PALESTINE DEBATE – Following a debate in parliament yesterday on Palestinian state recognition, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden told MPs that the government is in favour of a two-state solution and recognition of Palestine, but not immediately. He said the government is making the issue dependent on the results of a conference next week in New York. A “formal” and “direct” recognition, as left-wing opposition parties LSAP, The Greens, and The Left have demanded was rejected.
FOOTBALL PROTEST – Luxembourg earned a 0-0 draw against Ireland last night. The match was played in a tense atmosphere due to ongoing criticism of Gerson Rodrigues’ inclusion in the squad. He has been a subject of controversy following a domestic violence conviction. Fans in the stands again held up red cards and protest banners aimed at the Luxembourg Football Federation, similar to the game against Slovenia days earlier. Though Rodrigues was booed during the match, the atmosphere remained calmer than in Friday’s game. The Red Lions return to action on 4 September, facing Northern Ireland in a World Cup Qualifier.
LUXEMBOURG EUROVISION – RTL has announced Luxembourg’s participation in the next Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), taking place in Austria next year. After performances by Luxembourg’s Tali and Laura Thorn, the search is now on for the Grand Duchy’s next Eurovision representative. As in previous years, the song representing Luxembourg will be selected through a national competition, held at the Rockhal and organised by RTL. More details will be made public in the coming weeks.
FRENCH LITERACY PROGRAMME – The education minister has confirmed a nationwide roll-out of the French literacy programme. Starting with the 2026 school year, all primary schools in Luxembourg will introduce project ‘Alpha’, a nationwide roll-out of French-based literacy instruction. The programme will begin with one age group and expand annually, Education Minister Claude Meisch confirmed Tuesday during a plenary session in the Chamber.
ISRAEL SANCTIONS – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned the decision made by Britain, Norway, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to sanction two far-right Israeli ministers. He has called for sanctions on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to be cancelled.
AUSTRIA SCHOOL SHOOTING – Hundreds of mourners have held candlelit vigils for 10 people killed in a school shooting in the Austrian city of Graz. Local police said the perpetrator was a 21-year-old former pupil at the school. He used two legally-owned weapons, acted alone, and eventually killed himself.
US PROTESTS – An overnight curfew has gone into effect in protest-hit downtown Los Angeles. It is in place until 6am local time and will likely be in effect for a few days. According to the LA police, “dozens of arrests” have been made as several protest groups continue to gather in the designated curfew zone. Meanwhile, a federal judge has denied California’s request for an immediate restraining order that would stop the Trump administration from using the Marines and National Guard at the protests and for arrests.
UKRAINE WAR – Fresh Russian strikes on Ukraine’s northeastern city of Kharkiv killed two people and wounded 54 including children early this morning, as Moscow pushes ahead with its relentless attacks after rejecting an unconditional ceasefire.The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said eight children were wounded in the attack.
NORTHERN IRELAND PROTESTS – Violent unrest erupted for a second night in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, as racially motivated riots followed the arrest of two teenagers accused of attempting to rape a young girl. Hundreds of protesters, many of them masked, took to the streets, throwing petrol bombs, bottles, and masonry as police responded with water canons.
FOOTBALL – The Netherlands maintained their winning start to European 2026 World Cup qualifying by dismissing Malta 8-0, while their group rivals Poland lost to Finland 2-1. And Brazil have booked their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America with a 1-0 home victory over Paraguay, the first win of Carlo Ancelotti’s reign.
CYCLING – Spain’s Ivan Romeo has won the third stage of the Criterium du Dauphine when he streaked clear at the end of a 207km run to cross the line first and claim the overall lead. Today’s fourth stage will be a 17.4km time-trial.
GOLF – Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler will make an afternoon start with Viktor Hovland and Collin Morikawa while second-ranked Rory McIlroy joins Justin Rose and Shane Lowry early to start the 125th US Open on Thursday. DeChambeau starts off the first tee at 7.29am (1129 GMT) alongside fellow American Xander Schauffele, the reigning British Open champion, and Spain’s Jose Luis Ballester, the 2024 US Amateur champion.
It is going to be a beautiful sunny day with not a cloud in the sky or any rain in the mix. Temperatures start at around 13°C, rising swiftly to hit highs of around 24°C. But brace yourselves for quite the scorching weekend, with 30–32°C coming up on Friday and Saturday.
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