The US military’s European Command has raised its threat level over worries that Russia is building up forces around eastern Ukraine, an American military newspaper has reported. The Stars and Stripes newspaper cited the Pentagon as saying that tensions have escalated in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region in recent weeks. Since Moscow’s 2014 military intervention in Ukraine, there have been steady clashes between Russian-backed separatists in the country’s east and government forces.. Scores of videos shared on social media in recent weeks have shown Russian convoys of tanks and other combat vehicles apparently heading toward Ukraine. Russia also has stepped up manoeuvres beyond Ukraine in recent days, according to the website.
Source – Polskie Radio
Poles urged to spend Easter at home as COVID-19 cases surge
Officials have urged Poles to spend the upcoming Easter holidays at home and scrap any travel plans amid mounting COVID-19 cases. Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska told reporters this week that the third wave of the pandemic was likely to hit its peak in the country “around Easter time.” He said: “Let’s stay at home this Easter and avoid interpersonal contacts. Let’s refrain from visiting one another because it’s not the right time for that yet.” Easter is usually when Poles spend time with their extended families and travel extensively to visit their relatives.
Source – Polskie Radio
Poles remember pope who died 16 years ago
Thousands in Poland and elsewhere are on Friday expected to honour the legacy of the late Polish-born pope who led the Roman Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005. Friday marks 16 years since Pope John Paul II died after a pontificate lasting more than 26 years. In previous years, anniversary events commemorating the pontiff’s death have included religious services in churches and prayer vigils attended by crowds. This year, due to the spread of the coronavirus, events have been scaled down, with online vigils combined with reflections on John Paul II’s teachings scheduled to take place instead of the traditional public gatherings.
Source – Polskie Radio
Bizarre road accident in Gdańsk – sober driver at fault, victim was drunk
And finally, an unusual accident happened in Gdańsk this week. On Thursday afternoon, two cars were involved in a collision and the at-fault driver who was sober, offered to call the police. At this point, the other driver became agitated and made off, boarding a nearby bus. A witness to the accident, and the events which followed, notified police of the bus details and the bus was stopped a few kilometres down the road. The other driver was then breathalysed and found to be over the drink-drive limit. He has since been arrested and charged with drink driving.
Source – Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today’s will be a sunny day with scattered clouds in a moderate breeze and temperatures reaching 6 degrees centigrade (43 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, dropping to -2 degrees overnight. Sunday will remain sunny with scattered clouds, with temperatures reaching 9 degrees during the day and 4 degrees overnight.
RGEN
