The BBC has reported that Iran has admitted „unintentionally” shooting down a Ukrainian passenger jet, killing all 176 people on board.

An investigation found that „missiles fired due to human error”, President Hassan Rouhani said. He described the crash as an „unforgivable mistake”. The military said the jet turned towards a sensitive site belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and was then mistaken for a cruise missile.
 
Iran had previously rejected suggestions that it was to blame. The downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 on Wednesday came just hours after Iran carried out missile strikes on two airbases housing US forces in Iraq. The strikes were a response to the killing of senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike in Baghdad on 3 January.

Survey Shows Poland as Most pro-American country in EU

A survey this week has revealed that Europe, in general, holds a more positive opinion about German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, while in Poland, trust in US President Donald Trump has gone up for the third year in a row, according to the Pew Research Center survey published by the Gazeta Wyborcza daily. The survey was carried out in 33 countries who were asked their opinions on the US and President Donald Trump.

On average, the role of the US was positively assessed by 54 percent of those surveyed and negatively by 38 percent. President Trump was trusted by 29 percent and distrusted by 64 percent of people polled.

The daily reported that in this context, Poland was the most pro-American country in Europe, with 51 percent having confidence in the US president and 79 percent supporting US politics. In terms of sentiment towards the US outside of Europe, Poland was only preceded by Israel and the Philippines.

Gazeta Wyborcza added that Poland was the only country where the percentage of positive answers about Trump had gone up for the third year in a row.

Polish PM Lauds Polish Economy in Berlin

The Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said at an economic conference in Berlin this week that his country has succeeded in delivering economic stability while pursuing social programmes. He was attending a conference in Berlin conference to discuss the future economic and political challenges faced by Germany and Europe. At a meeting on Wednesday Morawiecki told journalists: „Thanks to Polish entrepreneurs and employees we are being talked about by global, German and European business as a country that perfectly melds social goals with development goals and at the same time is able to ensure fiscal and macroeconomic stability.” The Polish economy grew 3.9 percent in the third quarter of 2019, according to the country’s Central Statistical Office.

Deal Signed on Pipes for New Denmark-Poland Gas Link

Officials in Warsaw have this week signed a deal for the supply of pipes for the Baltic Pipe gas link between Denmark and Poland. The project to build the pipeline is part of the Polish government’s efforts to diversify gas supplies and reduce the country’s energy dependence on Russia. Under the deal over 23,000 pipes will be delivered by German company Europipe GmbH. Officials did not disclose the value of the contract. The 900mm pipes will be covered with a special anti-corrosive coating. A Polish government spokesperson said that the project was proceeding according to schedule and would be completed on time. The Baltic Pipe has a completion date set for October 2022.

Poland’s Play Plans 5G Roll-Out in Gdynia in Race to Offer First Services

Polish mobile operator Play is planning to roll out a 5G network in the Gdynia, according to its chief executive, as the country’s telecoms providers rush to be the first to offer commercial next generation services. Mobile internet on 5G networks is expected to offer data speeds up to 50 or 100 times faster than current 4G networks and help expand connectivity. Rival Cyfrowy Polsat said on Friday its Polkomtel unit was beginning construction of the first 5G network in Poland and aimed to start serving seven cities in the first quarter. Although Play has already put equipment in place, with the entire city of Gdynia covered, the company is waiting for authorisation from the Office of Electronic Communication to proceed. The company also plans to build another 800 base stations in 2020, bringing its total to 8700.

The Weather

Today’s weather will bring light cloud in a moderate breeze. Temperatures will reach 5 degrees centigrade (41 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, and 2 degrees centigrade (36 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight.

Sunday will see temperatures remain the same and with the day remaining cloudy.

What’s On This Weekend
Highlights of what’s going on this weekend in the Tricity

The most noticeable event this week will be the annual charity event that collects donations for health related organisations. It is known as the The Great Christmas Charity Orchestra. There will be events all over the Tri-City and indeed throughout Poland. Events will be held in Gdynia at the Riviera Shopping City on Saturday, Sopot on Sunday at the Theatre on the Beach close to the Grand Hotel and the grand finale around the Solidarity Museum in Gdansk on Monday. Expect to be inundated by hoards of volunteers with collection tins and who hand out heart-shaped stickers. 

Sunday at the Baltic Opera in Wrzeszcz – music and movement classes for the children on Sunday between 11am and 3pm. Children and their parents participate in games where they spend their time creatively and can draw inspiration for further musical adventures. Classes are conducted by the artists of the Choir, Orchestra, Ballet and soloists cooperating with the Baltic Opera. Tickets are priced at 25zl per person.

If you are hankering for a bit of 80s and 90s nostalgia and are fans of the music of Depeche Mode and the Cure, then head down to Metro Club in Gdańsk Wrzeszcz Saturday night between 9pm and 4am where you can dance the night away to the greatest tracks of Depeche Mode and the Cure as well as artists who will do cover versions of some of their best known tracks. Entrance is 10 zl.

And finally, this weekend, the Family Park Orienteering events that are held regularly in the city are coming to Zaspa this Sunday. This is a great event for families to spend together in the outdoors, discovering things on their doorstep. You should meet at Primary School Number 48 from 9.30 am onwards. Entry costs between 1zl and 15zl per participant.