In his first encyclical, presented in the Vatican at the weekend, Pope Leo XIV focuses on the risks posed by artificial intelligence. Titled Magnifica Humanitas, the document warns of the consequences of uncontrolled use of AI. Commentators praise the relevance of his analysis and call for more such clear positioning.
Russia launched a major attack on Ukraine late on Saturday night, deploying some 90 missiles, 600 drones and an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile. Most of the targets were in Kyiv and the surrounding area. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs later warned that more attacks on the "decision-making centres" would follow and called on foreign nationals to leave as soon as possible. The EU rejected the demands.
The traditional Sudeten German Congress was held for the first time in the Czech city of Brno over Whitsun weekend. The meeting of Germans who were displaced after the end of World War II took place under the slogan "Alles Leben ist Begegnung" [Life is about encounters] and was intended to foster reconciliation. There were critical voices in the run-up to the event and protests over the weekend. But the press is positive in its assessment.
In the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Cyprus, the conservative DISY and the left-wing AKEL remained the strongest parties, with 27 and 24 percent of the vote respectively. However, right-wing populists and two new political movements that entered parliament for the first time made significant gains. This will likely make it harder for the directly elected conservative president, Nikos Christodoulidis, to secure a majority for his proposals, notes the country's press.
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.