COLLECTIVE LEAVE - It’s the start of the “congé collectiv” (collective leave) today. That is the mandatory summer leave for construction workers in Luxembourg. For 3 weeks, until the 18th of August, most construction sites will be closed.
WILDFIRE PARTICLES - The ongoing wildfires in Canada have impacted the skies above Luxembourg and the Greater Region. The Canadian Rocky Mountains currently have forest fires raging in several areas, resulting in the evacuation of around 10,000 people from the city of Jasper and its national park. According to Meteolux the wildfires have most likely contributed to an increased concentration of particles - an aerosol layer, as it is known - which was measured at a height of 5-8 kilometres. As long as the particles remain in the upper atmosphere, such phenomena do not have a negative impact on the air quality on the ground.
FAKE EMAILS - The Grand Ducal police have said a number of people have received fake emails purporting to be from the police themselves, as well as from Bee Secure, the Luxembourg judiciary, and foreign police authorities. As a rule, the senders accuse the victim of having committed a crime in an attempt to extort money in the form of a false fine. Police say these emails are fakes and should be ignored and deleted. It is advised to inform elderly relatives or neighbours about the scam.
OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY - Paris is bracing for an incredible Olympics opening ceremony today. Thousands of athletes are set to sail through central Paris during an unprecedented and high-risk Olympics opening ceremony that will showcase the country’s hugely ambitious vision for the Games. The parade this evening will see up to 7,500 competitors travel down a six-kilometre stretch of the river Seine on a flotilla of 85 boats. The line-up of performers is a closely guarded secret but US pop star Lady Gaga and French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura are rumoured to be among them.
It will be the first time a Summer Olympics has opened outside the main athletics stadium, a decision fraught with danger at a time when France is on its highest alert for terrorism.
DRUG LEADERS ARRESTED - The US authorities say they have arrested one of the world’s most wanted drug lords. Ismael Zambada, known as “El Mayo” was detained in Texas, along with Guzman Lopez, the son of the drug lord known as “El Chapo”. They were involved in running Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa Cartel. They face multiple charges for funneling huge quantities of drugs to US streets, including fentanyl, which has surged to become the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45.
SUMMER TRAFFIC - This weekend is predicted to have the worst traffic jams of the season. According to the ADAC, Germany’s Automobile Club, the combination of school holidays and construction sites are reasons to cause serious delays. The French motorway service (Bison Futé) has also issued a warning - they say major difficulties will start today in the Île-de-France region, with the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Saturday - tomorrow is regarded as “journée noire” (Black Saturday) for the whole of France.
OLYMPICS 2024 – Table tennis star Ni Xia Lian and shot put athlete Bob Bertemes will carry the Luxembourg flag at today’s opening ceremony for the Paris Games. Both were selected for their athletic prowess and successful careers so far. This will be the sixth Games for Ni Xia Lian, while Bob Bertemes is set to appear for the second time, although he is likely to bring his professional career to an end following the Olympics.
In the women’s Olympic football openers, reigning Ballon d’Or Aitana Bonmati scored one goal and helped create another as World Cup holders Spain beat Japan 2-1 in their first game yesterday, while record four-time gold medallists the United States beat Zambia 3-0. France survived a wobble to beat Colombia 3-2 in Lyon. The USA and Germany meet each other in Marseille on Sunday.
In rugby, Antoine Dupont inspired France to a thrilling 26-14 Olympic sevens quarter-final win over Argentina on a pulsating night at the Stade de France that also saw New Zealand suffer a shock exit. Meanwhile, double gold medallists Fiji survived a huge scare from an outstanding Ireland, narrowly retaining their unvanquished Olympic record with a dramatic come-from-behind 19-15 win.
RUGBY - Former French Ligue 1 champions Bordeaux said they will become an amateur club for the first time in almost 90 years after filing for bankruptcy. They had announced earlier in the week that they would accept their relegation to the third-tier Championnat National by French football’s financial watchdog, the DNCG. The club needs to find 40 million euros to balance their books and had been in talks with the owners of Liverpool, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), before the American investors pulled out of negotiations earlier this month.
After a glimpse of summer yesterday, we are back to clouds and rain Starting off with some rain showers this morning, it will be mainly overcast and cloudy for the rest of the day with more rain to come in the evening. Temperature-wise, we’ll dance out of bed to the familiar tune of the 13-15°C range, going up to 23-25°C in the afternoon.
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