Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak announced yesterday that a new military unit will be established in Czarna Białostocka, near the border with Belarus.
According to Błaszczak, the new unit is intended to serve as a crucial training center for the recently reconstituted 1st Legions Infantry Division, which has been tasked with enhancing the defense of the Belarus–Poland border. |
The decision to form a new military unit comes amid Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the movement of Russian Wagner Group mercenaries within Belarus, as well as increasing migration pressures at the border. The first group of soldiers is expected to be stationed at the newly formed unit by the end of 2023.
Błaszczak made the announcement during a military picnic on Saturday, one of a series of similar events taking place across the country to mark the upcoming Polish Armed Forces Day.
More information on Armed Forces Day events in Pomerania is available HERE.
Source: Polskie Radio, Radio Gdańsk
Earlier this morning, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced the third question of a proposed referendum to be held alongside the upcoming parliamentary election in Poland.
According to Morawiecki, the third question will ask voters if they “support the admission of thousands of illegal immigrants from the Middle East and Africa under the forced relocation mechanism imposed by the European bureaucracy.”
In a video posted on social media on Saturday, MEP member and former Polish prime minister Beata Szydło announced that the second question on the referendum would be: “Are you in favor of raising the retirement age, currently set at 60 years for women and 65 for men?”
As reported by Polskie Radio, the retirement age remains a divisive issue in Polish society. The previous centrist government of Civic Platform (PO) and Polish People’s Party (PSL) raised it to 67 years for both men and women.
However, after the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party took power in 2015, it lowered it again to 65 years for men and 60 for women.
The first question of the referendum was announced on Friday by PiS party leader Jarosław Kaczyński and asks: “Do you support the sale of state-owned companies?”
The proposed referendum will be held in conjunction with the October 15 parliamentary elections and consist of four questions, with the remaining questions set to be announced over the coming days.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Polskie Radio
The National Banks of Poland and Ukraine recently announced plans to issue a joint set of commemorative coins with the theme “Friendship and Brotherhood are the Greatest Wealth.”
Designed by Ukrainian artist Volodymyr Taran, the face value of the coins will be 10 Polish zloty (PLN) /10 Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH).
Collectively, the coins will form a symbolic heart shape and feature scenes and ribbons in the colors of Ukraine and Poland on one side and a Pole and Ukrainian sharing bread and wine on the other.
Each country will mint 5,000 pieces, with the coins set to be put into circulation on 24 August 2023 – Ukrainian Independence Day.
The National Bank of Poland is reportedly planning to donate the proceeds from the sale of the coins to humanitarian assistance for Ukraine.
Today is day 536 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Source: Polskie Radio
A popular Polish author has released a “Cyberpunk 2077” novel based on the hit video game released in 2020 by Polish gaming company CD Projekt Red.
Critically-acclaimed Polish sci-fi author Rafał Kosik released the novel “Cyberpunk 2077: Bez przypadku” or in English “No Coincidence” last week, to the delight of a legion of online fans.
Kosik is a novelist, journalist, and screenwriter of some 30 books best known for his bestselling young adult series “Felix, Net, and Nika.”
Based on the dystopian tech-obsessed world of the bestselling videogame, Kosik’s newest novel harkens back to classic 1980s cyberpunk standards like William Gibson’s “Neuromancer” and Ridley Scott’s original “Blade Runner” film.
The video game on which it was based, “Cyberpunk 2077,” is known as one of the most complex open-world role-playing video games available. Over 20 million copies of the game have been sold worldwide, making it the second most popular game released by CD Projekt Red, after their immensely popular “Witcher” series.
Kosik’s “Cyberpunk 2077” novel was published concurrently in Polish in Poland and English in the US and UK.
Source: Polskie Radio, wyborcza.pl
As the weather heats up heading into the holiday, local residents are reminded to check online to ensure that their favorite swimming area is open and free of cyanobacteria blooms or other environmental hazards.
As of this morning, water in all bathing areas by the sea and lakes in the Pomeranian Voivodeship is suitable for bathing, according to the chief sanitary inspectorate (GIS).
Updated information on water quality and beach closures is available on the GIS website.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be a mix of sun and clouds, with little to no chance of rain and a gentle breeze coming in from the west. Temperatures will be slightly warmer than yesterday, with a daytime high of 24°C or 76°F, dropping to a low of 15°C or 59°F overnight. Even warmer weather is expected for tomorrow, with temps expected to hit the low 30s Celsius or high 80s Fahrenheit on Tuesday.
Elizabeth Peck/kł
