Stories from Poland

Sopot Mayor Michał Banacki announced new parking rates to address congestion caused by vehicles from across Poland. The first hour in the downtown paid parking zone will cost 9.50 PLN, with the second hour costing 11 PLN and the third hour costing 13 PLN. Rates return to the base price of 9.50 PLN for the fourth hour and subsequent hours. President Magdela Naczerzyńska-Jachim stated the increases are necessary because the resort is being overwhelmed by cars. The total cost for a full day of parking in a meter is expected to be approximately 33 PLN. Sopot has expanded its paid city center parking zone to cover 95% of the previous area. Starting today, parking fees will apply on weekends, including during the summer months. Previously, the city was prohibited from charging for parking on Saturdays and Sundays.

Aleksander Śliwka has joined the Warsaw-based volleyball club following a medical transfer. The move follows a serious injury to player Bartosz Bednosz, who is ruled out for the remainder of the season. Śliwka previously played for Halkbank Ankara in Turkey. The club's first match ended in a 3-2 victory for the team coached by Kamil Lepki. Polish volleyball captain Aleksander Śliwka has joined Projekt Warszawa on a medical transfer. The receiver currently plays for Halkbank Ankara and replaces the injured Bartosz Bednarz. Śliwka aims to assist the team in their pursuit of the Polish Championship medal. Projekt Warszawa won their first meeting against Resovia 3-2. The move follows an injury to Bartosz Bednosza. Śliwka expressed gratitude to his former Turkish club, Halkbank Ankara, for facilitating the transfer process.

Polish and American forces conducted river crossing maneuvers at a military training ground near Nowogród Podlaski. Captain Natalia Fjodoróg, spokesperson for the 18th Łomża Logistics Battalion, confirmed the exercises took place on the Narew River.

A Warsaw-based company purchased $116 million worth of coal that failed to meet quality criteria for a government strategic reserve agency.

Rapid temperature shifts from minus 5 to plus 25 degrees Celsius have caused damage to fruit crops in Poland. Orchardists reported that trees between 3.5 and 4 meters in height were affected by the temperature drop. Growers have begun estimating losses after attempting to save harvests during recent nights. The scale of the damage has been described as a cataclysm by local sources. Fruit crops including cherries, plums, and raspberries are facing nearly 100% loss due to recent conditions. The shortage is expected to lead to higher prices for consumers seeking Polish produce. In Podkarpacie, nearly 100% of crops that bloomed, including cherries and plums, have been affected. Raspberries are also expected to suffer losses. Estimates of the total damage to orchards are scheduled to begin after the May long weekend. The freeze lasted for nearly ten hours.

Organizers are protesting the inclusion of the 'seven' into the Myślenice highway bypass. They argue the project will cause greater traffic congestion than current levels. Critics claim the design will lead to the total blockage of the A4 highway and suffocate the city.

A three-car collision occurred on National Road 53 near Grom, Poland. Two people were reported injured in the accident. One lane is currently blocked, and traffic is being diverted to other lanes. Authorities expect the disruptions to last until 17:00. Traffic and road access are completely blocked on the A4 highway near a junction, according to reports. The A4 highway is completely blocked between junctions, according to Polskie Radio 1. Heavy traffic jams are reported on the A4 highway near Krakow. Local residents are protesting against construction variants for the S-shootemka expressway near two interchanges.

Poland is creating the Polish Investment Fraud Research Institute to assist law enforcement, including prosecutors, police, and courts, in investigating fraud. Additionally, the Polish Investment Fraud Counteraction Institute is being established with a primary mission of public education. The initiative aims to address rising fraud risks associated with artificial intelligence. Officials said that continuous education and awareness are necessary to combat these schemes. The council aims to ensure the funds are distributed in a fair and transparent manner. The resources are intended to support 17 pediatric oncology centers across Poland.

Basketball team Śląsk Wrocław announced that Einar Bagacki has stepped down as head coach. Assistant Jacek Winnicki will take over coaching duties following a series of four league losses. Bagacki had been leading the team since last year.

ArcelorMittal has restarted furnace number 3 at the former Huta Katowice site in Dąbrowa Górnicza. The restart required approximately 60 million PLN to enable the installation to function again. The unit had been halted last year due to difficult market conditions.