Yesterday marked the anniversary of the Smolensk air disaster of 2010

On 10 April 2010, a Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft operating Polish Air Force Flight 101 crashed near the Russian city of Smolensk, killing all 96 passengers on board. Among the victims were the president of Poland, Lech Kaczyński, his wife, and the last president of the Republic of Poland in exile Ryszard Kaczorowski.

Yesterday, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the U.N., Krzysztof Szczerski, called on Russia at the Security Council forum to return the wreckage of the presidential plane.

He called on Russia to return this key evidence in the case and to fully cooperate with the Polish investigation; to quote: “explain all the circumstances of the catastrophe so characteristic of the tragic history of our region.”

Earlier that morning, President Andrzej Duda paid tribute to the presidential couple resting in the crypt of the Wawel Cathedral in Kraków, two of the many victims that fateful day.

(Radio Gdańsk)

PM Morawiecki to begin his three-day visit to U.S. today

Talks at the White House, a meeting with representatives of leading defence industry firms, and a debate at the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund are on the agenda of Prime Minister Morawiecki’s visit to the U.S., which will start today and last until Thursday. Issues concerning cooperation in the energy sector will also be discussed.

Government spokesman Piotr Müller tweeted yesterday “Let us remember that a very important investment is underway in Poland, the construction of our first nuclear power plant. This is a power plant that will be built in cooperation with the American company Westinghouse.”

He also made clear that military vehicle suppliers will be met this week “…including those companies that produce Abrams tanks and F-35 fighters for us”.

(PAP)

Unemployment rate to stay flat in coming months, according to minister

Poland’s unemployment is expected to stay unchanged in the next few months, the deputy family and social policy minister Stanisław Szwed has said. According to him, there are industries in Poland where there is still a shortage of labour force, such as drivers and construction workers.

In March of this year, Poland’s unemployment rate stood at 5.4 percent, down by 0.1 percentage points on February and lower by 0.4 percentage points compared to March last year.

Szwed also cited Eurostat’s February data showing Poland as the second best European country in terms of unemployment at 2.8 percent.

(PAP)

Lechia Gdańsk lose 1-0 to fellow relegation rivals Jagiellonia Białystok in Ekstraklasa gameweek 27

Yesterday Lechia had a huge game to play in the relegation fight for survival. Placed 17th in the league before the match kicked off yesterday which was played at Białystok’s Municipal stadium, that is the position in which Lechia remain having not picked up any points this weekend.

The first half was dominated by Jagiellonia, who were awarded a penalty for handball in the final minute before half time. Lechia did well not to start the second half behind, as goalkeeper Dušan Kuciak made not one, but two saves from the spot. After the first penalty was saved but ordered to be retaken, Kuciak made a second penalty save in as many minutes.

Frustratingly for Lechia, they couldn’t keep their opponents at bay during a hard fought second half – when in the 83rd minute Taras Romanczuk headed in from a corner kick. Lechia are now 4 points from safety with 7 games remaining in the season.

(Radio Gdańsk)

The weather

Today will be cloudy but mild, with rain showers in the afternoon and evening. The rainfall will likely continue overnight. Only moderate winds will be coming in from the south east. Daytime temperatures will see a high of 16°C or 61°F, with expected lows of 5°C or 41°F overnight. Tomorrow’s weather will be cooler but brighter. The remainder of the week however should see further rain showers as we head into the weekend.