Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska is in Washington, DC this week to meet with US officials and build support for additional humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Zelenska met with Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, at the White House yesterday to discuss further support for Ukraine, including “how the US can further alleviate the suffering of Ukrainians through humanitarian aid” and assist with the prosecution of war crimes.
The extended meeting was also attended by US Vice President Kamala Harris, her husband Doug Emhoff, and US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
Zelenska’s multi-day diplomacy tour began earlier this week, with meetings on Monday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the head of USAID, Samantha Power.
Zelenska is expected to deliver a speech before the US Congress later today.
Source: PAP, Reuters
Dozens of wounded Ukrainian soldiers from the front lines of the war recently arrived in Poland via a special medical train.
According to Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Błażej Poboża, the idea for the train originated back in February, shortly after the invasion began. Since then, the train has been used mainly for transporting children with oncological diseases and large groups of refugees.
Recently the train was used to bring 32 wounded Ukrainian army soldiers to Poland for treatment at Polish hospitals.
„Poland is helping Ukraine,” Poboża emphasized, as Ukraine is “defending its territorial integrity and sovereignty” and, by extension, “defending the whole of Europe.”
Source: Radio Gdańsk, nashapolsha.pl
The Polish government on Tuesday approved a new one-time allowance to help households buy coal for home heating.
Climate and Environment Minister Anna Moskwa announced yesterday that the PLN 3,000 (EUR 630) allowance would be available to all families that use coal for home heating.
Once the measure is approved by parliament and signed into law by President Andrzej Duda, those eligible for the new benefit will have until November 30 to apply.
Moskwa said the new one-time allowance would replace an earlier measure whereby the government set a guaranteed price of PLN 996.60 (EUR 207) per ton of coal purchased by households.
The government is reportedly working on other “comprehensive measure[s]” to help citizens cope with energy and heating bills.
Source: Radio Poland
Spanish football powerhouse FC Barcelona confirmed yesterday they had reached an agreement with Bayern Munich for the transfer of Polish star striker Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski will reportedly sign a contract with Barcelona for the next four seasons, with the buyout clause set at EUR 500 million.
Lewandowski traveled to the United States over the weekend to join Barcelona at their training camp in Miami, Florida. The team (minus Lewandowski) won its first match against Inter Miami this morning as Barcelona kicked off its tour of the United States.
The team will face off against Real Madrid in Las Vegas on Sunday, Juventus in Dallas next week, and the New York Red Bulls in New Jersey on 31 July.
Source: Radio Poland, PAP, fcbarcelona.cat
As tourists and residents seek ways to beat the heat, WOPR lifeguards and staff are urging beachgoers to be prepared before heading outside.
Jarosław Radtke, President of the Pomorskie WOPR, noted in a recent interview with Radio Gdańsk that high temperatures bring more tourists to the beach, resulting in a higher risk of sunstroke, dehydration, and other preventable conditions.
Radtke advises people who want to relax on the beach to “eat breakfast and take water with them” and ensure children have a wristband with their parent’s phone number written on it in case they get lost in the crowd.
Sunbathers and swimmers are also advised to avoid unmonitored bathing areas and pay attention to the instructions given by lifeguards. People who intend to sunbathe should also remember to bring sun protection, such as an umbrella or shelter, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be mostly sunny and hot, with very little chance of rain and a light breeze coming in from the southeast. Temperatures will peak around a high of 28°C, or 82°F, dropping to an overnight low of 17°C or 62°F. The current heat wave will intensify across Pomerania tomorrow, with temperatures reaching up to 32°C or 90°F, before cooling off slightly on Friday.
Elizabeth Peck/aKa
