Last week the US Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act, giving a potential green light to an increased US military presence in Poland.
In response to the Senate vote, the Polish Embassy in Washington tweeted: „Thank you US Senate for recognising that 'Poland is critical to deterring, defending against, and defeating Russian aggression against NATO allies in Central and Eastern Europe and the US should increase the persistent presence of US forces in Poland.'”
Amid fears of Russian aggression, the authorities in Warsaw have made intense efforts to secure boosted US troop numbers in Poland, which lies on the eastern flank of the NATO Western military alliance. Under a previous deal signed by the Polish and US presidents in June, America will station around 1,000 extra troops in Poland over the next two years.
After the meeting of NATO defense ministers last month, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak told reporters: „The presence of US troops strengthens NATO… and deters a potential opponent.”
The Senate vote echoes sentiments expressed by US President Donald Trump to Polish President Andrzej Duda, during the latter’s official visit to Washington last month, in which Trump announced closer military and economic cooperation with Warsaw, hailing the dawn of an “exciting new era in the US-Polish alliance.”
Adapted from https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/us-senate-approves-strengthening-of-military-presence-in-poland-6565
DIFFICULT NEGOTIATIONS ON TOP OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
After a marathon round of discussions, EU national leaders have agreed upon who should be appointed to the bloc’s most prominent jobs.
After days of difficult negotiations, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen was announced as the chosen replacement for outgoing European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, while IMF chief Christine Lagarde was nominated to head the European Central Bank. Rounding out the top four spots, Belgium’s Prime Minister, Charles Michel, was appointed to the position of European Council President and Spain’s Josep Borrell was appointed to EU foreign policy chief.
In announcing the nominees, outgoing European Council President Donald Tusk highlighted the “perfect gender balance” of the choices, a fact he was quite happy about as “after all, Europe is a woman.” If confirmed, and von der Leyen would be the first women to hold their respective positions.
The fifth key role – president of the European Parliament – is to be chosen later this month. The appointees must now be ratified by a majority in the European Parliament.
Adapted from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48500336
The US Women’s team defeated England 2-1 Tuesday night before a crowd of 53,000 to advance to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final in Lyon. The US victory relied heavily on goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher’s blocking skills in the second half, as well as headers by Alex Morgan and Erin Fish in the first. The US will now face off July 7th against the winner of tonight’s match between the Netherlands and Sweden.
OPEN’ER! LET’S START THE PARTY
Tickets for the biggest, most diverse, and most popular music festival in Poland are still on sale as the festival officially kicks off today in Gdynia.
Now in its 18th year, the Open’er Festival features an outstanding lineup of world-class performers, food, art, and fun.
Concertgoers will have their pick of five stages to choose from, with Wednesday night’s lineup featuring Jain, Vampire Weekend, Travis Scott, and Diplo on the Orange Main Stage, with the likes of Interpol, Lil Skies, Death Grips, and Robyn rounding out the lineup elsewhere. In anticipation of Season 3 of the Netflix hit Stranger Things, Wednesday’s festivities will also include a visit by cast members Caleb McLaughlin (Dustin) and Finn Wolfhard (Mike).
The festival will continue into Saturday with The Strokes, The Smashing Pumpkins, Kylie Minogue, Lana Del Rey, and Swedish House Mafia all set to headline. Though a four-day ticket will now set you back some 700 zloty, festival promoters expect more than 120,000 people to attend throughout the weekend.
Tickets may be purchased online, in person at Gdynia Głowny Railway Station, or at the festival itself. Visit Radio Gdansk online for more information.
Adapted from: https://opener.pl/en/general-info
Redakcja English Service
