WAGE INDEXATION - The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies has released its latest projections, confirming that Luxembourg’s workforce will likely benefit from another wage indexation in 2023. Following the introduction of the economic tax credit in July, which boosted wages and pensions for workers and retirees, STATEC predicts that the next wage indexation will likely be triggered in August or September. The anticipated increase is set at 2.5% for both wages and pensions, marking the third such rise in 2023.
BUSES TO UKRAINE - Luxembourg, along with ten other European Union member states, has donated a number of buses to help pupils in Ukraine return to school. The European Commission said 214 school buses had been dispatched to Romania from 11 EU countries, with 65 more on the way. The buses from the Grand Duchy were donated by Luxembourg City.
HOLIDAY ANIMALS - The Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration has issued a statement emphasising the potential risks of bringing animals from foreign countries. The concern primarily revolves around animals with unknown health conditions or inadequate documentation. One of the most significant dangers associated with this practice is the potential reintroduction of rabies from holiday destinations. Luxembourg has been free of this incurable and fatal virus since 2001.
TIKTOK BAN - A public petition advocating a ban on the social media app TikTok is poised to not receive enough signatures to be discussed in parliament. A video of a girl being beaten and harassed in Luxembourg City inspired a resident to submit the petition, calling for an outright ban of the popular video app. More than 1,200 people have signed the petition, which falls short of the threshold of 4,500 signatures to be eligible for discussion. The petition in question will expire at midnight on 9 August.
UKRAINE WAR - The Russian military says it has shot down drones targeting Moscow, but one, struck the same office tower that was hit over the weekend. The mayor of Moscow said no injuries had been reported. Meanwhile six people, including a 10-year-old girl and her mother, were killed in a Russian missile strike in the home city of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday. Around 69 people were also injured, some in critical condition when the missile struck a residential building in Kryvyi Rih, in central Ukraine.
ANGUS CLOUD DIES - Angus Cloud, who starred on the HBO hit series Euphoria, has died aged 25. No cause of death was given for the actor, who portrayed laconic drug dealer Fezco “Fez” O’Neill in the multiple Emmy Award-winning series. A statement said Cloud had been struggling to deal with the recent passing of his father, and had experienced ongoing mental health issues.
PAUL REUBENS DIES - Paul Reubens, the US comic who became famous in the 1980s for playing eccentric man-child Pee-wee Herman, and later infamous for his arrest at an adult theatre, has died aged 70. Reubens passed away on Sunday after a six-year battle with cancer which he had not publicly disclosed.
WORLD YOUTH DAY - The world’s largest Catholic event, a week-long religious festival known as World Youth Day, kicks off in Lisbon today, a day before Pope Francis arrives on his first foreign trip since recent surgery. Around 300,000 people are expected to attend the opening mass at 7:00 pm. The pope is due to make 11 public pronouncements and hold numerous meetings, and on Saturday will visit the shrine of Fatima north of Lisbon.
SUPERMOON TONIGHT - Stargazers are getting ready for not one but two supermoons this month – culminating in a rare blue moon. The supermoon phenomenon takes place when a full moon is near its closest point to earth, making it appear bigger and brighter. People will get to see the first this evening, as the full moon rises in the southeast from a mere 357,530km away. It will be even closer on the night of Wednesday, 30 August, and because it is the second full moon in the same month, it is known as a blue moon.
FOOTBALL - The return matches in the 2nd round of the qualification for the Europa Conference League kick off today. Swift Hesper meets The New Saints from Wales at 8 o’clock in the Stade de Luxembourg. Tomorrow F91 Dudelange will play against Gzira United from Malta.
At the Women’s World Cup, today is the finale in groups D and E. At 9 o’clock, Portugal will face the USA and the Netherlands play Vietnam. And at 1 in the afternoon, England plays China whilst Denmark take on Haiti.
CRICKET - Stuart Broad enjoyed a fairytale finish as England beat Australia by 49 runs to win the fifth Test at The Oval on Monday and end the Ashes series all square at 2-2. Australia, chasing a mammoth 384 to win, slumped from 264-3 to 334 all out, with the retiring cricketer Stuart Broad wrapping up the match with the final two wickets.
Expect a rainy start to the day, but the morning showers will give way to a temporary dry spell with dense clouds and occasional sunshine. In the afternoon, there is a risk of some thunderstorms as a few more rain showers move in from the west, though the sun will still make appearances between them. Morning temperatures will start at 14-17°C, rising to highs of 20°C in the afternoon.
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