The US House of Representatives has approved the country’s 2021 defense budget, which includes tougher sanctions on companies involved in the contested Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline opposed by Poland, according to reports.

Under the USD 740-billion defense bill passed by the lower house of the US Congress this week, more firms involved in the controversial gas project could face sanctions. Last month, US lawmakers agreed to target insurers and certification companies working on the Russian gas project in a draft of the planned budget.

According to Germany’s DW news outlet, more than 120 companies from 12 European countries could be affected. The bill still has to be passed by US Senate.

Source: polskieradio.pl

EU leaders reach deal on budget as compromise reached with Poland

EU leaders on Thursday reached a deal on the bloc’s next budget after a compromise to avoid Poland vetoing the plan, along with a massive cash injection of EUR 1.8 trillion for Europe’s coronavirus-battered economies.

Poland opposed an earlier proposal to make the pay-out of EU funds conditional on countries observing so-called “rule-of-law” standards. EU leaders on Thursday decided that such a mechanism would come into force, but with guarantees to assuage concerns in Warsaw around arbitrary decisions made in Brussels, critical of the conservative government in Warsaw, that could then be used as a reason to block the disbursement of monies.

Source: polskieradio.pl

Poland has secured over 60m doses of coronavirus vaccine

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has announced that Poland has reserved and bought over 60 million doses of coronavirus vaccines from six leading world producers. Officials have also released details of the vaccination project, with which Poland aims to make its population resilient to the virus in 2021.

The head of the prime minister’s office told reporters that vaccinations would start in January, but the exact date depended on the producers. Morawiecki, meanwhile, said last week his country could start free, voluntary, two-stage vaccinations against the coronavirus in February.

Source: polskieradio.pl

Great renovation of the Big Crane in Gdańsk

And finally, the iconic crane on the banks of the Motława in Gdańsk’s old town is set to be renovated next year as part of a three year project costing 18 million PLN. The majestic silhouette of the former port crane rising on the Motława waterfront is one of the most recognizable symbols of Gdańsk .

The Great Crane, which took its present shape in the second half of the 15th century, was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in the1950s and 1960s. The renovation work will give visitors chance to access parts of the structure that were previously inaccessible as well as providing new exhibitions and displays. The crane is one of the few preserved buildings of its type in the world..

Source: trojmiasto.pl

Weather

Today will be a cloudy and hazy day with a gentle breeze and temperatures struggling to reach one degree about freezing (34 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, dropping to 2 degrees overnight. Saturday will remain cloudy and grey with temperatures reaching a meagre 2 degrees centigrade during the day, and freezing point overnight.
That was the Radio Gdańsk English news and weather.

MC/mw