The US State Department has greenlighted the possible sale of an Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS) and related equipment to Poland at an estimated cost of USD 4 billion.
The decision was announced by the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Monday, Polish state news agency PAP reported. The sale includes 93 Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS) Engagement Operation Centers and 175 IBCS Integrated Fire Control Network relays, among other equipment.
According to officials, the equipment represents vital components towards the next step of the integrated air and missile defense system being developed by Poland, which already includes the US-made Patriot launchers.
Last week, Poland’s Ministry of Defense ordered 48 new batteries of the US-made Patriot medium-range air defense systems, 12 Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensors (LTAMDS), and a stock of PAC-3 MSE air defense missiles, PAP reported.
Source: Polskie Radio, Radio Gdańsk
The Polish government has sent an ultimatum to the European Commission, demanding an extension of the embargo on Ukrainian grain beyond September 15.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced the move at a meeting with local entrepreneurs and farmers in the central town of Kosowo Lackie Tuesday afternoon, emphasizing the Polish government’s determination “to prevent the destabilization of the Polish market.”
In May, the European Commission introduced a ban on the import of wheat, corn, rapeseed, sunflower seeds, and sunflower oil from Ukraine to Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia, based on an agreement with these five countries.
The embargo was initially effective until June 5 and extended until Friday, September 15.
The Polish government has called on the European Commission “to prolong, beyond September 15, the embargo on the import of four agricultural products from Ukraine” and to “take immediate action to develop policies to ensure stable and efficient functioning of local producers in Poland and the EU.”
The Polish government stressed that if the European Commission didn’t extend the ban on Ukrainian grain beyond September 15, “Poland will introduce an embargo at the national level.”
“We are helping our neighbor,” emphasized Polish officials, “but we must protect Polish farmers.”
Source: Polskie Radio, Radio Gdańsk, PAP
Poland’s government has announced that Polish energy providers will have to cut electricity prices for households by 12 percent retroactively from January 2023.
The price cut was unveiled earlier this week by State Assets Minister Jacek Sasin via a post on social media, the wgospodarce.pl website reported.
According to PAP, the recently approved amendment to the regulation governing tariff calculations and payment for power supply provides for a maximum reduction of PLN 125 (EUR 26.90).
If end-users satisfy one of the conditions specified in the regulation, the reduction should take effect “without undue delay” and no later than the last electricity bill in 2023. For Energa Obrót customers, such conditions may include consenting to electronic communication or receiving information regarding products and services provided by the company.
The regulation is a follow-up to a previous government support scheme. In November 2022, Polish President Andrzej Duda signed legislation capping electricity bills in response to soaring electricity prices following the invasion of Ukraine and increased global demand for energy commodities coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: PAP, Polskie Radio, Radio Gdańsk
The Polish men’s volleyball team has secured a place in the semifinals of the men’s 2023 European Volleyball Championships after defeating Serbia last night.
The top-ranked Polish team extended their seven-match EuroVolley streak after defeating Serbia 3-1 (26-28, 25-15, 36-34, 25-17) last night in Bari, Italy.
Poland will now face Slovenia in the semifinal in Rome on Thursday, with the championships set to wrap up on Friday, September 16.
Source: Polskie Radio, eurovolley.cev.eu
Voting for the 2023 Civic Budget (Budżet Obywatelski) is underway for Gdańsk residents, with over PLN 20 million up for allocation.
The 2023 Civic Budget is divided into district and city-wide projects, with additional projects funded through the Citizens’ Green Budget. As in previous years, most of the nearly 400 projects focus on new plantings, minor renovations, improvement of infrastructure in parks, and retrofitting playground equipment.
All residents of Gdańsk, including permanent or temporary residents or those possessing a valid Resident Card, are eligible to vote, regardless of age.
Voting started Monday, September 11, and will be open until September 25. Residents can vote at stationary points in shopping centers and parks or on the dedicated website at https://gdansk.ardvote.pl/
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be mostly cloudy, with a chance for scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon and shifting winds from the south and later west. Temperatures will be a bit cooler than yesterday, with an afternoon high of 25°C or 77°F, dropping to a low of 14°C or 58°F overnight. Even cooler weather is expected tomorrow, with sunny skies and scattered clouds expected to stick around over the weekend.
Elizabeth Peck/raf
