UKRAINE DAM - A vast Soviet-era dam in the Russian controlled part of southern Ukraine has been destroyed, unleashing a flood of water across the war zone, according to both Ukrainian and Russian forces. Both sides blamed the other for destroying the dam. Videos circulating online show water rushing through the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, east of Kherson, with neither side taking responsibility.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised his troops for advances claimed near the devastated city of Bakhmut, while Russia said it had repelled a large-scale attack.
FRANCE PROTESTS - Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets across France today, for what will be the fourteenth day of demonstrations to oppose the pension reform. President Macron signed the bill to raise the pension age from 62 to 64 in April. Around 600,000 demonstrators are expected, up to 70,000 in Paris alone. Thousands of police officers will be on duty.
French President Macron is in Potsdam this evening to meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for a working dinner. They will discuss the Ukraine war, EU enlargement and preparations for the next EU and NATO summits.
HARRY COURT - Prince Harry is due to start giving evidence today in his case against the Mirror Group newspapers. He is suing for damages, claiming the group’s journalists were involved in unlawfully gathering information about him. Harry has been accused of wasting the court’s time over his absence on Monday – but lawyers have been granted extra time to question him from today. Explosive evidence is expected.
HAITI FLOODING - At least 42 people have died and 11 missing in Haiti after heavy rains at the weekend triggered flooding and landslides. Over 13,000 people have been evacuated. Haiti is already in a humanitarian crisis, fueled by gang violence, political collapse and economic stagnation.
RAIL WORKS - Residents of northern Luxembourg will have to rely on cars and buses to travel south once again this summer, with rail engineering works planned throughout August. Engineering works will be taking place on the railway between Ettelbruck and Gouvy from 19 August to 10 September.
ZEBRA CROSSINGS - The Centre for Urban Justice, ZUG for short, has published new interactive maps showing that zebra crossings at the beginning 30-zones are often missing or not properly marked in red. As a result, motorists often do not realize that they are driving into a 30km-speed zone. Already last year, ZUG had identified major deficits in the zebra crossings in the city. Of the over 1,700 that were analyzed, 400 would not have been compliant.
CYCLING - France’s Julian Alaphilippe won a sprint finish to take Monday’s second stage of the Criterium du Dauphine race with compatriot Christophe Laporte holding the leader’s yellow jersey. The Luxembourger Kevin Geniets was in 50th in the same period. The third stage today goes over 195 kilometers from Monistrol-sur-Loire to Le Coteau today. RTL-Telé is live from 3.30pm
FOOTBALL - Stuttgart secured their Bundesliga status with a 3-1 victory at Hamburg in Monday’s relegation playoff return leg, ensuring another season in the second division.
TENNIS - It’s the first quarter finals in the French Open today. On the men’s side, Novak Djokovic will play in the afternoon against the Russian Karen Kachanov, and in the evening Carlos Alcaraz will play against Stefano Tsitsipas. Elina Svitolina from Ukraine will face Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s match today
The sunshine is here to stay, as today looks set to be another beautiful day with clear skies and blazing sunshine. Temperatures will start off at 14-16°C, rising to highs of 25-27°C in the afternoon.
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