Bloomberg Poland’s parliament defied international allies including the US and approved legislation that gives the ruling political party extensive control over the judiciary. After clearing the lower house, the 100-seat upper chamber passed the bill early Saturday with 55 votes, defeating opposition attempts to delay it. The European Union has warned of possible sanctions and the US has expressed concern. …

Bloomberg A high-tech Chinese spy ship in international waters off Australia’s northern coast has been monitoring joint military exercises between Australia and the US, the Australian defense force said. “Australia defense can confirm that a Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy Type 815 Dongdiao-class auxiliary general intelligence vessel has been operating off the north-east coast of Australia,” the Department of Defense said …

It is said that America’s armed forces have been stressed by 16 years of constant warfare, the longest such in the nation’s history. For the Air Force, however, the high tempo of combat operations began 26 years ago, with enforcement of the no-fly zone in Iraq after Desert Storm. With an acute pilot shortage, particularly in the fighter pilot community, …