EU leaders were in Washington, DC, last week to discuss the transatlantic partnership with US President Joe Biden, as well as the situation in the Middle East and Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The meeting included European Council president Charles Michel, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, as well as High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

A joint statement after the summit praised the EU-US relationship of „close and like-minded partners that share a strong bond and a commitment to a rules-based international order and effective multilateralism.”

The leaders collectively condemned the ongoing violence in the Middle East, calling out „Hamas’ brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks against Israel and its population, requesting „the immediate release of all hostages” and emphasizing „our shared view that a two-state solution remains the viable path to lasting peace.”
The EU and the US representatives also “reaffirmed their long-term commitment to Ukraine, including through diplomatic, financial, and military support.”

Along with discussions on a range of economic and trade issues, such as opportunities in emerging technology, renewable energy, and digital transformation, the EU and US leaders also reiterated their commitment to combatting climate change.

President Biden joined Michel and von der Leyen in pushing for the goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and urging other nations to increase renewable energy capacity and energy efficiency.

Source: Polskie Radio

Polish President Andrzej Duda is set to meet with political party leaders this week to discuss the formation of a new government after last week’s parliamentary elections.

According to a statement by the Presidential office, Duda will first meet representatives of the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) at noon on Tuesday, October 24, followed by a meeting with the leading opposition group Civic Coalition (KO) at 14:00.
On Wednesday, Duda is scheduled to meet representatives of the center-right Trzecia Droga (Third Way) alliance, followed by meetings with the Nowa Lewica (New Left) party, as well as the far-right group Konfederacja (Confederation).

Duda told reporters he will “ask all my guests the same questions about their plans for the future, in terms of Polish politics,” adding he hopes to focus on “investments, economy, energy, and defense issues.”

The governing Law and Justice (PiS) party, allied with two smaller groupings in a United Right coalition, claimed 35.4 percent of the vote and 194 seats in last week’s parliamentary election.
Civic Coalition, led by former Prime Minister and European Council President Donald Tusk, has reportedly pledged to use their 30.7 percent turnout to form a coalition along with the Third Way alliance and the New Left party. The group collectively garnered 53.71 percent of the vote, giving them 248 seats and a majority in the 460-seat lower house of the Sejm.

Source: Polskie Radio

A Polish-made multi-system electric locomotive recently broke a speed record after successfully accelerating to speeds of up to 240 km/h (150 mph).

Last Thursday night, the newly newly-constructed “Griffin” E4MSUa electric locomotive, produced by the Polish NEWAG SA in Nowy Sącz, broke the previous record of 235 km/h set by a pair of German-produced “Eurosprinter” locomotives in 2009.

NEWAG is manufacturing the cutting-edge multi-system electric locomotives for PKP Intercity as part of a PLN 387 million contract signed in late 2021. NEWAG is set to provide 15 Griffin locomotives to PKP, with delivery scheduled for next year, pending operational approval in Poland.

Source: PAP, railwaygazette.com, newag.pl

Radio Gdańsk is giving away tickets to a special performance of “Czarodziejska Góra” or “The Magic Mountain” to be held next Saturday at the Municipal Theatre in Gdynia.

Until October 25, Radio Gdańsk presenters will be giving away over a dozen tickets each day to our listeners as part of the “Cultural Weekend with Radio Gdańsk.”

According to the theatre’s website, “Magic Mountain” follows the story of Hans Castorp, a college student focused on “beer, Bundesliga, girls, and the like.” Castorp ends up in a luxurious sanatorium in the Swiss Alps, where unexpected events and eccentric guests combine to change his life forever.

More information on the contest and the performance can be found on the Radio Gdańsk website and Facebook page.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, teatrgombrowicza.art.p

The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management issued a first-degree warning for dense fog in seven counties of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.

In a statement released on Saturday, weather forecasters from IMWM warned against “dense fog…with visibility ranging from 100-200 meters in places.”

The alert will remain in effect until 19:00 tonight for the poviats of Gdańsk, Kwidzyn, Malbork, Nowy Dwór, Starogard, Sztum, and Tczew.
Drivers and others are urged to exercise additional caution as forecasters estimate the probability of dangerous weather phenomena at 85%.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be mostly overcast, with rain showers in the afternoon accompanied by a light breeze from the north and later west. Temperatures will stay on the cooler side, with an afternoon high of 13°C or 55°F, dropping to a low of 8°C or 47°F overnight. Slightly warmer, sunnier weather is expected tomorrow, with clouds and a chance for some rain returning later in the week.

Elizabeth Peck/aKa