The US Supreme Court yesterday handed down a landmark ruling confirming that the country’s Civil Rights Act does cover LGBT workers.

In 1964, the Civil Rights Act made it illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, religion, or sex. It was passed in the wake of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in order to tackle race issues in the US.

Yesterday’s ruling confirms that the protections of the Act also extend to gay and transgender people. The Supreme Court judges agreed 6 to 3 that LGBT workers were protected under the Act’s ban on sex-based discrimination.

The ruling has been labelled by many as the most significant milestone for LGBT rights in years.

Polish President Andrzej Duda has fired back at international media, saying they took his comments about LGBT rights „out of context”.

Last week President Duda, who is currently campaigning for the June 28th presidential election, described the LGBT movement as an „ideology”. He referenced the 40 year fight against communism in Poland, adding „they didn’t fight for this so that a new ideology would appear that is even more destructive”.

Many international media sources reported on the President’s comments over the weekend, including the BBC, New York Times, and Reuters.

But Mr Duda now says those reports took his words out of context.

In a series of tweets written in English, Mr Duda said he „truly believes in diversity and equality” but that the „beliefs of any minority cannot be imposed on a majority”.

He added that he believes in a world where truths have a safe platform and referenced the MeToo movement against sexual assault.

President Duda is currently campaigning in an increasingly close fought election race, with polls now showing the incumbent Duda leading by only 2% in possible second round contests.

International air routes are once again open today as government lifts the ban on international flying.

It’s the latest stage in the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. From today, airlines can operate flights between Poland and other European Union countries.

It follows the reopening of borders with EU, and EEA countries, as well as the UK, on Saturday. Travel from other countries is still banned however, including land borders with Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.

Beaches across Tricity are closed today as naval engineers work to clear a Second World War sea mine in the Bay of Gdansk.

The unexploded naval mine was discovered in the waters around Gdynia in March this year by hydrographic surveyors.

Today, naval engineers will remove the mine before transporting it into the Bay of Gdansk where they will conduct a controlled detonation of the mine.

Beaches from Westerplatte to Rewa were closed at 8am this morning, they’re expected to open again at 3 this afternoon. Patrols by Municipal Police are enforcing the ban.

But if the warm weather is too good to miss, the beaches on Sobieszewo are at a safe distance and are staying open.

Gdansk has named a tram after Lechia Gdańsk football legend, Roman Rogocz.

Rogocz had an incredible career with the Gdansk team. He joined the club in 1947 after fighting with the Allies in World War Two.

In his 15 season career with the side, Rogocz scored 108 goals, a club record which stands to this day. In 2011 he was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Resituta. He died in 2013, aged 86.

Now, Gdansk Buses and Trams have honoured Rogocz with the patronship if one of their newest trams painted in a special livery of white and green, the colours of the Lechia Gdańsk football team.

Speaking at the naming ceremony for the new tram, Rogocz’s son, Andrzej, was visibly moved. He said his dad had never owned a car and always used the tram.

Mostly cloudy going into this afternoon with temperatures around 22°C, that’s 71°F. Clearing up later in the evening with scattered cloud going into tomorrow.

TAH/ako