Government Shake-Up: Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkēvičs has tasked opposition lawmaker Andris Kulbergs with forming an interim government after Prime Minister Evika Siliņa resigned, following the coalition’s collapse over stray Ukrainian drones and a dispute over how fast anti-drone defenses were deployed. Kulbergs has 10 days to propose a coalition and cabinet, with parliament approval still required. Security Alarm: The wider backdrop is rising NATO anxiety: Zelenskyy warned Russia could strike NATO territory from Belarus, and Latvia is watching the Belarus border and air-defense readiness closely. Defense Costs Bite: At the Lennart Meri Conference in Tallinn, Estonia’s defense minister warned that Europe’s rearmament push is colliding with soaring weapon prices—up to 50% in two years—making the “more spending” plan more expensive than expected. Eurovision Fallout: Latvia failed to qualify for the Eurovision final, while Ireland’s boycott stance over Israel’s participation continues to dominate the contest’s politics. Sports & Culture: Canada blanked Italy 6-0 at the hockey worlds, and Latvia’s “wild camping” rules remain a hot topic for travelers planning 2026 trips.