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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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Zelenskiy Meets Palantir CEO as Ukraine Expands AI Use in War Effort

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Alex Karp in Kyiv as Ukraine accelerates the use of artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis in its war against Russia. The discussions focused on expanding technological cooperation in both military and civilian sectors, with Kyiv increasingly relying on AI-driven systems to improve battlefield operations and national defense capabilities.

Ukraine has partnered with Palantir Technologies on the “Brave1 Dataroom” initiative, which uses combat data collected since Russia’s 2022 invasion to develop AI tools capable of detecting and intercepting Russian drones. Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said more than 100 companies are currently training dozens of AI models aimed at improving aerial threat detection and battlefield intelligence analysis.

Officials said the partnership has already helped Ukraine create systems for detailed analysis of air strikes and integrate AI solutions into deep-strike mission planning. Zelenskyy described Palantir as a key global technology partner with strong potential to support the defense capabilities of Ukraine, the United States and allied nations as the role of AI in modern warfare continues to expand.

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EU Plans First Official Taliban Visit to Brussels for Migration Talks

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The European Union is preparing to invite officials from Afghanistan’s Taliban government to Brussels for talks focused on migrant deportations and repatriation cooperation. The meeting, which would mark the Taliban’s first publicly known official visit to Brussels since returning to power in 2021, is being arranged following requests from several EU member states concerned about migration and security issues.

EU officials stressed that the planned discussions would not amount to formal recognition of the Taliban government. According to an EU spokesperson, the talks are intended as a technical-level engagement aimed at improving coordination on deportations of Afghan nationals who are considered security threats or have committed crimes in Europe. EU representatives had previously travelled to Kabul earlier this year for similar discussions with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities.

Hundreds of thousands of Afghans have sought asylum in Europe since the Taliban takeover following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. However, the lack of diplomatic relations with Afghanistan has complicated deportation procedures for European governments. Sweden is reportedly helping coordinate the proposed Brussels meeting as the EU seeks practical cooperation on migration management while maintaining its policy of non-recognition toward the Taliban administration.

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