PET SCANNER - Minister of Health and Social Security Martine Deprez has revealed that CHL’s PET scanner has broken down eight times so far this year, with the most recent issue occurring on Tuesday. The problem resulted in nearly 100 appointments being rescheduled. The positron emission tomography scanner is the only one of its kind in Luxembourg and is designed to handle up to 20 appointments per day. However, due to increased demand, it now handles around 35 patients per day. Last December, the Chamber of Deputies approved the purchase of a second machine which is expected to be operational by the end of the year.
CHL EMBEZZLEMENT - L’Essentiel reports that an employee of the CHL’s human resources department has come under suspicion of embezzling money. The person in question was taken into custody briefly, released three weeks ago and is currently under judiciary checks. Further details of the alleged fraud have not been released as the investigation is ongoing. The public prosecutor’s office said the presumption of innocence still applies. It is thought the embezzlement amounts to a sum of around 200,000 euros.
ROAD DEATH - A traffic accident occurred around 4.30pm on Thursday, involving a car and a motorcycle on the CR101 between Schoenfels and Kopstal, north of Luxembourg City. A 25-year-old motorcyclist did not survive the collision. The accident happened shortly before reaching Schoenfels, near a chalet on the CR101. The exact circumstances of the crash are still under investigation, according to a statement from the police on Thursday evening.
SAMMY THE KANGAROO - After a kangaroo named Sammy was spotted on the run in the Consdorf area on Tuesday, and has recently been spotted near Echternach, the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration says the animal’s owners have not received authorisation to keep him as a pet. According to information from the Veterinary Administration, the kangaroo’s owner previously lived in Germany, but when she moved to Luxembourg her authorisation from Germany expired. Currently the goal is to safely recapture Sammy. After that, the animal will, in principle, be taken into custody by the authorities as it has not been kept correctly.
G7 SUMMIT - G7 leaders today turn their attention to China on the second day of the G7 summit in Italy, with a focus on how to protect their industries while avoiding an outright trade war with Beijing. Fair trade with the world’s second-largest economy, notably on green technology, will be discussed by US President Joe Biden and the leaders of Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Britain in Puglia. The Group of Seven rich democracies will also be seeking a common response to China’s alleged support of Russia’s military expansion, which Washington says is fuelling the war in Ukraine.
ISRAEL/GAZA - Israeli helicopters struck Rafah on Thursday, residents said, with militants reporting street battles in the southern Gazan city as US President Joe Biden called Hamas the “biggest hang-up” to another truce. Tensions were also soaring on Israel’s northern border, with more attacks by Hamas ally Hezbollah targeting military positions with a civilian reported killed in an Israeli strike in Lebanon.
IVF BILL BLOCKED - Republicans in the US Senate on Thursday blocked a bill recognising a legal right to in vitro fertilization, introduced as part of a Democratic drive to underline threats to reproductive freedoms ahead of November’s elections. The legislation would have established a federal right to IVF -- an infertility treatment combining an egg with sperm in a lab -- and for providers to offer the procedure, with expanded insurance coverage to lower costs. The vast majority of Americans tell pollsters IVF is morally acceptable, but the country is divided over the destruction of frozen human embryos created by the procedure.
ANC COALITION - South Africa’s newly-elected parliament meets Friday and is expected to re-elect President Cyril Ramaphosa to form an unprecedented coalition government after his ruling ANC cobbled together a coalition deal. The African National Congress leader had called for a government of national unity after his party lost its absolute majority in last month’s general election. Ramaphosa is now expected to win a secret ballot of MPs to confirm his re-election.
https://today.rtl.lu/news/business-and-tech/a/2204610.html
NHL - The Florida Panthers scored three rapid-fire goals to take control then held off the Edmonton Oilers for a 4-3 victory which puts them one win away from a first NHL Stanley Cup title. The Panthers lead the series 3-nil and can claim the Cup on Saturday in Edmonton.
GOLF - On Thursday, Rory McIlroy sank a birdie putt from just inside 20 feet at the 18th hole to complete a five-under-par 65 first round and match Patrick Cantlay for the lead at the US Open. World number three McIlroy is chasing his first major victory since the 2014 PGA Championship.
FOOTBALL - Tonight sees the opening game of Euro 2024 as hosts Germany kick off the tournament against Scotland in Munich. A fired-up Germany side will be hoping to begin with a win as they aim to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy for the 4th time.
Friday begins with a slight chance of rain, which then increases in the afternoon, although the sun might try to peek its way through for a couple of hours. Be prepared for possible stronger wind gusts and for more rain during the evening.
The morning temperature sits at 10-12°C, while the afternoon can bring it close to 19°C - before coming back down to a possible 14°C in the evening.
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