Poland-Turkey relations: Cordial and growing ever closer

At a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko claimed mercenaries of the Wagner Group were planning a westward "excursion." How serious are the risks to NATO member Poland?

The Polish government says it may be forced to take Germany to court over waste, some of it toxic, being transported and stored in unauthorized landfills.

Tensions between Poland and Belarus have increased following reports that two helicopters violated the NATO country's airspace. Belarus has denied any border violation.

Sixteen people have now been detained by Warsaw who were allegedly spying for the Kremlin. Poland is also alarmed by the movement of thousands of Russia's Wagner mercenary fighters close to its joint border with Belarus.

Poland's Defense Ministry says it will send reinforcements to the country's frontier with Belarus. Warsaw claims Belarusian border guards are behind a renewed rise in illegal crossings.

Poland has recently warned of possible provocations coming from the mercenary group currently based in neighbouring Belarus.

Poland's ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) is making migration from the Middle East and Africa a key part of its electoral campaign ahead of a parliamentary vote in October.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is urging Russia to return to a deal allowing Ukraine to export grain, easing a global food crisis. However, Moscow is seeking concessions that only the West can offer.

At least seven people have died after torrential rains caused flash flooding in Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria. The deluge comes on the heels of extreme heat over summer.

More than a dozen people died in Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria as heavy rains hit parts of those countries. Record rainfall hit the central region of Magnesia in Greece.

Kyiv said its plans were in response to unilateral bans announced by the three states after an EU ban expired. The trio argue they are protecting their local markets, while Ukraine says the ban is "legally wrong."

This week, five US citizens freed from prison in Iran were able to embrace their loved ones back home. Under the deal brokered by Qatar, five Iranians detained in the United States were also released. The agreement included the unfreezing of nearly $6 billion in Iranian assets. So is the deal a sign of warming ties between Washington and Tehran? We put the question to David Smith, Washington bureau chief for the Guardian.