TVN24 News in English

TVN24 News in English

Tusk on Holocaust law U-turn: good that Law and Justice have come to their senses

The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk told the media on Friday in Brussels, after the EU summit, that it's good to see the Polish ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) to "have come to their senses" regarding the bill on the Institute on National Remembrance. He added that damages done by PiS "will have tarnished Polish reputation for long time".

Young filmmaker cautions swimmers to be careful

One jump into the water could lead to a life of disability. Summer break has started and with it, the season for accidents. A young filmmaker has published a film online, warning swimmers to be careful. Every year, 700 people break their spines after an unsuccessful jump into the water. Many of them spend the rest of their lives in a wheelchair.

Tragic pile-up on S7 road leaves one person dead and a few injured

A pile up on the S7 left one person dead and others injured. Near Waplewo, three delivery buses and two trucks collided, leaving two of the vehicles in flames. The delivery buses were believed to have been parked on the road, rather than in the parking lot nearby. One of the injured was left without a leg and was taken by helicopter to the hospital. At one point, the Warsaw-Gdańsk road was completely blocked.

40th anniversary of Mirosław Hermaszewski's space flight

40 years ago General Mirosław Hermaszewski and Piotr Klimuk set off on a mission aboard the Soyuz 30 spacecraft. Poland thus became one of only four nations whose citizens crossed the Kármán line. So far, Hermaszewski is the only Pole who has been in space. Thursday marked the anniversary of his flight and on this occassion he received greetings from his fellow astronauts.

EU leaders agree over a new migration policy. Poland and Hungary delighted

European Union leaders agreed on Friday to set up joint asylum processing sites and restrict migrants' moves with the bloc, responding to concerns from Rome and Berlin at a hard-fought summit. "All the measures in the context of these controlled centres, including relocation and resettlement, will be on a voluntary basis," said the leaders' joint statement, agreed after nine hours of negotiations. The 28 EU leaders also agreed to tighten their external border more, increase financing for Turkey, Morocco and Northern African states to prevent migration to Europe.

Israeli Ambassador: we return to normal, friendly relations

"We return to normal, good, friendly relations between both countries," said Israeli Ambassador to Poland Anna Azari to the media, commenting on the changes made to the bill on the Institute of National Remembrance. "There never was any shutdown in Israeli-Polish relations, but last five months were very difficult," she added.

Poland wins farewell game against Japan. Senegal eliminated by yellow cards

Jan Bednarek scored the only goal of Japan against Poland match on Thursday. Despite the loss, the Japanese qualified for the next stage of the World Cup, thanks to a better fair play factor than Senegal. The Africans have the same amount of points and the same goal difference as Japan, and yet Aliou Cisse's team ends their Russian adventure alongside Poland. Despite losing their first game to Japan, the Colombians end up as group H winners.

Morawiecki: I have kept my word; it's time for the other side

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told the media that he expects a clear declaration from the Chairman of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and his Deputy Frans Timmermans regarding the rule of law dispute. He underlined that "he has kept his word" after talks with the EC representatives.

Polish teams dominated the Universal Rover Challenge

Polish teams dominated this year's finals of the University Rover Challenge in the USA. Poles took first, third, fourth and eighth places in the competition. The winners - Rover Team from the Częstochowa University of Technology.

Comments after Poland's rule of law hearing in the EU

The Polish government is commenting on what it's calling a sad incident and is hoping that the issue of the rule of law will be quickly resolved. This was what Minister Szymański was saying after the hearing that took place in Luxembourg. However, the First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans also spoke after the meeting, in much less optimistic tones. The threat of Article 7 still hangs above Poland.

No prison for the use of phrases offensive to Poland. Quick U-turn in the Holocaust law

The ruling Law and Justice has made a sudden U-turn on the law on the Institute of National Remembrance. Amendments to the law were quickly passed through on Wednesday. There will be no prison sentences for the use of phrases offensive to Poland. The prime minister has said that the law was necessary. But voices from the government, including the Marshal of the Senate, say that reality is hitting home. The opposition is not sparing in criticism. And it's pointing to half a year of spoiled relations with Israel, the USA and Ukraine. Now, Law and Justice aims to improve them.

President Duda signs amendment to Holocaust law. Israel pleased

Polish Senate passed the amendment to the controversial Holocaust law on Wednesday. The legislation has been stripped of the provision that imposed jail sentences for suggestions of Poland's complicity in Nazi crimes. Earlier on, the lower house approved the changed law. During the Sejm session, Prime Minister Morawiecki said: "those who say that Poland may be responsible for the crimes of World War Two deserve jail terms. But we operate in an international context and we take that into account".

Violent storm ravaged the city of Płock

Storms, hailstones and whirlwinds. The cold front passing through Poland has brought violent weather along with it. In Płock, roofs were torn off and boats were tossed around in the air.

Poland changes controversial Holocaust bill. Israeli media reaction

"Poland backtracks on controversial Holocaust law, scrapping threat of prison," wrote Israeli "Haaretz" in its online edition on Wednesday. The article was released after Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki put forward an amendment to the bill on the National Remembrance Institute.

Law and Justice wants changes in the electoral law ahead of European elections

Local elections are coming. But the ruling Law and Justice party already has the the European elections in its sights. They're planning a change in the electoral law with its representatives claiming that elections need to be fairer. The opposition on the other hand, is crying foul saying that the new law will serve the interests of the ruling party. Medium-sized and small parties will certainly suffer.

Judge Stanisław Zabłocki refused to submit a medical certificate but intends to remain in the Supreme Court

Another protest regarding the judiciary reform is taking place in Poland. The president of the Supreme Court, Stanisław Zabłocki, refused to submit a medical certificate about him still being able to rule. This obligation for all judges that turned 65 is one of the consequences of the reform. According to the new law, to avoid retirement, judges have to submit such a document and get permission to remain in the profession by the National Council of the Judiciary. Judge Zabłocki claims this new rule is unconstitutional, as the Polish Constitution states that judges are irremovable. He intends to stay in the Supreme Court, of which he informed the head of the National Council of the Judiciary.

Poland questioned about the rule of law by EU ministers

It's the first time ever in the European Union. A member state was subjected to a hearing stemming from Article 7 of the EU Treaty. Warsaw is being accused of breaching the rule of law by policitzing the judiciary. However, the Polish government claims that, first of all, it has already implemented many suggestions made by Brussels, thus showing good will, and secondly, that it will not veer from this path, as those controversial reforms are needed.

Polish parliament approves removal of criminal law provisions from controversial Holocaust law

Polish parliament passed an amendment to the bill on National Remembrance Institute that eliminates jail penalties for suggesting the nation was complicit in crimes against Jews. The vote was preceeded by prime minister Morawiecki's speech. "Those who say that Poland may be responsible for the crimes of World War Two deserve jail terms. But we operate in an international context and we take that into account," he said. Poland will continue to "fight for the truth" about the Holocaust, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday.