Poland orders 288 South Korean rocket launchers

Poland has signed a new deal to buy hundreds of South Korean rocket launchers.

The defence minister, Mariusz Błaszczak, yesterday approved the contract to acquire 288 Chunmoo-type multiple rocket launchers.

The units are capable of hitting targets at a range of about 300 kilometres.

Deliveries are expected to start next year, and the launchers will be mounted on Polish-made Jelcz trucks.

In recent months the Polish government has ordered millions of dollars’ worth of tanks, howitzers and fighter planes from South Korea.

Poland is replacing some of the military equipment that it’s sent to Ukraine since the start of the war there in February.

Source: AP, polskieradio24.pl

Zakopane road tunnel days away from opening

The long-awaited road tunnel to Zakopane in the south of Poland is just days away from opening, the president announced on a visit to the site yesterday.

President Andrzej Duda walked the length of the two-kilometre tunnel at Zakopianka on the national road 7, and declared that it will be complete in “a dozen or so days”.

Duda called the event an ‘epochal change’, as it will make movement easier for both locals, and tourists wanting to reach the Tatra mountains.

Tunnelling started on the billion-zloty project in March 2017, and the contractor has cited a number of reasons for setbacks, including the pandemic, absenteeism, unfavourable weather conditions and geological problems.

Source: PAP

Forester in hospital after bear attack

A forester is in hospital in Bieszczady after being attacked by a bear.

The man was reportedly approached by a young bear before being set upon from behind by a large female.

The forester suffered extensive head wounds but was able to summon help from a colleague.

He was taken by helicopter to hospital in Sanok, where his condition is said to be stable.

Most of Poland’s brown bears, which number around 110, live in the Bieszczady region.

Source: polskieradio24.pl, thefirstnews.com, wwf.pl

Lublin diners encouraged to lock up phones during meals

Diners at restaurants in Lublin are being encouraged to lock up their mobile phones during meals.

An initiative called ‘Inspired by Conversation’ aims to promote social interaction by inviting customers to leave their mobiles in special cages as they dine.

The project is promoted by Lublin city council and so far over a dozen restaurants have signed up.

Customers who take part are offered a ten percent discount on their bill, and a free charge for their phones while they’re under lock and key.

Lublin’s vice president for culture, sport and participation, Beata Stepaniuk-Kuśmierzak, said the scheme “is an excellent opportunity to recognise the benefits of spending time together at the dining table with family or friends”.

Source: thefirstnews.com

Poles will dominate boxing semi-finals

Three Polish boxers are through to the semi-finals of the European women’s championships in Montenegro.

Aneta Rygielska, Elżbieta Wójcik and Martyna Jancelewicz are all guaranteed to win medals at the contest, as there will be no duel for third place.

The fighters will rest today before the semi-final bouts tomorrow.

Source: PAP

Weather

After a chilly and cloudy start this morning in Gdańsk, it promises to be a sunny afternoon with a high temperature of 11°C (51°F) and light winds from the west. Tonight will be another cold one at around 5°C (41°F), and tomorrow should stay dry and cloudy.