The agriculture ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) economic powers have called for more support for Ukraine over its grain exports and condemned Russia’s attempts to use food as a weapon.

In a statement issued after a two-day meeting in Miyazaki, Japan, last week, the G7 agriculture ministers pledged to support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction, including through the provision of expertise in de-mining agricultural land and reconstructing agricultural infrastructure.

The group also condemned Russia’s attempts to use food as a „tool of geopolitical coercion and destabilization” and expressed their commitment to acting in solidarity and supporting those most affected by Russia’s „weaponization of food.”

The G7 urged the extension and full implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) deal, under which Ukraine can export over 27 million tonnes of grain through its Black Sea ports.

The deal was signed in Istanbul last July, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey. However, Russia has signaled that it would not endorse the agreement beyond May 18 because its expectations to facilitate its own grain and fertilizer exports have yet to be addressed.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is set to discuss the BSGI deal with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York later his week.

Source: Polskie Radio

Jarosław Kaczyński, the de facto leader of the ruling conservative Law and Justice party (PiS), recently admitted that his ruling party had failed to curb inflation, according to reports published Saturday by the Polish Press Agency (PAP).

Kaczyński made the statement in the town of Janów Lubelski, eastern Poland, during one of the weekly rallies with supporters scheduled ahead of the country’s general election this autumn. The inflation rate in March was 16.1 percent year-on-year, the highest Poland has seen since the late 1990s and the fourth highest among the 27 EU member states.

Kaczyński acknowledged that the government’s policies – which aimed at combating inflation without triggering unemployment, a crisis, or economic regression – were not successful, PAP wrote. However, he also claimed that government policies were well-thought-out and ultimately correct, pointing to a predicted drop in inflation in coming months, along with various tax reliefs and subsidies enacted to protect citizens.

Source: Polskie Radio

Iga Świątek emerged victorious in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final in Stuttgart, Germany, on Sunday after beating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus for the second year in a row.

Yesterday’s Stuttgart Open final was an intense battle as both players fought for the title, the prize money, and a coveted Porsche Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo displayed throughout the tournament. In what was a repeat of last year’s final against Sabalenka, Świątek managed to defend her title, securing a 6-3, 6-4 victory in two sets and an hour and 50 minutes.

The victory marks the thirteenth title in Świątek’s career, where she has led the world rankings in women’s tennis for over a year. She next heads to the Madrid Open, set to begin later this week.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, Polskie Radio, wtatennis.com

Volunteers in the Fields of Hope charity hospice fundraiser traveled from as far away as Puck yesterday to participate in the Daffodil Parade in central Gdańsk. According to organizers, the annual Pola Nadziei campaign aims to support hospice care in Pomerania and „the travel of doctors and nurses from the home hospice for children and adults. Fuel prices have increased, and we have a lot of people and kilometers to travel,” explained Anna Janowicz, president of the Hospice Foundation.

The Daffodil Parade started from ul. Podwale Staromiejskie, with a loud and colorful procession of classic cars leading the group around the monument to King Jan III Sobieski at Targ Drzewny before moving through Targ Węglowy to the Neptune Fountain on Długa Street.

In a gesture of thanks, each donor received hand-made paper daffodils and stickers with the campaign’s signature floral symbol.

For those who could not join the collection on the streets of Pomerania, hospice collection banks can be found in many companies, institutions, and parishes, as well as several sites online, including:
– the campaign portal;
– an online fundraiser;
– the „Fields of Hope in Pomerania 2023” event on Facebook.

Online collections are open from now until May 8th.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be mostly cloudy, with a chance for rain showers throughout the day and a gentle breeze coming in from the south. Temperatures will be slightly cooler than yesterday, with a daytime high of 18°C or 64°F dropping to a low of 8°C or 47°F overnight. Much cooler weather is expected tomorrow, with a chance for more rain showers overnight and into tomorrow morning.

Listen:

Elizabeth Peck/MarWer