Incursions by large drones are causing concern in the three Baltic states: on Tuesday, for the first time, Nato fighter jets shot down a drone over a lake in Estonia. On Wednesday, there was an official air raid alert in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius. A row over drone strikes in Latvia in the early May even led to the collapse of the country's coalition government.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed that Ukraine become an 'associate member' of the EU, as a kind of preliminary step towards full membership. Kyiv would, for example, be allowed to attend the meetings of EU decision-making bodies, albeit without voting rights. Reactions to the idea have been mixed – also in Europe's opinion sections.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has drawn international criticism for his treatment of several activists who had been detained by Israeli forces on board the Gaza aid flotilla Global Sumud. A video posted by the far-right politician shows him mocking the activists, who are on their knees with their hand tied behind their backs, and waving an Israeli flag. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has distanced himself from the incident.
Following parliamentary elections in Slovenia in March which failed to deliver a clear majority, a group of MPs has proposed electing Janez Janša, leader of the conservative SDS, as Prime Minister and the formation of a centre-right coalition. If his nomination is successful, Janša will become head of Slovenia's government for the fourth time.
The US last week called off plans to deploy 4,000 US troops to Poland. According to the Pentagon, the number of US combat brigades in Europe will be reduced from four to three. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on Washington not to jeopardise its friendship with Warsaw. At the beginning of May, the US had also announced the withdrawal of around 5,000 troops from Germany.
Hot on the heels of Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin has paid a two-day visit to Beijing. The Russian president and his host Xi Jinping publicly emphasised the strong ties between their countries. However, the two leaders failed to reach a deal on the construction of a new pipeline to export Russian natural gas. Europe's press analyses the international power relations.
At the University Hospital Zurich’s Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, there were around 70 more deaths between 2016 and 2020 than would be expected based on statistical estimates, according to a recently published investigative report. The document criticises poor hospital management, conflicts of interest and the inappropriate use of cardiac implants which the clinic's director at the time, Francesco Maisano, had helped to develop. The press examines causes and accountability.
A reading list for students at a religious school in Istanbul which reportedly recommended authors such as Victor Hugo and Martin Heidegger is causing a stir. Conservative social media groups expressed outrage about the list, calling it a scandal. The Istanbul Governor's Office launched an official investigation and suspended the headteacher, who claims his signature was forged.
A US court has dismissed Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman – on the grounds that he had taken too long to sue. Musk took legal action because, as a former OpenAI investor, he claimed that he had not been informed of plans to transform the foundation – initially non-profit – into a for-profit corporation. Musk was demanding 114 billion euros, Altman's removal and a return to non-profit status.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda are grappling with an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus. Several hundred suspected cases and more than 130 deaths have been reported so far, prompting the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare an international public health emergency. There are no vaccines or treatments for the rare strain of the virus that is currently spreading.
The race to replace embattled British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has begun: Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who resigned last week in protest against the prime minister, has announced his candidacy for the Labour leadership – and is making the case for rejoining the EU. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is currently running for a seat in the House of Commons in a by-election, is also a favourite for the job.
At the latest since the scaled-down military parade on 9 May, a growing number of voices are saying that Russia is struggling. Popular support for Putin appears to be waning and Russia's military position in its war of aggression against Ukraine has deteriorated. Over the weekend, Ukraine launched a series of major drone attacks on industrial facilities and oil-refining infrastructure in the Moscow region. Several people were killed.