UNEMPLOYMENT INCREASE - Isabelle Schlesser, Director of the National Employment Agency (ADEM), has warned of an increase in job losses across Luxembourg in the coming months. She said that Luxembourg is still reeling from the economic aftershock of the Covid crisis and ongoing war in Ukraine, more than its neighbouring countries. Presently, the unemployment rate stands at 5.5%, with projections indicating a rise to 5.9% by the end of the year.
LUXEMBOURG GDP - Southern regions of the Republic of Ireland and Luxembourg had the highest GDP per capita in an EU region in 2022, but the recent ranking by Eurostat shows Luxembourg is now in second place. The rankings, which are based on regional GDP per capita expressed in purchasing power standards, demonstrate a wide disparity across the EU.
MEISCH INVESTIGATION - The Luxembourg prosecutor’s office has officially closed the case against Education and Housing Minister Claude Meisch, accused of a violent incident at a local restaurant, citing lack of evidence of any criminal offence.
CASINO REVENUE - The State earned 24 million euros in tax revenue from slot machines, card games, and roulette at Mondorf Casino last year. The Mondorf Casino is currently the only establishment in Luxembourg where gambling games are offered.
MICHELIN STAR - Regularly mentioned as one of the favourites to win a Michelin star, Apdikt in Steinfort has finally won over the inspectors in recent months. Its absence from the list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Luxembourg was almost an anomaly for some. So it’s finally the right year for the restaurant run by Belgian-Luxembourgish chef Mathieu Van Wetteren.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR - President Biden says he is hopeful a temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza could be reached by Monday. Representatives from the US have joined delegates from Qatar, Egypt and France in negotiating a deal. The arrangement could include the release of Israeli hostages, held by Hamas, in return for Palestinians being freed from jails in Israel.
UKRAINE WAR - French President Emmanuel Macron said European leaders have reached an agreement to increase funding for Ukraine in its war against Russia. He said heads of states have agreed they needed to do whatever is necessary to support Kyiv and that more military aid is urgently needed. In a press conference last night, Macron also said that he would not rule out Western ground troops being used in the Ukraine war.
SWEDEN NATO - The Swedish Prime Minister has described his country’s acceptance to NATO as historic. The country passed its final hurdle into the organisation after Hungary approved its accession.
SUMMER PARALYMPICS - International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons says he hopes the Paralympics in Paris will take place in full stadiums and has predicted the TV coverage will be the most extensive in history. The 16th Summer Paralympics start on August 28, just over two weeks after the Olympics. Less than one million tickets out of a total of 2.8 million have been sold so far, but the IPC president insisted that was a “normal” situation this long before a Paralympics.
CRICKET - England’s Ben Stokes said he tried to enjoy the professional journey despite losing his first Test series as captain against India. The tourists went down by five wickets on day four of the fourth Test in Ranchi, as the hosts took an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
TENNIS - Andy Murray has suggested he may retire within the next “few months” after winning his opening match in Dubai on Monday.T he former world number one battled back from a set down to beat Denis Shapovalov 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 and reach the second round. It meant he also recorded 500 hard-court wins, only the fifth player to do so in the Open era. But the 36-year-old admitted the ongoing toll on his body is ever harder to overcome.
Today will be a mostly cloudy but dry day, with a chance of sunny spells in the afternoon. Low temperatures will be between 3 and 6 degrees, with a high of 10 degrees expected in the afternoon.
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