In response to the US airstrike which killed Iranian General Qassem Suleimani, President Andrzej Duda assured Poles via Twitter on Friday that the government was being „calm and prudent regarding recent events in Iraq.”

He went on to state that “the security and interests of Poland and our citizens” was his „first and foremos” concern. Via a press release from the National Security Bureau, Duda joined other EU leaders in calling for „a de-escalation of the conflict” between the US and Iran, as well as „maintaining Euro-Atlantic unity to ensure stability in the region.”

While the National Security Bureau has stated there is currently no indication of a threat to Poland or its citizens, the assasination of Suleimani has already resulted in considerable backlash across the Middle East. The US State Department is urging Americans to leave Iraq immediately and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has called for „forceful revenge” in retaliation for the general’s assassination.

An estimated 350 Polish soldiers and military employees are currently serving in Iraq as part of a NATO training mission for Iraqi and Jordanian soldiers fighting in the global coalition against Islamic State insurgents.

Source: PAP

Poland to commemorate heroes of the Battle of Warsaw

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of Poland’s victory over the Russian Bolsheviks in the 1920 Battle of Warsaw or “Bitwa Warszawa,” one of the landmark battles of the Polish-Soviet war of 1919-1921.

In his New Year’s speech, President Andrzej Duda highlighted the importance of this battle, claiming it “decided … the fate of the world 100 years ago.” Two heroes of the Polish-Soviet war – cryptologist Jan Kowalewski and philosopher Father Józef Maria Bocheński – are set to be honored this year, with the Polish Senate previously declaring 2020 the “Year of Jan Kowalewski” and passing a resolution honoring Father Bocheński as an “outstanding researcher, priest and patriot.”

Jan Kowalewski was a mathematician, cryptologist, linguist, and military officer credited with deciphering Soviet military codes, while Father Józef Maria Bocheński was a Dominican friar and pioneering philosopher who fought against the Soviets in 1920 and later against the Germans during World War II.

A host of events are planned throughout the year to commemorate the lives of these and other heroes of the Polish-Soviet war, with February 8th already set aside to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Father Bocheński’s death.

Source: Polskie Radio

Strong winds and winter weather warning issued for Pomerania

The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management in Gdynia has issued a first degree warning for strong winds and freezing rain and snow across Pomerania. Winds near coastal regions are predicted to blow at 45-50 km or 25-30 miles per hour, with gusts up to 85 km or over 50 miles per hour.

Along with the cloudy skies, rain and snow are forecast across the region with a good chance for some snow and sleet overnight from Saturday to Sunday as temperatures drop below freezing. Residents are warned to watch out for ice on roads and walkways as well as the potential for downed limbs or other debris.

The wind is set to lesson somewhat throughout the day on Sunday, with the weather warning remaining in effect until Sunday night.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Applications open for the “Gdynia Business Plan” competition

The 18th edition of the annual business competition officially got underway this week, with some 100,000 złoty up for grabs for the top three contestants.

Participants who pass the application phase will learn essential skills such as budgeting, how to properly prepare a business plan and present their business ideas, how to promote their products and services and find customers, and what legal issues to consider when running their own business.

Applications for the competition can be submitted online from January 2 to January 31, 2020 and contestants will have until March 31, 2020 to submit their finished business plan to the jury, with finalists being announced in June.

The „Gdynia Business Plan” competition has been organized by the City of Gdynia since 2003 with some several hundred people taking part in the competition each year.

More information is available at the competition website: https://www.gdyniaprzedsiebiorcza.pl/

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be mostly cloudy with strong winds coming from the southeast and light rain continuing into the early afternoon.Temperatures will remain on the cool side with highs around 4 degrees Celsius or 39 degrees Fahrenheit and freezing temperatures overnight. While there will be a break in the clouds and some sun possible tomorrow afternoon, temps will drop to below freezing with freezing rain and potentially snow forecast for Sunday night.

RGEN/EP