Ayrton Redfearn, a 23-year-old British man from south Devon, was killed in action in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on 9 May, his mother confirmed. He had joined a specialist unit supporting the Ukrainian army in 2025. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said it is supporting his family and is in contact with Ukrainian authorities.

France banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from its territory on May 23, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot saying the decision answered Ben-Gvir's "unacceptable" treatment of French and European citizens detained from the Global Sumud Flotilla. Barrot joined Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani in pressing the EU for sanctions, a move Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka has already vowed to block in the unanimity-bound Council. The bar comes as activists returning from Israeli custody allege beatings and sexual assault, including 15 cases the flotilla's organisers say were documented after the May 18 interception off Cyprus.

Ukraine's defence forces struck the Sheskharis oil terminal, the Grushovaya transshipment oil depot, and the tanker Chrysalis near Novorossiysk on the night of 22-23 May, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. The strikes also hit Russian communication hubs in occupied areas of Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, a logistics depot in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and an ammunition depot in Donetsk Oblast. Sheskharis is one of Russia's largest Black Sea oil terminals, with a throughput capacity of up to 75 million tonnes per year.

Unidentified attackers breached the systems of German hospital billing company Unimed in mid-April, stealing sensitive data of tens of thousands of private and self-paying patients. The full extent emerged in recent days, with at least 72,000 patients affected at four university hospitals in Baden-Württemberg alone. The BSI warned the stolen data could be used for targeted phishing or extortion.

Algeria published a law in its official gazette on May 21, 2026, criminalizing French colonization as a state crime. The legislation, adopted by parliament in early March, lists 31 imprescriptible crimes committed from 1830 to 1962. It abandons the idea of generalized apologies or reparations.

A report by Queen Mary University of London and Defend Our Juries finds that custodial sentences for protest-related civil disobedience in England and Wales have become more frequent and longer, identifying 286 cases involving climate and Palestine-solidarity activists who received a total of 136 years in jail. The average detention period was 28 weeks, with one in five jailed for more than a year. The report, to be launched on Tuesday, cites anti-protest legislation, police powers, corporate injunctions, and judges removing legal defences as drivers.

Activists detained on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have accused Israeli forces of beatings and sexual assault, including rape, after their release Friday. Organizers documented at least 15 cases of sexual abuse, with some activists hospitalized with broken bones and taser injuries. Israel's prison service denied the allegations, while Germany, Canada, and Italy said they were investigating or had received reports of abuse.

Franziska Brantner, co-leader of Germany's Greens party, has called for a debate on European nuclear deterrence, citing the need for a British-French nuclear umbrella. Brantner, a longtime opponent of nuclear weapons, argued that the US nuclear shield can no longer be relied upon indefinitely. She made the remarks in an interview published on May 23, 2026.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, appointed interim CHP chairman by an appeals court ruling, and Ozgur Ozel, elected group chairman by 95 of 96 attending lawmakers, will face off for the first time at the party's parliamentary group meeting on June 2. Ozel, who retains control of party headquarters, secured written support from 15 additional deputies, claiming backing from 110 lawmakers. The confrontation centers on who has the right to speak at the meeting, with Ozel asserting his right as group chairman and Kilicdaroglu's allies citing past precedent.

French border police temporarily suspended biometric checks at the Port of Dover on Saturday after thousands of holidaymakers faced delays of up to two and a half hours at the terminal. The port said French authorities invoked Article 9 of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) regulations to reduce processing times, while conventional checks remain in place. The disruption came during a hot bank holiday weekend that is the first peak period since the EES became fully operational last month.

Turkish and Syrian intelligence services arrested 10 individuals suspected of ISIL (Daesh) ties in a joint operation in Syria, security sources said on May 23. The suspects, wanted under Interpol Red Notices, were brought to Türkiye and include a figure linked to the 2015 Ankara train station bombing that killed 109 people. Nine of the detainees were arrested by a Turkish court after questioning, while one remained in custody with procedures ongoing.

The UK Carrier Strike Group tracked the Russian intelligence vessel Yuri Ivanov during NATO's Exercise Dynamic Mongoose in the Norwegian Sea, the UK Defence Journal reported. The operation involved a joint effort with Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, including the Portuguese frigate NRP Dom Francisco de Almeida and a Royal Navy Merlin Mk2 helicopter from HMS Prince of Wales. The Yuri Ivanov is designed for signals intelligence collection, and its presence coincided with a separate Russian nuclear weapons exercise in the Barents Sea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has formally rejected a German proposal for associate EU membership that would deny Ukraine voting rights, insisting instead on full and equal membership. In a letter to EU leaders on May 22, Zelenskyy argued that Ukraine, which defends Europe from Russian aggression, deserves a complete place in the bloc. He noted that the ouster of Hungary's pro-Russian former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has created an opportunity to advance accession talks. Zelenskyy called for opening negotiation clusters and making meaningful progress, stating that no complete European project is possible without Ukraine.

The US Department of Justice under the Trump administration has removed from its website all press releases related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack prosecutions, labeling the information 'partisan propaganda'. This follows Trump's pardons of over 1,500 defendants and the creation of a $1.776 billion fund to compensate those he claims were unjustly prosecuted. The DOJ has also moved to vacate seditious conspiracy convictions against members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.

The US military's intensive use of advanced munitions during the Iran war has significantly depleted key weapons stockpiles, including THAAD interceptors, Tomahawk missiles, and Patriot systems, raising concerns about readiness for future conflicts. Analysts warn that rebuilding these inventories could take one to four years, and the strain may influence Washington's calculations on resuming hostilities with Iran. The depletion also affects US commitments to allies in Asia and Ukraine, highlighting a structural imbalance between high-intensity fire generation and industrial base capacity.

Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces launched a drone attack on the Russian frigate Admiral Essen and a Project 1239 missile hovercraft in Novorossiysk port on the night of 22-23 May 2026. Additional strikes hit an Osa air defense system in Donetsk, a logistics hub in Luhansk, a UAV ground control station in Kherson, and fuel tankers in Zaporizhzhia. The Admiral Essen is a Kalibr cruise missile-capable frigate of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, previously attacked in early March 2026.

Background: The US has withdrawn 5,000 troops from Germany and canceled intermediate-range missile deployments, deepening a rift with Chancellor Merz over the Iran war, while shifting focus toward NATO's northeastern flank. At the GLOBSEC Forum in Prague, European officials discussed strategies to maintain NATO functionality amid perceived unpredictability from the Trump administration, prompted by conflicting U.S. signals on troop deployments to Poland—first canceling a planned deployment of 4,000 troops, then reversing via a Truth Social post—causing political shock in Warsaw. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski dismissed the episode as a 'hiccup,' but a U.S. diplomatic cable confirmed the confusion caused 'major political and psychological shock' in Poland. Czech President Petr Pavel criticized the lack of coordination with NATO. Key themes included balancing reliance on U.S. weapons systems with building European defense capabilities, and tensions over EU defense procurement rules. Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson warned against a 'European preference' in EU defense procurement, while Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu emphasized balancing localization with U.S. engagement, noting Romania's procurement plan includes over $2 billion in U.S. equipment.

On 22-23 May 2026, Russian forces conducted widespread drone, artillery, and missile strikes across Kherson and Kharkiv oblasts, killing four civilians and injuring 25. In Kherson Oblast, one person was killed and 20 injured as strikes targeted social infrastructure and residential areas, damaging eight houses, a church, and vehicles. In Kharkiv Oblast, three people were killed and five injured, including an 86-year-old woman killed by a drone strike on a vehicle and a 46-year-old man killed in Kivsharivka. Ukrainian air defense destroyed or jammed 102 of 124 drones launched overnight. The attacks underscore Russia's continued targeting of civilian areas in southern and eastern Ukraine.

Taiwan's National Security Council chief Joseph Wu reported that China has deployed over 100 naval and coast guard vessels in waters from the Yellow Sea to the South China Sea and western Pacific in recent days, exceeding previous numbers. A Taiwanese security official confirmed that Chinese vessels were detected before a Beijing summit but their numbers surpassed 100 in recent days. The deployment comes amid heightened tensions following US President Donald Trump's remarks referring to Taiwan as 'the problem of Taiwan' and his willingness to speak with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. The Chinese military buildup underscores Beijing's pressure on Taiwan and its opposition to any US-Taiwan interactions.

The Vyshhorod District Military Administration announced that 32 settlements in Kyiv Oblast, including Kyiv city, are being prepared for all-round defense on orders from the military command. Priority measures are estimated to cost up to UAH 11 billion ($249 million). This follows Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's instructions to prepare a response plan amid continued Russian attempts to involve Belarus in the war.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a sweeping policy change on May 22, 2026, requiring most foreigners in the United States on temporary visas—such as work, tourism, or study—to return to their home countries to apply for green cards, except in extraordinary circumstances. Previously, many applicants could adjust their status from within the US. The change, part of the Trump administration's broader immigration crackdown, has caused confusion among immigration lawyers and aid groups, who warn it could force applicants to leave families and jobs for months and may be impossible for those without safe home countries or functioning US embassies.

Background: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has warned that the war with Iran is 'not over' despite a US-brokered ceasefire, insisting that Iran's enriched uranium must be removed and its facilities dismantled. Today: Former Israeli National Security Advisor Eyal Hulata stated in an interview that Israel will militarily intervene if Iran attempts to resume uranium enrichment. He assessed that the June 2025 war effectively halted Iran's nuclear program for nearly a year, destroying key facilities and materials. Hulata noted that while US President Trump prefers a diplomatic deal with Iran, he is prepared to use limited military strikes. He emphasized that Israel's commitment to preventing a nuclear-armed Iran remains absolute, but any major decision rests with Washington.

On 22 May 2026, a Russian FPV drone deliberately targeted a funeral procession on the outskirts of Sumy, Ukraine, killing one man and wounding nine others. The operator saw the mourners in real-time and steered the drone into the roadway next to a bus carrying the procession. The attack occurred on the same day Ukraine's Prosecutor General released cumulative documentation of over 11,000 small-drone attacks on civilians since 2024. Sumy Oblast has been consistently targeted in Russia's drone campaign against civilians.

Background: German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has been maintaining border controls despite court rulings. Today: Dobrindt announced plans to conclude agreements with EU partners on establishing return centers in third countries by the end of 2026, coordinating with Denmark, Netherlands, Austria, Greece, and the European Commission. He also seeks to increase deportations, including to Afghanistan and Syria, despite criticism over cooperation with the Taliban for deportations to Afghanistan. Deportations in Q1 2026 fell for the first time in five years, dropping by 1,344 to 4,807 compared to the previous year.

An explosion on a barge at a Staten Island shipyard in New York City killed one civilian and injured at least 34 people, including firefighters and first responders. The incident began with a fire that trapped workers; the cause remains unknown. One fire marshal is in critical condition.

Ten German human rights organizations released the 2026 Fundamental Rights Report, warning that the country's rapid militarization—including a €500 billion defense package—and cuts to development aid and refugee programs are eroding fundamental rights. The report also criticizes potential reintroduction of conscription and reduced refugee resettlement. Former Justice Minister Herta Däubler-Gmelin highlighted the impact of wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran on rights.

The race to succeed Donald Trump in the 2028 Republican primary is shaping up as a contest between Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Vance leads in early polls and has Trump's implicit backing, representing a pure MAGA populist vision. Rubio offers a more mainstream, disciplined version of Trumpism, appealing to donors and foreign-policy hawks. The outcome may depend on Trump's final term performance and his eventual endorsement.

Former Schleswig-Holstein minister-president Torsten Albig urged the SPD to drop its 'firewall' against the far-right AfD and consider minority governments tolerated by the party. Senior SPD politicians, including Jochen Ott and Julian Barlen, strongly rejected the idea, accusing Albig of promoting 'poisonous ideas' and noting his current role as a lobbyist for Philip Morris. They cited the AfD's far-right ideology and historical persecution of social democrats. AfD parliamentary manager Bernd Baumann welcomed Albig's remarks. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) dismissed speculation about preparing for AfD state government participation, emphasizing the need to prevent such scenarios.

The UKMTO had previously reported a suspicious approach off Yemen's al-Mukalla. On 23 May 2026, it reported multiple new incidents of vessels being approached by skiffs in the Gulf of Aden, including a large skiff with two outboard engines observed carrying both ladders and weapons, indicating an escalation in maritime security threats. Authorities are investigating and urged vessels to transit with caution.

SpaceX launched its third-generation Starship V3, the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, from its Starbase facility in Texas on May 23, 2026. The uncrewed test flight carried 20 mock Starlink satellites, which were released in space, and ended with a controlled splashdown and intentional explosion in the Indian Ocean. Despite engine failures on both stages, the mission achieved most major objectives, boosting confidence for NASA's Artemis lunar program and ahead of SpaceX's planned record-breaking IPO. The launch was delayed one day due to a hydraulic pin malfunction in the launch tower.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky enacted a new sanctions package targeting 127 Russian military commanders accused of directing missile strikes against Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure, including the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv and a residential building in Ternopil. The package also sanctions 29 civilian cargo vessels allegedly used to transport military equipment and personnel for Russia's war effort, many already under US, EU, and UK sanctions. Ukraine plans to coordinate additional restrictions with international partners.

Thuringia minister-president Mario Voigt (CDU) condemned the AfD's threats to cut state funding to churches if they come to power in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Voigt called the AfD's plans an attack on churches and Christian-Western values, accusing the party of cultural hostility and hostility toward religion. The AfD leads polls in both states ahead of elections in Saxony-Anhalt in September and Thuringia in 2029.

Background: The Pentagon faced bipartisan criticism over delayed Ukraine aid and the exclusion of new Ukraine funding in the FY2027 budget. A bipartisan group of six US senators—Dick Durbin, Chuck Grassley, Kevin Cramer, Thom Tillis, Michael Bennet, and Catherine Cortez Masto—sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday demanding the release of $600 million in delayed security assistance: $400 million for Ukraine and $200 million for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The senators warned that further delays risk deterring Russia, especially amid reported US troop withdrawals from the region. Hegseth had told lawmakers over three weeks ago that the funding was allocated and a spending plan would be delivered, but the Pentagon missed a May 15 deadline. Separately, a House Democrat-backed proposal to expand sanctions on Russia and provide an additional $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine is gaining support, though unlikely to pass.

James Watt, co-founder of collapsed craft brewery Brewdog, announced a new beer brand called Second Best and pledged to allocate up to 19.3% of its shares to investors who lost money in Brewdog's Equity for Punks crowdfunding scheme. Brewdog collapsed with over £500m in debt and was sold to US firm Tilray in March 2025, leaving thousands of small investors with no return. Investors expressed skepticism about the offer, questioning its value given the company's failure.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who previously announced a reassessment of global military commitments and reiterated opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, stated during a visit to New Delhi that progress has been made in the dispute with Iran and that the US may have an announcement in the coming days.

Background: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India to reset strained bilateral ties and attend a Quad meeting. The Quad foreign ministers from the US, India, Japan, and Australia met in New Delhi from May 24-26, 2026, to discuss Indo-Pacific security, energy supplies, and emerging technologies. The meeting is overshadowed by US-India tensions over Trump's tariffs and his claims of mediating India-Pakistan border clashes. Analysts stress the Quad's importance in countering China's assertiveness and warn of strategic drift if US commitment wanes. Discussions may revive a 'Quad-plus' arrangement including South Korea, New Zealand, or Vietnam.

Background: On May 15, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree simplifying Russian citizenship for residents of Moldova's breakaway Transnistria region, exempting them from residency, language, and history requirements. Moldovan and Ukrainian leaders condemned the move as a mobilization tactic and territorial claim. Today: A new analysis reveals that most Transnistrian residents already hold Russian passports, making the decree primarily a strategic signal. Ukrainian President Zelensky stated Russia is 'designating the territory of Transnistria as effectively its own.' Russia's State Duma recently approved legislation expanding presidential authority to deploy armed forces abroad to 'protect Russian citizens,' and Russian diplomats have intensified contacts with Transnistrian authorities. The article highlights Transnistria's strategic location near Ukraine's Odesa region and Danube corridor, and notes Moldova's shift toward technocratic reintegration with EU support for Russian troop withdrawal. Russia's upcoming 2026 parliamentary elections add domestic political value to the passport decree.

Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to lead a new North-South Commission established by the German government to strengthen ties with developing and emerging economies. The commission aims to diversify and intensify bilateral relations with the Global South, addressing development, security, and foreign policy interests. It is expected to convene in the second quarter of 2026.

Rep. Thomas Massie lost his Kentucky Republican primary to Trump-backed Ed Gallrein in the most expensive House primary in modern history, with over $34 million in spending. AIPAC's super PAC contributed $9 million to the race. Massie was the only member of Congress to vote against House Resolution 888 in November 2023 and opposed emergency military aid to Israel. His defeat is analyzed as a structural enforcement of pro-Israel orthodoxy, continuing a pattern of punishing lawmakers who challenge unconditional support for Israel, including Paul Findley, Charles Percy, Cynthia McKinney, Earl Hilliard, Jamaal Bowman, and Cori Bush. Despite shifting public opinion—polls show sympathy for Palestinians surpassing sympathy for Israelis for the first time, with a generational divide—crossing the Israel lobby remains politically costly. However, the same night saw pro-Palestine candidate Chris Rabb win the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District against two AIPAC-backed opponents, suggesting the lobby's dominance may be waning.

Background: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio planned to visit India for a Quad meeting and to reset bilateral relations strained by tariffs, Pakistan issues, and energy disputes. Today: Rubio arrived in India and met Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi, extending an invitation for Modi to visit the White House. They discussed deepening bilateral ties, energy security amid the Iran war-induced Strait of Hormuz crisis, and regional security. Modi stated they discussed sustained progress in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and regional and global peace and security. Rubio also briefed Modi on the situation in the Middle East, emphasizing that the US will not let Iran hold the global energy market hostage and affirmed that US energy products can diversify India's energy supply. The visit includes a Quad foreign ministers meeting on May 26. India's fuel prices have risen for the third time in eight days due to disruptions in Gulf shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Background: The Netherlands has been pushing the EU to renew talks on using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, amid concerns that the existing €90 billion loan covers only part of Ukraine's needs. Today: Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, speaking at the GLOBSEC forum in Prague, called for Europe to return frozen Russian sovereign assets to the political agenda, arguing they are the real resource for Ukraine and leverage to force Russia to negotiate. He said the loan deal postponed the issue but it should now be revived. Budrys reiterated that the €90 billion loan was a useful but insufficient step, and that the assets remain the real resource and leverage. He noted that the issue was postponed after legal and political hurdles but insisted it is not closed.

Background: A 26-year-old Kurdish asylum seeker from Syria, returned to France under the UK-France 'one in, one out' small boat returns agreement, had his French asylum claim rejected on the grounds that Syria is safe for him, raising concerns about onward refoulement. Today: An asylum seeker sent back to France under the same scheme has covertly returned to the UK and is now in hiding. He reports being beaten by smugglers after refusing to work with them and claims at least 18 others have similarly returned. The returnee paid €4,000–5,000 for a lorry journey to bypass increased police presence on French beaches. Critics argue the policy pushes migrants into unsafe routes and criminalizes them. The Home Office stated that anyone returning after removal will be removed again.

Background: Iran has insisted that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire deal with the US, rejecting the US/Israeli view that Israeli operations in Lebanon are a separate conflict. Hezbollah confirmed it received a message from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that Lebanon's inclusion was explicitly emphasized in Tehran's latest proposal to Pakistani mediators, reaffirming Iran's support for Hezbollah and its push for a Lebanon ceasefire as a firm principle. Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's continued support for Hezbollah and other regional groups, describing them as defending 'rights and freedom' until the very last moment. He added that Tehran has consistently pushed for any broader US-Iran agreement to include a ceasefire in Lebanon, calling this a 'firm principle' and part of Iran's 'legitimate demands'.

A fire broke out at the Sheskharis oil terminal in the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk early Saturday, which regional officials attributed to falling drone debris. The terminal, operated by a Transneft subsidiary, is a major export hub for oil and petroleum products. Emergency services responded to the blaze affecting several technical and administrative buildings. This incident follows a pattern of Russian claims of drone debris causing fires at energy infrastructure.

The Trump administration has temporarily halted removal flights to the Democratic Republic of Congo due to the Ebola outbreak, but experts and advocates argue the policy is inconsistent and inadequate. At least one deportee, Adriana Zapata, remains stranded in Kinshasa despite a court order for her return, as officials cite the travel ban. Critics note the US continues deportations to other affected countries like Uganda and South Sudan, and that the administration could safely repatriate individuals using established health protocols. The pause is seen as a legal tactic rather than a genuine public health measure.

Analysts argue that the West must take five concrete steps to secure a sustainable peace in Ukraine: continue military aid, deploy European troops as a deterrent, maintain US support for intelligence and nuclear umbrella, convince Putin he cannot win by cutting Russian gas and supplying Ukraine with weapons, and create a European defense union with nuclear deterrence. German Chancellor Merz has proposed applying the EU's mutual defense clause to Ukraine before formal membership.

A Mitchell Institute report calls on the U.S. Space Force to establish a human spaceflight program and station active-duty troops on the moon and space stations to counter China's lunar ambitions. The report argues for reinterpreting the 1967 Outer Space Treaty to allow military presence, citing China's military-aligned space plans. It recommends congressional funding for commercial space station residencies and a dedicated Space Force space station. This proposal marks a significant push to blur the lines between space exploration and militarization, potentially reshaping U.S. space policy and international norms.

Russian drones struck a multi-storey residential building and an office building in Shakhtarske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, overnight on 22-23 May. Emergency services evacuated 25 residents, including five children; no casualties were reported. The attack was part of a larger Russian UAV assault involving 124 drones, of which Ukraine's Air Force said 102 were shot down or jammed. Additionally, a house was damaged in the Kryvyi Rih district.

Background: The ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC has prompted US travel restrictions and enhanced screening for World Cup attendees, with experts assessing low transmission risk but potential logistical issues. The WHO has raised the outbreak risk to 'very high' and declared it an international emergency, with nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 deaths. Today: The DRC national football team has refused to alter its World Cup preparations despite a US demand for a 21-day isolation bubble. The team, composed entirely of players based abroad, will proceed with friendlies in Belgium and Spain, though a planned send-off trip to Kinshasa has been cancelled. The White House Task Force for the World Cup warned that failure to maintain the bubble could result in denied entry.

In an interview, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba argues that Ukraine has already achieved a strategic victory by surviving as a sovereign state, but the war will not end with a comprehensive negotiated settlement. He discusses the need for a stabilized front line and severe economic pressure on Russia, the erosion of the rules-based order, China's calculated balance, and Europe's insufficient but growing response. He warns that without 10 years of internal peace, Ukraine risks becoming like Lebanon.

A record 309,852 people received German passports in 2025, a 6% increase from 2024, driven by Germany's 2024 citizenship law reform allowing dual citizenship and reducing residency requirements. A further surge is expected in 2027 as Ukrainian refugees become eligible.

The 2025 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference, which opened with warnings from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about the treaty's erosion, concluded on 23 May 2026 without a consensus outcome. Guterres expressed disappointment, stating the conference failed to seize a critical opportunity to enhance global security amid deep tensions and elevated nuclear risks. He welcomed the sincere engagement of states parties but regretted the lack of a substantive outcome. Guterres called for urgent action through dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiation to reduce tensions, lower nuclear risks, and ultimately eliminate the nuclear threat, reaffirming that a world free of nuclear weapons remains the UN's highest disarmament priority.

Refugees fleeing persecution and violence, including from Haiti, Tibet, and India, are being rejected at the Canadian border and handed over to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for detention. Lawyers and advocates argue that Canada's rigid application of the Safe Third Country Agreement with the US, combined with new restrictive asylum legislation, is violating human rights and undermining Canada's reputation as a safe haven. The US is not considered a safe third country due to its long-term detention practices and threats of deportation to dangerous countries.

Kyiv Post gained rare access to Ukraine's 21st Unmanned Systems Regiment 'Lava' in Kharkiv region, observing operations of Leleka reconnaissance drones and Bulava loitering munitions. Operators described deep strikes against Russian logistics, communications, and command infrastructure, with drones capable of reaching Belgorod. The unit uses autonomous evasive systems to counter Russian interceptor drones, and coordinates via encrypted video links and relay drones for extended range.

Former UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has called for a national consensus on rejoining the European Union, arguing that the current government reset is insufficient. He emphasized the need for a deeper institutional relationship with the EU, noting that the bloc is evolving with Ukraine's potential associate membership. Miliband also urged the Labour Party to focus on policy over leadership debates. The remarks follow reports that the UK proposed a single market for goods with the EU, which was rejected.

The French Navy's Rubis-class nuclear attack submarine Perle has departed Toulon for Cherbourg for decommissioning and dismantling, scheduled for 2026. Over its 33-year career, the Perle sailed nearly one million nautical miles and spent the equivalent of 12 years submerged. Its retirement leaves France with only four operational SNAs (three Suffren-class and Améthyste) until the SNA de Grasse enters service in 2027.

Uber and DoorDash are reportedly gauging investor interest in a potential acquisition of Delivery Hero, the Berlin-based food delivery giant. The move signals consolidation in the global food delivery market and could reshape competitive dynamics, with implications for investors and the broader tech-enabled services sector. The companies have begun sounding out investors to gauge interest in a deal, indicating ongoing exploratory efforts.

At the GLOBSEC forum in Prague, Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in serious peace talks and called on Europe and Ukraine's partners to increase economic pressure on Russia to force negotiations. She emphasized that continued support for Ukraine is the only path to peace and warned European countries to prepare for Russian hybrid warfare, including cyberattacks, disinformation, and destabilization funding. Sandu also highlighted a recent Russian decree simplifying citizenship for residents of Transnistria, which she said could be used to conscript people for the war against Ukraine.

Background: Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War briefed African journalists on Russia's recruitment of foreign mercenaries, presenting data on over 28,000 foreign fighters. Today, Ukrainian authorities report holding foreign nationals from over 30 countries captured while fighting for Russia. In a camp near Lviv, prisoners claim they were misled or coerced into enlisting. Several Asian and African governments accuse Russia of using deceptive methods to recruit individuals for the front lines.

Vanuatu's Prime Minister Jotham Napat has intensified the long-standing territorial dispute with France over the uninhabited Matthew and Hunter islands, declaring before Parliament that Vanuatu's independence will remain incomplete until sovereignty over the islands is secured. The statement, reported by the Vanuatu Daily Post, was accompanied by a photomontage of French President Emmanuel Macron and Napat above the two islets. The dispute, which began in 1983, has been aggravated by France's internal political situation in New Caledonia. Napat's remarks underscore the issue as the top priority of Vanuatu's foreign policy, as outlined in its 2024 diplomatic roadmap, reflecting growing frustration in Port-Vila over France's internal affairs interfering with the territorial claim.

The article analyzes the evolution of Central Europe, particularly the Visegrád Group, from a bloc seeking EU/NATO membership to one now defining itself by its stance on Ukraine's accession. Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar's visit to Poland highlights the region's divisions: Poland supports Ukraine, while Hungary and Slovakia have obstructed aid and accession. The piece examines how Ukraine's wartime centrality has reshaped regional dynamics and the challenges for Magyar in balancing domestic skepticism with European integration.

Eswatini has detained 19 migrants deported from the US under a controversial agreement, with lawyers challenging its constitutionality. Detainees report poor conditions, and the deal bypassed parliament. The US paid $5.1 million for hosting up to 160 deportees, sparking protests and legal action.

Authorities in Russian-occupied Sevastopol have imposed gasoline sales limits of 20 liters per vehicle due to logistical difficulties, leading to long queues and panic buying. Diesel fuel is being distributed via a coupon system. The shortages follow repeated logistical disruptions in Crimea during Russia's war against Ukraine, including a recent fire at an oil terminal in Novorossiysk blamed on drone debris.

An opinion piece argues that Ukraine is undergoing a systemic transformation beyond the corruption narrative, highlighting the Diia digital ecosystem serving 23 million citizens, the resilience of SMEs accounting for 99% of businesses, and the integration of mental health support into economic policy. It notes that women founded 61% of new individual businesses in 2025 and that Ukraine's IT sector generates $6.45 billion in annual exports, positioning the country as a laboratory for adaptation under extreme pressure.

At the Scottish Defence Procurement and Supply Chain Summit, BAE Systems Naval Ships Engineering Director Stuart Justice detailed practical steps for SMEs to enter the defence supply chain, including using the official supplier portal, avoiding cold calls, and meeting compliance requirements such as ISO 9001, cyber security standards, and insurance. He highlighted specific areas where BAE seeks SME support, including marine autonomy, modularity, and advanced coatings, and noted that around 40% of a ship's cost is procured through the supply chain, with over 3,000 SMEs already in BAE's tier one supply chain.