October 31st is just a week away, but while Halloween can be reliably predicted, the UK’s exit from the European Union is once again facing the prospect of delay. On Tuesday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suspended his attempts to pass his renegotiated Brexit deal through the British parliament.
Lawmakers accepted the new deal in principle, but later voted by a narrow margin to reject the PMs plan to fast-track a bill bringing the new deal into UK law.Without a fast-track, there would not be enough time before Brexit day to get the bill through parliament. As such, Mr Johnson said he would „pause” his attempts to pass it and would „speed up” preparations for a no-deal exit.
Last week, Mr Johnson was forced by law to ask the EU to postpone brexit until January 31st, but simultaneously wrote to European Council President Donald Tusk saying clearly that he did not want a delay of any kind. Now, it is up to the other members of the European Union to decide whether or not to grant the UK an extension. One possibility is a delay until January 31st, in which time the UK could hold a general election.
Another option would be a short technical delay into November to allow the PM more time to pass the bill in parliament.
And some have proposed a possible „flextention” with a final deadline in 2020 but giving the UK the option to withdraw early.
Unemployment fell in Poland to 5.1% in September.
Figures released yesterday by the Central Statistics Office show a further drop in the number of jobless people, falling from 5.2% in August. The rate is one of the lowest in the European Union, and Poland’s lowest in almost 30 years.
Ice Hockey Victory
Gdańsk’s Ice Hockey players have taken a well earned victory, edging out Unia Oświęcim by 4 goals to 3. With the Ice Hockey season only just starting, Lotos Gdansk hadn’t been dating well, losing their last five games. But Tuesday saw the Gdańszczanie back on form, with Lotos Gdańsk getting past Re-Plast Oswięcim’s Canadian goalkeeper Clarke Saunders four times.
In other Ice Hockey news, Gdansk is set to host the Euro Ice Hockey Challenge at Oliwa Ice Stadium from November 8th, with tickets starting at 27zl.
Famous Shipyard in bid to become World Heritage Site
Gdańsk’s shipyards could be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site if a campaign by the Ministry of Culture is successful. The shipyard rose to international fame in the 1980s with organised resistance to communism and the birth of the Solidarity movement. If the campaign is successful, the shipyards would join the likes of the Great Wall of China and Yellowstone National Park.
Today’s weather
A mostly cloudy day with temperatures peaking at 14 degrees Celsius, 57 Fahrenheit. No rain is expected but do be careful on Friday morning as some thick fog is on the way which will severely reduce visibility throughout tomorrow.
RGEN NEWS/AG
