NATO allies announced a series of new military aid packages for Ukraine yesterday as Polish officials continue to push for more international support for Kyiv.
The United States announced on Thursday that it would provide Ukraine with hundreds of armored vehicles and other military equipment as part of a new USD 2.5 billion security assistance package.
The package includes “hundreds of armored vehicles, critical support for Ukraine’s air defense, and other important capabilities,” according to a statement from the Department of Defense.
As part of the package, the US has promised 59 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, 90 Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers, additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), and approximately 2,000 anti-armor rockets.
Source: Radio Poland
A group of defense and military leaders from NATO countries also held a video conference on Thursday, agreeing to a raft of new military aid for Ukraine as part of the “Tallin pledge.”
Aid from countries including Poland, Britain, Estonia, and Latvia is set to include Stinger air defense systems, S-60 anti-aircraft guns, machine guns, and training.
The announcement comes as NATO and defense leaders from some 50 countries gather today at Germany’s Ramstein Air Base to “finalize a substantial military aid package,” according to Germany’s Deutsche-Welle news agency.
In his nightly address, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv expects “powerful decisions” coming out of today’s gathering.
Source: Radio Poland, PAP
Polish organist Karol Mossakowski and the National Forum of Music in Wrocław have been named among 26 winners of this year’s International Classical Music Awards (ICMA).
Mossakowski won in the orchestra category, with ICMA jurors describing him as „one of the most promising artists among the rising figures of the young organ school.”
The National Forum of Music in Wrocław won a Special Achievement Award, with jury members praising the organization’s diversity of venues, ensembles, and events, which is “now a model for other places.”
The winners will receive their ICMA trophies during a ceremony at the National Forum of Music in Wrocław on April 21.
Source: Radio Poland
Iga Świątek continues to dominate her matches at the Australian Open, defeating Cristina Bucșa of Spain 6-0, 6-1 early this morning to advance to the fourth round of the singles competition.
Fellow countryman Hubert Hurkacz faced off against Denis Shapovalov of Canada earlier this morning, and Magda Linette will play against Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia at 11:00 CET on Saturday.
Linette is looking for a win after she and Xyiu Wang of China lost their first match against Japanese doubles pair Ena Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama in the women’s doubles competition on Friday.
Source: PAP, ausopen.com
Today is the last day for Ukrainian youth to sign up for free Polish language courses as part of the “Language Cafe” program offered through libraries in Gdańsk.
Polish language classes for youth and adults will be held in four Provincial and Municipal Public Library (WiMBP) branches in Gdańsk, including in Chełm, Orunia, Przymorze, and Wrzeszcz. Currently, only the A2 course in Chełm for youth ages 12-18 has openings. Those interested should email bibliotekachelm@wbpg.org.pl or visit the Chełm library on ul. Dragana 26 by Friday, January 20.
According to Alena Krynicka, accessibility coordinator at the Provincial and Municipal Public Library, the “Kawiarenki Językowe” project is aimed primarily at Ukrainian refugees living in Gdańsk, although other nationalities, such as citizens of Belarus, may also participate.
The courses are organized in cooperation with the Gdańsk Foundation, with funds provided by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which signed a memorandum with the city in July 2022.
In addition to Polish language classes, the American Corner library at Targ Rakowy 5/ 6 in Gdańsk hosts weekly meetings in Polish entitled “Po jednej stronie“ or “On one side.” The sessions are focused on helping foreigners in Gdańsk obtain practical local knowledge about the history of Gdańsk, where to look for a job, how to use public transport, and how the local government, education, and healthcare systems work.
Meetings of “Po jednej stronie” take place every Tuesday from 17:30-18:30.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, gdansk,pl
Weather
Today will be mostly cloudy and cold, with very little chance of snow and a light breeze coming from the south and later shifting to the northeast. Temperatures will stay at or below freezing, around 0°C or 32°F, with lows of down to -4°C, or 25°F. Slightly warmer temperatures are expected tomorrow, with a chance for some rain or snow tomorrow morning.
Elizabeth Peck/raf
