Today's essential intelligence covering international developments and European affairs. Tokyo Ballot Shock
Exit polls show Japan’s LDP–Komeito bloc sliding to roughly 118 of 248 upper-house seats, below the 125 needed for control; the far-right Isshin party quadrupled its share to an estimated 40 seats (NHK/Politico). Pontiff’s Plain-spoken Pushback
Pope Leone XIV warned that “collective punishment” in Gaza breaches humanitarian law, urging an immediate cease-fire and civilian protection (ANSA).