Polish foreign ministry said on Saturday that the country will continue to respect European law. Poland and the European Union are experiencing strained relations after Poland's Constitutional Tribunal held that parts of EU law were incompatible with Polish constitution.

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"All obligations arising from both primary and secondary European Union law remain in force and thus, will continue to be fully respected by Poland," said foreign ministry in a statement.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-calls-poland-court-ruling-attack-against-eu-419132">France calls Poland court ruling 'attack against EU'</a>

"The provisions of the Treaty of the European Union indicated in the judgment ...remain in force. What cannot be accepted are only the forms of their interpretation or application that violate the constitution."

Relations between Warsaw and Brussels were especially strained after Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki had welcomed Polish tribunal's decision.

This had led to heated exchange of words between Poland and EU.

France and Germany on Saturday, said in a joint statement that Poland had a legal and moral obligation to abide by the bloc's rules completely and unconditionally.

(Wion web team)

Polish foreign ministry said on Saturday that the country will continue to respect European law. Poland and the European Union are experiencing strained relations after Poland's Constitutional Tribunal held that parts of EU law were incompatible with Polish constitution.

Polish foreign ministry said on Saturday that the country will continue to respect European law. Poland and the European Union are experiencing strained relations after Poland's Constitutional Tribunal held that parts of EU law were incompatible with Polish constitution. × "All obligations arising from both primary and secondary European Union law remain in force and thus, will continue to be fully respected by Poland," said foreign ministry in a statement. Also Read | France calls Poland court ruling 'attack against EU' "The provisions of the Treaty of the European Union indicated in the judgment ...remain in force. What cannot be accepted are only the forms of their interpretation or application that violate the constitution." Relations between Warsaw and Brussels were especially strained after Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki had welcomed Polish tribunal's decision. This had led to heated exchange of words between Poland and EU. France and Germany on Saturday, said in a joint statement that Poland had a legal and moral obligation to abide by the bloc's rules completely and unconditionally. (Wion web team)

Poland-EU spat: Will respect European law, says Polish foreign ministry

Poland's envoy to India Adam Burakowski has warned of a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and his country willing to "contribute to humanitarian aid." Remember the Polish embassy in Delhi is accredited to Afghanistan and played a key role in coordination of the evacuation in August when Taliban took over the country. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, envoy Burakowski highlighted that how Poland, "We evacuated around 1300 people from Afghanistan, Afghan nationals. These are people who worked with our mission in Afghanistan, our embassy when it was there." The envoy welcomed "decision of the govt of India to be more open for foreign nationals". Indian govt has announced that foreign tourist will be allowed from November 15th for those on chartered flights as covid situation eases. Interestingly, the Polish envoy also talked about polish artist Stefan Norblin who has decorated Indian palaces, including the Umaid Bhawan palace in Jodhpur. Stefan norblin left Poland after the country was attacked during world war 2 and in India worked for Maharajah Umaid Singh of Jodhpur. He designed the art deco murals at the famous Umaid Bhawan palace.

Polish envoy to India Adam Burakowski warns of humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan

A landmark ruling by Poland's top court rejecting the supremacy of EU law marks an attack on the European Union, France's Europe Minister Clement Beaune said on Friday.

"It is very serious there is the risk of a de-facto exit" of Poland from the EU, he told the BFM-TV broadcaster in an interview, adding "I do not want the exit of Poland".

"This is an attack on the EU by a constitutional court that was modelled by the Polish government," Beaune said.

The court on Friday ruled that some EU treaty articles were "incompatible" with the Polish constitution and warned EU institutions not to "act beyond the scope of their competencies" by interfering with Poland's judiciary.

Poland and the EU are at odds over judicial reforms introduced by Poland's governing right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party which Brussels warns threaten the country's democracy.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-inquiry-reveals-216000-cases-of-paedophilia-by-catholic-priests-since-1950-418328">&nbsp;France: Inquiry reveals 216,000 cases of paedophilia by Catholic priests since 1950</a>

"This is not a technical or a legal question. This is a highly political topic that adds to a long list of provocations aimed at the EU," Beaune said of the Polish ruling.

"When you join a club you sign a contract that is called a treaty, which was ratified by referendum in Poland. This was the choice of the Polish people," he said.

Beaune said Poland's government "does not respect the values and fundamental principles of the EU, women's rights, minority rights, or the independence of the judiciary and the media," he said.

"There are 80 million Polish people and they want to remain in the EU. They did not want this," Beaune said.

The EU Commission said on Thursday it would use all the tools available to ensure the primacy of EU law in Poland.

A landmark ruling by Poland's top court rejecting the supremacy of EU law marks an attack on the European Union, France's Europe Minister Clement Beaune said on Friday.

A landmark ruling by Poland's top court rejecting the supremacy of EU law marks an attack on the European Union, France's Europe Minister Clement Beaune said on Friday. "It is very serious there is the risk of a de-facto exit" of Poland from the EU, he told the BFM-TV broadcaster in an interview, adding "I do not want the exit of Poland". "This is an attack on the EU by a constitutional court that was modelled by the Polish government," Beaune said. The court on Friday ruled that some EU treaty articles were "incompatible" with the Polish constitution and warned EU institutions not to "act beyond the scope of their competencies" by interfering with Poland's judiciary. Poland and the EU are at odds over judicial reforms introduced by Poland's governing right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party which Brussels warns threaten the country's democracy. Also Read | France: Inquiry reveals 216,000 cases of paedophilia by Catholic priests since 1950 "This is not a technical or a legal question. This is a highly political topic that adds to a long list of provocations aimed at the EU," Beaune said of the Polish ruling. "When you join a club you sign a contract that is called a treaty, which was ratified by referendum in Poland. This was the choice of the Polish people," he said. Beaune said Poland's government "does not respect the values and fundamental principles of the EU, women's rights, minority rights, or the independence of the judiciary and the media," he said. "There are 80 million Polish people and they want to remain in the EU. They did not want this," Beaune said. The EU Commission said on Thursday it would use all the tools available to ensure the primacy of EU law in Poland.

France calls Poland court ruling 'attack against EU'

Poland is a part of the European Union. But lately - the country has been asserting its differences with the bloc.In the latest, Poland's highest court has called some articles of the European union treaty as 'unconstitutional'.

Poland asserts its differences with European Union

Poland's envoy to India Adam Burakowski has warned of a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and his country is willing to "contribute to humanitarian aid". The Polish embassy in Delhi is accredited to Afghanistan and played a key role in coordination of the evacuation in August when Taliban took over the country.

Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, envoy Burakowski highlighted how Poland&nbsp;"evacuated around 1300 people from Afghanistan, Afghan nationals. These are people who worked with our mission in Afghanistan, our embassy when it was there."

The envoy welcomed the "decision of the government of India to be more open for foreign nationals".

Indian government has announced that foreign tourist will be allowed from November 15&nbsp;for those on chartered flights as Covid situation eases.

Interestingly, the Polish envoy also talked about polish artist Stefan Norblin who has decorated Indian palaces, including the Umaid Bhawan palace in Jodhpur. The artist left Poland after the country was attacked during World War II and has been working &nbsp;for Maharajah Umaid Singh of Jodhpur in India. He designed the art deco murals at the famous Umaid Bhawan palace.

WION: How has Poland helped in evacuation process from Afghanistan? 
Adam Burakowski: Our embassies are very few embassies accredited to Afghanistan from Delhi,&nbsp;that is why we are observing the situation in Afghanistan very closely. The fall of Kabul on August 15 was a big surprise and shock for us,&nbsp;as for other countries and Afghanistan itself. So, from the very beginning, we started to plan the evacuation of people who helped us during our 20 years of involvement in NATO mission in Afghanistan. We sent military planes to Poland&nbsp;to take back people to Poland. We evacuated around 1,300 people from Afghanistan, Afghan nationals. These are people who worked with our mission in Afghanistan, our embassy when it was there. It closed down in 2014 and also Polish military contingent. Also, civilians in Ghanzi province, where we made many development projects in Ghazni. We evacuated these people, and those who worked with our allies, such as NATO, EU delegation, and other countries like Lithuania. It was a big scale operation that lasted for 11 days and we reached this number of 1,300 Afghans. We also cooperated very closely with&nbsp;Mr Tahir Qadiry who was the head of mission of Afghanistan in Delhi and then he moved to Poland as an envoy. Ambassador Tahir was very active and even had press conference with our PM about the whole development. We consider the evacuation as success. We consider our 20 years in Afghanistan as a success because Poland contributed much on development of Afghanistan —&nbsp;education, empowerment of women and also people to people contacts. Afghanistan is very important country for us still and we are observing the situation very closely.

WION: How do you see the situation in Afghanistan under the Taliban government&nbsp;which is seen as non inclusive, with no minorities such as the Hazaras, no women? 
Adam Burakowski: We are in European Union, and we are discussing with our partners on whole situation, and will take call on the situation together and how to deal with current admin of Taliban in Afghanistan. As you mentioned, the government&nbsp;is definitely not inclusive and it is also up to Taliban what they want to do. We will be observing this very closely.&nbsp;We are afraid of potential humanitarian crisis because winter is coming and economy is down because of this sudden takeover by Taliban. Also, we are ready to contribute to humanitarian aid.&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;How have your talks&nbsp;been with India? 
Adam Burakowski: We have constant discussions with the MEA about the development in Afghanistan. We are to a very large extent very like-minded in many aspects of the current situation in Afghanistan.

WION: How do you see ties with India? 
Adam Burakowski: Our relationship has always been very friendly. It was impacted by Covid, and just yesterday we welcomed the decision of the government&nbsp;of India to be more open for foreign nationals. Just before the Covid, we had a direct flight from Delhi to Warsaw. It was a big success, the demand was very high. We would like to restore it as soon as possible.&nbsp;

WION: About the connect between the two countries, we know Polish artist Stefan Norblin has been the decorator of indian palaces, including the Umaid Bhawan palace in Jodhpur. Can you throw some light about&nbsp;his life and times. 
Adam Burakowski: Stefan Norblin was a polish artist and very active in Poland. He was multi-talented and when the World War II broke out, and Poland was attacked by Nazi Germany and Soviet Union, he escaped and finally reached India and got orders from few maharajas, the biggest one in jodhpur. He designed part of Umaid Bhawan in Jodhpur and it was started by Maharaja of Jodhpur, Umaid Singh. He designed the luxurious suites of the palace, the Maharaja and Maharani suites and made series of painting depicting Indian mythology in art deco style. The polish artist contributed to the final look of Umaid Bhawan, one of the biggest palaces in India. His pictures are in the museum there. Polish team came to restore the painting and they are in good shape. I would like to welcome everyone to Jodhpur and look at the pictures.

Poland's envoy to India Adam Burakowski has warned of a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and his country is willing to "contribute to humanitarian aid". The Polish embassy in Delhi is accredited to Afghanistan and played a key role in coordination of the evacuation in August when Taliban took over the country.

Poland's envoy to India Adam Burakowski has warned of a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and his country is willing to "contribute to humanitarian aid". The Polish embassy in Delhi is accredited to Afghanistan and played a key role in coordination of the evacuation in August when Taliban took over the country. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, envoy Burakowski highlighted how Poland "evacuated around 1300 people from Afghanistan, Afghan nationals. These are people who worked with our mission in Afghanistan, our embassy when it was there." The envoy welcomed the "decision of the government of India to be more open for foreign nationals". Indian government has announced that foreign tourist will be allowed from November 15 for those on chartered flights as Covid situation eases. Interestingly, the Polish envoy also talked about polish artist Stefan Norblin who has decorated Indian palaces, including the Umaid Bhawan palace in Jodhpur. The artist left Poland after the country was attacked during World War II and has been working for Maharajah Umaid Singh of Jodhpur in India. He designed the art deco murals at the famous Umaid Bhawan palace. WION: How has Poland helped in evacuation process from Afghanistan? Adam Burakowski: Our embassies are very few embassies accredited to Afghanistan from Delhi, that is why we are observing the situation in Afghanistan very closely. The fall of Kabul on August 15 was a big surprise and shock for us, as for other countries and Afghanistan itself. So, from the very beginning, we started to plan the evacuation of people who helped us during our 20 years of involvement in NATO mission in Afghanistan. We sent military planes to Poland to take back people to Poland. We evacuated around 1,300 people from Afghanistan, Afghan nationals. These are people who worked with our mission in Afghanistan, our embassy when it was there. It closed down in 2014 and also Polish military contingent. Also, civilians in Ghanzi province, where we made many development projects in Ghazni. We evacuated these people, and those who worked with our allies, such as NATO, EU delegation, and other countries like Lithuania. It was a big scale operation that lasted for 11 days and we reached this number of 1,300 Afghans. We also cooperated very closely with Mr Tahir Qadiry who was the head of mission of Afghanistan in Delhi and then he moved to Poland as an envoy. Ambassador Tahir was very active and even had press conference with our PM about the whole development. We consider the evacuation as success. We consider our 20 years in Afghanistan as a success because Poland contributed much on development of Afghanistan — education, empowerment of women and also people to people contacts. Afghanistan is very important country for us still and we are observing the situation very closely. WION: How do you see the situation in Afghanistan under the Taliban government which is seen as non inclusive, with no minorities such as the Hazaras, no women? Adam Burakowski: We are in European Union, and we are discussing with our partners on whole situation, and will take call on the situation together and how to deal with current admin of Taliban in Afghanistan. As you mentioned, the government is definitely not inclusive and it is also up to Taliban what they want to do. We will be observing this very closely. We are afraid of potential humanitarian crisis because winter is coming and economy is down because of this sudden takeover by Taliban. Also, we are ready to contribute to humanitarian aid. WION: How have your talks been with India? Adam Burakowski: We have constant discussions with the MEA about the development in Afghanistan. We are to a very large extent very like-minded in many aspects of the current situation in Afghanistan. WION: How do you see ties with India? Adam Burakowski: Our relationship has always been very friendly. It was impacted by Covid, and just yesterday we welcomed the decision of the government of India to be more open for foreign nationals. Just before the Covid, we had a direct flight from Delhi to Warsaw. It was a big success, the demand was very high. We would like to restore it as soon as possible. WION: About the connect between the two countries, we know Polish artist Stefan Norblin has been the decorator of indian palaces, including the Umaid Bhawan palace in Jodhpur. Can you throw some light about his life and times. Adam Burakowski: Stefan Norblin was a polish artist and very active in Poland. He was multi-talented and when the World War II broke out, and Poland was attacked by Nazi Germany and Soviet Union, he escaped and finally reached India and got orders from few maharajas, the biggest one in jodhpur. He designed part of Umaid Bhawan in Jodhpur and it was started by Maharaja of Jodhpur, Umaid Singh. He designed the luxurious suites of the palace, the Maharaja and Maharani suites and made series of painting depicting Indian mythology in art deco style. The polish artist contributed to the final look of Umaid Bhawan, one of the biggest palaces in India. His pictures are in the museum there. Polish team came to restore the painting and they are in good shape. I would like to welcome everyone to Jodhpur and look at the pictures.

Poland's highest court on Thursday ruled that some part of European Union treaties were incompatible with constitution of Poland. This has escalated tension between Poland and European Union as the ruling challenges a pillar of European integration.&nbsp;

Poland's Law and Justice (PiS) party government is embroiled in a battle of values with Brussels, focused on disputes over the independence of courts, media freedoms, LGBT rights and other issues.

Those who criticise Poland's stance say that such a path is not good for Poland's long term future. It also undermines European Union's stability especially after Brexit.

However, PiS denies this and says it has no plans for a "Polexit".

Poland's Constitutional Tribunal took on the case after Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki asked it whether EU institutions could stop Poland from reorganising its judiciary.

On Thursday, Judge Bartlomiej Sochanski said: "The EU Treaty is subordinate to the constitution in the Polish legal system ... and, like any part of the Polish legal system, it must comply with the constitution."

Polish court's verdict was welcomed by the country's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki &nbsp;

"We want a community of respect and not a grouping of those who are equal and more equal. This is our community, our Union," he said in a Facebook post, referring to the European Union.

"This is the kind of Union we want and that's the kind of Union we will create," Morawiecki said in the post published in the early hours of Friday.

He also said that Poland wants to stay in the "European family of nations."

EU displeased

EU Justice Commissioner &nbsp;Didier Reynders as a reaction to Polish court's ruling, said that the European Commission will use all the "tools at its disposal" to ensure the primacy of EU law in Poland.

Poland's highest court on Thursday ruled that some part of European Union treaties were incompatible with constitution of Poland. This has escalated tension between Poland and European Union as the ruling challenges a pillar of European integration.

Poland's highest court on Thursday ruled that some part of European Union treaties were incompatible with constitution of Poland. This has escalated tension between Poland and European Union as the ruling challenges a pillar of European integration. Poland's Law and Justice (PiS) party government is embroiled in a battle of values with Brussels, focused on disputes over the independence of courts, media freedoms, LGBT rights and other issues. Those who criticise Poland's stance say that such a path is not good for Poland's long term future. It also undermines European Union's stability especially after Brexit. However, PiS denies this and says it has no plans for a "Polexit". Poland's Constitutional Tribunal took on the case after Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki asked it whether EU institutions could stop Poland from reorganising its judiciary. On Thursday, Judge Bartlomiej Sochanski said: "The EU Treaty is subordinate to the constitution in the Polish legal system ... and, like any part of the Polish legal system, it must comply with the constitution." Polish court's verdict was welcomed by the country's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki "We want a community of respect and not a grouping of those who are equal and more equal. This is our community, our Union," he said in a Facebook post, referring to the European Union. "This is the kind of Union we want and that's the kind of Union we will create," Morawiecki said in the post published in the early hours of Friday. He also said that Poland wants to stay in the "European family of nations." EU displeased EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders as a reaction to Polish court's ruling, said that the European Commission will use all the "tools at its disposal" to ensure the primacy of EU law in Poland.

Polish court calls parts of EU law unconstitutional, dispute escalates

A European Union-funded project to build a genomic map of Poland plans to drop gene-sequencing technology from China's BGI Group over concerns about data security, one of the project's leaders told Reuters.

The Genomic Map of Poland's concerns stem from questions over how Polish genomic data may be used that relate to national security, said Marek Figlerowicz, a Professor at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry at the Polish Academy of Sciences who steers the project.

Figlerowicz said the concerns were initially raised by a report earlier this year from the U.S. National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) which said BGI may be serving as a "global collection mechanism for Chinese government genetic databases."

BGI told Reuters in response that the U.S. report was "disinformation, not borne out by the facts;" China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called it "groundless accusations and smears."

An NSCAI spokesperson said it stood by its report, and has recommended the United States and allies double-down on techniques to better protect patient privacy. Since 2015, Beijing has restricted foreign researchers from accessing gene data on Chinese people.

In August, a human genetics committee at the Polish Academy of Sciences said a "lack of compliance" by what it called "Far East companies" with the principles of genetic testing ethics raised serious doubts. It did not name any companies or countries but urged labs and scientific institutions that sequence genetic material abroad to stop using biotechnology companies there.

It said about 100,000 complete Polish genomes may already be in "Far Eastern" laboratories, citing a rough estimate which Reuters could not verify. Poland has no control over that sensitive personal data, the committee said.

Figlerowicz said the Genomic Map, which is expected to cost over 100 million zlotys ($25.35 million) and is about halfway through its programme of sequencing 5,000 Polish genomes, has outsourced the work to a third party since 2019.

That company, Bialystok-based Central Europe Genomics Center sp. z o.o. (CEGC), started using BGI's technology last year, he said; now Figlerowicz said the Genomic Map of Poland had decided not to send any genetic data out of the country and is likely to cancel the contract it has with CEGC. He added that the final decision, still to be approved by the funding institutions, is expected within the next week or two.

As the technology to sequence genetic data has advanced and become cheaper, Figlerowicz said, the mapping project plans to bring the remaining sequencing in-house. The project wants to ensure Poland has genomic "independence" so it can ensure data security.

CEGC did not respond to requests for comment. Poznan-based biotech company Inno-Gene S.A., which holds a minority stake in CEGC, said it did not know of a possible cancellation.

The European Union, which provided about 65 per cent of the total funding for the Genomic Map, did not respond to a request for comment. Neither did Poland's Ministry of Education and National Information Processing Institute, also involved with funding the project. Poland's special services declined to comment.

National security

Reuters reported in July that BGI had developed and improved a prenatal screening test sold in at least 52 countries in collaboration with People's Liberation Army hospitals.

The privacy policy on the test's website says data collected can be shared when it is "directly relevant to national security or national defence security" in China, although BGI says it hasn't been asked to do that. BGI uses the pregnant women's genetic data for research into the traits of populations. It also collaborates with the PLA in other areas of research.

BGI rejects any suggestion that it developed the test, branded NIFTY, in collaboration with the military, and says working with military hospitals is not equivalent.

"BGI takes all aspects of data protection, privacy and ethics extremely seriously," the company said in a statement on the Polish decision, adding it complies with all applicable data protection laws and regulations.

"We value the business and research relationships we have with all our partners and customers in Poland and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with them."

A European Union-funded project to build a genomic map of Poland plans to drop gene-sequencing technology from China's BGI Group over concerns about data security, one of the project's leaders told Reuters.

A European Union-funded project to build a genomic map of Poland plans to drop gene-sequencing technology from China's BGI Group over concerns about data security, one of the project's leaders told Reuters. The Genomic Map of Poland's concerns stem from questions over how Polish genomic data may be used that relate to national security, said Marek Figlerowicz, a Professor at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry at the Polish Academy of Sciences who steers the project. Figlerowicz said the concerns were initially raised by a report earlier this year from the U.S. National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) which said BGI may be serving as a "global collection mechanism for Chinese government genetic databases." BGI told Reuters in response that the U.S. report was "disinformation, not borne out by the facts;" China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called it "groundless accusations and smears." An NSCAI spokesperson said it stood by its report, and has recommended the United States and allies double-down on techniques to better protect patient privacy. Since 2015, Beijing has restricted foreign researchers from accessing gene data on Chinese people. In August, a human genetics committee at the Polish Academy of Sciences said a "lack of compliance" by what it called "Far East companies" with the principles of genetic testing ethics raised serious doubts. It did not name any companies or countries but urged labs and scientific institutions that sequence genetic material abroad to stop using biotechnology companies there. It said about 100,000 complete Polish genomes may already be in "Far Eastern" laboratories, citing a rough estimate which Reuters could not verify. Poland has no control over that sensitive personal data, the committee said. Figlerowicz said the Genomic Map, which is expected to cost over 100 million zlotys ($25.35 million) and is about halfway through its programme of sequencing 5,000 Polish genomes, has outsourced the work to a third party since 2019. That company, Bialystok-based Central Europe Genomics Center sp. z o.o. (CEGC), started using BGI's technology last year, he said; now Figlerowicz said the Genomic Map of Poland had decided not to send any genetic data out of the country and is likely to cancel the contract it has with CEGC. He added that the final decision, still to be approved by the funding institutions, is expected within the next week or two. As the technology to sequence genetic data has advanced and become cheaper, Figlerowicz said, the mapping project plans to bring the remaining sequencing in-house. The project wants to ensure Poland has genomic "independence" so it can ensure data security. CEGC did not respond to requests for comment. Poznan-based biotech company Inno-Gene S.A., which holds a minority stake in CEGC, said it did not know of a possible cancellation. The European Union, which provided about 65 per cent of the total funding for the Genomic Map, did not respond to a request for comment. Neither did Poland's Ministry of Education and National Information Processing Institute, also involved with funding the project. Poland's special services declined to comment. National security Reuters reported in July that BGI had developed and improved a prenatal screening test sold in at least 52 countries in collaboration with People's Liberation Army hospitals. The privacy policy on the test's website says data collected can be shared when it is "directly relevant to national security or national defence security" in China, although BGI says it hasn't been asked to do that. BGI uses the pregnant women's genetic data for research into the traits of populations. It also collaborates with the PLA in other areas of research. BGI rejects any suggestion that it developed the test, branded NIFTY, in collaboration with the military, and says working with military hospitals is not equivalent. "BGI takes all aspects of data protection, privacy and ethics extremely seriously," the company said in a statement on the Polish decision, adding it complies with all applicable data protection laws and regulations. "We value the business and research relationships we have with all our partners and customers in Poland and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with them."

Polish gene project moves to drop Chinese tech on data concerns

Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Poland due to injury, the national team said on Saturday.

The 21-year-old missed the 4-0 win over Hungary on Thursday due to a minor knock and has now returned to United to continue his recovery.

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"Following further assessment, (Sancho) has returned to his club and is expected to recover in time for Manchester United's fixture with Newcastle United on Saturday 11 September," the team said in a statement.

Manager Gareth Southgate has not called up a replacement.

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Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin also withdrew from the squad last week due to a thigh strain sustained during Everton's 2-0 win over Brighton &amp; Hove Albion in the Premier League.

England, who sit top of Group I, take on Andorra at home on Sunday, followed by a trip to Poland three days later.

Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Poland due to injury, the national team said on Saturday.

Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Poland due to injury, the national team said on Saturday. The 21-year-old missed the 4-0 win over Hungary on Thursday due to a minor knock and has now returned to United to continue his recovery. ALSO READ | Repeat racism offenders should be kicked out of international football, says Gareth Bale "Following further assessment, (Sancho) has returned to his club and is expected to recover in time for Manchester United's fixture with Newcastle United on Saturday 11 September," the team said in a statement. Manager Gareth Southgate has not called up a replacement. × Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin also withdrew from the squad last week due to a thigh strain sustained during Everton's 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League. England, who sit top of Group I, take on Andorra at home on Sunday, followed by a trip to Poland three days later.

Winger Jadon Sancho to miss England's World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Poland

A second child of an Afghan family evacuated from Kabul to Poland died on Friday after eating soup containing death cap mushrooms, which the family had unknowingly gathered in a Polish forest outside their quarantine center.

The 6-year-old boy had received an emergency liver transplant but doctors were unable to save him. His 5-year-old brother was pronounced dead on Thursday at Poland's main children's hospital, where both were treated.

The boys' 17-year-old sister was treated at the hospital and released, in good condition. Doctors said the dose of toxins was less damaging to an adult with larger body mass than to children.

Watch | Afghanistan: Will Taliban let women work &amp; live freely?

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Authorities are investigating whether negligence could have been a factor in the poisoning last week.

The family of two adults and four children allegedly cooked soup with the highly poisonous mushrooms they found in the forest around a center where they were undergoing a mandatory quarantine. They entered the center in Podkowa Lesna, a small town near Warsaw, on August&nbsp;23.

Prosecutors are questioning the center's staff about the events last week as part of an investigation that could lead to possible criminal charges for negligence and unintentional exposing people to a serious threat of loss of health or life, Aleksandra Skrzyniarz, a spokesperson for the prosecutors' office in Warsaw, said. The offense carries a maximum prison term of three years, she said.

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Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski said this week that the poisonings were a "tragedy, but did not result from any negligence at the center." Authorities have rejected media speculation that food rations at the center may have been insufficient.

Poland evacuated the family last month at Britain's request after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. The father had worked for the British military.

A second child of an Afghan family evacuated from Kabul to Poland died on Friday after eating soup containing death cap mushrooms, which the family had unknowingly gathered in a Polish forest outside their quarantine center.

A second child of an Afghan family evacuated from Kabul to Poland died on Friday after eating soup containing death cap mushrooms, which the family had unknowingly gathered in a Polish forest outside their quarantine center. The 6-year-old boy had received an emergency liver transplant but doctors were unable to save him. His 5-year-old brother was pronounced dead on Thursday at Poland's main children's hospital, where both were treated. The boys' 17-year-old sister was treated at the hospital and released, in good condition. Doctors said the dose of toxins was less damaging to an adult with larger body mass than to children. Watch | Afghanistan: Will Taliban let women work & live freely? × Authorities are investigating whether negligence could have been a factor in the poisoning last week. The family of two adults and four children allegedly cooked soup with the highly poisonous mushrooms they found in the forest around a center where they were undergoing a mandatory quarantine. They entered the center in Podkowa Lesna, a small town near Warsaw, on August 23. Prosecutors are questioning the center's staff about the events last week as part of an investigation that could lead to possible criminal charges for negligence and unintentional exposing people to a serious threat of loss of health or life, Aleksandra Skrzyniarz, a spokesperson for the prosecutors' office in Warsaw, said. The offense carries a maximum prison term of three years, she said. Also Read | Google locks Afghan government accounts as Taliban seek emails: Source Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski said this week that the poisonings were a "tragedy, but did not result from any negligence at the center." Authorities have rejected media speculation that food rations at the center may have been insufficient. Poland evacuated the family last month at Britain's request after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. The father had worked for the British military.

Second Afghan boy dies of mushroom poisoning in Poland

Doctors in Poland said on Thursday that a five-year-old Afghan boy evacuated from Kabul had died after eating poisonous mushrooms. They also said that his six-year-old brother is close to death.

Both boys arrived in Poland along with their family on August 23. They were in quarantine at facility for migrants in the town of Podkowa Lesna near Warsaw.&nbsp;

The boys ate the mushrooms a&nbsp;day after they arrived. They, along with their sister were taken to hospital on August 26 and 27. Their sister was later discharged.

An investigation has been opened into the incident.

Jakub Dudziak, a spokesman for the Office for Foreigners, denied a press report that the children had eaten the mushrooms because they were not being fed sufficiently at the centre.

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Speaking earlier this week, he said the evacuees are given "three meals a day, consisting of varied ingredients with appropriate calorific value, including dairy products, meat, vegetables, fruit and drinks".

"In connection with this unfortunate accident, employees of centres for foreigners will sensitise Afghan citizens not to consume products of unknown origin," Dudziak said.

The news portal OKO.press reported that the children's father, an accountant, worked for several years for the British army.

After the Taliban took over Afghanistan, the family was evacuated by the Polish military at Britain's request.

(With inputs from agencies)

Doctors in Poland said on Thursday that a five-year-old Afghan boy evacuated from Kabul had died after eating poisonous mushrooms. They also said that his six-year-old brother is close to death.

Doctors in Poland said on Thursday that a five-year-old Afghan boy evacuated from Kabul had died after eating poisonous mushrooms. They also said that his six-year-old brother is close to death. Both boys arrived in Poland along with their family on August 23. They were in quarantine at facility for migrants in the town of Podkowa Lesna near Warsaw. The boys ate the mushrooms a day after they arrived. They, along with their sister were taken to hospital on August 26 and 27. Their sister was later discharged. An investigation has been opened into the incident. Jakub Dudziak, a spokesman for the Office for Foreigners, denied a press report that the children had eaten the mushrooms because they were not being fed sufficiently at the centre. Also Read | Women protest in Afghanistan's Herat over right to education, work Speaking earlier this week, he said the evacuees are given "three meals a day, consisting of varied ingredients with appropriate calorific value, including dairy products, meat, vegetables, fruit and drinks". "In connection with this unfortunate accident, employees of centres for foreigners will sensitise Afghan citizens not to consume products of unknown origin," Dudziak said. The news portal OKO.press reported that the children's father, an accountant, worked for several years for the British army. After the Taliban took over Afghanistan, the family was evacuated by the Polish military at Britain's request. (With inputs from agencies)

Boy evacuated from Afghanistan dies from eating poisonous mushrooms in Poland

The Vatican has banned the former archbishop of Wroclaw in Poland from taking part in any public ceremonies, following his alleged role in “covering up” child sexual abuse cases in the church.

The move against retired Archbishop Marian Golebiewski, 83, was announced on Saturday by the Archdiocese of Wroclaw in western Poland. It was the latest case of alleged sexual abuse cover-up in predominantly Catholic Poland.

During the investigation, it was found that Golebiewski failed to give sufficient credence to sex abuse allegations from 1996 to 2013, the Vatican said.

“As a result, the 83-year-old was ordered to live in the spirit of penance and prayer,” Reuters quoted the Vatican as saying.

In a statement, the Vatican said he was banned from taking part in any public ceremonies and ordered to pay a “suitable sum” to a fund that helps the victims of abuse.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-experts-urge-vatican-to-end-child-sex-abuse-in-catholic-institutes-393012">Also read |&nbsp;UN experts urge Vatican to end child sex abuse in Catholic institutes</a>

The Church, which wields strong political influence in Poland, has been rocked by a series of abuse scandals in recent years.

The Vatican has sanctioned seven other Polish bishops accused of covering up abuses&nbsp;since last year.

Last month, the state committee on paedophilia, which was set up in 2019, revealed that about a third of the 345 child sexual abuse cases committed between 2017 and 2020 involved members of the clergy.

In its own report presented in June, the Polish church said it had received 368 allegations of abuse by clergy from July 2018 to 2020.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Vatican has banned the former archbishop of Wroclaw in Poland from taking part in any public ceremonies, following his alleged role in “covering up” child sexual abuse cases in the church.

The Vatican has banned the former archbishop of Wroclaw in Poland from taking part in any public ceremonies, following his alleged role in “covering up” child sexual abuse cases in the church. The move against retired Archbishop Marian Golebiewski, 83, was announced on Saturday by the Archdiocese of Wroclaw in western Poland. It was the latest case of alleged sexual abuse cover-up in predominantly Catholic Poland. During the investigation, it was found that Golebiewski failed to give sufficient credence to sex abuse allegations from 1996 to 2013, the Vatican said. “As a result, the 83-year-old was ordered to live in the spirit of penance and prayer,” Reuters quoted the Vatican as saying. In a statement, the Vatican said he was banned from taking part in any public ceremonies and ordered to pay a “suitable sum” to a fund that helps the victims of abuse. Also read | UN experts urge Vatican to end child sex abuse in Catholic institutes The Church, which wields strong political influence in Poland, has been rocked by a series of abuse scandals in recent years. The Vatican has sanctioned seven other Polish bishops accused of covering up abuses since last year. Last month, the state committee on paedophilia, which was set up in 2019, revealed that about a third of the 345 child sexual abuse cases committed between 2017 and 2020 involved members of the clergy. In its own report presented in June, the Polish church said it had received 368 allegations of abuse by clergy from July 2018 to 2020. (With inputs from agencies)

Vatican bans former Polish archbishop from public services for covering up child abuse

Poland's&nbsp;president&nbsp;has decided to sign a&nbsp;bill&nbsp;that would set&nbsp;limits on the ability of Jews to recover&nbsp;property&nbsp;seized by Nazi German occupiers and retained by post-war communist rulers, drawing fury from&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;which branded the law anti-Semitic.

"I made a decision today on the act, which in recent months was the subject of a lively and loud debate at home and abroad," Andrzej Duda said in a statement published on Saturday. "After an in-depth analysis, I have decided to sign the amendment."

Before World War Two, Poland had been home to one of the world's biggest Jewish communities, but it was almost entirely wiped out by the Nazis and Jewish former&nbsp;property&nbsp;owners and their descendants have been campaigning for compensation.

Up to now, Jewish expatriates or their descendants could make a claim that a&nbsp;property&nbsp;had been seized illegally and demand its return, but Polish officials argued this was causing uncertainty over&nbsp;property&nbsp;ownership.

In 2015&nbsp;Poland's&nbsp;Constitutional Tribunal ruled there should be specific deadlines after which administrative decisions over&nbsp;property&nbsp;titles could no longer be challenged. Changes to the law were adopted by the Polish parliament earlier this week.

The&nbsp;bill&nbsp;sets a 30-year&nbsp;limit&nbsp;for restitution&nbsp;claims.

The issue of Jewish&nbsp;property&nbsp;rights in Poland is further complicated because, unlike other EU states, it has not created a fund to give compensation to people whose&nbsp;property&nbsp;was seized.

'Immoral law'

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned the law and said&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;would not simply stand by at its approval. "It is a shameful decision and a disgraceful contempt for the memory of the Holocaust," he said in a statement.

Israel's foreign minister, Yair Lapid, said: "Poland today, for the first time, approved an anti-Semitic and immoral law." In response, the head of&nbsp;Israel's embassy in Warsaw was being called back immediately, he said.

"Poland has tonight become an anti-democratic, non-liberal country that does not honour the greatest tragedy in human history," Lapid said in a statement.

A new ambassador to Warsaw will not be sent at this stage, Lapid said. He also suggested&nbsp;Poland's&nbsp;ambassador to&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;extend his vacation and not return to the country.

"He should use the time he has on his hands to explain to the Poles what the Holocaust means to&nbsp;Israel's citizens and the extent to which we will not tolerate contempt for the memory of those who perished and for the memory of the Holocaust. It will not stop here," Lapid said.

Israel&nbsp;was discussing further steps with the United States, he added.

The Polish foreign ministry said in a statement it disapproves of the&nbsp;Israeli foreign ministry's behavior, adding that the government "will take appropriate political and diplomatic actions, bearing in mind the principle of symmetry in bilateral relations."

"The steps taken by&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;are seriously damaging our relationship," the ministry also said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said Washington was deeply concerned that the Polish parliament had passed the&nbsp;bill, and urged Duda not to sign it into law.

Washington is one of Warsaw's most important allies, but relations between the two countries have been strained by the&nbsp;property&nbsp;issue, as well as other issues such as plans to introduce changes that the opposition says aim to silence a U.S.-owned news channel critical of the government.

The World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) on Saturday urged the Polish government to work on resolving the issue of&nbsp;property&nbsp;seized in the past.

"Democracy &amp; justice hits new low in Poland, as&nbsp;President&nbsp;Duda&nbsp;signs&nbsp;a law making it virtually impossible for all former Polish&nbsp;property&nbsp;owners to secure redress for&nbsp;property&nbsp;illegally seized during the Communist era," Gideon Taylor, chair of operations of the WJRO, said in a statement sent to Reuters.

Poland's president has decided to sign a bill that would set limits on the ability of Jews to recover property seized by Nazi German occupiers and retained by post-war communist rulers, drawing fury from Israel which branded the law anti-Semitic.

Poland's president has decided to sign a bill that would set limits on the ability of Jews to recover property seized by Nazi German occupiers and retained by post-war communist rulers, drawing fury from Israel which branded the law anti-Semitic. "I made a decision today on the act, which in recent months was the subject of a lively and loud debate at home and abroad," Andrzej Duda said in a statement published on Saturday. "After an in-depth analysis, I have decided to sign the amendment." Before World War Two, Poland had been home to one of the world's biggest Jewish communities, but it was almost entirely wiped out by the Nazis and Jewish former property owners and their descendants have been campaigning for compensation. Up to now, Jewish expatriates or their descendants could make a claim that a property had been seized illegally and demand its return, but Polish officials argued this was causing uncertainty over property ownership. In 2015 Poland's Constitutional Tribunal ruled there should be specific deadlines after which administrative decisions over property titles could no longer be challenged. Changes to the law were adopted by the Polish parliament earlier this week. The bill sets a 30-year limit for restitution claims. The issue of Jewish property rights in Poland is further complicated because, unlike other EU states, it has not created a fund to give compensation to people whose property was seized. 'Immoral law' Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned the law and said Israel would not simply stand by at its approval. "It is a shameful decision and a disgraceful contempt for the memory of the Holocaust," he said in a statement. Israel's foreign minister, Yair Lapid, said: "Poland today, for the first time, approved an anti-Semitic and immoral law." In response, the head of Israel's embassy in Warsaw was being called back immediately, he said. "Poland has tonight become an anti-democratic, non-liberal country that does not honour the greatest tragedy in human history," Lapid said in a statement. A new ambassador to Warsaw will not be sent at this stage, Lapid said. He also suggested Poland's ambassador to Israel extend his vacation and not return to the country. "He should use the time he has on his hands to explain to the Poles what the Holocaust means to Israel's citizens and the extent to which we will not tolerate contempt for the memory of those who perished and for the memory of the Holocaust. It will not stop here," Lapid said. Israel was discussing further steps with the United States, he added. The Polish foreign ministry said in a statement it disapproves of the Israeli foreign ministry's behavior, adding that the government "will take appropriate political and diplomatic actions, bearing in mind the principle of symmetry in bilateral relations." "The steps taken by Israel are seriously damaging our relationship," the ministry also said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said Washington was deeply concerned that the Polish parliament had passed the bill, and urged Duda not to sign it into law. Washington is one of Warsaw's most important allies, but relations between the two countries have been strained by the property issue, as well as other issues such as plans to introduce changes that the opposition says aim to silence a U.S.-owned news channel critical of the government. The World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) on Saturday urged the Polish government to work on resolving the issue of property seized in the past. "Democracy & justice hits new low in Poland, as President Duda signs a law making it virtually impossible for all former Polish property owners to secure redress for property illegally seized during the Communist era," Gideon Taylor, chair of operations of the WJRO, said in a statement sent to Reuters.

Israel furious as Poland's president signs bill to limit property claims

Relations between Israel and Poland are deteriorating. At the heart of the matter is a euro property law. But what does this have to do with Israel ? To know, watch this report of WION.

Israel slams Polish vote on holocaust restitution

Poland is looking at a more difficult relationship with two allies, the United States and Israel after lawmakers approved separate bills on foreign ownership of media and affecting the property rights of Holocaust survivors’ families.

Media, Holocaust bills test Poland’s ties with US, Israel

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said he offered his help on the night Krystsina Tsimanouskaya was ejected from the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;by officials of her own Belarussian team and that the governing body will be looking at the implications of the extraordinary events.

Tsimanouskaya was ordered to fly home after criticising officials after she refused to take part in the 4x400metres relay but refused at the airport in Tokyo. She sought protection from Japanese police before later gaining asylum in Poland.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="Tokyo Olympics 2020 closing day, LIVE UPDATES: Final events underway followed by ceremony">Tokyo Olympics 2020 closing day, LIVE UPDATES: Final events underway followed by ceremony</a>

A Belarussian coach and official were subsequently kicked out of the Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its president Thomas Bach called Tsimanouskaya's case "deplorable". However, her sport's governing body had been silent on it until Sunday, when Coe was asked about the matter at a news conference to review his sport at the&nbsp;Olympics.

"The night that story broke I did speak to the Belarus Federation and the overture was very clear and it was 'was there anything I was in a position to do to help?'" Coe said.

"I needed to understand a bit more about what was unfolding. I think the three constituent parts were trying to understand it – the Federation was and I think the International Olympic Committee were trying to understand it through the National Olympic Committee. When I spoke to the Federation then and subsequently were still trying to piece it together."

The 24-year-old Tsimanouskaya said she did not feel safe about returning to Belarus, which is under Western sanctions after a brutal crackdown on political opposition.

"The welfare of the athlete was very clearly the responsibility of the International Olympic Committee here," Coe said. "But the broader implication, because she is from the World Athletics family, is something we need to look at and we will."

In June, World Athletics removed the 2022 World Race Walking Team Championships from Minsk amid uncertainty over diplomatic relations in Belarus and ongoing travel restrictions.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said he offered his help on the night Krystsina Tsimanouskaya was ejected from the Olympics by officials of her own Belarussian team and that the governing body will be looking at the implications of the extraordinary events.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said he offered his help on the night Krystsina Tsimanouskaya was ejected from the Olympics by officials of her own Belarussian team and that the governing body will be looking at the implications of the extraordinary events. Tsimanouskaya was ordered to fly home after criticising officials after she refused to take part in the 4x400metres relay but refused at the airport in Tokyo. She sought protection from Japanese police before later gaining asylum in Poland. ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics 2020 closing day, LIVE UPDATES: Final events underway followed by ceremony A Belarussian coach and official were subsequently kicked out of the Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its president Thomas Bach called Tsimanouskaya's case "deplorable". However, her sport's governing body had been silent on it until Sunday, when Coe was asked about the matter at a news conference to review his sport at the Olympics. "The night that story broke I did speak to the Belarus Federation and the overture was very clear and it was 'was there anything I was in a position to do to help?'" Coe said. "I needed to understand a bit more about what was unfolding. I think the three constituent parts were trying to understand it – the Federation was and I think the International Olympic Committee were trying to understand it through the National Olympic Committee. When I spoke to the Federation then and subsequently were still trying to piece it together." The 24-year-old Tsimanouskaya said she did not feel safe about returning to Belarus, which is under Western sanctions after a brutal crackdown on political opposition. "The welfare of the athlete was very clearly the responsibility of the International Olympic Committee here," Coe said. "But the broader implication, because she is from the World Athletics family, is something we need to look at and we will." In June, World Athletics removed the 2022 World Race Walking Team Championships from Minsk amid uncertainty over diplomatic relations in Belarus and ongoing travel restrictions.

Tokyo Olympics: World Athletics to look at 'implications' of Krystsina Tsimanouskaya case, says Sebastian Coe

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Poland's governing right-wing party, said Saturday a controversial 2017 justice reform would be watered down after the EU raised concern over the independence of the judiciary.

In an interview with the PAP news agency, Kaczynski said a new "Disciplinary Chamber" of Poland's supreme court, which critics say is a political body aimed at suppressing any judicial opposition to legal changes made by the government, will be abolished.

"We will abolish the Disciplinary Chamber in the form in which it currently operates and the subject of the dispute (with the EU) will thus disappear," the president of the Law and Justice (PiS) party said.

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He added the first proposals for changing the reform would be put forward in September.

Last month, the EU's Court of Justice ruled that the chamber was "not compatible" with EU law, ordering Poland to abolish it.

The chamber oversees Polish judges, with the power to lift their immunity to expose them to criminal proceedings or cut their salaries.

The EU court ruled that the chamber did not offer "all the guarantees of impartiality and independence" and was not protected from "the direct or indirect influence of the Polish legislature and executive."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-warns-poland-about-licence-renewal-for-discovery-owned-news-channel-399921">US warns Poland about licence renewal for Discovery-owned news channel</a>

38 complaints

The government argued the reforms were necessary to tackle corruption and end Communist-era legacies in the judiciary.

Poland's Constitutional Court subsequently defied Brussels with its own ruling saying that any interim measures from the EU court against Poland's judicial reforms were "not in line" with the Polish constitution.

But the European Commission still threatened to impose fines on Poland.

Then at the end of July, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) also ruled on the issue after lawyer Joanna Reczkowicz who was suspended by the Disciplinary Chamber for alleged breaches of ethics, brought a case there.

She argued that the chamber was in effect a political body and its "real objective was to suppress any judicial opposition to the changes in the Polish legal system by the current government", the ECHR said in its ruling.

Seven ECHR judges, one of them Polish, agreed that the Disciplinary Chamber was not a "tribunal established by law" and that as a result her right to a fair trial had been violated.

As a result the court ordered Poland to pay Reczkowicz 15,000 euros ($17,700) in damages.

It was one of 38 complaints that have been lodged at the ECHR since 2018 over Poland's controversial judicial reforms.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Poland's governing right-wing party, said Saturday a controversial 2017 justice reform would be watered down after the EU raised concern over the independence of the judiciary.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Poland's governing right-wing party, said Saturday a controversial 2017 justice reform would be watered down after the EU raised concern over the independence of the judiciary. In an interview with the PAP news agency, Kaczynski said a new "Disciplinary Chamber" of Poland's supreme court, which critics say is a political body aimed at suppressing any judicial opposition to legal changes made by the government, will be abolished. "We will abolish the Disciplinary Chamber in the form in which it currently operates and the subject of the dispute (with the EU) will thus disappear," the president of the Law and Justice (PiS) party said. Also read | Picture of Upanishad Mantras engraved on library wall in Poland He added the first proposals for changing the reform would be put forward in September. Last month, the EU's Court of Justice ruled that the chamber was "not compatible" with EU law, ordering Poland to abolish it. The chamber oversees Polish judges, with the power to lift their immunity to expose them to criminal proceedings or cut their salaries. The EU court ruled that the chamber did not offer "all the guarantees of impartiality and independence" and was not protected from "the direct or indirect influence of the Polish legislature and executive." Also read | US warns Poland about licence renewal for Discovery-owned news channel 38 complaints The government argued the reforms were necessary to tackle corruption and end Communist-era legacies in the judiciary. Poland's Constitutional Court subsequently defied Brussels with its own ruling saying that any interim measures from the EU court against Poland's judicial reforms were "not in line" with the Polish constitution. But the European Commission still threatened to impose fines on Poland. Then at the end of July, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) also ruled on the issue after lawyer Joanna Reczkowicz who was suspended by the Disciplinary Chamber for alleged breaches of ethics, brought a case there. She argued that the chamber was in effect a political body and its "real objective was to suppress any judicial opposition to the changes in the Polish legal system by the current government", the ECHR said in its ruling. Seven ECHR judges, one of them Polish, agreed that the Disciplinary Chamber was not a "tribunal established by law" and that as a result her right to a fair trial had been violated. As a result the court ordered Poland to pay Reczkowicz 15,000 euros ($17,700) in damages. It was one of 38 complaints that have been lodged at the ECHR since 2018 over Poland's controversial judicial reforms.

Poland says will water down controversial justice reform

Belarusian Olympic athlete, Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, finally landed in Poland after making a stopover in Vienna, after facing indirect threats from home country’s government.

The Polish airline LOT flight from Vienna, where she stopped over on her way from Tokyo, landed in Warsaw at 8:11pm (1811 GMT), according to the arrivals screen at Warsaw Airport.

Earlier, an Austrian plane landed at Vienna airport after 3 pm (local time). This was a&nbsp;small stopover for the Olympic athlete on the way to Poland.&nbsp;"According to our information, she is scheduled to head to Warsaw this evening," an Austrian foreign ministry spokesman told AFP earlier on Wednesday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/poland-offers-humanitarian-visa-to-belarusian-sprinter-krystsina-tsimanouskaya-402463">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/poland-offers-humanitarian-visa-to-belarusian-sprinter-krystsina-tsimanouskaya-402463/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

This news has come after Poland offered her a humanitarian visa, along with her husband. "Mrs&nbsp;Tsimanouskaya's husband has also just received a Polish humanitarian visa," Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller told reporters.

Krystsina Tsimanouskaya hit the news when she openly criticised her state-appointed Olympic coaches, which caused trouble for her in Belarus. She took to Instagram to complain about her coaches who allegedly entered her into a race without informing her.

She was also one of more than 2,000 Belarusian Olympic athletes who had signed an open letter demanding the freeing of political prisoners and had also called for fresh and fair elections.

After her comments, her husband, too, had to flee Belarus. He is reported to have flown to Ukraine, after which he is scheduled to meet his wife in Poland, as per media reports. The couple will, reportedly, make their permanent stop in Poland, which stands strongly against Belarus leader &nbsp;Alexander Lukashenko and has become a hotspot for the majority of the dissidents.

(With inputs from agencies)

Belarusian Olympic athlete, Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, finally landed in Poland after making a stopover in Vienna, after facing indirect threats from home country’s government.

Belarusian Olympic athlete, Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, finally landed in Poland after making a stopover in Vienna, after facing indirect threats from home country’s government. The Polish airline LOT flight from Vienna, where she stopped over on her way from Tokyo, landed in Warsaw at 8:11pm (1811 GMT), according to the arrivals screen at Warsaw Airport. Earlier, an Austrian plane landed at Vienna airport after 3 pm (local time). This was a small stopover for the Olympic athlete on the way to Poland. "According to our information, she is scheduled to head to Warsaw this evening," an Austrian foreign ministry spokesman told AFP earlier on Wednesday. WATCH | This news has come after Poland offered her a humanitarian visa, along with her husband. "Mrs Tsimanouskaya's husband has also just received a Polish humanitarian visa," Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller told reporters. Krystsina Tsimanouskaya hit the news when she openly criticised her state-appointed Olympic coaches, which caused trouble for her in Belarus. She took to Instagram to complain about her coaches who allegedly entered her into a race without informing her. She was also one of more than 2,000 Belarusian Olympic athletes who had signed an open letter demanding the freeing of political prisoners and had also called for fresh and fair elections. After her comments, her husband, too, had to flee Belarus. He is reported to have flown to Ukraine, after which he is scheduled to meet his wife in Poland, as per media reports. The couple will, reportedly, make their permanent stop in Poland, which stands strongly against Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko and has become a hotspot for the majority of the dissidents. (With inputs from agencies)

Belarusian Olympic athlete Krystsina Tsimanouskaya lands in Poland after receiving humanitarian visa

Future American investments in Poland could be jeopardised if the country does not renew the licence of 24-hour news channel TVN24, US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet said on Thursday, referring to potential new Polish laws against its ownership by American media company Discovery Inc. 
 
The station is in the process of renewing its licence, but the ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party is planning changes to the law that could force Discovery to sell a majority stake. 
 
The National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) on Thursday voted on the TVN24 licence, which expires on September&nbsp;26, but the results were inconclusive. 
 
"This is a very significant American investment here in Poland. And there will be knock-on effects perhaps, if the license is not renewed, to future US&nbsp;investments...," Chollet told TVN24 in an interview. 
 
He added he had raised the issue during meetings with Polish officials. 
 
TVN, estimated to be worth over $1 billion, is the biggest American investment in Poland. 
 
In July, PiS lawmakers submitted to parliament amendments to the Broadcasting Act that would restrict companies from outside the European Economic Area from controlling Polish radio and television stations. 
 
The proposed changes have fuelled tension between Poland and the United States and prompted fresh criticism from Polish opposition groups that PiS is seeking to curb media freedom. 
 
PiS argues that foreign companies have too much influence in the media sector, distorting public debate. 
 
"Media freedom is absolutely critical," Chollet said.

Future American investments in Poland could be jeopardised if the country does not renew the licence of 24-hour news channel TVN24, US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet said on Thursday, referring to potential new Polish laws against its ownership by American media company Discovery Inc.

Future American investments in Poland could be jeopardised if the country does not renew the licence of 24-hour news channel TVN24, US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet said on Thursday, referring to potential new Polish laws against its ownership by American media company Discovery Inc. The station is in the process of renewing its licence, but the ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party is planning changes to the law that could force Discovery to sell a majority stake. The National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) on Thursday voted on the TVN24 licence, which expires on September 26, but the results were inconclusive. "This is a very significant American investment here in Poland. And there will be knock-on effects perhaps, if the license is not renewed, to future US investments...," Chollet told TVN24 in an interview. He added he had raised the issue during meetings with Polish officials. TVN, estimated to be worth over $1 billion, is the biggest American investment in Poland. In July, PiS lawmakers submitted to parliament amendments to the Broadcasting Act that would restrict companies from outside the European Economic Area from controlling Polish radio and television stations. The proposed changes have fuelled tension between Poland and the United States and prompted fresh criticism from Polish opposition groups that PiS is seeking to curb media freedom. PiS argues that foreign companies have too much influence in the media sector, distorting public debate. "Media freedom is absolutely critical," Chollet said.

US warns Poland about licence renewal for Discovery-owned news channel

A team of scientists have discovered a tiny beetle in fossilised droppings of the Silesaurus opolensis - a lizard-like creature related to the dinosaurs. It was discovered when the scientists were scanning the inside of the poo, using special technology, to find more about what the animal ate when they discovered the special beetle.

A team of scientists have discovered a tiny beetle in fossilised droppings of the Silesaurus opolensis - a lizard-like creature related to the dinosaurs. It was discovered when the scientists were scanning the inside of the poo, using special technology, to find more about what the animal ate when they discovered the special beetle. It was small, had a beak, weighed around 15kg and lived in what is now the country of Poland around 230 million years ago. Martin Qvarnstrom, from Uppsala University in Sweden, also one of the scientists behind the discovery, was quoted by BBC saying that, "We were absolutely amazed by the abundance and fantastic preservation of the beetles in the coprolite fragment". He added, "There are heaps of things you can study based on fossilised droppings". Also Read | New dinosaur species discovered in Australia declared the continent's largest As per researchers, the beetle was too small to have been the only prey for ancient lizards. Therefore, it has been concluded that it may have been swallowed alongside larger beetles. However, the remains of those insects did not end up in droppings in a recognisable shape. Usually, creatures like it would be preserved in amber instead but this beetle is really well preserved inside the droppings with its legs and antennae fully intact. Meanwhile, earlier in June, a huge dinosaur discovered in “the Land Down Under” was identified as a new species by palaeontologists. The dinosaur, newly named as “Australotitan cooperensis” roamed the Earth about 100 million years ago and constituted the “titanosaur” family. The first description of the species comes 15 years after its bones were uncovered in the country. Palaeontologists estimate that the species was 5-6.5 metres (16-21 feet) high and possessed a length of 25-30 metres (82-98 feet), making it the largest dinosaurs species found on the continent. "Based on the preserved limb size comparisons, this new titanosaur is estimated to be in the top five largest in the world," Robyn Mackenzie, a director of the Eromanga Natural History Museum was quoted as saying by AFP

Beetle discovered in 230 million-year-old lizard poo, reveal researchers

Israel&nbsp;summoned Poland's ambassador on Sunday to express its "deep disappointment" over a Polish bill that critics say will make it harder for Jews to recover property seized by the country's Nazi occupiers during World War Two and then kept by post-war communist rulers, the foreign ministry said.

Poland's lower house of parliament on Thursday passed a draft bill introducing a statute of limitations on claims for the restitution of property, drawing a furious response from&nbsp;Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, who labelled it a "disgrace".

A statement from the&nbsp;Israeli foreign ministry said the legislation could affect up to 90 per cent&nbsp;of property restitution requests from Holocaust survivors and their descendants.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-president-to-review-holocaust-bill-after-israeli-concern-31024">Poland president to review Holocaust bill after Israeli concern</a>

"This is not a historical debate about responsibility for the Holocaust but a moral debt of Poland to those who were its citizens and whose property was looted during the Holocaust and under the communist regime," the statement said.

The Polish foreign ministry has, in turn, summoned&nbsp;Israel's charge d'affaires in Warsaw for Monday, deputy foreign minister Pawel Jablonski said on Sunday.

Almost all of Poland's Jews, about three million people, were wiped out in the Nazi Holocaust. Jewish former property owners and their descendants have been campaigning for compensation from Poland since the fall of communism in 1989.

The legislation would implement a 2015 Constitutional Tribunal ruling that there should be a deadline after which faulty administrative decisions can no longer be challenged. The law sets this deadline at 30 years.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jews-slam-polish-pm-for-calling-wwii-restitution-a-win-for-hitler-220215">Jews slam Polish PM for calling WWII restitution a win for Hitler</a>

The legacy of World War Two, and related Polish legislation, has previously strained ties between Poland and&nbsp;Israel. Thousands of Poles risked their lives to protect Jewish neighbours during the war. But research published since 1989 showed that thousands also killed Jews or denounced those who hid them to the German occupiers.

In 2018 the government was forced to back down and remove parts of a Holocaust law that imposed jail terms on people who suggested the nation was complicit in Nazi crimes, which had angered the United States and&nbsp;Israel.

Israel summoned Poland's ambassador on Sunday to express its "deep disappointment" over a Polish bill that critics say will make it harder for Jews to recover property seized by the country's Nazi occupiers during World War Two and then kept by post-war communist rulers, the foreign ministry said.

Israel summoned Poland's ambassador on Sunday to express its "deep disappointment" over a Polish bill that critics say will make it harder for Jews to recover property seized by the country's Nazi occupiers during World War Two and then kept by post-war communist rulers, the foreign ministry said. Poland's lower house of parliament on Thursday passed a draft bill introducing a statute of limitations on claims for the restitution of property, drawing a furious response from Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, who labelled it a "disgrace". A statement from the Israeli foreign ministry said the legislation could affect up to 90 per cent of property restitution requests from Holocaust survivors and their descendants. Also read | Poland president to review Holocaust bill after Israeli concern "This is not a historical debate about responsibility for the Holocaust but a moral debt of Poland to those who were its citizens and whose property was looted during the Holocaust and under the communist regime," the statement said. The Polish foreign ministry has, in turn, summoned Israel's charge d'affaires in Warsaw for Monday, deputy foreign minister Pawel Jablonski said on Sunday. Almost all of Poland's Jews, about three million people, were wiped out in the Nazi Holocaust. Jewish former property owners and their descendants have been campaigning for compensation from Poland since the fall of communism in 1989. The legislation would implement a 2015 Constitutional Tribunal ruling that there should be a deadline after which faulty administrative decisions can no longer be challenged. The law sets this deadline at 30 years. Also read | Jews slam Polish PM for calling WWII restitution a win for Hitler The legacy of World War Two, and related Polish legislation, has previously strained ties between Poland and Israel. Thousands of Poles risked their lives to protect Jewish neighbours during the war. But research published since 1989 showed that thousands also killed Jews or denounced those who hid them to the German occupiers. In 2018 the government was forced to back down and remove parts of a Holocaust law that imposed jail terms on people who suggested the nation was complicit in Nazi crimes, which had angered the United States and Israel.

Israel summons Polish envoy over Holocaust property bill

Baltic states have rejected a proposal by France and Germany to hold a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Is Europe breaking ranks with the U.S and charting its own policy on Russia? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Merkel & Macron seek summit with Putin

European Union leaders rejected a proposal by France and Germany to restart talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Poland which opposed the talks said such a move will send a 'wrong message'.

EU leaders rejects France & Germany's proposal for talks with Putin

Spain coach Luis Enrique said he is not worried about his side's chances of reaching the knockout stages of Euro 2020 following a 1-1 draw with Poland on Saturday, and backed the team to get the job done with a win over Slovakia in their final Group E game.

Alvaro Morata put Spain ahead in the 25th minute but Poland equalised through Robert Lewandowski. Luis Enrique's side were awarded a penalty soon after but Gerard Moreno hit the post.

It was another frustrating night for Spain, who drew their opener against Sweden 0-0, but Luis Enrique said he would only take the positives into Wednesday's clash with Slovakia.

"I feel a lot of hope heading into that game," Luis Enrique told reporters. "We obviously wanted to play better and give our fans something to cheer about... It was a tough game against a good opponent.

"You have to recognise how good Poland were and the great defensive work they did. They closed down a lot of the avenues we usually use to get forward, stopped our transitions and pressed high up the pitch all game.

"... The third game will be crucial, we need to win it if we want to get through to the next round. All four teams in this group have their future in their own hands."

Luis Enrique acknowledged that Spain often struggle against defensive teams.

"Anyone that watches football can see that attacking against a team camped in their own penalty box is the hardest thing to do," the 51-year-old said.

"I don't think it was that kind of game (against Poland). There were moments where they held back, but they looked to press us whenever we had the ball.

"Of course it's something we struggle with. But it's something France struggle with, Barcelona, Brazil, Manchester City, Real Madrid... any team that hangs back in numbers is going to cause problems to any team looking to attack."

Spain coach Luis Enrique said he is not worried about his side's chances of reaching the knockout stages of Euro 2020 following a 1-1 draw with Poland on Saturday, and backed the team to get the job done with a win over Slovakia in their final Group E game.

Spain coach Luis Enrique said he is not worried about his side's chances of reaching the knockout stages of Euro 2020 following a 1-1 draw with Poland on Saturday, and backed the team to get the job done with a win over Slovakia in their final Group E game. Alvaro Morata put Spain ahead in the 25th minute but Poland equalised through Robert Lewandowski. Luis Enrique's side were awarded a penalty soon after but Gerard Moreno hit the post. It was another frustrating night for Spain, who drew their opener against Sweden 0-0, but Luis Enrique said he would only take the positives into Wednesday's clash with Slovakia. "I feel a lot of hope heading into that game," Luis Enrique told reporters. "We obviously wanted to play better and give our fans something to cheer about... It was a tough game against a good opponent. "You have to recognise how good Poland were and the great defensive work they did. They closed down a lot of the avenues we usually use to get forward, stopped our transitions and pressed high up the pitch all game. "... The third game will be crucial, we need to win it if we want to get through to the next round. All four teams in this group have their future in their own hands." Luis Enrique acknowledged that Spain often struggle against defensive teams. "Anyone that watches football can see that attacking against a team camped in their own penalty box is the hardest thing to do," the 51-year-old said. "I don't think it was that kind of game (against Poland). There were moments where they held back, but they looked to press us whenever we had the ball. "Of course it's something we struggle with. But it's something France struggle with, Barcelona, Brazil, Manchester City, Real Madrid... any team that hangs back in numbers is going to cause problems to any team looking to attack."

Football: Luis Enrique not worried about Spain's chances despite Poland draw

Thousands take part in Poland's Pride march

Five individuals in Poland are taking the government to court over its alleged failure to protect them from the impact of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/climate-change">climate change</a>, the first such litigation in the coal-reliant country, legal charity ClientEarth said on Thursday.

Poland plans huge investments in offshore wind power and wants to build its first nuclear power plant to cut carbon emissions, but activists have criticised Warsaw for being slow to phase out coal and improve air quality.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/carbon-dioxide-in-atmosphere-hits-record-high-despite-pandemic-dip-390148">Carbon dioxide in atmosphere hits record high despite pandemic dip</a>

It was the only European Union member state not to pledge to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 when the bloc set the target in 2019. Poland's conservative government has long courted political support from interests in the coal industry, which provides around 70 per cent&nbsp;of the country's energy.

"I can see climate change...There are three ponds on my farm, all three are practically dry already," said Piotr Romanowski, a farmer from Poland's northeast and one of the five litigants.

"I am filing this lawsuit because the&nbsp;Polish&nbsp;government is doing nothing to prevent this situation, to prevent climate change," he said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/countries-failing-to-fund-climate-change-adaptation-measures-says-united-nations-357335">Countries failing to fund climate change adaptation measures, says United Nations</a>

The other litigants are an ecotourism business owner, parents from different families, and a young climate campaigner. Three of the cases were filed on Thursday with a further two to be filed later this month in regional courts.

The five will ask the courts to rule that Poland must commit to a 61 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2030, and climate neutrality by 2043.

"(These five) cases are the first to expose the emerging effects of climate change on people living in Poland," ClimateEarth said in a statement.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/archaeologists-fear-climate-change-slowly-erasing-worlds-oldest-cave-painting-in-indonesia-390674/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Officials at Poland's climate ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment.

Earlier this week local authorities said that the lignite-fired Belchatow power plant in central Poland, the worst single polluter of its kind in Europe, would be closed by 2036.

Poland has also been sued by the neighbouring Czech Republic at Europe's highest court over the current expansion of the&nbsp;Polish&nbsp;Turow open-pit brown coal mine near the two countries' border.

Five individuals in Poland are taking the government to court over its alleged failure to protect them from the impact of climate change, the first such litigation in the coal-reliant country, legal charity ClientEarth said on Thursday.

Five individuals in Poland are taking the government to court over its alleged failure to protect them from the impact of climate change, the first such litigation in the coal-reliant country, legal charity ClientEarth said on Thursday. Poland plans huge investments in offshore wind power and wants to build its first nuclear power plant to cut carbon emissions, but activists have criticised Warsaw for being slow to phase out coal and improve air quality. Also read | Carbon dioxide in atmosphere hits record high despite pandemic dip It was the only European Union member state not to pledge to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 when the bloc set the target in 2019. Poland's conservative government has long courted political support from interests in the coal industry, which provides around 70 per cent of the country's energy. "I can see climate change...There are three ponds on my farm, all three are practically dry already," said Piotr Romanowski, a farmer from Poland's northeast and one of the five litigants. "I am filing this lawsuit because the Polish government is doing nothing to prevent this situation, to prevent climate change," he said in a statement. Also read | Countries failing to fund climate change adaptation measures, says United Nations The other litigants are an ecotourism business owner, parents from different families, and a young climate campaigner. Three of the cases were filed on Thursday with a further two to be filed later this month in regional courts. The five will ask the courts to rule that Poland must commit to a 61 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2030, and climate neutrality by 2043. "(These five) cases are the first to expose the emerging effects of climate change on people living in Poland," ClimateEarth said in a statement. Officials at Poland's climate ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment. Earlier this week local authorities said that the lignite-fired Belchatow power plant in central Poland, the worst single polluter of its kind in Europe, would be closed by 2036. Poland has also been sued by the neighbouring Czech Republic at Europe's highest court over the current expansion of the Polish Turow open-pit brown coal mine near the two countries' border.

Poland faces first citizen lawsuits over climate change

Poland and the Czech Republic are finalising an agreement that should end a legal dispute over the environmental impact of a Polish open pit coal mine close to the border between the two countries, a Polish government spokesman said on Tuesday. 
 
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said earlier the Czech government had agreed to withdraw its lawsuit over the Turow mine, only for his Czech counterpart Andrej Babis to say Prague was continuing with the legal case. 
 
"Yesterday, a team meeting was held, during which the framework of the agreement between Poland and the Czech Republic was established," Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller wrote on Twitter. 
 
"The complaint is to be withdrawn after the final agreement is signed." 
 
A Czech government source said the lawsuit could be withdrawn once Warsaw met conditions agreed between Morawiecki and Babis. The person did not elaborate on what they are. 
 
On Friday, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ordered Poland to immediately stop mining at the site operated by Polish state-run company PGE, pending a final decision in the case brought by the Czechs. 
 
The Czech government had argued a planned expansion of the mine was environmentally damaging for communities on its side of the border, and that Warsaw had violated EU law by extending mining at Turow until 2026. 
 
Environmental groups and Czechs living close to the border had complained drinking water supplies had been affected by the mine and that they had suffered from noise, dust and subsidence. 
 
Morawiecki told reporters at an EU summit in Brussels that Poland would finance projects worth up to 45 million euros ($55 million) to help prevent the loss of groundwater across the border caused by the mine. 
 
Poland would also build screens to stop dust particles from polluting the air in the Czech Republic. 
 
The two countries would also set up a committee of experts to determine the environmental impact of the mine. 
 
"As a result of this plan, we will be able to say that the whole matter is closed and the power plant and the mine will continue to work," Morawiecki said.

Poland and the Czech Republic are finalising an agreement that should end a legal dispute over the environmental impact of a Polish open pit coal mine close to the border between the two countries, a Polish government spokesman said on Tuesday.

Poland and the Czech Republic are finalising an agreement that should end a legal dispute over the environmental impact of a Polish open pit coal mine close to the border between the two countries, a Polish government spokesman said on Tuesday. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said earlier the Czech government had agreed to withdraw its lawsuit over the Turow mine, only for his Czech counterpart Andrej Babis to say Prague was continuing with the legal case. "Yesterday, a team meeting was held, during which the framework of the agreement between Poland and the Czech Republic was established," Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller wrote on Twitter. "The complaint is to be withdrawn after the final agreement is signed." A Czech government source said the lawsuit could be withdrawn once Warsaw met conditions agreed between Morawiecki and Babis. The person did not elaborate on what they are. On Friday, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ordered Poland to immediately stop mining at the site operated by Polish state-run company PGE, pending a final decision in the case brought by the Czechs. The Czech government had argued a planned expansion of the mine was environmentally damaging for communities on its side of the border, and that Warsaw had violated EU law by extending mining at Turow until 2026. Environmental groups and Czechs living close to the border had complained drinking water supplies had been affected by the mine and that they had suffered from noise, dust and subsidence. Morawiecki told reporters at an EU summit in Brussels that Poland would finance projects worth up to 45 million euros ($55 million) to help prevent the loss of groundwater across the border caused by the mine. Poland would also build screens to stop dust particles from polluting the air in the Czech Republic. The two countries would also set up a committee of experts to determine the environmental impact of the mine. "As a result of this plan, we will be able to say that the whole matter is closed and the power plant and the mine will continue to work," Morawiecki said.

Poland says finalising deal with Czechs to end mine dispute

Poland will buy 24 armed drones from Turkey, the Polish defence minister said on Saturday, becoming the first NATO member to buy Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).&nbsp;

The Bayraktar TB2 drones, the first of which are due to be delivered next year, will be armed with anti-tank projectiles. Poland will also buy a logistics and training package, said Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak.&nbsp;

Blaszczak told state radio the Bayraktar TB2 drones 'have proven themselves in wars' and added that the UAVs would be serviced by a military company, without giving further details.&nbsp;

The contract, which will be concluded without a procurement process, will be signed next week during a visit by Polish President Andrzej Duda to Turkey.&nbsp;

Authorities in fellow NATO member Turkey say the country has become the world's fourth-largest drone producer since President Tayyip Erdogan increased domestic production to reduce reliance on Western arms.&nbsp;

Turkish defence technology company Baykar has sold its Bayraktar TB2 armed drone to Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Qatar and Libya. Erdogan said in March that Saudi Arabia was also interested in buying Turkish drones.&nbsp;

Canada scrapped export permits for drone technology to Turkey in April, after concluding that the equipment was used by Azeri forces fighting Armenia in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. The parts under embargo included camera systems for Baykar armed drones.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Poland will buy 24 armed drones from Turkey, the Polish defence minister said on Saturday, becoming the first NATO member to buy Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Poland will buy 24 armed drones from Turkey, the Polish defence minister said on Saturday, becoming the first NATO member to buy Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Bayraktar TB2 drones, the first of which are due to be delivered next year, will be armed with anti-tank projectiles. Poland will also buy a logistics and training package, said Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak. Blaszczak told state radio the Bayraktar TB2 drones 'have proven themselves in wars' and added that the UAVs would be serviced by a military company, without giving further details. The contract, which will be concluded without a procurement process, will be signed next week during a visit by Polish President Andrzej Duda to Turkey. Authorities in fellow NATO member Turkey say the country has become the world's fourth-largest drone producer since President Tayyip Erdogan increased domestic production to reduce reliance on Western arms. Turkish defence technology company Baykar has sold its Bayraktar TB2 armed drone to Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Qatar and Libya. Erdogan said in March that Saudi Arabia was also interested in buying Turkish drones. Canada scrapped export permits for drone technology to Turkey in April, after concluding that the equipment was used by Azeri forces fighting Armenia in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. The parts under embargo included camera systems for Baykar armed drones. (With inputs from agencies)

Poland to become first NATO country to buy Turkish drones 

The salt therapy facility of Wieliczka, housed in a former mine 130 metres underground in Poland, is taking in more and more patients still suffering from lingering symptoms months after contracting Covid-19. Thanks to a team of physiotherapists and the mine's humid salt air, the facility reports 60-80 percent improvement rates.

Salt therapy and a dose of fun help Poles fight long Covid

Bars and restaurants opened their outdoor terraces for the first time in more than six months in Poland.

Poland bars celebrate midnight reopening as vaccination drive gains steam

Lobbying by&nbsp;Poland&nbsp;and&nbsp;Hungary&nbsp;has led to the removal of the phrase "gender equality" from a draft declaration on advancing&nbsp;social&nbsp;cohesion that the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;is due to publish on Friday, according to diplomats and documents seen by Reuters.

Poland's nationalist ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) and its&nbsp;eurosceptic ally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, promote what they call traditional&nbsp;social&nbsp;values at home and have repeatedly clashed with their more liberal Western peers over the rights of women, gay people and migrants.

The two countries opposed mentioning "gender equality" directly in the draft prepared for discussion by the bloc's 27 national leaders, who are meeting in the Portuguese city of Porto on Friday and Saturday to look for ways to reduce&nbsp;social&nbsp;and economic inequalities that widened during the pandemic.

While an earlier draft said the bloc would "promote&nbsp;gender equality", the later version seen by Reuters avoids the phrase and reads: "We will step up efforts to fight discrimination and work actively to close gender gaps ...and to promote equality."

European Union diplomats said Warsaw and Budapest had sought the looser language. Both governments promote Catholic, conservative&nbsp;social&nbsp;values in contentious stances that have gone hand-in-hand with increasing state control and political influence over media, courts and academics.

Arriving in Porto, Orban told reporters: "The fact is that men and women should be treated equally."

He said the difficulty was with the term "gender", which he considered an ideologically motivated expression.

A Polish official also said Warsaw preferred to speak about "equality between women and men."

A liberal Dutch&nbsp;EU&nbsp;lawmaker, Sophie in't Veld, described Budapest's stance as "sexist and transphobic".

'Inclusive Recovery'

The leaders will commit to an inclusive recovery from the bloc's record recession triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed nearly 700,000 people in&nbsp;Europe, shut businesses and travel, and confined millions to their homes for more than a year.

Women, youth, gig economy workers and victims of domestic violence are among groups that have been particularly adversely affected by the pandemic, which has aggravated pre-existing inequalities.

"Our commitment to unity and solidarity also means ensuring equal opportunities for all and that no one is left behind," the leaders will declare in mentioning the bloc's planned green and digital reforms, as well as focus on education and training.

"The priority will be to move from protecting to creating jobs and to improve job quality," they will say, in welcoming a proposal to look beyond GDP readings to measure economic and&nbsp;social&nbsp;progress.

Twenty-four will attend in person, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and two others dialling in for discussions that will also try to overcome divisions on waiving patents for COVID-19 vaccines, and the&nbsp;EU's fraught ties with Russia.

Lobbying by Poland and Hungary has led to the removal of the phrase "gender equality" from a draft declaration on advancing social cohesion that the EU is due to publish on Friday, according to diplomats and documents seen by Reuters.

Lobbying by Poland and Hungary has led to the removal of the phrase "gender equality" from a draft declaration on advancing social cohesion that the EU is due to publish on Friday, according to diplomats and documents seen by Reuters. Poland's nationalist ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) and its eurosceptic ally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, promote what they call traditional social values at home and have repeatedly clashed with their more liberal Western peers over the rights of women, gay people and migrants. The two countries opposed mentioning "gender equality" directly in the draft prepared for discussion by the bloc's 27 national leaders, who are meeting in the Portuguese city of Porto on Friday and Saturday to look for ways to reduce social and economic inequalities that widened during the pandemic. While an earlier draft said the bloc would "promote gender equality", the later version seen by Reuters avoids the phrase and reads: "We will step up efforts to fight discrimination and work actively to close gender gaps ...and to promote equality." European Union diplomats said Warsaw and Budapest had sought the looser language. Both governments promote Catholic, conservative social values in contentious stances that have gone hand-in-hand with increasing state control and political influence over media, courts and academics. Arriving in Porto, Orban told reporters: "The fact is that men and women should be treated equally." He said the difficulty was with the term "gender", which he considered an ideologically motivated expression. A Polish official also said Warsaw preferred to speak about "equality between women and men." A liberal Dutch EU lawmaker, Sophie in't Veld, described Budapest's stance as "sexist and transphobic". 'Inclusive Recovery' The leaders will commit to an inclusive recovery from the bloc's record recession triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed nearly 700,000 people in Europe, shut businesses and travel, and confined millions to their homes for more than a year. Women, youth, gig economy workers and victims of domestic violence are among groups that have been particularly adversely affected by the pandemic, which has aggravated pre-existing inequalities. "Our commitment to unity and solidarity also means ensuring equal opportunities for all and that no one is left behind," the leaders will declare in mentioning the bloc's planned green and digital reforms, as well as focus on education and training. "The priority will be to move from protecting to creating jobs and to improve job quality," they will say, in welcoming a proposal to look beyond GDP readings to measure economic and social progress. Twenty-four will attend in person, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and two others dialling in for discussions that will also try to overcome divisions on waiving patents for COVID-19 vaccines, and the EU's fraught ties with Russia.

Poland, Hungary push against 'gender equality' at EU social summit

For Poles, the May long weekend is usually a time for grilling, socializing and drinking. But in the middle of a pandemic, there is no normal life. So thousands across Poland stood in pouring rain, waiting in line to get a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 jab instead.

Thousand across Poland stood in the pouring rain for J&J COVID-19 jab

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