Germany’s president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier has asked Poles for forgiveness yesterday at commemorations marking 80 years since the beginning of the Second World War.
Speaking at an early morning ceremony in Wieluń, the first Polish town to come under attack in the 1939 invasion, President Steinmeier said: „I bow my head before the Polish victims of German tyranny, and I ask for forgiveness.”
Later on, at a ceremony in Warsaw, President Steinmeier praised Poland’s spirit of reconciliation and expressed thanks that Germany had been allowed to grow and take on a central role in a united and peaceful Europe.
US President Donald Trump had been planning to attend the ceremony before canceling in order to prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Dorian. Speaking in Trump’s place, Vice President Mike Pence used his speech to acknowledge the resilience of Poland through the war and the decades of oppression that followed.
1. EU’s chief Brexit negotiator rejects UK demands for changes on Irish border backstop.
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator has rejected requests from the UK Government to scrap the so-called Irish border „backstop”. The backstop as it stands would avoid the need for border infrastructure between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic but would put a customs barrier between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Since coming to power, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been pushing for it to be scrapped to allow a deal to be agreed before the October 31st deadline. Now, lead negotiator for the EU, Michel Barnier, has written in Britain’s Sunday Telegraph newspaper that the backstop is the „maximum flexibility” that can be offered.
Barnier added that he was „not optimistic” about preventing a no-deal Brexit, but that the EU was ready to explore options presented by the UK Government.
2. Refurbishment plans announced for Gdansk’s main railway station.
Plans have been announced for the long-awaited refurbishment of Gdansk’s main railway station. Gdańsk Główny will see 100 million zlotych of restoration works both inside and out. The interior of the station is to be restored to its original 19th Century style including reconstructed stained-glass windows and cartouches alongside modernised facilities. The building’s façade will be cleaned and repaired, and geometric tile patterns will be restored.
The pedestrian tunnels around the station will be refurbished and modernised with new lighting and monitoring systems. Works are scheduled to start next Monday and be completed for the end of 2021.
3. Poland beat Venezuela 80-69 in opening World Cup Match in Beijing.
Poland’s basketball players have won their opening match at the World Cup in Beijing. The Polish team won 80-69 against Venezuela with Michał Sokołowski and Mateusz Ponitka being the top point scorers. The team will now go on to face the hosts China today 1 O’clock Polish time.
TH/RGEN NEWS
