PATENT COURT - The so-called “Unified Patent Court” opens its doors here in Kirchberg on June 1. The first uniform European patent court will have its headquarters right next to the European Court of Justice. The premises will be inaugurated today, in the presence of Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and the Minister of Economy Franz Fayot. The UPC will decide on the validity and infringement of patents for almost all EU member states.
WAVE SURFING - Free wave surfing has opened in the heart of Esch-sur-Alzette. As part of the “Summer in the City” programme, the Place des Remparts has been transformed into a beach. Up to two people can surf on a wave for up to 30 minutes. The experience is completely free and participants can register on site. They’ll change into a neoprene wetsuit before jumping into the water. Showers, changing rooms and security are present on site to ensure the summer fun goes smoothly.
BYPASS OPENED - The bypass at the end of the motorway to Esch-sur-Alzette has been partially opened, avoiding the roundabout which often leads to long traffic lines. The ring road opened two lanes yesterday evening. One in the direction of France and the second in the direction Luxembourg. At the end of July, all 4 lanes will be opened.
HOPPING PROCESSION - The annual hopping procession is taking place in Echternach today. Hundreds of pilgrims, dressed in white shirts are expected to hop for almost three hours, holding each other by means of a white handkerchief, in homage to Saint Willibrod. The official start is after a speech by Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich at 9.30 this morning. Echternach’s Hopping Procession was granted the status of UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in 2010.
UKRAINE ATTACKS - Russia has carried out another wave of drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Sirens sounded and explosions were heard early this morning. Officials said air defence systems destroyed many of the drones but one person was killed when debris hit a residential building, starting a fire. It was the third attack on Kyiv in 24 hours.
BELGIUM FIRE - In the High Fens on the German-Belgian border, a major forest fire is burning in the high moor. The Belgian fire department has called in German colleagues to help extinguish the fire in the nature reserve. According to local authorities, it started around 5.30 pm yesterday and spread quickly, burning more than 50 hectares of forest and scrub. According to an initial assessment by the experts, however, the fire is not an ecological catastrophe because the bog under the grass is still very moist.
KOSOVO CLASHES - Over 30 peacekeepers deployed in a NATO-led mission in Kosovo were injured on Monday in clashes with Serb protesters who demanded the removal of recently elected ethnic Albanian mayors. Kosovan Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s government officially installed the mayors last week, defying calls to ease the tensions by the European Union and the United States, which have both championed the territory’s 2008 independence from Serbia.
UGANDA ANTI-GAY BILL - President Biden has led international condemnation of new laws in Uganda, which mean that anyone having gay sex can be jailed for life. In some circumstances, people could face the death penalty. Biden called the laws shameful and said the US was considering sanctions. The United Nations says the new law puts Uganda’s progress on HIV and AIDS in jeopardy.
SMALL STATEs GAMES - Yesterday was the start of Small States Games in Malta, with an opening ceremony taking place last night. Athletes from nine European countries will compete across 10 sports disciplines – from athletics, table tennis, sailing to swimming and tennis. For the 1st time in its history, two Luxembourgish athletes carried the flag, basketball player Nadia Mossong and the table tennis player Eric Glod. In the first group matches in basketball there were two victories for Luxembourg against Cyprus yesterday. The men won 78 to 62 and the women won 78 to 70 against Cyprus. Today, the programme includes swimming, judo, athletics, shooting and table tennis.
BASKETBALL - The final in the NBA is now clear. The Denver Nuggets will meet the Miami Heat. In the last and decisive match of the best-of-seven series, Miami claimed a 103 to 84 victory over the Boston Celtics, thereby winning the Eastern Conference. Denver was clear in the West, with a 4-0 win against the Lakers. The first match of the final series is on Friday night.
ICE HOCKEY - In the NHL, the North American ice hockey league, the final is also set. The Las Vegas Knights won their series 4-2 against Dallas, and will now meet the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final, which start on Saturday.
It will be sunny all day with only occasional small clouds in the sky. Temperatures stay high, ranging from 18 to 23 degrees, reaching 24 degrees in Luxembourg City and the surrounding areas. The wind will be moderate to fresh from the northeast, with gusts in the afternoon reaching 35 to 45 km/h. The morning will start off at 11-14°C, rising up to 21-23°C in the afternoon.
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