Russian President Vladimir Putin will reportedly host a ceremony today at the Kremlin to officially annex the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine, territory amounting to some 15 percent of Ukraine’s total landmass.
Putin is set to address MPs in the Russian Duma (Russia’s lower house of parliament) as part of a „festive” signing ceremony scheduled for today at 15:00 CET. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the ceremony will be followed by a concert on Red Square.
Russia’s annexation plans have been roundly condemned by many world leaders, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declaring that any attempt to proceed with annexation „would have no legal value and deserves to be condemned.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky promised a strong response to Russia’s annexation plans, summoning the country’s National Security and Defense Council for an emergency meeting on Friday, the Reuters news agency reported.
In his nightly address on Thursday, Zelensky promised that „Russia will not get a new territory of Ukraine. Russia will annex itself to the catastrophe that it has brought to the occupied territory of our country.”
Source: Radio Poland, PAP, Reuters
Poland’s lower house on Thursday endorsed a bill to freeze next year’s electricity prices at 2022 levels to help households with rising energy costs.
Under the bill, households will be able to consume up to 2,000 kWh of energy at rates guaranteed from 2022, according to officials. For families with members with disabilities, the limit will be 2,600 kWh. For large families and farmers, the limit is set at 3,000 kWh.
According to government spokesman Piotr Müller, only energy consumed above these ceilings will be subject to 2023 prices. Those who use electricity for heating will also be eligible for a one-off electricity allowance from PLN 1,000 (EUR 210) to PLN 1,500 (EUR 315), depending on prior usage.
Additionally, households that reduce their energy consumption by at least 10 percent between October 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023 (compared with the same period the previous year) will be eligible for a 10 percent discount on their total energy bill for those months.
The proposed legislation passed on a resounding 414-1 vote, with 26 abstentions, and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Radio Poland
Funeral ceremonies were held yesterday in the Warsaw suburb of Falenica for popular Polish actor Franciszek Pieczka, who died on September 23 at the age of 94.
In a career spanning seven decades, Pieczka played leading roles in a wide range of productions with some of Poland’s top theatre companies in Kraków and Warsaw, as well as roles for popular television programs and feature films, including Andrzej Wajda’s „The Promised Land” and „The Wedding.”
He was the recipient of numerous awards in Poland, including the Order of the White Eagle, the highest Polish state distinction, and a Life Achievement Award from the Polish Filmmakers’ Association.
Pieczka was buried with state honors, with President Andrzej Duda in attendance. Earlier the week, the Polish parliament paid tribute to Pieczka with a minute of silence.
Source: Radio Poland
The Dominican Republic defeated Poland 3:1 last night at Ergo Arena, ending the Poles’ winning streak in Phase 1 of the FIVB Women’s World Volleyball Championships.
While the Poles dominated the first set 25-18, the Dominicans were able to squeeze by the Polish defenses in the following three sets, 22-25, 21-25, 21-25. The loss bumped Poland to second place in Group B rankings, with 9 points and 3 wins, behind the Dominican Republic with 10 points and 3 wins.
The Polish team will have a chance to redeem themselves Saturday night when they face off against Turkey at 20:30. It will be the last match played in Gdańsk before Phase 2 of the tournament begins in Łódź on October 4.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, en.volleyballworld.com
As part of the „Defiant, Unvanquished, Enduring” (NNW) Film Festival in Gdynia, Radio Gdańsk will host a panel discussion tonight about the legacy of the historic Gedania sports club.
The discussion will begin at 19:00 tonight in the Hajdun Concert Studio at Radio Gdańsk and will be followed by a violin concert featuring Kamila Wąsik-Janiak accompanied by Edward Wolanin.
Tonight’s panelists will include Dr. Karol Nawrocki, president of the Institute of National Remembrance, dr hab. Janusz Trupinda, author of the book „KS Gedania – the club of Gdańsk Poles (1922-1953)” and dr hab. Grzegorz Berendt, director of the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be partly cloudy and cool, with only a slight chance of rain throughout the day and a gentle breeze coming in from the south. Temperatures will remain on the chilly side, with a high of 16°C, or 60°F, dropping to a low of 7°C or 44°F overnight. Clouds and a slight chance of rain are expected to return tomorrow afternoon, with a chance for additional storms early next week.
Listen:
Elizabeth Peck/MarWer
