Israel approves plan to occupy Gaza city, police officer convicted of sexual assault, and parliamentary question over 'Moien' sign

Luxembourg 

POLICE SEXUAL ASSAULT – A police officer has been sentenced to 15 months in prison, in a suspended sentence, and fined €5,000 for a sexual assault offence at a Luxembourg wine festival last year. The case dates back to the night of 9–10 August 2024, when the defendant was accused of sexually assaulting the victim outside a tent at the Picadilly wine festival in Stadtbredimus. The attacker and victim are said to have been unknown to each other prior to the event. As the defendant was a police officer, the police general inspectorate also investigated the matter.

MOIEN SIGN – A welcome sign featuring Luxembourg's traditional greeting ‘Moien’ has disappeared from Findel Airport, raising concerns about the reduced visibility of Luxembourgish in one of the country’s key international gateways. This change has raised questions for the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) party, which prompted MP Fred Keup to submit a parliamentary question to the Ministers of Culture, Transport, and Economy. According to Yuriko Backes, Minister for Mobility, the previous Moien sign was part of a commercial advertising space and the longstanding occupant of that space, ING Luxembourg, recently withdrew for business reasons, resulting in its removal.

WINE HARVEST – Rain may have disrupted some summer plans, but for Luxembourg's winemakers, it has been a blessing. Josy Gloden, President of Domaines Vinsmoselle, said the recent rainfall arrived at the perfect time, aiding the ripening process of grapes. He noted that the first Pinot Noir grapes are already softening and changing colour, indicating progress towards harvest.

World

GAZA WAR – Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan to take control of Gaza city, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intended to take military control of the entire strip despite intensifying criticism at home and abroad over the devastating almost two-year war.

TRUMP/PUTIN TALKS – The Kremlin has announced that Presidents Trump and Putin will hold a summit in the coming days to discuss ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Trump said he would meet Vladimir Putin even if the Russian leader had not sat down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The statement, which contradicted earlier reports that a Putin-Zelensky meeting was a prerequisite for the summit, came after Trump gave Moscow until today to reach a ceasefire or face fresh sanctions.

GERMANY BORDERS – Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has announced that border controls and deportations will continue beyond September, reaffirming his hardline stance on migration. Since taking office in May, Dobrindt has ordered stricter checks at the borders and the rejection of asylum seekers at entry points. He also confirmed that the government is working to expand deportations, particularly to Afghanistan and Syria.

FRANCE WILDFIRE – France's biggest wildfire in decades will burn for several more days even though it has been brought under control, authorities said earlier today, as hundreds of firefighters keep up a battle against the flames. The giant blaze in the southern department of Aude has burned through more than 17,000 hectares of land -- an area bigger than Paris, killing one person, injuring 13 and destroying dozens of homes.

Sport

TENNIS – Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko has beaten four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, capping a fairytale run at the WTA Canadian Open with her first WTA title. Mboko, who is 18 years old, was ranked outside the top 300 to start the season, is now projected to rise to 34th in the world. In the men, Ben Shelton became the first American to win an ATP Masters 1000 title in Canada in more than two decades as he defeated Karen Khachanov 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) in the final yesterday.

FOOTBALL – Luxembourg champions Differdange lost their game to Levadia Tallinn last night. The only Luxembourg club still in the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round, lost 3-2 to their visitors. The second match takes place in Estonia on August 14.

Weather

We're heading into a period of hot temperatures, clear(-ish) skies and, most importantly, dry summer afternoons. Today is going to be generally quite sunny, with a light breeze and a few clouds sprinkled here and there. Just like the sun, the temperature also rises: starting off at 13-15°C, we'll be moving closer to the 30s in the afternoon – expect some 27-29°C.

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