Sejm adopts resolutions on a national referendum and on foreign interference in elections.

Sejm – the Polish parliament, passed two important Bills yesterday. The first, calling for a national referendum to coincide with parliamentary elections in October on the sale of national assets, a freeze on changes in retirement regulations and immigration policy. The second resolution regarded foreign interference in the electoral process in Poland. The Bill was supported by 234 MPs with 175 against. The opposition demanded its rejection in its entirety. The Bill, prepared by MPs from the governing Law and Justice party, states that the Republic of Poland considers any foreign interference in the Polish electoral process as a „hostile act” towards our country and will „decisively combat it”. The preamble refers to the recent words of the head of the European People’s Party Manfred Weber, who said, among other things, about building a „firewall against PiS”. The Bill reminds us that Poland has some of the oldest parliamentary and republican traditions in the world.

Source – Polskie Radio

Germany drops the provisions on 2 per cent of GDP for defence.

Despite earlier promises, the German government does not intend to include in law an obligation to spend 2 per cent of GDP on defence. The authorities in Berlin are withdrawing from this idea, although recently they have been regularly under fire from NATO for not fulfilling the arrangements made with the other members of the alliance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke out against the legal definition demanded by the Ministry of National Defence, arguing that the current legal status is sufficient. In addition, legally defining the exact percentage could be „problematic” because NATO’s defence specifications could change.

Source – Polskie Radio

LOT in full swing with a record number of passengers.

According to the latest data, in July this year, LOT Polish Airlines carried over one million passengers. This is a record in the almost 100-year history of the national carrier. The company is rebuilding after the pandemic and strengthening its position in the market. The previous government administration had planned to sell the airline off. This shows that after the pandemic restrictions, the industry has not only recovered, but also increased demand for air services.

Source – Polskie Radio

Cataclysm in India. Heavy rainfall, landslides and floods hit the state of Himachal Pradesh.

The death toll from monsoon downpours in India’s Himachal Pradesh state has risen to 84. Heavy rainfall caused landslides and flooding, putting many inhabitants of the sub-Himalayan region in danger.

Himachal Pradesh state officials estimate that rebuilding the damage caused by the downpours could take more than a year and cost more than two hundred million dollars.

Source: Polskie radio

Gdańsk English teacher who went to Cambodia awaits emergency medical transport to return home.

31-year-old Mikołaj Tabaro went to Cambodia from Gdansk as an English teacher for children. Later he was diagnosed with extensive heart attack, blood clot and sepsis. Although he was miraculously saved, a long treatment awaits him. His family would like to transport him to Poland, but this can only be done on a special medical plane due to his critical health condition, which his family cannot afford. A fundraiser has been initiated for this purpose and further details can be found on our website.

Source – Radio Gdansk

Paris Olympics: Polish basketball players will play on Friday in Gliwice with Estonia in the semi-finals.

Polish basketball players will play Estonia in Gliwice today in the semi-finals of the pre-qualification tournament for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. „We want to reach Sunday’s final and win it,” said Polish national team player Michał Sokołowski. The White and Reds have already beaten their group rivals Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Portugal. Estonia finished second behind Israel in a parallel competition held in Tallinn.

Source: Polskie radio

Today’s Weather

Apart from light morning showers and thunderstorms, it will be a sunny day with light winds and daytime temperatures of 26 degrees centigrade (78 degrees Fahrenheit) and 18 degrees centigrade overnight. Tomorrow will be even warmer with temperatures of 27 degrees centigrade during the day and 18 degrees centigrade overnight. Get ready to relish the outdoors with your sunglasses on!

Swathy Krishna/kł