PARLIAMENT HOUSING - Following an hour of news concerning the situation in the Middle East, deputies will debate the package of measures aimed at revitalizing housing in the Chamber this afternoon. The housing package contains, among other things, the introduction of a rental tax credit as well as an increase in rental subsidies for young employees. Three other bills concerning the area of affordable housing are also on the agenda.
WOMAN DROWNS - A tragic incident occurred early Monday morning on a beach in northern Portugal, where a young Portuguese woman living in Luxembourg suffered a cardiac arrest. The victim, a 24-year-old woman, drowned at sea. The accident took place on the beach of Póvoa de Varzim, a popular tourist spot on the Atlantic.
UNEMPLOYMENT UP - Luxembourg’s unemployment rate has hit 5.6%. According to newly released data, the bulk of the country’s unemployed live in Luxembourg City and Esch-sur-Alzette.
UKRAINE WAR - The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Ukraine, his fourth visit to Kyiv since the Russian invasion. Officials say he will deliver a strong message of reassurance, as Ukraine struggles to hold back a new Russian incursion near Kharkiv. Blinken‘s visit comes three weeks after the US Congress agreed to a major new military aid package for the country.
EU MIGRATION - The controversial European migration and asylum policy reform should get the green light today at an EU ministers meeting in Brussels. As a result of the reform, the rules for migration will become stricter. Migrant charities have criticized the pact, with rights group Amnesty international arguing it will “lead to greater human suffering.”
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR - There have been further Israeli attacks on Rafah. According to the United Nations, some 360,000 people have already fled the city in the south of the Gaza Strip. There are hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees in Rafah. In the north of the Gaza Strip, confrontations between the Israeli army and Hamas continue. Israel is celebrating its independence day today. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized last night that Israel would fight for its existence.
OPEN AI - OpenAI has released a higher performing and even more human-like version of the artificial intelligence technology that underpins its popular generative tool ChatGPT, making it free to all users. According to the company, the new model GPT-4o -- the “O” stands for omni -- can generate content or understand commands in voice, text, or images.
CANNES FILM FESTIVAL - Hollywood stars have jetted into Cannes, as the world’s most famous film festival gets underway. The festival officially kicks off in the evening with an honorary award for Meryl Streep. Francis Ford Coppola’s epic “Megalopolis,” is one of 22 films competing for the affections of a jury, led by “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig. There is no Luxembourgish co-production in the official selection this year, but the actress Vicky Krieps is a member of the jury in the “un certain regard” section.
FOOTBALL – In the English Premier League, Liverpool drew 3-3 with Aston Villa yesterday evening. Tonight, Manchester City plays at Tottenham and needs a win to take over Arsenal’s lead in the table with one game to go.
BOXING - Former heavyweight king Mike Tyson has said his decision to step back into the ring at the age of 57 was a “no-brainer”, brushing off recent criticism that he was too old to make a comeback. At a press conference in New York to promote his upcoming bout against YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul, Tyson admitted training for his return had taken a toll. Tyson takes on the 27-year-old Paul in a professional bout on July 20, comprising eight two-minute rounds..
GOLF - Scottie Scheffler has arrived at Valhalla and began practice for the 106th PGA Championship, searching for his third major title and fifth triumph in six starts. Scheffler and world number two Rory McIlroy will both tee off on Thursday having won their previous two starts.
Following a bright and sunny morning, with fog in the valleys quickly dissipating, there is a slight risk of light to moderate showers in the afternoon. The evening will be, with good certainty, cloudy with rainstorms. Morning temperatures start between 13 and 16°C before the mercury climbs to highs of 19-22°C in the afternoon.
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