LIBERTY STEEL – The Luxembourg government has taken formal steps to acquire the bankrupt Liberty Steel facility in Dudelange, submitting an official offer to the receiver during Tuesday’s Government Council meeting. While specific redevelopment plans remain under consideration, ministry officials have confirmed they are evaluating multiple options – including potential defence-related projects – for the industrial zone.
LUXEMBOURG PENSIONS – Over half of Luxembourg’s pensions are now paid abroad, outpacing those made within the Grand Duchy. According to the National Pension Insurance Office’s (CNAP) latest annual report, a total of €6.8 billion was paid out in pensions last year, including recipients living across 117 different countries.
EDUCATION REFORM – Minister of Education Claude Meisch has announced plans for sweeping reforms to Luxembourg’s education system. With only one-third of Luxembourg’s students now speaking Luxembourgish or German at home, Meisch acknowledged the need to better reflect the country’s linguistic diversity, particularly for French and Portuguese speakers.
UKRAINE WAR – French President Emmanuel Macron is to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin today to discuss NATO security, the US-EU trade row, and Europe’s support for Ukraine.
GAZA WAR – More than 100 aid organisations are warning that “mass starvation” is spreading in Gaza and the head of Gaza’s largest hospital said 21 children have died due to malnutrition and starvation in the Palestinian territory in the past three days. Meanwhile, France’s foreign minister has urged Israel to allow international journalists into Gaza to “bear witness” to the situation after 21 months of war. The United Nations and human rights groups say Gaza and its population of more than two million people face famine-like conditions, with near-daily deaths of people queuing for food aid. https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/a/2322435.html
RIP OZZY OSBOURNE – Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of heavy metal group Black Sabbath, died on Tuesday at the age of 76. The hell-raising singer, who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, passed away just over two weeks after playing a farewell concert in his home city of Birmingham in England.
ICJ ON CLIMATE CHANGE – The International Court of Justice is preparing to hand down its first-ever opinion on climate change today, seen by many as a historic moment in international law. Its “advisory opinion” is expected to clarify nations’ obligations to prevent climate change and the consequences for polluters that have failed to do so.
JAPAN – According to local media, Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba could resign in August. The reports come after President Trump announced a trade deal with Japan, including lowering threatened tariffs to 15%.
US EXITS UNESCO – The United States has announced it has left UNESCO, saying the UN cultural and education agency, best known for establishing world heritage sites, is biased against Israel and promotes “divisive” causes.
FOOTBALL – Chloe Kelly scored a dramatic late winner in extra-time as reigning champions England came from behind to beat Italy 2-1 last night and reach the Women’s Euro 2025 final. Tonight sees the championship’s other semi-final: Germany take on Spain at 9pm.
CYCLING – Valentin Paret-Peintre bagged a first home win on an enthralling stage 16 of the Tour de France yesterday, pipping Ireland’s Ben Healy atop the 1910m altitude Mont Ventoux finish line. Behind them Jonas Vingegaard attacked overall leader Tadej Pogacar relentlessly, but the defending champion tracked the Dane all the way up the 15km ascent to extend his lead by two seconds. Today’s Stage 17 should be one for the sprinters, a 170km run to Valence.
OLYMPICS – Doha is bidding host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. One of the smallest and wealthiest states in the Gulf, Qatar has already hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
And in other Olympics news, American transgender women will no longer be able to compete in women’s events at the Olympics and Paralympics after a recent policy change by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). The policy update follows US President Donald Trump’s ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’ executive order.
Today will be mostly cloudy, occasionally turning quite overcast, but with some bright spells breaking through. Light showers are possible later in the day, so you might want to keep a brolly nearby – just in case. Temperature-wise we should see 12–14°C in the morning, rising to a comfortable but not so summer-y 20–22°C in the afternoon.
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