After nearly five days of contentious debates, European Union leaders have agreed on a massive EUR 750 billion stimulus plan for their coronavirus-affected economies. At issue was whether the disbursement of recovery funds should take the form of grants or loans, if payouts should be tied to economic reforms, and if countries accused of flouting democratic principles, such as Hungary and Poland, could potentially have their funding frozen.
In the end, leaders agreed to a near 50/50 split, with EUR 390 billion earmarked for grants and the remaining EUR 360 billion dispersed as loans, with much of the funding earmarked for countries that have been hit hardest by the pandemic.
Poland stands to be a top beneficiary of the recovery package, receiving tens of billions of euros in grants and low-interest loans, along with high-debt Mediterranean-rim countries that have taken the brunt of the pandemic in Europe.
AGREEMENT
Accused of being slow to coordinate its initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic and already weakened by Britain’s departure from the bloc, a deal on the economic aid plan was essential for demonstrating that the EU can step up in a crisis and remain united.
In a press conference early this morning, German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised the EU for proving that “a very special construct of 27 countries of different backgrounds is actually able to act together”.
In addition to the ambitious economic recovery plan, EU leaders also agreed on the bloc’s budget for the next 7 years, approving EUR 1.1 trillion to be used for a wide range of programs including agriculture and migration.
Source: Radio Poland, nytimes.com
51st anniversary of lunar landing
Fifty-one years ago yesterday, US astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon, famously taking “one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind.” Hundreds of millions of people all over the world listened to his first words from the lunar surface and watched televised images from the Apollo 11 space mission.
Among those watching the historic event on July 20, 1969, was Mirosław Hermaszewski, a Polish military pilot who made his own trip into space nine years later. In 1978, Hermaszewski traveled on the Soviet Soyuz 30 spacecraft to become the 89th person to reach outer space, and the first and only Polish national to do so.
Source: Radio Poland
Gdańsk to build playground for adults
For those who are young at heart, the city of Gdańsk has announced it will be building a playground for adults as part of the 2019 Citizen’s Budget (Budżet Obywatelski).
The playground, dubbed “Karuzelin,” was inspired by similar spaces in Hamburg and will feature large swings, hammocks, and rotating benches, along with more traditional recreational spaces.
The project was originally planned for Oliwa, but will now be built in Park Reagana next to an existing playground for children. A tender for the project has already been announced, and construction is expected to last 4-5 months.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Beach closures due to algae bloom
Three seaside bathing areas in Pomorskie remain closed due to cyanobacteria blooms, including beaches in Gdynia Redłowo, Gdynia Babie Doły, and one in Hel.
Cyanobacteria blooms are a frequent occurrence in the Baltic Sea in summer, often leading to beach closures such as the ones that occurred over the past weekend. Bathing in water contaminated with cyanobacteria can cause a range of adverse reactions including skin rashes, eye irritation, and gastrointestinal problems if the water is ingested.
For a map with updated beach closure information, visit: https://sk.gis.gov.pl/index.php/kapieliska/mapa
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be mostly sunny and mild with a strong breeze coming in from the east and very little chance of rain. Temperatures will peak around a high of 20°C, or 68°F, dropping overnight to 13°C or 55°F. The sunny weather should continue through the rest of the week, with rain returning again on Friday.
RGEN/pb
