Latest news with #RMF24
Euractiv
09-07-2025
- Business
- Euractiv
X warned it could face shutdown in Poland after Grok's antisemitic outburst
On Wednesday, Poland's Deputy Prime Minister left the door open to a future shutdown of X following reports yesterday of the social media's AI chatbot, Grok, generating antisemitic remarks as well as making abusive comments about the country's Prime Minister. During an interview with Polish radio channel RMF 24 on Wednesday morning, Krzysztof Gawkowski – who is both the country's Deputy Prime Minister and its Minister of Digital Affairs – expressed "disgust" at what is happening on Elon Musk's social media platform, which hosts his AI chatbot Grok. Overnight X removed several Grok posts containing suspected antisemitic hate speech, according to Reuters. The Financial Times also reported that X's chatbot had appeared to praise Hitler. "We are aware of recent posts made by Grok and are actively working to remove the inappropriate posts," Musk's company posted on X's Grok account in the early hours CET. When asked by RMF 24 about shutting down the platform, Poland's Deputy Prime Minister said he would "consider such possibilities", adding that he is "not ruling anything out", according to a transcript of the interview translated by Euractiv. Musk's platform X has been under investigation under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) since December 2023 – and, in July last year, the Commission issued a preliminary breach finding. However, so far, no fines or other penalties have been imposed. As well as the DSA allowing for fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover, in extreme cases the regulation contains a pathway for temporarily blocking access to infringing platforms. Gawkowski told RMF 24 that he will be reporting Grok's violations to the Commission so they can investigate whether there has been a fresh DSA breach. "These posts that are on X, generated by algorithms... are the decision-making of platforms," he said, underscoring the possibility of X facing a future DSA fine. Gawkowski also warned that current regulations in Europe and Poland "may not be enough to keep us from noticing the mistakes of algorithms that we don't know how they are controlled." "We need to have legal capacity, but also decision-making, regarding at least that these platforms will be shut down," he emphasised. As it stands, today, Poland is not planning to shut down X – but the Minister warned: "I am responding about the future, which is worth anticipating." Reached for a response, a Commission spokesperson told Euractiv that it "takes the risks related to Generative AI, including chatbots, very seriously". (nl)
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Poland investigates how air defence systems destined for Ukraine were left unattended
Polish authorities are looking into how air defence equipment intended for Ukraine came to be left without adequate supervision. Source: Polish news portal RMF24, reported by European Pravda Details: The Przemyśl Prosecutor's Office is conducting an investigation into the mishandling of weapons and ammunition by an unnamed private company. According to RMF24, the company had been tasked with transporting air defence systems to Ukraine, which were being supplied commercially by a private entity, not the Polish government. For unspecified reasons, the transportation did not take place and the equipment was stored in warehouses near the Ukrainian border. Although initially guarded, the warehouses were later reportedly left "largely unattended". The Polish Ministry of Defence stated: "The containers of ammunition and weapons found in Laszki, Subcarpathian Voivodeship [province – ed.], are not the property of the Polish armed forces. The relevant services are securing the site and equipment." Jacek Dobrzyński, spokesperson for the minister responsible for coordinating Poland's special services, confirmed that the weapons had been stored by a licensed private arms trading company, and that they were air defence systems "similar to those that former police chief Jarosław Szymczyk brought from Ukraine". In 2022, Jarosław Szymczyk mishandled a functional Ukrainian grenade launcher in his office, causing minor injuries. The weapon had been gifted to him during a visit to Ukraine. In 2024, he was charged with illegal importation and endangerment related to the incident. Dobrzyński clarified that the equipment had been intended for Ukraine. "The warehouse was unattended, and this is a scandal. Such weapons must be properly stored and protected," he added. Background: Poland scrambled fighter jets and heightened its air defence readiness in response to a large-scale Russian missile attack on Ukraine on the night of 24-25 May. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Polish jets intercept Russian bomber over Baltic Sea after 'dangerous' maneuvers
Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Su-24 bomber in international airspace over the Baltic Sea on May 22, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said during a press conference on May 23, according to the Polish news outlet RMF24. The incident marks the latest in a series of Russian provocations near NATO territory. According to Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Russian aircraft posed a threat to regional airspace safety. "These maneuvers performed by the Russian Su-24 show that the actions were dangerous and intentional," the minister said. He added that Polish pilots quickly detected, intercepted, and forced the bomber to withdraw from the area. The encounter took place near the heavily militarized Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave wedged between Poland and Lithuania. Russian aircraft often fly from Kaliningrad without using transponders, failing to file flight plans, and not establishing contact with regional air traffic control — a pattern that NATO officials have long described as high-risk behavior. "We are resistant to provocations, but we react appropriately, individually and collectively," Kosiniak-Kamysz said, referring to NATO's air policing measures. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us The intercepted aircraft, a Soviet-designed Su-24 bomber, is capable of carrying guided bombs and precision missiles and was developed for low-level penetration missions. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Poland has scrambled fighter jets multiple times in response to missile and drone attacks near its border. On several occasions, Russian projectiles have briefly entered Polish airspace, prompting strong protests from Warsaw and increased NATO monitoring in the region. On Feb. 11, a Russian Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft flew into Polish airspace over the Gdansk Bay for over a minute. Moscow blamed a navigational failure, though Polish officials have dismissed similar explanations in the past as implausible. Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine and hosts significant NATO infrastructure, has warned that Russian aerial provocations could trigger escalation if not contained. Read also: Ukraine confirms strike on Russian factory making parts for Iskander ballistic missiles, glide bombs We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Polish troops show part of fortifications on border with Russia
Polish troops have shown a section of engineering fortifications on the Polish-Russian border, constructed under the East Shield programme. Source Polish news portal RMF24, as reported by European Pravda Details: Photos show the fortifications in the village of Rutka, located in Gmina Barciany, administrative district in Kętrzyn County. They are being built as part of East Shield – Poland's national deterrence and defence programme. At the event, Lieutenant General Stanisław Czosnek, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, emphasised that Poland, as a self-respecting country, has its own defence preparedness plans. Fortifications on the Polish-Russian border. Photo: Polish Press Agency Quote from Czosnek: "The security environment in our region has significantly deteriorated. We are in a state of hybrid war, and we are acting in advance. We started defensive measures much earlier (...). The expansion of the East Shield along the border with Russia is taking place in Rutka, but we are doing the same along the border with Belarus and in the area near Ukraine." Details: He underlined that the engineering fortifications are the most visible element, but "the East Shield programme is multi-layered". Czosnek explained that the programme includes reconnaissance, early warning systems, chemical protection, logistics systems, military defence, mobility and countermobility and adapting medical infrastructure to the needs of the armed forces in the region. The military personnel are cooperating with all government institutions and local authorities, as well as the ministries of agriculture, infrastructure and digital affairs. Czosnek also stated that the troops do not expropriate private property when planning such investments. Quote from Czosnek: "There were a lot of concerns about land acquisition. We have been working here for a year. There are no expropriations. The troops use state treasury lands, military facilities or property belonging to local authorities. There is not a single case where private property has been affected." Details: Major General Marek Wawrzyniak, Head of the Military Engineering Directorate, also took part in the event near the Russian border. Quote from Wawrzyniak: "We are aware that any fortification is merely an obstacle if not secured, so firing positions, shelters for soldiers and firing points for equipment are being built here. When planning, we rely on experience gained in Ukraine and other operations. This location is a good example of how engineering obstacles should be positioned in the field. On one side, there is forest, and on the other – swampy terrain, which provides an anti-mobility advantage." Details: He noted that under the planning and construction of the East Shield, the troops have acquired land in 30 settlements, where work is already under way. Reconnaissance has been conducted in over 70 settlements and locations. Background: At the end of last year, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the start of construction of the East Shield fortification system along the borders with Russia and Belarus. The decree to establish the national deterrence and defence programme East Shield, with a budget of PLN 10 billion (about US$2.6 billion) for implementation from 2024 to 2028, was adopted by the Polish government on 10 June last year during an off-site meeting in Białystok. Earlier, it was reported that Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland would appeal to the European Union for funding to build a network of bunkers, barriers, defensive lines and military depots along the borders with Russia and Belarus. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Poland intercepts Russian plane actions of which posed a threat
Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Su-24 bomber in international airspace over the Baltic Sea on Thursday 22 May. Source: Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said this during a press conference on Friday 23 May, RMF24 quoted, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kosiniak-Kamysz said that on the evening of Thursday 22 May, the Allied Command Operations of NATO forces in Europe ordered another Polish pair of fighter jets to intercept a Russian Su-24 bomber. He said that the Russian aircraft was carrying out dangerous manoeuvres in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. "These actions were deliberate and posed a threat," the minister said. Kosiniak-Kamysz reported that Polish pilots were able to detect, intercept and effectively push back the Russian aircraft. The Polish defence minister also commented on Russia's frequent provocations in the airspace near NATO's borders – especially due to the geographical location of Kaliningrad Oblast, from where Russian aircraft often fly without transponders switched on, without submitting flight plans and without contacting air traffic control. "We are resilient to provocations, but we react decisively, both independently and within the framework of the Alliance," Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed. Background: On 21 May, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that a Russian shadow fleet vessel had made suspicious manoeuvres near a power cable connecting Poland and Sweden. A few days ago, the Estonian Navy attempted to stop the tanker Jaguar, which was passing through international waters in the Gulf of Finland towards the port of Primorsk. The vessel is believed to belong to the Russian shadow fleet. According to available information, the tanker's crew refused to comply with the Estonian border guards' instructions, and the vessel left Estonian territorial waters. In response to the actions of Estonian forces, Russia sent a fighter jet, which, according to Estonia, violated the country's airspace. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
