POLICE BODY CAMERAS - Six years after official approval, MPs have passed a law to equip police officers with body cams, with almost 1,700 police offers expected to be equipped with the devices in the future. The implementation is aimed at fostering prevention and facilitating potential de-escalation in various situations. Officers will undergo specialised training, and a review will be conducted after two years of usage. A budget of €6 million, distributed over five years, has been allocated for the procurement of the cameras.
MENTAL HEALTH PLAN - On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health unveiled a comprehensive national mental health plan, focusing on enhancing the mental well-being of Luxembourg’s residents, preventing mental health issues, and ensuring access to treatments. Minister of Health Paulette Lenert presented the plan, highlighting its significant objectives to address the impact of mental illnesses that affect approximately one in eight people globally. The National Mental Health Plan is designed to improve mental health conditions in Luxembourg and offer support to vulnerable individuals, with an emphasis on prevention.
TOUR IN LUXEMBOURG - It has been announced that the Minister of Sport Georges Engel is scheduled to meet with the director of the Tour de France, to discuss Luxembourg’s ambition to host stages in the 2027/2028 editions of the Tour. Minister Engel stressed the significance of the meeting, as the government has received no formal response to their request thus far. In 2027 and 2028, Luxembourg will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Nicolas Frantz’s Tour de France victories, which is one of the reasons why the Grand Duchy is trying to secure a stage in these editions of the prestigious cycling race.
COLOMBIA TRAGEDY - Rescue teams temporarily suspended efforts to search for survivors on Tuesday after a landslide triggered by heavy rains left at least 15 people dead and more than a dozen missing in central Colombia. Several homes were destroyed and a major trade artery blocked after torrential rains hit the Que-tame municipality in Colombia’s Cundinamarca department late on Monday. Relief agencies are utilising drones in the search, and the army announced it will deploy around 80 soldiers to assist in the efforts.
EXTREME TEMPERATURES - Spain issued “extreme” danger alerts over scorching temperatures in three regions on Tuesday as firefighters said a blaze that had raged for days in the Canary Islands had almost burnt itself out. Temperatures peaked at 45.3 degrees Celsius in Figueres, in the northeastern Catalonia region, with a temperature of 43.7C being recorded in the Balearic Islands. The interior ministry said much of Spain was facing a “very high” or “extreme” risk of wildfires due to the soaring temperatures, which are affecting most of the Mediterranean.
MESSI IN THE MLS - David Beckham believes Lionel Messi will need time to adapt to Major League Soccer, even though the standard of play is at a “different level” from the European game. Inter Miami co-owner Beckham, watched Messi take part in his first training session for the club on Tuesday, after signing a two and a half year contract. With the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player stating, “No matter how good he is, no matter what his stature is, Leo is going to need time to adapt”. The Argentine is not expected to play any part in Miami’s League Cup game this Friday.
DOPING CONTROVERSY - Women’s hurdles world record-holder Tobi Amusan has announced she has been charged with an alleged anti-doping rule violation, casting doubt on her participation in next month’s world championships. The Nigerian athlete set the current world record for the women’s 100m hurdles of 12.12 seconds at last year’s World Athletics Championships. Amusan, age 26, vowed to resolve the charges against her before this year’s competition, set to be held next month in Budapest.
While the rest of Europe burns under a heatwave, Luxembourg’s forecast is a little more manageable. Partly cloudy, with sun peeking through from time to time, today will be slightly less hot than Tuesday, as the wind picks up through the afternoon.
Temperatures start off mild at 14-16°C in the morning, rising to 24-26°C by the afternoon, and dropping slightly to 19-21°C in the evening.
