Poland celebrates Independence Day
Poland is celebrating its Independence Day today where the country remembers and reflects its regaining independence from the three occupying powers 104 years ago – reassembling the country with vastly differing infrastructure after more than 120 years of political, cultural, religious and ethnic persecution from Russia and Germany. Poland regained independence on November 11th, 1918, the day World War I ended, after 123 years of partition by Russia, Austria and Prussia. One of the highlights of this year’s festivities will be the opening of a new Mausoleum of the Polish Presidents-in-Exile. The day is a public holiday in Poland and is celebrated across the country.
Source – Polskie Radio
USA refuses to send advanced drones to Ukraine
The USA has refused to send advanced Gray Eagle drones – which Ukraine has been requesting for several months. Joe Biden’s administration has refused to send Gray Eagle drones to Ukraine, out of concern that they can easily be used to carry out attacks across the Russian border – thereby escalating the war. Biden has also refused to send American aircraft that could „guarantee the skies over Ukraine.” This appears to be part of a policy of the USA not to escalate the war into Russia or is part of an attempt to signal to Russia that the US is stopping short of full-scale attack, as a prelude to talks which have also re-entered media headlines as a possibility.
Source – Polskie Radio
Polish inflation to peak 'in January or February’
Inflation in Poland is set to peak at 19% in January or February 2023 according to its Central Bank chief before starting to fall in March and declining to around 8 percent in the last quarter of 2023. Adam Glapiński made the prediction at a news conference in Warsaw on Thursday. He met the media after the central bank’s rate-setting Monetary Policy Council left interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, keeping the reference rate at 6.75 percent. The Monetary Policy Council in September raised key interest rates for the 11th consecutive time in a bid to tame inflation. Inflation in Poland currently stands at 17.9 percent.
Source – Polskie Radio
Gdańsk begins Independence Day celebrations
And finally, as we mentioned, today is Independence Day in Poland. In Gdańsk yesterday, flowers were laid at a monument to Josef Pilsudski who is regarded as a founder of modern, independent Poland. He was the de facto leader of the Second Polish Republic as the Minister of Military Affairs at the time of its re-establishment. Radio Gdańsk is holding a day of historical broadcasts, talks and celebration of Polish music as a tribute to this special day. Independence Day parades in Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot take place today with many colourful and vibrant tributes. This year is the 20th year of the parade in Gdańsk.
Source – Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be a cloudy day in a moderate breeze with temperatures of 12 degrees centigrade (54 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and 10 degrees overnight. Tomorrow will remain dull in a gentle breeze with temperatures of 13 degrees during the day and 9 degrees overnight.
That was the Radio Gdańsk English news and weather.
Martin Caren/aKa
