President Trump announced tariffs on steel imports from Turkey will be doubled to 50%, while negotiations over a $100 billion trade deal have been halted. Sanctions have been placed on Turkey’s ministries of defence and energy, as well as on three senior Turkish officials.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Turkey must „immediately cease its unilateral offensive in northeast Syria” to prevent additional sanctions.
Yesterday, Syrian government forces entered the region for the first time in years following an agreement between the Russian-backed forces of the regime and the formerly US-backed Kurdish rebel armies that control the area. The government troops are cooperating with the rebels to repel the Turks.
European countries have also responded. The UK has halted new export licenses for weapons that may be used in Syria, with the Foreign Secretary saying yesterday: „this is not the action we expected from an ally” adding „the action is reckless and counter-productive”.
The Czech Republic has also ceased arms sales to Turkey, joining France, Germany, and Italy.
Today marks 35 years since the murder of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko.
Popiełuszko was a key figure in the Solidarity movement and anti-communist, openly criticising the regime at great risk to himself. Popiełuszko died in 1984 when he was kidnapped and murdered by agents of the SB Security Service. He was 37 years old.
The IMF has upgraded its growth forecast for Poland to 4% this year.
According to its latest World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund predicts the Polish economy will grow by 4% in 2019, up from an earlier prediction of 3.8%. Growth will then slow to 3.1% in 2020, according to the report. The IMF attributes the strong growth to resilient domestic demand and rising wages.
Two researchers from the University of Gdansk have been awarded scholarships in recognition of their work on Huntington’s disease.
Ewelina Król and Karolina Pierzynowska received scholarship from the L’Oréal and UNESCO programme for Women in Science for their research on treating the often fatal neurological disorder. The award, now in its 19th year, recognises the achievements of women in science and technology. The UoG researchers were selected from a pool of 144 candidates.
More details on HERE
The football family must „wage war on racism” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin yesterday.
It follows international condemnation of racism seen at the Euro 2020 qualifying match between England and Bulgaria on Monday. Ceferin said racism could not be tackled by football associations alone and called for cooperation „in the name of decency and honour”.
UEFA has opened proceedings against Bulgaria after fans were seen monkey chanting and performing Nazi salutes towards England players and fans. Four Bulgarian football fans suspected of subjecting black England players to racist abuse have been detained following police raids.
Bulgaria’s football chief Borislav Mikhailov resigned on Tuesday.
And the weather for Wednesday, a beautiful start to the day but clouding over later this afternoon. Temperatures gradually dropping from a high of 17 degrees Celsius (62 degrees Fahrenheit), down to about 12 degrees Celsius, or 53 degrees Fahrenheit, this evening. There’s a strong chance of some rain overnight.
RGEN NEWS/TH
