LUXEMBOURG EU COMMISSIONER - The question of who will serve as the next Luxembourg commissioner under Ursula von der Leyen is yet to be resolved. The Ministry of State said Prime Minister Luc Frieden was due to meet with the commission president over the coming days, following which a proposal would be made. In the running for the position of EU Commissioner are CSV MEP Christophe Hansen, and LSAP commissioner and European leader of the Social Democrats Nicolas Schmit.
MEP VOTES AGAINST UKRAINE - Despite parliamentary conservative group ADR supporting an EU resolution to continue supporting Ukraine, Luxembourg ADR MEP Fernand Kartheiser chose to vote against it. In a press release, the MEP said Ukraine had no chance of winning the war with Russia on a military level, so the conflict could only be resolved diplomatically. As a consequence, he said he supported Hungarian prime minister Victor Orban’s efforts to seek dialogue with Moscow and Beijing.
LUXEMBOURG AGAINST BOYCOTT - In response to Hungarian prime minister Victor Orban’s visits to Moscow, Beijing and meetings with Donald Trump, re-appointed Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen decided the European Commission would only be represented by senior civil servants, as an informal boycott of EU councils. However, the Luxembourg government said it would not be participating in the boycott. Ministers Frieden and Bettel said it was important for Luxembourg to continue to represent its political standpoints at EU councils.
US FIRM MOVES IN - US manufacturer Lyten confirmed on Thursday plans to install their European headquarters in Luxembourg, in what ministers and the company’s CEO called a “success story”. The plans to set up the company’s headquarters in the Grand Duchy were first announced last year, and are now confirmed to go ahead courtesy of a 15 million euro investment by the Luxembourg government.
BANGLADESH PROTESTS - Bangladesh awoke on Friday to survey destruction left by the deadliest day of ongoing student protests so far, which saw government buildings torched by demonstrators and a nationwide internet blackout in effect. This week’s unrest has killed at least 39 people including 32 on Thursday, with the toll expected to rise further after reports of clashes in nearly half of the country’s 64 districts. A police statement issued after a near-total shutdown of the nation’s internet said protesters had torched, vandalised and carried out “destructive activities” on numerous police and government offices.
US PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION - Donald Trump predicted an “incredible victory” on Thursday while accepting the Republican presidential nomination from a party euphoric over his escape from assassination and buoyed by the apparent implosion of Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. It was his first speech since a 20-year-old man shot at him, causing a wound to one ear and killing a bystander during a rally last weekend.
PARIS OFFICER ATTACKED - A man was fatally shot by police in Paris after injuring an officer with a knife, as the city gears up to host the Olympic Games. The attacker, a Senegalese national previously known to police, died after the confrontation, and a criminal investigation into the attack on the officer has been launched. Police stated that a terrorist motive is not suspected.
ICJ INVESTIGATION - The UN’s top court will on Friday hand down its view on the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967, amid growing international pressure over the war in Gaza. Any opinion delivered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would be non-binding, but it comes amid mounting concern over Israel’s war against Hamas sparked by the group’s brutal October 7 attacks. A separate high-profile case brought before the court by South Africa alleges that Israel has committed genocidal acts during its Gaza offensive.
FOOTBALL - Ligue 1 side Marseille announced on Thursday they have signed striker Mason Greenwood from Manchester United despite the objection of some of the French club’s fans. The 22-year-old, who has played once for England, was suspended in January 2022 by Manchester United following allegations of attempted rape and sexual assault but prosecutors dropped charges in February 2023. He spent last season on loan at Getafe in La Liga.
FORMULA 1 - Danish driver Kevin Magnussen said he was “disappointed” to lose his seat at team Haas but insisted that he was aiming to stay in Formula One next year with a rival team. Magnussen has been with Haas for two spells adding up to a seven-year association. His end-of-season departure was confirmed by the American team on Thursday.
Get ready to wear that summer dress you’ve been saving! What’s the special occasion, you ask? The one week of summer in Luxembourg has finally arrived. Today promises to be hot with mostly clear skies, so put on your sunglasses and enjoy the sunshine! Also, remember to stay hydrated.
The morning starts off pleasantly cool at 14-19°C, rising to 26-29°C in the afternoon. As evening draws in, expect temperatures to drop only slightly to 23-27°C.
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