He and other GSA officials have also sought to rely more heavily on artificial intelligence. In March, employees were given a demo of a new internal AI chatbot that is designed to more speedily identify contracts and real estate that can be jettisoned. Government agencies like GSA have been hesitant to deploy AI in such ways due to data-security and privacy concerns, according to current and former officials.
At 38, Sławomir Mentzen has emerged as a prominent figure in the presidential race, leveraging his savvy use of social media platforms to connect with younger voters. His sleek videos and populist messaging have resonated with many young people, especially men. Mentzen also has been actively touring the country, aiming to broaden his appeal to older demographics.coincides with a broader surge of populist right-wing movements across Europe.
However, Mentzen’s political journey has not been without controversy. In 2019, he made headlines with a statement saying: “We don’t want Jews, homosexuals, abortion, taxes or the European Union.”While he later said the remark was taken out of context, it has continued to shadow him. Although the Confederation party has emphasized its free-market positions and distanced itself from some extreme elements, many Poles remain wary of Mentzen’s past statements.He experienced an early surge in the polls that faded after he advocated for the introduction of tuition fees at state universities, a stance that proved unpopular given Poland’s tradition of free higher education.
He also has taken a hard-line position on abortion, opposing it even in cases of rape — a view that for many went too far.Mentzen is also a successful entrepreneur. He has degrees in economics and physics and owns a brewery in the central city of Torun that has produced beers with names such as “White IPA Matters,” “Hate Speech” and “Bitcoin.” The “White IPA Matters” beer had a marketing campaign featuring a Black bartender, triggering controversy.
In a personal revelation, Mentzen disclosed in 2024 that he has autism. He shared that while he possesses strong concentration skills, he sometimes struggles with interpreting others’ emotions.
Szymon Hołownia, 48, is a former television personality who transitioned into politics, bringing charisma and a fresh face to the political scene.“The discovery of lead sarcophagi here is a first for Gaza,” he said.
Given the rarity of the lead tombs, Palestinian archaeologists like Fadel Al-Otul suspect that social elites are buried there. Al-Otul said the cemetery probably used to be located in a city — Romans used to place cemeteries near city centers.Alongside the sarcophagi, Elter’s team is restoring unearthed skeletons and piecing together shards of clay jars.
The skeletons discovered at the site will be sent out of Gaza for additional analysis, according to Al-Otul. The remains are set to return to the Hamas-led Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism.Elter said the territory needs a dedicated team to oversee archaeological activity in Gaza.