LABOUR DAY – Luxembourg’s trade unions are calling for mass protests next month against what they are calling “violent attacks” on workers’ rights. Leaders of the two largest trade unions – the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation and the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions – are urging members to mobilise for a major demonstration on 28 June. Speaking to a large crowd under the Neumünster Abbey bell tower in Luxembourg-Grund yesterday, OGBL President Nora Back stated the unions had formed an unprecedented united front and that their combined strength would resist policies favouring employers.
BANKING SECURITY – Luxembourg will implement mandatory name-IBAN verification for all online transfers starting 9 October. The move comes amid rising cyber threats. In Luxembourg alone, reported online fraud cases surged by over 20% in 2024 – a figure experts believe is even higher when accounting for unreported incidents. Ananda Kautz, Head of Innovations and Digital Affairs at the Luxembourg Bankers’ Association, explained that the measure will involve an automatic verification of the match between an IBAN number and the beneficiary’s name before processing payments.
OUTDOOR SWIMMING – With summer arriving, outdoor swimming will once again be permitted at a number of natural sites across the country. From 1 May until 30 September, swimming will be allowed at the Upper Sûre Lake (Stauséi), Wämper Séi in Weiswampach at Echternach Lake, and in the Remerschen lakes (Baggerweieren). According to Luxembourg’s Water Management Authority, water quality at these bathing sites is monitored and analysed regularly throughout the season.
BRAZIL VISIT – The Luxembourg government continues to diversify its financial sector, with South America emerging as a key focus. Minister of Finance Gilles Roth concluded a three-day mission to Brazil this week, meeting with his counterpart Fernando Haddad to discuss enhanced cooperation in sustainable finance. Roth reported positive discussions, noting Brazil’s particular interest in “blue” investments targeting water treatment and quality improvement. The minister highlighted Luxembourg’s existing ties with Brazil’s banking sector, noting that six of Brazil’s ten largest banks already operate from Luxembourg to manage their European activities.
UK POLITICS – Britain’s hard-right Reform UK party, led by anti-immigrant firebrand Nigel Farage, snatched a parliamentary seat from the ruling Labour party today in a blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Reform’s candidate, Sarah Pochin, won the by-election in Runcorn and Helsby in northwest England by just six votes over Labour candidate Karen Shore.
TEXT SCANDAL – US President Donald Trump has axed national security advisor Mike Waltz following a scandal over messages that were leaked in a chat group in March. In the first major cabinet shake-up of Trump’s new term, the president said Secretary of State Marco Rubio would now also serve as his interim national security advisor following Waltz’s departure. Waltz lasted just over 100 days of Trump’s second term.
US, UKRAINE – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said a landmark minerals deal with the US offered “equal” benefits for both sides even though the accord offered no concrete security guarantees for Kyiv. Russia later launched a large-scale drone attack on the central industrial city of Zaporizhzhia, ripping open a Soviet-era residential building and wounding 14 people after Zelensky urged allies to step up pressure on Moscow to end its invasion. The agreement, which has taken months to negotiate, would see Washington and Kyiv jointly develop and invest in Ukraine’s critical mineral resources. The agreement “changed significantly” during negotiations, Zelensky said in an address.
TARIFF NEGOTIATIONS – China has said it is evaluating a US offer for negotiations on tariffs but insisted Washington must be ready to scrap levies. It said any talks would first require concessions from the US side. US tariffs have reached 145 percent on many Chinese products, while Beijing has responded with fresh 125 percent duties on imports from the US. High-end tech goods such as smartphones, semiconductors and computers have received a temporary reprieve from US tariffs. President Trump has repeatedly claimed that China has reached out for talks on the tariffs, and this week said he believed there was a “very good chance we’re going to make a deal”.
FOOTBALL – Manchester United cruised to a commanding 3–0 victory last night over 10-man Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-final first leg, taking a big step towards the final in Spain. Bruno Fernandes struck twice as Manchester United put one foot in the Europa League final with a clinical away performance last night. The fervent home fans were enraged when Athletic defender Daniel Vivian was sent off for pulling back Rasmus Hojlund and Fernandes slotted home the resulting penalty, after Casemiro had opened the scoring against the run of play in the semi-final first leg.
SWIMMING – US freestyle great Katie Ledecky posted the second-fastest 400m free time of her career yesterday, clocking 3min 56.81sec at the TYR Pro Swim Series meeting in Florida. The competition also saw the return to action of Paris Olympic star Leon Marchand, who posted a personal best finishing third in the men’s 400m free in his first race in four months.
NBA – Jalen Brunson scored 40 points as the New York Knicks clinched a series victory over the Detroit Pistons while the Los Angeles Clippers downed the Denver Nuggets to set up a titanic NBA playoff decider on Thursday. Brunson drained a game-winning three-pointer with four seconds remaining to give the Knicks a thrilling 116-113 win over the Pistons and seal a 4-2 series triumph.
In the Western Conference, the Clippers beat the Nuggets 111-105 at the Intuit Dome to level their series 3-3 and force a decisive game seven in Denver on Saturday.
We are in for another summery day with non-stop sunshine and warm temperatures to boot. Temperature-wise, we are already starting off in double digits, 12 – 14°C this morning, rising to a beautiful 25°C – 27°C later on.
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