In response to the growing backlash against the United States and its allies for the assassination of General Qassem Suleimani, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has decided to convene the North Atlantic Council today in Brussels.
The meeting is in response to deteriorating security conditions across the Middle East, as well as the resolution passed in the Iraqi Parliament yesterday calling for the government to end the presence of all foreign soldiers in Iraq.
The NATO training mission in Iraq includes some 350 members of the Polish military, and was launched in 2018 at the request of the authorities in Baghdad to strengthen its forces and prevent the return of Islamic State. For now, it is unclear whether NATO will make any decisions regarding the presence of military personnel in Iraq.
The North Atlantic Council is NATO’s highest decision-making body and regularly meets at the ambassador level several times a week to deal with topics important to member states.
Source: PAP
POLISH DRIVERS “GO GREEN” WITH THEIR LICENSE PLATES
As of January 1st, newly-registered drivers of electric and hydrogen-powered cars in Poland can “go green” with their license plates as well as their vehicles.
The new license plates, which feature a distinctive green background, will make life easier for so-called “eco-drivers,” who will be eligible to use bus lanes and special parking spaces, and will also have the right to enter planned “clean transport zones” in the future.
Existing drivers, who were issued only a green windshield sticker in the past, are not required to change to the new plates and fees for the green plates will be the same as those for a normal registration.
Gdańsk currently boasts nearly 500 electric vehicle registrations, with some 130 cars and 350 electric mopeds already in the system.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
REMINDER TO ACTIVATE YOUR KARTA MIESZKAŃCA FOR 2020
If you previously had a Gdańsk Karta Mieszkańca or Gdańsk Resident Card in 2019, you must make a payment of 1 złoty to activate it for use in 2020.
The card offers free entry to selected cultural and sports facilities in Gdańsk, such as one-time access to swimming pools at the Gdańsk Sports Center and the municipal ice rink as well as free admission to various cultural facilities such as the European Solidarity Center.
In addition to free access, this year residents also have a chance to win prizes by collecting amber points each time they use the card. The person with the most points in 2020 will have a chance for a summer cruise around Gdańsk in 2021.
Payments can be made in cash at authorized sales points or by online transfer after logging into your account at http://jestemzgdanska.pl.
For a complete list of all the free entry options available, visit
https://radiogdansk.pl/wiadomosci/item/104329-chcesz-w-2020-roku-dalej-korzystac-z-gdanskiej-karty-mieszkanca-nie-zapomnij-jej-aktywowac
Source: Radio Gdańsk
THREE KINGS CELEBRATIONS UNDERWAY ACROSS POLAND
Celebrations are taking place today across Poland and around the world to mark the end of the holiday season with Trzech Króli or “Three Kings Day”.
In honor of Kaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, the three wise men who visited Jesus after his birth, costumed processions of the three kings are being held around Poland, including in each of the three cities of Trójmiasto. Starting around noon, parades will announce the arrival of the three wise men from their respective homelands in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and will be accompanied by concerts and opportunities for carol singing throughout the day.
For more on holiday events happening across Trójmiasto click here: https://radiogdansk.pl/kultura-i-rozrywka/item/104260-orszaki-trzech-kroli-przemaszeruja-w-kilkudziesieciu-miejscach-na-pomorzu-miejscowosci-godziny
Source: Radio Gdańsk
RGEN/EP
Weather
If you are participating in any Three Kings festivities today, remember to bring a coat and umbrella as today will be mostly cloudy and cold with a good chance for some rain showers throughout the day. Temperatures will hover between 2-4 degrees Celsius or the mid to high 30s Fahrenheit with a strong breeze coming from the southwest. Similar wet and cold weather is forecast for tomorrow, with skies clearing and temperatures dropping tomorrow evening.
