A senior US defence official has said that Poland has emerged as a leader among NATO allies in Europe amid Russia’s war on Ukraine, according to reports.

Speaking before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Armed Services this week, the US assistant secretary of defence for international security affairs, said that “Poland has really emerged as a leader among NATO allies in Europe … and I consider us very lucky that we are the framework nation for the battle group in Poland … because we can count on them. NATO’s eastern flank, and Poland in particular, is a linchpin of our work to strengthen European deterrence and defence”.

Source – Polskie Radio

Poland celebrates two public holidays next week, one on Monday, turning this weekend into a long weekend.

The Polish deputy prime minister has also said that the national flag is a powerful unifying symbol as the country prepares to celebrate its Flag Day on Tuesday. As every year, people of all ages and backgrounds at home and abroad have been encouraged to celebrate the occasion by flying Poland’s red-and-white flag in their homes. Monday is Labour Day which is celebrated around the world in honour of labourers and working classes. While on Wednesday, Poland celebrates Constitution Day marking the declaration of the Constitution of May 3rd, 1791. Many Poles take Tuesday off as well as Monday and Wednesday, making it an exceptionally long weekend.

Source – Polskie Radio

World-renowned pianist Krystian Zimerman was among the winners of Poland’s annual music industry prizes, the Fryderyk Awards, which were handed out for classical music on Thursday.

The awards ceremony took place at the Mediateka Concert Hall in the southern city of Tychy on Thursday night. Krystian Zimerman scooped up two statuettes, for Best Recording of Polish Music and for Best Polish Album Abroad. The 2023 Fryderyk Awards for classical music were granted in a total of eleven categories, from Best Solo Recital to Best Album of Orchestral Music, according to organizers. The Fryderyk Awards, dubbed the Polish Grammy Awards, have been granted since 1995 to honour the nation’s best pop, jazz and classical music.

Source – Polskie Radio

And finally, a wanted drug dealer has been arrested in Gdańsk Wrzeszcz this week and over twenty kilograms of narcotics seized.

Amphetamines, marijuana, ecstasy, clephedrone, and over three thousand pieces of psychotropic pills were recovered from the suspect’s apartment. Over PLN 12,000 in cash was also seized. A 35-year-old Romanian man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing prohibited substances. On checking the man’s details, it emerged that he is wanted by the court on an arrest warrant and has a two-year sentence to serve for a drug offence. The man faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Source – Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be a showery day in a gentle breeze with temperatures of 15 degrees centigrade (59 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and 2 degrees overnight. Tomorrow will turn sunny in a moderate breeze with temperatures of 13 degrees during the day and 1 degree overnight.

Martin Caren/aKa