Poland records highest-ever temperature, Hungary urges remote work as heatwave grips Europe

A widespread, intense heatwave in Europe has shattered Poland's century-old temperature record and prompted Hungarian authorities to urge remote work in the public sector.

Poland recorded its highest-ever temperature on Sunday, surpassing a national record that had stood for more than a century, although the reading is still awaiting official confirmation, according to the country's Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW).

IMGW spokesperson Agnieszka Prasek said temperatures reached 40.5 degrees Celsius in the western border town of Slubice and 40.3 degrees Celsius in Torun on Sunday during a severe heatwave sweeping across Central Europe.

The previous national record of 40.2 degrees Celsius was set in Proszkow, southern Poland, on July 29, 1921.

Prasek said the latest figures were based on hourly telemetry and operational data, while official weather stations record temperatures at designated observation times. The institute is still verifying the data.

The record-breaking readings came as the IMGW issued its highest, third-level heat warnings for large parts of the country, forecasting temperatures of up to 42 degrees Celsius in some regions.

As the heatwave intensified, Polish authorities instructed government ministries to take immediate measures within their respective areas of responsibility. Firefighters and police were placed on heightened alert over increased wildfire risks and water-related accidents, while the Health Ministry stepped up monitoring of heatstroke and dehydration cases, particularly among the elderly and children.

Meanwhile, Hungary is preparing for what the health authorities described as the country's most severe heatwave in two decades with emergency measures, including water-use restrictions, rail speed limits and health advisories.

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced on Sunday that public-sector institutions would switch to remote work wherever operationally feasible and urged private employers to adopt similar arrangements. Authorities also advised postponing outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day to reduce health risks.

Hungary remains under a third-degree heat alert, the country's highest level, with temperatures forecast to reach between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius across much of the country in the coming days.

The national weather service HungaroMet said daily maximum temperature records for June 27 were broken on Saturday, with temperatures reaching 40.0 degrees Celsius in Budakalasz and 39.8 degrees Celsius in Budapest. Overnight minimum temperatures also set new daily records, highlighting the persistence of the extreme heat.

Poland and Hungary are among several Central European countries affected by the heatwave, with Germany and the Czech Republic also reporting unusually high temperatures over the weekend as the extreme heat spread eastward across the continent. Relief is expected in Hungary by Wednesday or Thursday.

Poland records highest-ever temperature, Hungary urges remote work as heatwave grips Europe

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Slovakia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar in Beijing on Tuesday.

Noting that in recent years, under the guidance of the two countries' leaders, the China-Slovakia strategic partnership has maintained high-level momentum, Wang said the relationship has become a model for countries of different sizes and systems to coexist in friendship, treat each other as equals and pursue win-win cooperation.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, briefed the Slovak side on the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. He said that China is ready to enhance experience sharing with Slovakia on party and state governance, make good use of mechanisms such as the intergovernmental cooperation committee, and increase people-to-people and grassroots exchanges.

China is ready to work with Slovakia to act on the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits and jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.

China always believes that China and Europe should remain committed to properly resolving frictions and differences through dialogue and consultation, and hopes Slovakia will continue to play a constructive role in the sound and steady development of China-Europe relations, Wang noted.

Blanar congratulated China on the successful convening of the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, saying that the overall leadership of the Party and long-term political and social stability are the institutional strength and political guarantee behind China's sustained and rapid development. Slovakia is ready to strengthen inter-party exchanges with China, he added.

Blanar noted that Slovakia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and always regards China as an important partner. Slovakia will continue to do its utmost to provide a stable and sound environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and cooperate in the country and offer greater facilitation for personnel exchanges, he said.

Slovakia is also ready to play a constructive role in Europe-China dialogue and cooperation and will continue to support and take part in China-Central and Eastern European Countries cooperation, Blanar added.

Chinese FM holds talks with Slovak counterpart