ROYAL APPOINTMENT – The Ministry of State and the Maison du Grand-Duc have announced that the forthcoming appointment of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume as Lieutenant Representative is set to take place on 8 October. This follows the National Day announcement regarding initial steps toward a future change in the throne. The scheduled events include the signing of the corresponding grand ducal regulation at the palace, followed by a swearing-in ceremony in the Chamber of Deputies, as mandated by the Constitution.
CORPORATION TAX CUT – The government plans to reduce corporate income tax by 1% next year, as announced by Minister of Finance Gilles Roth in his March budget speech, aligning with the CSV-DP coalition agreement. Despite positive state finance developments in the first half of the year, opposition parties are critical of this proposal. The 1% rate cut is projected to reduce state revenue by €38 million annually. However, Minister Roth argues that the reduction could ultimately increase revenue, explaining that lower taxes do not necessarily equate to less income.
ETTELBRUCK HELICOPTER – Minister for Home Affairs Léon Gloden has announced plans to relocate the heliport at Ettelbruck hospital to a new site as part of a medium-term initiative, with the specific location yet to be revealed. Over the past six years, the helicopter operating from the Centre Hospitalier du Nord in Ettelbruck has conducted approximately 3,100 missions.
VIANDEN POOL REOPENS – Following an incident in 2019 that led to its closure, the Vianden swimming pool has now partially reopened. While no injuries occurred, concerns over compliance prompted its closure, explained Pol Petry, a member of the Vianden aldermen council (Schäfferot). The decision to close the pool five years ago, instead of renovating it, was based on a report by the Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM), highlighting its outdated infrastructure after 50 years of operation. From July, part of the Vianden pool will be accessible again, offering visitors views of the iconic Vianden castle.
ORBAN ANNOYANCE – Hungary is frustrating its EU partners with a go-it-alone diplomatic initiative on Ukraine by its Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, which has been slammed as rogue troublemaking. Hungary’s partners are incensed that Orban used the EU presidency logo during back-to-back bilateral trips to Kyiv, Moscow and Beijing – a blurring of lines that drew sharp reprimands from Brussels. Orban, the EU leader friendliest to Putin and a populist who models himself on Donald Trump, is a longtime thorn in Brussels’ side for his government’s stances which often run contrary to the bloc’s democratic principles and rule of law.
NATO SUPPORT – US President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced a major package of air defence for Ukraine as doubts over his political survival clouded the start of a NATO summit in Washington. Leaders from the 32-nation military alliance were looking to put on a show of resolve against Russia during three days of pomp-filled ceremony in the US capital marking NATO’s 75th anniversary. The US pledge comes on top of two new Patriot systems already being given by Germany and Romania, along with another the Netherlands has said it is putting together with parts from other allies.
ISRAEL/GAZA CONFLICT – A deadly strike hit a school turned shelter in southern Gaza on Tuesday as Israeli forces in the war-ravaged territory’s main city pushed on with a major offensive that has again displaced Palestinians. A hospital source in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza said at least 29 people were killed when the school was hit in nearby Abasan.
ARREST WARRANT – Russia on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for Yulia Navalnaya, accusing the exiled opposition figure of participating in an “extremist organisation”. A court said it had “approved the request of the investigators and decided a preventive measure in the form of detention for two months”. Navalnaya has vowed to continue the work of her husband Alexei Navalny, Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s main opponent who died in an Arctic prison in February.
FOOTBALL – In last night’s Euro 2024 semi-final match between Spain and France, the Spanish secured their spot in the final with a 2-1 victory over the French and will face either England or the Netherlands who play their semi-final match this evening.
TENNIS – At Wimbledon, Daniil Medvedev defeated Jannik Sinner in five sets to secure his place in the men’s semi-finals, with Carlos Alcaraz overcoming an early setback to eventually dispatch Tommy Paul to secure his place in last four. In the women’s quarter final games, Jasmine Paolini defeated Emma Navarro and Donna Vekic overcame Lulu Sun to progress to the semi-final stage.
After yesterday’s scorching temperatures, today returns to the rainy conditions we’ve all got used to.
We’ll have largely cloudy skies throughout the day, interspersed with the odd rain shower, especially in the afternoon.
The morning’s temperatures start off at 17–19°C, rising to 22–24°C in the afternoon, before dropping slightly to 20–22°C in the evening.
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