CONSTRUCTION SECTOR - Trade unions are warning that Luxembourg’s construction sector is facing social conflict. According to the OGBL and LCGB unions, negotiations for a new collective agreement for about 20,000 workers have become deadlocked. They say the group of entrepreneurs and construction companies refuse to listen to the unions’ legitimate demands. More details will be announced in a press conference, held by the trade unions this morning.
LUXAIR CANCELLATIONS - Instead of flying on holiday, many passengers of the national airline Luxair stayed on the ground over the holiday weekend. In fact, 16 flights in total were cancelled. Luxair’s CEO Gilles Feith said it had a big impact for many people. There were not only cancellations, but also delays. Over the weekend, several customers vented their anger and it was said that the cancellations were due to a lack of staff. According to unions, the cancellations were due to technical faults, such as a mechanical problem with one of its aircrafts.
NATO MEETING - NATO foreign ministers are meeting in Oslo for an informal meeting today and tomorrow, to discuss the current situation in the Ukrainian war. Luxembourg’s foreign minister Jean Asselborn and his counterparts will also be received by the Norwegian king, and will take part in a memorial ceremony for the victims of the terrorist attack in Oslo and Utoya in July 2011, which killed 77 people.
NORTH KOREA LAUNCH - North Korea has carried out a failed attempt to launch a military spy satellite prompting Japan and South Korea to urge millions of people to evacuate and seek shelter. The warnings were quickly dropped after it became clear that the rocket had crashed.
NATO KOSOVO - NATO will deploy an extra 700 troops to Kosovo, in response to clashes with Serb protesters. 30 peace keepers were injured during Monday’s unrest. The United States has accused Kosovo of raising ethnic tensions by forcibly installing ethnic Albanian mayors in Serb-majority areas.
FRANCE FACTORY - France has launched its first factory for electric vehicle batteries, taking a big step in its race to build up a sector dominated by China. The plant in Billy-Berclau is the first in a clutch of factories that are due to open over the next three years in a northern corridor billed as a “Battery Valley” for the rapidly growing industry. It is expected the area will recruit more than 20,000 people in the nex few years.
WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY - It’s World No Tobacco Day. This year’s theme is “We need food, not tobacco”. Here in Luxembourg, the proportion of smokers is getting smaller, especially among young people. 37% of smokers between the ages of 18 and 34 do not smoke regularly. E-cigarettes have also gained in popularity. The number of users has almost doubled. At the end of April, it was decided to increase the price of cigarettes by 20 cents a pack.
SMALL STATES GAMES - On the 2nd competition day at the Small States Games in Malta, Luxembourg has won its first medals. Nick Kunnert won bronze in judo in the weight class over 100 kilos, securing the first medal for Luxembourg. There were another 16 medals in total yesterday. In swimming and in athletics, Florian Frippiat won gold in the 200 meter breaststroke, Max Mannes was the fastest in the 200m backstroke and in athletics Patrizia van der Weken won gold in the 100m sprint. The Grand Duchy currently holds 3 gold, 6 silver and 8 bronze medals. Cyprus is in the lead, with 9 gold medals already. The Games continue today, including in the sports of swimming, table tennis and shooting.
TENNIS - It’s Day 4 at the French Open. Novak Djokovic is back in action today, playing Marton Fucsovics from Hungary and World Number 1 Carlos Alcaraz will continue his title bid against Japanese world number 112 Daniel in their first meeting on the ATP Tour. In the women, world number two Aryna Sabalenka, who could take the top ranking from reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek this week, faces Belarusian compatriot Shymanovich.
Today’s forecast calls for a rise in temperatures of up to 26°C and abundant sunshine. You will still need to watch out for those gusts of wind, but generally expect clear skies and the sun shining down on you.
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