MAX HAHN - The Democratic Party (DP) has announced a successor to Corinne Cahen, who has stepped down as Minister for Family Affairs to take a seat on the city council. Max Hahn, who has been an MP in the Chamber of Deputies for ten years is taking over the post.
WATER CONSERVATION - In response to the current weather conditions, the Ministry of the Environment and the Water Management Authority is urging residents to reduce their water consumption and avoid unnecessary wastage. The recommendations include avoiding excessive lawn watering, not washing your car at home, using public swimming pools rather than setting up private ones and showering instead of taking a bath.
RETIREMENT FINANCE - According to a new study by STATEC, a retired couple needs at least €3,471 a month “to live decently” in Luxembourg. For single senior citizens, the minimum budget deemed necessary for a decent living is just over €2,500 per month. The budget is designed to cover essential needs such as a healthy diet, housing, health costs and active participation in society.
MIGRANT DROWNING - The Greek government has announced the deaths of at least 79 people, when a boat from Libya capsized in the Mediterranean, as one of the country’s biggest migrant tragedies. According to the Greek migration ministry there could have been “hundreds” of people on the boat, raising fears that there could still be a large number of missing people. Three days of mourning have been declared.
NATO MEETING - NATO defence ministers are meeting in Brussels today. Representatives from 50 countries, including Luxembourg’s François Bausch will meet Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and Ukrainian Defence Minister Resnikov to coordinate military aid to Ukraine. NATO’s chief Jens Stoltenberg said yesterday that the alliance needs an action plan to boost arms production for Ukraine.
ECB INTEREST RATES - The European Central Bank is meeting again today and is likely to raise borrowing costs to their highest level in 22 years, extending its fight against high inflation in the eurozone. The ECB is predicted to increase rates by 0.25 percentage points to 4%. The US Federal Reserve announced a pause in its series of rate rises yesterday and did not increase interest rates.
FOOTBALL - Croatia is the first team in the final of the UEFA Football Nations League. After extra time there was a 4-2 victory against the Netherlands yesterday. Tonight is the 2nd semi-final, between Spain and Italy.
Staying with football, FIFA has announced it has struck a deal with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to televise the 2023 Women’s World Cup, avoiding a controversial blackout in the ‘Big Five’ European nations.The deal follows a standoff between the governing body of world football and broadcasters in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom over the rights for the competition in Australia and New Zealand in July and August.
GOLF - the 123rd US Open is teeing off at the Los Angeles Country Club today, with global golf gripped by suspense worthy of a Hollywood script. The tournament has been overshadowed by last week’s announcement that the PGA Tour and DP World Tour are joining forces with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf. The world’s top players have arrived in Los Angeles still reeling from the news and wondering what it means for their professional futures. Masters champion Jon Rahm spoke of a feeling of “betrayal” by PGA Tour officials and a sense of being in limbo.
CRICKET - England face Australia in the first Test of the five-match Ashes series starting at Edgbaston tomorrow. Australia is aiming to retain the urn, while England hope to win the Ashes for the first time since 2015. England have named veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad in their XI for the opening Test, while Australia are on a punishing programme of six Tests in eight weeks.
Today is set to feature mostly clear sunny skies again with the some light cloud appearing throughout the afternoon. Temperatures start off at 11-14°C in the morning, rising to highs of 23-26°C in the afternoon.
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