EMPLOYMENT FIGURES - Luxembourg’s statistics agency STATEC has published new figures on employment. They show that only one in four employees hold Luxembourgish nationality and that a significant 47% are cross-border workers. A closer look at the workforce composition also unveils gender disparities, with 31% of women opting for part-time employment compared to a mere 7% of men.
TEXT SCAM - A recent increase in scam reports has prompted the police to issue a public warning about a new form of fraudulent activity affecting residents in Luxembourg, beginning with a text message from ‘CCSS/CNS’ and ending with unauthorised withdrawals using stolen credit card details.The scam typically begins with victims receiving a text message informing them of an issue with their credit card and prompting them to update their details. The police urge residents to exercise caution and ignore any messages containing the subject ‘CCSS/CNS’.
SWIMMING SEASON - As the bathing season kicks off tomorrow, Luxembourg is preparing to welcome visitors to its various lakes and ponds. Wednesday will see the opening of the two Weiswampach lakes, Upper Sûre Lake, Remerschen Ponds, and Echternach Lake. While water quality remains good, if not excellent, the water temperature may prove bracing for some. Despite the official start of the 2024 bathing season, which will run until 30 September, temperatures in May have certainly been higher in the past.
US SHOOTING - Eight law enforcement officers were shot, four fatally, during a shootout outside of a home in North Carolina. Officers were serving a warrant to a man for illegal gun possession when he started shooting. Officers shot back and fatally struck the man.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR - Hopes have risen for a possible Gaza truce and hostage release deal after almost seven months of war. Washington’s top diplomat Anthony Blinken said he was “hopeful” Hamas would accept the offer, which his British counterpart said could see the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners. After meeting in Cairo, the Hamas delegation has left Egypt “to discuss the ideas and the proposal... and are keen to respond as quickly as possible”.
UK IMPORT CHECKS - Four years after Brexit, the UK today begins charges for food and plant imports from the EU. Mainly agricultural products are affected, such as cheese, yogurt, sausages, or even flowers. In addition, taxes of up to 145 pounds per load must be paid on certain products. Business fear the charges will push up prices and lead to less consumer choice as European suppliers withdraw from the UK.
G7 ENERGY - Energy ministers from the Group of Seven, G7 major democracies have reached a deal to shut down their coal-fired power plants by 2035. This was confirmed at the G7 meeting, taking place in Turin. Today, ministers will issue a joint declaration of intent. The agreement on coal marks a significant step in the direction to phase out fossil fuels, of which coal is the most polluting.
EU ENLARGEMENT - EU Foreign ministers met yesterday and today at an informal General Council in Brussels. Yesterday evening there was already a ceremony to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the EU enlargement in 2004. At that time, 10 countries joined the Union. This morning Xavier Bettel and his counterparts will meet ministers and representatives of those countries that also want to join the EU - 9 countries currently have the status of official accession candidates. The most recent are Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine.
FOOTBALL - Today and tomorrow sees the semi-final matches in the Champions League. Tonight, Bayern Munich meets Real Madrid at home. And tomorrow Dortmund will face Paris St Germain. Both matches will be streamed live on RTL Today with an English live ticker from 9pm.
TENNIS - Rafael Nadal said he is doing his best to “keep dreaming” after he extended his stay at the Madrid Open by winning a three-hour tussle with Argentina’s Pedro Cachin 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 on Monday.Contesting his home tournament one last time before retirement, the five-time champion gave the world number 91 his shirt after Cachin asked him for a memento from the match. Meanwhile Ons Jabeur called out organisers of European tournaments for giving men preferential treatment at combined events and said “they need to respect women more.” She said women players were not given the same access to practice courts and were on television less.
BOXING - It has been confirmed that former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson’s fight against YouTube sensation Jake Paul in Dallas will be a sanctioned heavyweight professional bout. The fight, taking place on July 20 will be over eight two-minute rounds with the result to count on the record of both Paul and Tyson, who lost his last official bout in 2005.
Today will largely be dry and warm. There might be some low-lying mist in the morning, burning off to an overcast sky with the odd glimpse of sunshine in the afternoon. In the evening, expect scattered rain showers, with a gentle breeze throughout. Temperatures start off at 8-10ºC in the morning, rising to highs of 22-24ºC in the afternoon.
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