DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - Police officers responded to approximately 82 calls a month in 2022, translating to an average of 2-3 incidents daily, due to domestic violence. This is an increase of more than 7 percent, compared to the previous year. According to the equal opportunities minister Taina Bofferding, this increase is also a sign that more and more victims are seeking help.
CHILDREN LANGUAGES - Around two-thirds of children in Luxembourg grow up speaking at least two languages. The children who grow up with only one language at home are therefore in the minority. In total, more than 124 different languages are spoken in families. This emerges from an investigation in which some 8,300 parents participated. The majority of children under the age of 4 have contact with Luxembourgish in their everyday life.
PLASTIC PACKAGING - In a move towards sustainable practices, fresh fruit and vegetables weighing less than 1.5kg will be sold in bulk rather than in plastic packaging in Luxembourgish supermarkets from Saturday 1 July. The Environment Agency, says the new initiative not only promotes waste reduction but also allows customers to purchase the exact quantities of fruits and vegetables they require, minimizing unnecessary excess.
DUKE’S NIGHT - Today is the eve ahead of National Day. Official festivities begin in the afternoon, with the solemn changing of the guard in front of the palace. The grand ducal couple is on an official visit to Grevenmacher this year. At 9.20 pm precisely, the traditional torchlight procession sets off from Grand Rue. At 11 o’clock this evening, there will be the big fireworks display, which this year lasts 17 minutes. An estimated 100,000 people are expected to flock to the capital on the eve of National Day.
SUB RESCUE - Estimates suggest that 5 men aboard a tourist submersible, missing near the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic could run out of oxygen later this morning. The US Coastguard says it has expanded the size of the search area. A French vessel is joining efforts with a deployable robot than can reach the seabed.
PARIS FIRE - Rescue workers were in the evening still searching the rubble for two missing people who have not been accounted for after a blast and fire in central Paris caused two buildings to collapse. Gerald Darmanin, the interior minister, visited the scene and confirmed that 37 people had been injured with four of them in a critical condition. The reason for the explosion is most likely a gas leak.
PARIS OLYMPICS - The 2024 Paris Olympics are coming in significantly over budget because the Paris bid committee “underestimated” the costs of staging the Games at the time of the bid. The government report warned that cuts might be needed before next summer. The report also mentioned a failure to complete metro train improvements and extensions on time as well as delays for certain structures including the athletes’ village, media village and at least one arena.
GOLF - The US Open will return to Los Angeles in 2031 when the tournament is staged at The Riviera Country Club. The US Open was held at the Los Angeles Country Club last week, the first time the golfing showpiece has taken place in the California metropolis for 75 years. The US Open was last staged at Riviera in 1948 in a tournament won by Ben Hogan.
FOOTBALL TRANSFERS - Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is set to join Barcelona on a free transfer. Gundogan is believed to have been offered a three-year deal by Barcelona and is expected to complete his move to the Spanish champions when his City contract expires at the end of June. Arsenal are set to sign Chelsea forward Kai Havertz after reportedly agreeing a £65 million fee for the German on Wednesday. And Manchester City have agreed a £30 million deal with Chelsea to sign midfielder Mateo Kovacic. Kovacic, who joined Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2018, initially on loan, is entering the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
The national weather service has issued a weather warning for the first half of the day. Brace yourselves for strong downpours and high winds of up to 40km per hour throughout the day, as storms are set to batter the Grand Duchy until late afternoon. By the evening, however, the forecast is cautiously optimistic, predicting that the showers will clear up towards the end of the day. Either way - if you’re heading out to celebrate the Grand Duke’s birthday, be sure to dress in waterproof clothing! Morning temperatures will start at 17-19°C, rising to highs of 23-25°C in the afternoon, and dropping to 20-22°C in the evening.
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