FOOTBALL – Luxembourg’s national football coach Luc Holtz faced questions during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference about his controversial decision to include Gerson Rodrigues in the squad for upcoming friendlies against Slovenia (6 June) and Ireland (10 June). The selection comes despite the forward’s recent conviction on three counts of assault and battery, including an upheld 18-month suspended sentence for domestic violence. When addressing the backlash, Holtz acknowledged public opinion was “divided” but defended his choice. The Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF) confirmed it would impose no additional sanctions beyond the court’s decision.
FUEL PRICES – Motorists in Luxembourg will benefit from lower fuel prices from today, as the cost of diesel and certain types of petrol has decreased at service stations across the country. Diesel has dropped to €1.36 per litre, SuperPlus 98 petrol is also slightly cheaper, falling by 1.6 cents to €1.56 per litre. However, the price of EuroSuper 95 petrol – the most commonly sold petrol in Luxembourg – remains unchanged at €1.46 per litre.
SOCIAL DIALOGUE – The Luxembourg government has invited all social partners to a meeting at the Ministry of State on 9 July to discuss pension reform and ways to improve structured social dialogue.The invitation follows a prolonged standoff with trade unions. At the end of May, the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) and the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) sent a joint letter to Prime Minister Luc Frieden, declaring they would no longer participate in government-led meetings unless held under a formal tripartite framework – involving unions, employer representatives, and the state.
SPRING HEATWAVE – According to Meteolux, spring 2025 was one of the warmest, driest, and sunniest on record in Luxembourg, with temperatures above average, rainfall sharply below normal, and sunshine hours nearing all-time highs.
COLOGNE BOMB – One of the biggest evacuation in Cologne in recent years is under way, after the discovery of three World War II bombs. Around 20,000 people are having to leave the city on Wednesday while experts prepare to defuse the bombs. Some roads and bridges across the Rhine have been closed to traffic and rail traffic has been diverted. The exclusion zone affects the Rhine, Cologne’s old town, several schools, daycare centres, and businesses and event venues. The three bombs were found on Monday during exploratory work in the Deutz district on the right bank of the Rhine.
DUTCH GOVERNMENT – The Dutch government has collapsed after Geert Wilders withdrew his far-right party from the governing coalition following a row over migration. Prime Minister Dick Schoof described the cabinet’s fall as “irresponsible and unnecessary” following a nearly two-hour ministerial meeting. The cabinet will remain in a caretaker capacity, managing only day-to-day affairs until new elections are held and a new government can be formed.
GAZA WAR – Aid centres in Gaza will temporarily close today, a controversial US-backed agency said, with the Israeli army warning roads leading to distribution stations “are considered combat zones”. Twenty-seven people were killed in southern Gaza on Tuesday when Israeli troops opened fire near one of the centres operated by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The UN Security Council will vote Wednesday on a resolution calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian access to Gaza, a measure expected to be vetoed by the United States.
SOUTH KOREA ELECTIONS – South Korea’s new President Lee Jae-myung has taken office, vowing to pursue peace with North Korea and confront economic threats. Lee scored a landslide victory in snap elections triggered by his predecessor’s failed martial law declaration.
US TARIFFS – The United States has doubled steel and aluminium tariffs to 50%, pressing ahead in the face of criticism from key trading partners with a measure that Donald Trump says is intended to revive the American industry. Trump signed an executive order formalising the move on Tuesday. The increase applies to all trading partners except Britain, the only country so far that has struck a trade agreement with the US so far.
MECCA – Over a million Muslim pilgrims have arrived in Mecca ahead of this week’s hajj, with Saudi authorities ramping up safety and heat protection measures to prevent a repeat of last year’s deadly heatwave.The Hajj, which begins today, is one of the largest gatherings of humans on Earth and is meant to be undertaken by every adult Muslim once in their lifetime.
TENNIS – Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti battled past American Frances Tiafoe to set up a semi-final clash with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open. Meanwhile Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are both chasing semi-final berths at the French Open today. Djokovic plays against last year’s runner-up Alexander Zverev while Sinner takes on unseeded Kazakh Alexander Bublik.
The spotlight will be on home hope Lois Boisson in the women’s tournament. French wildcard Boisson, ranked 361st in the world, steps up against Mirra Andreeva with a chance to write her own chapter in French tennis history. Second seed Coco Gauff will play Madison, looking to join world number one Aryna Sabalenka and three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek who are already through to the final four in the other half of the draw.
FOOTBALL – The Nations League semi-finals start today with Germany, Spain, France, and Portugal seeking to fine tune their sides with the World Cup just one year away. Tournament hosts Germany face Portugal in Munich tonight and title holders Spain face France in Stuttgart tomorrow.The winners will face off in the Bavarian capital on Sunday.
Grab those umbrellas, it’s a rainy start to the day, which is not looking very summery or June-like. Expect a mostly cloudy day with a rainy morning and no sign of any sunshine. Temperatures are mild, starting off at around 15°C but only reaching highs of 18–19°C in the afternoon.
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