Digital IDs to become equivalent to physical versions

The government has announced plans to put digital documents such as ID cards and driving licences on the same footing as physical ones.

The secretary of state at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Adam Andruszkiewicz, said yesterday that proposed changes to the law will mean that documents contained in the government’s mObywatel app will have the same legal status as their traditional equivalents.

He added that old-style plastic ID cards, driving licences and student IDs will continue to be valid.

The minister pointed to the popularity of the mObywatel app, saying that in the five years since its launch, it’s been downloaded more than 9 million times.

The plans will also mean that the app can be used to issue powers of attorney, and to pay official fees.

The changes are set to take place in the first half of next year.

Source: PAP

Polish Jews honoured for help to Ukrainians

President Andrzej Duda has paid tribute to Jewish communities in Poland for the help they’ve given to Ukrainian refugees since the start of the Russian invasion in February.

Duda led a Hanukkah ceremony—the Jewish festival of lights—at the presidential palace yesterday.

During the event he thanked Poland’s Jewish community for welcoming Ukrainians into their homes and prayers, noting that they had extended help to both Jews and non-Jews.

The chief rabbi of Poland, Michael Schudrich, said that the festival, which celebrates light overcoming darkness, was a time “to remember also those who have no light.”

He added, “We pray that… the next Hannukah there will be light in Ukraine too.”

Poland’s Jewish community once numbered more than 3.3 million, before most were murdered by German forces during World War II.

Source: AP

Army doubles places on public training programme

The ministry of defence has doubled the number of places on this year’s “Train with the Army during the winter break” programme, due to high demand.

It’s the second time that the free trainings are being offered, when members of the public are invited to learn how to use a gun, and given basic first aid skills.

Defence minister Mariusz Błaszczak said yesterday that the Army expects more than 8,000 people to attend 31 garrisons across Poland for the sessions, which run on Saturdays from mid-January until the end of February.

“We’re aiming to train as many people as possible in basic skills,” Błaszczak said.

The minister added that one aim of the programme is to encourage people to join the Army.

Anyone between 16 and 65 years of age is invited to the trainings, and applications can be made on the ministry of defence website.

Source: polskieradio24, thefirstnews.com

Illegal Christmas tree sellers targeted

Police and forest guards are mounting a joint operation against illegal Christmas trees in the province of Łódź.

Officers are visiting tree sellers to check invoices proving that the trees have been legally sourced, while forest patrols deter illegal logging and the theft of trees.

Agata Krawczyk from the police headquarters in Rawa Mazowiecka said that, “It happens that dishonest sellers offer to buy trees illegally cut from the forest.”

The operation is also checking trade permits and the vehicles used for transporting trees.

Fines for illegal tree felling can be up to 5,000 zlotys for cases heard in court.

Source: PAP

Weather

There’s an official warning to look out for freezing rain and black ice today, as we leave behind sub-zero temperatures and return to autumn-like weather in the run-up to Christmas. Gdańsk should see a high of 4°C (39°F) today, with sleet and rain in places easing off this afternoon, and more rain and positive temperatures on the way for the rest of the week.

Andrew Carter