The US government is set to fund a $1.2 billion deal to supply advanced air defense systems for Ukraine.

The work following the deal with US arms company Raytheon will be performed at a site in the US with a completion date for the systems of November 2025. The United States on November 23rd also announced a new $400 million arms package for Ukraine’s defence against Russia. White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said at the time that the new security assistance package would include additional munitions for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) and heavy machine guns.

Source – Polskie Radio

The internet has been inundated with memes lauding Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny after his heroic efforts that helped send Poland into the last 16 of the Football World Cup in Qatar this week.

Poland qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup, despite losing 0-2 to Argentina. Poland qualified instead of Mexico based on a superior goal differential, so Szczęsny’s role as goalkeeper was crucial – especially in view of his spectacular save from a Messi penalty. Several memes made references to Ronaldo – Szczęsny’s team-mate in Juventus (2018-2021) and Messi’s main rival for many years. Szczęsny is currently second best goalkeeper out of Europe’s top leagues.

Source – Polskie Radio

The historic and well known Wieliczka Salt Mine in southern Poland has reached a milestone of attracting 1 million visitors so far this year.

The millionth visitor was a 70-year-old tourist from the Czech Republic, who arrived with her daughter and granddaughter. The tourist was given a VIP welcome by the mine’s management and offered several gifts, including a sculpture carved in salt, a miner’s helmet and a voucher for a stay in the Wieliczka underground spa. The site has had an increase in visitors of 55% compared to 2021, with Poles accounting for just over half of the visitor numbers. The mine was founded in the 13th century and has over 300 km of corridors reaching depths of up to 135 metres.

Source – Polskie Radio

And finally, a cache of weapons has been found at a house in the Straszyn district of Gdańsk after an earlier incident where a suspected arms dealer was killed after he shot at police.

10 unlicensed firearms were recovered from the property where the 24-year old man died after opening fire on police with an automatic weapon. The incident occurred during co-ordinated raids across Poland by the country’s organized crime unit – CBSP. Officers recovered 146 firearms and detailed 15 people, 13 of whom have been charged with firearms offences.

Source – Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be a cloudy and grey day in a gentle breeze with temperatures of 0 degrees centigrade (32 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and -3 degrees overnight. Tomorrow will remain cold and dull in a gentle breeze with chances of snow and temperatures of -2 degrees during the day and -2 degrees overnight.

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Martin Caren/ol