Capital City of Poland on the Vistula, a centuries-old hub
Since October, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pushed a rapid reorientation of Japan's postwar posture: her government has eased lethal-weapons export rules, the ruling party has opened formal talks on revising the pacifist constitution, and Tokyo has expanded defence ties and arms sales with partners including Australia and potential buyers such as the Philippines and Poland.
Record‑level and near‑record May temperatures have been reported across multiple regions this week — parts of England and Russia have hit unusually high temps while the eastern US has recorded low‑90s — even as eastern Australia is facing a major rain band. Forecasts show brief, intense heat will give way to fronts or rain in most places; Australia is also seeing El Niño odds rise for winter.
Hungary’s new center-right government has summoned the Russian ambassador over a large drone attack on Ukraine near Hungary’s border. The move marks a sharp shift from the previous administration’s stance, with Budapest pressing for clarity on when Moscow plans to end the war. Zelenskyy has welcomed the stance as a signal of renewed neighborly cooperation.
Poland’s Tusk hosts Hungarian PM Magyar in a bid to reset relations after a period of tensions over Ukraine and energy. Magyar says the Visegrad Group could expand to include Nordic and Western Balkan states, with a Budapest summit possible this month.
A suspect linked to the killing of a Russian dissident-artist in Poland has been detained. Investigations identify Belarusians detained in connection with the case; authorities say the attack may reflect a broader Russian sabotage effort in Nato territory. EU sanctions and cross-border tensions are rising as officials seek to understand who ordered the murder.
Poland has revoked President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle after he has signed a decree naming a Ukrainian special forces unit for the World War II Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). Ukrainian officials have returned Polish honours and Poland and Ukraine are urging calm ahead of a major Ukraine reconstruction conference in Gdańsk.
Since late June, civil aviation has faced several safety scares: a JetBlue A321 has reported a collision with a drone near JFK and landed safely; a United and a helicopter pilot have reported near-misses with unmanned aircraft near Newark and Manhattan; Delta 1076 reported a firework strike during descent into Chicago Midway; and LOT Polish Airlines flight 155 emitted a false hijack transponder code and was escorted to Burgas before authorities blamed a transponder error.
Ten years after Brexit, Europe has moved on while the UK contends with its legacy. EU states see Britain as an ex-partner navigating a changed landscape; the UK faces ongoing questions about economic model, immigration rules, and future ties. Readers are guided through how this shift shapes politics and daily life.