FATAL POLICE CHASE – A Belgian police officer and a suspect were killed late last night during a high-speed chase that crossed from Belgium into France, ending in a fatal crash between Angevillers and Thionville. The pursuit began around 11pm in Belgium after a motorist reportedly refused to stop for a police check. Emergency services and police were despatched in large numbers.
NEEDLE SPIKING – Luxembourg authorities have confirmed a needle-spiking attack during National Day celebrations, mirroring a spate of similar attacks recently reported in France at the nationwide Fête de la Musique at the weekend. While Luxembourg’s case appears isolated, Home Affairs Minister Léon Gloden stated police are investigating potential connections to the French occurrences.
https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2315142.html
SOCIETE GENERALE RAIDS – Authorities conducted simultaneous raids at Société Générale’s premises in Paris and its Luxembourg offices as part of an ongoing money laundering and tax fraud investigation. The operation, led by France’s National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF), resulted in four people – including senior bank executives – being taken into police custody.
SWIMMING BAN – Cooler temperatures have eliminated toxic algae blooms in the lift the swimming ban. The lifting of restrictions comes just four days after officials banned all water activities due to toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms detected near swimming areas last Friday.
NATO SUMMIT – NATO leaders are gathering in The Hague today for a summit tailor-made for US President Donald Trump, with European allies hoping a pledge to hike defence spending will prompt him to dispel doubts about his commitment to the alliance. The summit is expected to endorse a higher defence spending goal of 5% of GDP – a response to a demand by Trump and to Europeans’ fears that Russia poses an increasingly direct threat to their security following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
TRUMP ON IRAN/ISRAEL – Trump used an expletive while criticising both Israel and Iran after each accused the other of violating the ceasefire. Minutes later, he said the ceasefire was in effect. And US media are reporting that a classified US intelligence document has concluded that American strikes last weekend only set back Iran’s nuclear programme by just a few months, contradicting President Trump’s claim of total destruction.
BELGIUM STRIKE – Public transport will be disrupted and flights out of Brussels airports Zaventem and Charleroi will cancelled today, due to a general strike in Belgium. The strike, which includes a large demonstration in the centre of Brussels, is directed against the government and its planned pension and social benefit reforms. Train services are not likely to face significant disruptions, however, there are warnings of possible high number of passengers travelling in and out of the capital today.
FOOTBALL – In football’s Club World Cup, Chelsea beat Esperance of Tunisia 3-0 to set up a last 16 tie against Benfica Lisbon, who defeated Bayern Munich 1-0 earlier. Tonight, Dortmund play against Ulsan South Korea and Fluminense play against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Meanwhile in France, seven-time Ligue 1 champions Lyon said they will appeal their relegation to the second-tier by French football’s financial watchdog. At a hearing earlier in the day, Lyon were unable to convince the regulator (DNCG) to lift the restrictions it had put on the club in November. Lyon has qualified for next season’s Europa League after finishing sixth in the French top-flight. If their relegation is confirmed, they would be replaced in Ligue 1 by Reims.
CRICKET – Ben Duckett’s superb 149 laid the foundation for a record-breaking England win as they beat India by five wickets in a dramatic first Test at Headingley on Tuesday. Victory means England has become the first team to concede five individual hundreds in a first-class game – a span of more than 60,000 matches – and still win.
It’s generally quite hot, but progressively cloudy and even potentially rainy as we get closer to Thursday. Temperature-wise, we’re looking at 16–18°C at the low end, going up to a toasty 28–30°C in the afternoon. A slight breeze will be present throughout the day, and the sky should become cloudier as we approach the evening.
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