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Poland Extends Border Controls with Germany and Lithuania Until October 4 Amid Migration Concerns

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Poland has announced an extension of its temporary border controls with Germany and Lithuania until October 4, citing ongoing concerns about irregular migration. The measures, initially introduced on July 7 and due to expire on August 5, will remain in place for an additional two months, Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński confirmed on Sunday.

The decision comes amid shifting migration patterns in Eastern Europe. Tighter border security along the Belarus and Russia routes—previously favored by migrants—has made those paths increasingly difficult to access, leading to a surge in migration attempts through Lithuania and Latvia.

“The 98 percent tightness of our barrier means that Belarusian and Russian services and illegal migration are moving to other sections,” said Kierwiński. “Today, the main task not only for us but also for our partners in the European Union is to close the route to Lithuania and Latvia.”

He added that a further decision on long-term border management will be made in September after reviewing data from Polish border guards, military, and police authorities.

The extended controls are part of a broader regional response to irregular migration. Germany, which last year expanded its own border checks to include all neighboring countries, continues to maintain control points at 52 locations. Lithuania has implemented checks at 13 sites, including three official border crossings and 10 additional points designated for ad hoc inspections, primarily for use by local residents.

While the reinstatement of internal Schengen border controls is seen by some as a necessary security measure, it continues to raise concerns about the erosion of the EU’s foundational principle of free movement. Under the Schengen Agreement, member states are permitted to reintroduce border checks temporarily in cases of emergency, such as health crises or security threats.

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Polish authorities insist the extension is justified due to the evolving nature of migration routes and the pressure it places on national and EU security systems.

The migration issue has once again emerged as a central challenge for EU policymakers, especially as countries attempt to balance national security with the rights and freedoms guaranteed under European law.

Kierwiński emphasized the importance of collective EU action, noting, “This is no longer just a Polish concern—it’s a shared European task.”

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France Records Around 1,000 Excess Deaths as Record Heatwave Strains Health Services

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France has recorded around 1,000 more deaths than expected since a record-breaking heatwave swept across the country, placing hospitals and emergency services under intense pressure as temperatures climbed above 40 degrees Celsius in several regions.

Public Health France said on Sunday that preliminary figures showed a sharp rise in fatalities since June 24, when the extreme heat began affecting much of the country.

“Since June 24, approximately 1,000 additional deaths have been observed compared to the deaths recorded in previous months,” the agency said, noting that the figures remain provisional and could be revised.

Authorities said the hardest-hit areas were those placed under the highest red-level heat alert, including Île-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Brittany, Centre-Val de Loire, Normandy and Pays de la Loire. Around 85 percent of the reported deaths involved people aged 65 and older, highlighting the particular danger extreme temperatures pose to elderly residents.

The heatwave has stretched healthcare services, with hospitals and emergency responders dealing with a surge in callouts throughout the week. More than 30 French departments remained under red heat alerts for several days as temperatures continued to climb.

France also recorded its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with the nationwide average temperature reaching 30 degrees Celsius over a 24-hour period.

In Paris, officials introduced emergency measures to reduce pressure on public services. Authorities banned the public consumption of alcohol over the weekend and postponed the city’s annual Pride March because of the dangerous weather conditions.

Major tourist attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, also reduced operating hours as officials sought to protect visitors and staff from the extreme heat.

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Thousands of residents sought relief by gathering in parks and along canals across the capital. Officials, however, warned against swimming in unsupervised areas after a man drowned in the Canal Saint-Martin on Friday night.

Paris Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire urged residents to follow safety advice.

“We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: swimming outside the times when supervised swimming is permitted, and outside the supervised areas, is dangerous,” he wrote on social media platform X.

The heatwave also claimed the life of 21-year-old Ligue 2 footballer Kenzo Kies, who reportedly drowned in the Rhône River.

His club, Guingamp, expressed its sorrow in a statement, extending its condolences to his family and loved ones.

Weather forecasts indicate temperatures have begun to ease in some parts of France, but health officials continue to urge vulnerable people to remain indoors during the hottest parts of the day, stay hydrated and check regularly on elderly relatives and neighbours as the country recovers from one of its most severe heatwaves in recent history.

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US Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran After New Tanker Attack Near Strait of Hormuz

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The United States launched a new round of military strikes against Iranian targets on Saturday after Tehran was accused of carrying out another drone attack on a commercial vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, deepening tensions and placing a recently agreed ceasefire under renewed strain.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American naval and air forces struck Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communications systems, air defence positions, drone storage facilities and mine-laying capabilities. The operation came in response to what Washington described as a one-way drone attack on the Panama-flagged oil tanker M/T Kiku while it was transiting near the strategic waterway.

In a statement, CENTCOM said Iran had been given an opportunity to comply with the ceasefire following US strikes a day earlier but instead chose to continue military action.

“After yesterday’s U.S. strikes in response to the Iranian attack on M/V Ever Lovely, Iran was given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement but elected not to,” the military command said.

CENTCOM also released unclassified video footage on social media that it said showed the latest strikes on Iranian military targets.

Friday’s US operation had targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar sites after a drone attack on the commercial vessel M/V Ever Lovely. Washington said those strikes were intended as a response to threats against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran rejected the US position and accused Washington of violating the terms of the provisional memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month. Tehran responded by launching missile and drone attacks against facilities linked to US forces in Bahrain and Kuwait.

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Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Commission, said the American strikes demonstrated that President Donald Trump had “no commitment to the principles of negotiation or a ceasefire.”

“This reckless violation of the ceasefire will, as always, lead to retreat and regret on their part,” Azizi wrote on social media.

The latest exchange has raised fresh concerns over the future of the temporary agreement reached between Washington and Tehran. Under the arrangement, both sides committed to a ceasefire and pledged to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil and gas shipping routes.

The agreement also required the United States to lift its naval blockade of Iran, while Tehran agreed to reopen the strait and reaffirm its commitment not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. The two countries were given 60 days to negotiate a broader and permanent settlement.

With both sides accusing each other of violating the accord, prospects for those negotiations now appear increasingly uncertain as military activity intensifies across the region.

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Belgium Cruise Into Knockout Stage as Iran Wait on World Cup Fate

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Belgium booked their place in the FIFA World Cup round of 32 with an emphatic 5-1 victory over New Zealand on Friday, while Iran were left anxiously waiting to learn whether they would also progress after finishing their group campaign with a 1-1 draw against Egypt.

The convincing win in Vancouver secured Belgium top spot in Group G after a slow start to the tournament. The Red Devils had opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Egypt before playing out a goalless stalemate with Iran, leaving qualification in the balance heading into the final round of group matches.

Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard led Belgium’s charge with two goals. He opened the scoring in the 28th minute, reacting quickest after a corner to give his side the breakthrough. The winger struck again early in the second half with a well-taken volley to double Belgium’s advantage.

Captain Kevin De Bruyne extended the lead with a powerful left-footed effort from outside the penalty area before Romelu Lukaku headed home Belgium’s fourth goal. Alexis Saelemaekers completed the scoring late in the match as Belgium sealed one of the tournament’s most dominant victories.

The result sent Belgium into the knockout rounds as Group G winners. They are scheduled to face one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams from Groups A, E, H, I or J in Seattle next week.

Egypt also secured qualification after finishing second in the group and will face Australia in Dallas in the round of 32.

Iran, however, must now wait for the remaining group-stage matches in Groups J, K and L to determine whether their record will be enough to earn one of the places reserved for the best third-placed teams. Their campaign ended with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Egypt, leaving qualification dependent on results elsewhere.

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New Zealand’s hopes ended with the heavy defeat to Belgium. The All Whites finished the group stage with just one point and exited the competition without recording a victory.

Elsewhere, Spain advanced as Group H winners after defeating Uruguay 1-0 in Guadalajara. Álex Baena scored the only goal of the match, ensuring Spain avoided a potential meeting with Argentina in the next round. Spain will now face the runners-up from Group J, with either Austria or Algeria expected to provide the opposition in Los Angeles.

France also maintained their perfect record by defeating Norway 4-1 to finish top of Group I. The victory ensured France progressed with maximum points, while Norway and Senegal also advanced from the group.

France are set to meet Sweden in the round of 32 at MetLife Stadium, while Norway will take on Ivory Coast as the knockout stage begins to take shape. The remaining fixtures over the weekend will determine the final qualification places and complete the round of 32 lineup.

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