Categories
Russia-Ukraine War Society War in Ukraine

God On Their Side? A Ukrainian Priest Explores Faith In The Darkest Days Of War

Father Petro Balogh recalls the later books of the Old Testament, and especially in the New Testament, where personal faithfulness and holiness do not necessarily guarantee deliverance from earthly enemies or suffering — look at the story of Jesus himself.

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LGBTQ Plus Society

Why Poland Still Lags On LGBTQ+ Rights, Even After Defeat Of Homophobic Party

Last December, the European Court of Human Rights found that Poland was violating the right to respect for private and family life by refusing to recognize same-sex civil partnerships. This, along with the end of conservative-Catholic rule last year, brings some signs of change to couples who have been waiting for years for the legislation to pass.

Categories
Economy Society Work In Progress

Saying “No” To Dad’s Office Life — Why Gen Z Is Choosing Blue-Collar Jobs

While the traditional most promising path to well-compensated employment included a college diploma followed by a corporate job, an increasing number of young people are instead looking to the trades for better work-life balance, increased compensation and a break from the patterns set by their parents.

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Society

When Artistic Grandkids Of Holocaust Survivors Find Their Muse In Poland’s Footprints

The memory of the Holocaust remains a painful and ever-present stain on Polish history. While the trauma continues to affect the living survivors and their families today, many survivors’ descendants are facing it head-on, and returning to Poland to learn about their family history and transform it into artistic works.

Categories
Future Green Russia-Ukraine War

Missiles Or Science? Why Our Best Weapon Against Putin May Be Arctic Research

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and fears of westward escalation have already led many European countries to up their own defense strategies. But instead of the latest technologies, rockets, and fighter jets, the true key to fighting back may lie in studying the polar region, critical for world stability.

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Geopolitics Ideas

Pianist Tragedy And Redemption, From Warsaw To Southern Lebanon

A video in the summer of 2023 showed Julia Alli playing the piano in her home southern Lebanon. In the fall of 2024, a new video emerges of Israeli soldiers in the ruble of that home and piano. For writer Badia Fahs, the contrast also links to the story of Roman Polanski’s Oscar-winning Holocaust drama The Pianist.

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Migrant Lives Society

Poland’s Hardline On Migration, From Pariah To Blueprint For The West

One of the few EU countries to not agree to the 2015 migration scheme, Poland had long been viewed as a right-wing periphery on migration. But with the rest of Europe moving rightward, Poland has emerged as the new leader on the issue.

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Geopolitics

Nabih Berri And Donald Trump In A Michigan Café? No Time For Lebanon Ceasefire Jokes

Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri has made a notable public quip about Donald Trump signing a pledge to end the violence in Lebanon in a famous café in Dearborn, Michigan. Everyone is trying to read between the lines, even as thousands are dying across Lebanon since Israel launched its offensive.

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Eyes on the U.S. Geopolitics

U.S. Election And Europe: Why The Era Of “Geopolitical Outsourcing” Is Over

While the Western establishment is hoping for a Kamala Harris victory, either way fundamental changes are coming to the Transatlantic relationship that Europe can no longer evade.

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Society

Deals With The Dead: Inside Poland’s Illegal Grave Trade

As All Saint’s Day, the Polish Catholic celebration of the dead, approaches, most families are looking forward to visiting their loved ones who have passed. But a secret lurks beneath it: a black-market grave trade that deals with prized plots in many Polish cities.

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Society

Human Matchmaker v. Tinder: A Polish Experiment In The Modern Search For Love

The Dating Agency, founded by a psychologist-turned-matchmaker, was supposed to help Polish singles tired of looking for love on dating apps. Today, many are back on Tinder.

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Geopolitics Ideas

Lech Walesa And Us — Poland’s Strange Relationship With Its Revolutionary Hero

Any other nation would cultivate the myth of a figure like former Polish President Lech Wałęsa, marginalizing his flaws, errors, and weaknesses. But in Poland, we have marginalized the greatness of a legend, whose modern thinking is relevant in present-day politics, writes Gazeta Wyborcza columnist Magdalena Środa.

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Society

How Two Young Soccer Stars Are Forcing Poland To Talk About Race

A largely racially homogenous country, Poland is becoming more diverse — including on the soccer field. As Polish-Nigerian Maximillian Oyedele and Polish-Ghanaian Michael Ameyaw make their debut on the country’s national team, sports journalist Rafał Stec examines how this will impact Polish society.

Categories
climate change Future Green Society

Can Extreme Weather Flip Views On Climate Change? Fear And Hope From Flooded Poland

Along with much of central Europe, Poland has experienced large scale flooding that has impacted the country’s infrastructure, budget, and sense of safety. Will this tragedy change the way Poles view climate change?

Categories
Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Putin Has Again Made His Intentions Very Clear — Ukraine’s Allies Must Not Blink

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s brutality and the escalation of Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities should prompt Ukraine’s allies to demonstrate total unity and solidarity against Moscow.

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Society

“A Male Terrarium”: What Is Life Like For Women In The Vatican?

Only a select few reside behind the walls — and even fewer women. From strict rules to unique traditions, is life inside this “man’s world” worth the sacrifice?

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Geopolitics Migrant Lives

The Poland-Belarus Border: One More Migrant Crisis In Search Of Common Sense

Ongoing since 2021, the Polish-Belarusian border crisis has escalated in recent months. As some want to push all migrants away and others say let them all in, Poland must have a system for allowing people to apply for entry — both for humanitarian and economic reasons.

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Society Women Worldwide

With The Activists Fundraising Poland’s First Abortion Clinic

Activists in Poland, a country known for having some of the most restrictive laws on abortion in all of Europe, plan to open the country’s first abortion clinic in Warsaw. As they gather funds to make their dream a reality, they explain the legal loopholes that will help them to provide safe abortions for Poland in a physical, non-judgemental space.

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Society

She Was Pope John Paul II’s Dear Friend: Why Is The Polish National Library Hiding Her Letters?

In 2008, the Polish National Library made one of its most expensive purchases: an archive containing letters between former Pope John Paul II and his close friend Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka. But over a decade later, these documents are still not available to the public.

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Geopolitics Ideas

The Paris Olympics Will Be Extra Charged With Politics — Just Like Always

With wars around the world arousing political strife and affecting the personal lives of many athletes, it seems the Paris 2024 Games could be overrun by geopolitics. Polish journalist Radoslaw Leniarski, an 11-time Olympic Games correspondent, explains what is, and isn’t, different this time.

Categories
Economy Food / Travel

Party’s Over! How Krakow Residents Are Fighting “Mass Alcohol Tourism”

Tourists have been flocking to Krakow for cheap alcohol and bachelor parties, a trend that residents say is making the historic Polish city unlivable.

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Society

‘The Zone Of Interest’ And Us — A German Critique Of The Provocative Oscar Nominee

Oscar-nominatedThe Zone of Interest, tells the’ story of the Auschwitz commander in surprising ways, but fails to address the true inhumanity of Nazism, says Die Welt’s film critic.

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Geopolitics

Ukrainophobia In Poland: Why A New Government In Warsaw Can’t Quell The Conflict

After a short “honeymoon period” that followed the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukrainian-Polish relations have once again entered a state of permanent crisis. Strong words against Russia at the UN by Polish Foreign Minister were appreciated, but long-term relations between Kyiv and Warsaw are bound to be more complicated.

Categories
Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

With Ukraine In Need, Republicans Join Trump On The Wrong Side Of History

With the rejection of the aid plan for Ukraine, Eastern Europe fears that Trump’s isolationist policy will mark the end of U.S. protection from the Putin regime. News from Ukraine of President Volodymyr Zelensky replacing his head of armed forces, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, together with the difficult situation on the battlefield, are generating a lot of tension in Ukraine — and in the wider Europe.

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Food / Travel Society

Legalizing Moonshine, A Winning Political Stand In Poland

Moonshine, typically known as “bimber” in Poland, may soon be legalized by the incoming government. There is a mix of tradition, politics and economics that makes homemade booze a popular issue to campaign on.

Categories
Economy Future

Inside Malaysia’s Intel Factory, A Global Hub Of The Microchip Market

As the importance of the global microchip economy continues to grow, companies like Intel may one day reign supreme over today’s corporate giants: Meta, Apple and Google. And, in a measure some are calling “reverse globalization,” production is beginning to move back into the Global North, including Poland. In a rare visit to Intel’s factories in Malaysia, Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza takes a look into what the future of its manufacturing will look like.

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Green

How Coal-Dependent Poland Learned To Love “Supermarket Solar”

The country known for the highest coal dependency in Europe has been experiencing a marked shift towards renewable energy sources, many on the micro scale.

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Society Women Worldwide

Breaking The Taboo Of Menopause At The Workplace

Women experiencing menopause make up an ever-larger section of the workforce. But employers are not responding to their needs, or even talking about it.

Categories
Russia-Ukraine War

Ukraine And The West: Here’s How Zelensky Must Tweak The Script

With the Middle East burning and domestic politics splintering, Ukraine is now just one of multiple priorities for the West. For President Zelensky, it’s time to move past the narrative of the past two years.

Categories
Society

Is Poland Ready To End Its Notorious Anti-Abortion Regime?

Three years after a landmark ruling severely restricted abortion rights in Poland and sparked massive protest movements, the public mood has shifted in favor of liberalizing the law. With a centrist political party poised to take power, will legal abortions return to Poland, asks Anita Karwowska in Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza.

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Geopolitics

After Pro-Democracy Surge In Poland, Is Viktor Orban’s Hungary Next?

In its latest parliamentary elections, Poland opted to oust the ruling party, PiS, from power. Now will Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, a victim of democratic backsliding, be able to do the same. Political scientist and economist Bálint Madlovics and sociologist and former Hungarian Parliamentarian Bálint Magyar investigate.

Categories
Ideas Society Women Worldwide

Women Were Key To The Opposition’s Victory In Poland — Don’t Forget Us Now

Poland’s historic parliamentary election had a record turnout of 74%, with an opposition coalition ousting the ruling conservative party, PiS, from power. With women voting in greater numbers than men, their votes were crucial in securing these results. Now, the opposition owes them policies that they demand.

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Geopolitics

Polish Elections: Liberal Democracy Is Still Alive And Kicking

The results from the landmark Polish election, which saw a surge by liberal and center-right parties, is long awaited good news for the European Union… and not-so-good news for Viktor Orban.

Categories
Society

Why Catholic Clergy In Poland Are Leaving The Priesthood En Masse

Poland’s powerful Catholic Church is facing yet another crisis: following an exodus of parishioners, notably among younger Poles, now priests are leaving the clergy too.

Categories
Geopolitics Society

Why The Political Left In Poland Is So Perennially Weak

For years, Poland’s political scene has been dominated by divisions between the centrist Civic Platform (PO) and the conservative ruling party, Law and Justice (PiS). Now, on the eve of national elections, a far-right party Konfederacia is also rising. Where is the progressive left in Polish politics?

Categories
Ideas Society

Feminists Infiltrate The “Incelosphere” — Where Toxic Content Warps Modern Masculinity

An increasing number of male teens and young adults who’ve experienced feelings of rejection wind up in what’s been dubbed the “incelosphere,” a place where they can find mutual understanding in a world they think is against them. Two women Polish journalists spent two years on the online servers these “beta males” are flocking to in ever greater numbers.

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Geopolitics Ideas

Poland Elections: I’m Catholic, And Will Never Vote For The Ruling Catholic Party

In this editorial for Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza, former Polish Senator, Solidarność activist, Member of Parliament, and Environmental Minister Antoni Tokarczuk examines what he calls the “true motivations” of ruling party Law and Justice leader Jarosław Kaczyński, and warns against his use of the Church for his party’s gain, especially ahead of the upcoming Parliamentary elections.

Categories
Russia-Ukraine War War in Ukraine

Poland’s Break With Ukraine Weakens All Enemies Of Russia — Starting With Poland

Poland’s decision to stop sending weapons to Ukraine is being driven by the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party’s short-term electoral calculus. Yet the long-term effects on the world stage could deeply undermine the united NATO front against Russia, and the entire Western coalition.

Categories
Ideas Russia-Ukraine War

War Of Attrition, Western Fatigue, U.S. Election: Clock Is Ticking On Ukraine’s Fate

Russia is hoping that the West’s support for Ukraine will begin to falter. Kyiv knows this, and is therefore trying to obtain long-term aid agreements — which have the potential to determine their future. But the current Poland-Ukraine row is a troubling sign.

Categories
Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Pride Or Politics? Why Poland Suddenly Turned Its Back On Ukraine

Poland has taken President Zelensky’s criticism at the UN very badly, and has decided to not supply new arms to Ukraine. One man in the Kremlin couldn’t be more pleased.

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