Latest Poland News

Poland, Lithuania fear new migrant crisis due to Belarus' offer of visa-free travel

Jun. 02, 2023 16:58 PM EDT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarus is introducing a visa-free travel arrangement with dozens of countries for a month, raising fears that neighboring Poland and Lithuania might see a sudden increase in unauthorized migration. The authoritarian president of Belarus, Alexander...

Poland's president proposes urgent amendments to law on Russian influence

Jun. 02, 2023 13:57 PM EDT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish President Andrzej Duda said Friday that he was proposing urgent amendments to a law on Russian influence he signed this week that drew U.S. and European Union criticism. Duda said he was aware of objections, including in Poland, to the law proposed by...

Champions League final referee keeps job after apologizing for ties to far-right leader

Jun. 02, 2023 06:37 AM EDT

GENEVA (AP) — Polish soccer referee Szymon Marciniak apologized Friday for speaking at a business event tied to a far-right politician and was confirmed by UEFA to officiate next week's Champions League final. Marciniak's appointment for the game between Manchester City and Inter...

Priceless painting looted by Nazis during World War II returns to Poland from Japan

May. 31, 2023 10:42 AM EDT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A priceless 16th century Italian painting that was looted by Nazi Germany during World War II and discovered in Japan has been returned to Poland, authorities in Warsaw said Wednesday. The “Madonna with Child” attributed to Alessandro Turchi, is the latest...

Auschwitz museum criticizes use of death camp in politics after ruling party uses it in political ad

May. 31, 2023 08:38 AM EDT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial museum has denounced a political spot by Poland's ruling party that uses the theme of the Nazi German extermination camp to discourage participation in an upcoming anti-government march. The state-run museum attacked...

US and EU criticize Polish plans for law that could keep opposition from holding office

May. 30, 2023 11:00 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The United States and the European Union's top justice official on Tuesday criticized Polish plans for a law that they say could keep political opponents from holding public office without them having the full powers to challenge the decision in court. The EU also...

Poland imposes sanctions on 365 Belarusians over 'draconian' verdict against journalist

May. 29, 2023 12:30 PM EDT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland imposed sanctions Monday on 365 Belarusian citizens and froze the financial assets of 20 entities and 16 other people associated with Russian capital in reaction to what it condemned as a “draconian” verdict against a journalist. Under the...

Poland's president approves law on Russia's influence that could target opposition

May. 29, 2023 12:28 PM EDT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish President Andrzej Duda said Monday he would sign a bill that creates a powerful commission, ostensibly meant to investigate Russian influence in Poland but which critics view as a tool to remove from political life the opponents of the ruling party — mostly notably...

Migrants with children stuck at Poland's border wall; activists say Belarus won't let them turn back

May. 28, 2023 20:54 PM EDT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A group of some 30 migrants seeking asylum, including small children, has been stuck at Poland's border wall with Belarus for three days, Polish human rights activists said Sunday. Although the migrants were outside Poland's border wall, activists from Grupa...

Mass protests against Israeli government's plans to change legal system enter 21st week

May. 27, 2023 15:48 PM EDT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered on Saturday for the relentless weekly protests against their government’s plans to overhaul the legal system. The mass protests entered their 21st week. This week’s rallies come days after Prime Minister Benjamin...