In the capital Beijing, President Xi watched as tanks, rocket launchers, and even military drones paraded through Tiananmen Square. But 2000km away, on the other side of China, the people of Hong Kong were once again taking to the streets in protest. Protesters set up barricades around the city and clashed violently with police.
One of the activists is reported to have been shot by a police officer. Though rubber bullets and water cannons have been used before, this is understood to be the first use of live ammunition, marking a major escalation in the violence.
The police say a number of officers were attacked with „corrosive liquids”. The protests in Hong Kong are entering their fifth month now, with no end in sight. The EU has called for restraint, saying „dialogue, and de-escalation … are the only way forward.”
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has announced he will step away from the campaign trail until after his father’s funeral.
The Prime Minister’s father, Kornel Morawiecki, passed away on Monday. Kornel was a prominent figure in the Solidarity movement in the 1980s and a leading activist against communism. Following his death, politicians from across the political spectrum expressed their condolences.
Yesterday the Prime Minister’s office announced he would be withdrawing from the election campaign until after his father’s funeral. Though a date is yet to be decided, it’s understood Kornel Morawiecki will receive a state funeral and be buried at the Powązki military cemetery in Warsaw.
Radio Poland reports that one person has died and 18 others injured after severe gales struck Poland earlier this week. The winds affected mainly western and central Poland, disrupting power supplies and damaging buildings. It’s reported that a driver was killed when a falling tree hit his car.
New figures reveal that Poland’s unemployment rate is among the lowest in the European Union. According to the figures from Eurostat, the jobless rate in the month of August was 3.3%. Of the 28 EU member states, Poland’s rate was the third lowest, just behind Germany and the Czech Republic. Greece had the highest rate at 17%.
And in Malbork, some of the most eloquent speakers of the Polish language were honoured with a gala at the castle. The 19th „Master of Polish Speech” competition brought together Poland’s most elegant and sophisticated speakers in the setting of the famous Malbork castle.
The four winners included Malbork’s own Marta Szewczyk, who is usually a guide around the castle. Marta told Radio Gdansk the nomination was an honour.
Weather
Another wet day today, with light drizzly rain expected for most of this afternoon. Lots of low cloud around and temperatures struggling to reach 10 degrees Celsius, that’s 50 Fahrenheit.
But the rain and clouds should clear away into the evening.
RGEN News and Weather, Thomas Holdstock
