MIDDLE EAST DEBATE – The situation in the Middle East was at the heart of a debate in the Chamber of Deputies yesterday, at the request of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP). The LSAP had also proposed a motion for the formal recognition of the State of Palestine. While all parties agreed that Israel’s situation and actions are unacceptable and that there are far too many civilian casualties, the motion was ultimately rejected by the majority. Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel advised against the motion, arguing that the timing was not right. He is scheduled to travel to Israel and Palestine in two weeks to meet local authorities.
HOUSING MEASURES – MPs passed a package of measures designed to revitalise Luxembourg’s housing market yesterday. Among other things, a “rental tax credit” will be introduced, aimed at helping buyers of properties, which are intended for rental.
SKELETON FIND – Renovation work at Neumünster Abbey has uncovered human skeletons from the Middle Ages or the 16th and 17th centuries, likely from a cemetery connected to an ancient hospice, as reported by the National Institute for Archaeological Research. The remains were uncovered during the renovation of Neumünster Abbey, specifically during the redevelopment of the Grund church forecourt.
LUXAIR RECORD – Luxair has recorded a 22% increase in passenger traffic last year. In total the airline transported a total of 2.5 million passengers across 32,000 flights. Italy emerged as the top destination served by the airline.
ROYAL BABY – Princess Alexandra and her husband Nicolas Bagory have become parents for the first time after the birth of their baby daughter. According to a statement issued by the Grand Ducal Palace, the little girl has been named Victoire and was born in Paris on Tuesday. Both mother and daughter are said to be doing well.
FRANCE MANHUNT – Gunmen attacked a prison van at a motorway toll in northern France yesterday, killing two prison officers, injuring three more and freeing a convict who had been jailed last week. President Macron has vowed that everything will be done to find the perpetrators and prisoners, who are still on the run. Special units and the army are now looking for them. So far, only two burnt-out getaway cars have been found. The prisoner Mohammed Amra was convicted of aggravated robbery and also charged in a case of abduction leading to death.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR – The US wants to continue supplying Israel with weapons, worth 1 billion dollars. It is not immediately known how soon the weapons would be delivered. President Biden had said that the US would stop sending arms and ammunition, if Israel were to launch a major ground offensive on Rafah. Meanwhile the United Nations have said that women and children are believed to make up at least 56% of those killed in Gaza since the start of the war.
GOOGLE AI – Google is set to revolutionise its search engine with AI-generated summaries, marking the most significant update in 25 years, aiming to enhance user experience and stay ahead in the competitive AI landscape. Google’s search results will feature an AI summary at the top of the page before the more typical unfurling of links.
CLIMATE RECORD – New research in the journal Nature confirms that the northern hemisphere’s summer of 2023 was the hottest in 2,000 years. Scientists say 2023 was the hottest year globally since records began, but the study indicates human-caused climate change pushed northern summer highs well beyond anything seen in two millennia.
FOOTBALL – In the English Premier League, Manchester City have one hand on the English Premier League title after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 last night. The defending champions are two points ahead of Arsenal, so if they win their final game of the season on Sunday, they will claim a fourth successive title. https://today.rtl.lu/sport/international/a/2195782.html
CYCLING – French cyclist Valentin Paret-Peintre won the 10th stage of the Giro d’Italia yesterday. The Slovenian Tadej Pogacar is still in the overall lead.
TENNIS – Daniil Medvedev’s Rome Open title defence has come to an early end after the world number four was knocked out at the last-16 stage by Tommy Paul, while Iga Swiatek cruised into the women’s semi-finals. Paul will play Hubert Hurkacz, who knocked out Rafael Nadal earlier in the tournament. Swiatek will face her toughest test, playing against third seed Coco Gauff on Friday.
A rather damp morning beckons… Fortunately, after this morning’s rain showers, things should start to clear up a little, resulting in dry conditions throughout the afternoon with the odd glimpse of sunshine.Morning temperatures start between 12–14°C, rising to around 16–18°C in the afternoon.
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