Polish Border Guard Report Shows Increased Pressure from Migrants

A report on migrant crossings from Poland’s border with Belarus sourced from Poland’s border guard has revealed an increase in attempted and successful illegal crossings in 2023 from 2022. The figures show that around twice as many migrants, approximately 18,000, mainly from Africa and the Middle East, were detected by Polish authorities 2023.

Belarusian authorities have been facilitating these crossings en masse in what has been labeled by EU authorities and member states as a “hybrid attack.” The data was recorded from January 1st to September 17th, with 16,281 crossings prevented, 380 people detained, and 1,207 people being deported from the territory of Poland.

The border guard has resolved to respond to these figures by increasing security personnel at the border, and Minsk has responded by announcing increased military exercises near the border as well.

Source: NotesFromPoland

Poland Raises Family Benefit to PLN 800

The Polish government has increased the cash grant for families with children from PLN 500 to 800 per child per month. The increase went into effect on the first of January 2024.

The ministry of family, labor, and social policy stated that the increase is automatic and no additional paperwork is required to be completed by recipients of the program, which has assisted in providing for about seven million children for PLN 255 Billion since its start in 2016.

Source: gov.pl, PolskieRadio

Police Record Increase in Drunk Driving Incidents from Last Year

While speaking with the press yesterday, Traffic Police Commissioner Robert Opas, stated that “Between December 29 and January 1, the police recorded 160 accidents which had claimed the lives of 18 individuals and left 181 injured.” He added that while the number of accidents remained the same as last year, there were fewer casualties and injuries overall.

However, police reported identifying 924 intoxicated drivers, 56 more than the previous year, and on the first day of the new year, 356 drunk drivers were detained compared to 299 the year before.

Source: PAP, PolskieRadio

Poland to Face China in Tennis United Cup Quarterfinal

Poland’s tennis team, composed of No. 1 Iga Świątek and No. 9 Hubert Hurkacz will face off against China today for a spot in the final four of the 2023/24 United Cup in Australia.

The team is coming off back to back victories against Spain and Brazil, finishing at the top of Group A. The tournament will run until January 7th, concluding at the Rosewall Arena in Sydney.

Source: United Cup, ESPN, Eurosport

Weather

Today will be another day without much sunshine, but we will see a decent return of snowfall and sleet. The temperature may range from -2 to 1 degrees celsius or 28 to 33 degrees fahrenheit.