200,000 call-up notices: how ‘soft conscription’ works in Germany

Ani Lorak’s concerts in cities across the Far East have been cancelled in Russia following accusations that she allegedly supports the Ukrainian military.

Men over the age of 50 who are liable for military service may be called up in Ukraine if they are fit for service and do not have a deferment or exemption.

Sweden may join the ranks of countries that restrict children’s access to social media. A government commission is proposing to introduce a minimum age of 15 for using social media, and the relevant legislation could come into force as early as 1 January 2028.

Most Ukrainians are not very familiar with the country’s religious leaders – but among those they do know, Metropolitan Epiphanius enjoys the highest level of trust. Kirill, Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, has no trust at all in Ukraine.

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the authorities cannot automatically detain a journalist during a protest simply because they have refused to comply with a police order to leave the scene.

In Druzhkivka, in the Donetsk region, a Russian FPV drone struck an armoured vehicle belonging to the ‘Proliska’ humanitarian mission, which was being used to evacuate civilians. The driver was unharmed, but the vehicle sustained damage.

The Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) has signed contracts for the supply of 1,500 motorcycles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi emphasised that Ukraine lacks modern air defence systems and the missiles required for them. He stressed the importance of making efficient use of available resources, improving effectiveness, and receiving assistance from partners.

The Kremlin is exploring options for ending the war against Ukraine, as the Russian economy and military face mounting difficulties. The capture of the entire Donetsk region is gradually becoming Putin’s key condition for ceasing hostilities, indicating a significant scaling back of Moscow’s initial ambitions.

The US and Iran have exchanged fresh strikes against one another amid escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf and reports of difficulties in the negotiation process. Both sides have claimed to have carried out attacks on military installations and maritime targets.

Mass riots broke out in France following Paris Saint-Germain’s victory in the Champions League final. A total of 780 people were arrested in Paris and other cities across the country, and 57 police officers were injured during the clashes

On 1 June, Finland will test its public warning system, which is used to alert the public to emergencies and potential threats, including drone attacks. The test forms part of the country’s regular civil protection drills

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s party, “Civic Contract”, is set to win the parliamentary elections on 7 June. According to a poll, the Prime Minister’s party is polling at almost 65% of the vote

Several well-known American artists have pulled out of the concert programme at the Great American State Fair, which is being held to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. The performers stated that they were unaware of the event’s links to the organisation Freedom 250, which was established on the initiative of President Donald Trump

The US is prepared to resort to military action against Iran once again if negotiations over its nuclear programme prove fruitless. At the same time, officials in Washington say that Donald Trump continues to hope for a diplomatic solution