Four Polish F-16 fighter jets joined a high-profile military parade yesterday in Kyiv to mark the 30th anniversary of Ukrainian independence.

The Polish fighter jets were accompanied by representatives of several other allied nations, including US and Canadian troops, as well as British Eurofighters and Slovak C-27 Spartan planes.

Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is on a three-day visit to Ukraine, also attended the event, joining the Ukrainian head of state, Volodymyr Zelensky, on the honorary stand.

In earlier comments, Duda stressed Poland’s solidarity with Ukraine and the need to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity in light of the annexation of Crimea and ongoing conflict in the easter Donbas region.

Source: Radio Poland, PAP

Legendary drummer Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones passed away in a London hospital yesterday at the age of 80.

Watts had been a member of The Rolling Stones since 1963 and played on all the band’s albums. He will be remembered as “a valued husband, father, and grandfather as well as a member of The Rolling Stones and one of the greatest drummers of his generation.”

In an entourage of big egos and larger-than-life personas, Watts played the role of the sometimes demanding but respected older brother. Described as calm and steadfast, he remained married to the same woman for 56 years and somehow managed to avoid the excesses of the rock and roll lifestyle evidenced by his bandmates Keith Richards and Mick Jagger.

The Rolling Stones were due to begin a US tour next month; it is unclear if they will adhere to the original concert schedule in light of Watt’s passing. The band’s website currently features only a portrait of Watts, a reminder of the playful demeanor and classic style that were the hallmarks of his long career.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

A powerful film based on the true story of boxer Tadeusz Pietrzykowski, “The Champion of Auschwitz,” is set to hit cinemas in Poland this week.

Pietrzykowski was only 23 years old and Poland’s second-best bantamweight fighter when he was sent to Auschwitz on the first prisoner transport to the newly created concentration camp.

While in the camp, he was enticed and later forced to fight for the entertainment of the Nazi guards, earning the nickname of “White Fog” due to his evasive fighting style. While in the camp, he joined the resistance movement, Związek Organizacji Wojskowej, working directly under Captain Witold Pilecki in sabotage, information transfer, and other resistance activities.

After being liberated from the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, Pietrzykowski joined the Polish 1st Armoured Division to fight for a free Poland. He passed away in Warsaw on August 17, 1991, at the age of 74.

The film about his life, directed by Maciej Barczewski, is due to be released in Poland on August 27.

Source: Radio Poland, PAP

Eighty-nine Polish athletes with disabilities are set to compete in the Paralympic Games, which began in Tokyo yesterday.

More than 4,400 competitors from around the world are expected to take part in the event, which will celebrate the sporting talent of athletes with various impairments.

Team Poland, which comprises 56 men and 33 women, will compete in 12 sports, including para-athletics, table tennis, swimming, weightlifting, and kayaking.

Poland won 39 medals and finished 10th in the overall medal standings at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. This year’s Paralympics are set to run until September 5.

Source: Radio Poland

The Polish women’s volleyball team is celebrating after beating Spain 3-0 in the group stage of the Women’s European Volleyball Championship on Monday.

After earlier wins against Germany, Greece, and the Czech Republic, Poland is now decisively at the top of their group (B) with 12 points.

They will take on hosts Bulgaria in their last group-stage match in Plovdiv tonight at 7:30 pm Warsaw time.

Source: Radio Poland, eurovolley.tv

Weather

Today will be cool and mostly cloudy, with winds coming in from the southwest and a good chance of rain in the early evening and overnight. Temperatures will peak around a high of 21°C, or 69°F, dropping to an overnight low of 11°C or 52°F. Cool, wet weather is set to continue into next week, with an increasing chance for rain showers as we head into the weekend.

Elizabeth Peck/mrud