perspective to France’s political discussions rather than pursue elected office.

Lagarde reiterated the importance of France remaining firmly anchored within Europe, arguing that the country’s economic future depends heavily on its role within the European Union. She said she would speak with both a French and European voice, stressing that France must play a decisive role in shaping the continent’s economic future while maintaining strong European cooperation.

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