SUB RESCUE - The US coastguard says that rescuers using sonars have detected underwater “banging sounds” in the North Atlantic, where a submersible disappeared on a dive to the Titanic shipwreck on Sunday. The Coast Guard said in a brief statement on Twitter that some of the remote-operated vehicles involved in the search have been relocated, in an attempt to determine the origin of the sounds. Searches are continuing. The 5 people aboard are now believed to have just over a day and a half of oxygen left. Contact with the sub was lost on Sunday, as it descended towards the wreck of the Titanic.
UKRAINE CONFERENCE - Leaders and representatives from more than 60 countries are attending a major conference in London today, aimed at securing funding for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The World Bank has put an estimate of $14 billion on Ukraine’s immediate needs for repairing the damage caused by the bitter fighting. But a recent study by the World Bank, the UN, the EU and the Ukrainian government said the wider recovery of the economy would cost $441 billion. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz compared the amount of money needed to the US-led Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe after World War II. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn are among the dignitaries attending the conference.
CONSTRUCTION AID - Minister for Housing Henri Kox, Minister of the Economy Franz Fayot, and Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Lex Delles have jointly presented a range of initiatives aimed at providing support to the struggling construction industry. Among the measures is an increase in the ceiling for a financing law, governing public construction projects, raising it from €40 to €60 million. To stimulate new business opportunities for small enterprises in the sector, crèches, drop-in centres and youth centres will receive increased subsidies to be used for renovation and modernisation.
VIRGINITY PETITION - More than 5,000 people have signed a petition calling for a ban on the issuance of virginity certificates, meaning it will be debated in parliament. Virginity certificates are issued by doctors at the request of the families of young girls or women. For the petitioners, these certificates infringe on the freedom and dignity of young women.
FUEL PRICE - The price of diesel, as well as heating fuel, has increased by over three cents per liter overnight. Diesel will now be priced at €1.467 per liter. The price of unleaded petrol remains the same. Heating fuel also costs 3 cents more.
NATIONAL DAY EVE - Luxembourg City council has unveiled its programme for Thursday night, preceding National Day. Official festivities will kick-off at 9.20pm with the traditional torch procession, followed by a number of free live concerts. LOST REQUENCIES, WADE and Flavour Trip on Thursday, and Ice In My Eyes, Francis of Delirium, The Script and The 1975 on Friday. The fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 11pm at Pont Adolphe and will last for about 17 minutes. An estimated 100,000 people are expected to flock to the capital on the eve of National Day. Bars have automatically been granted late-night opening permits for the occasion, meaning they can remain open and serve drinks until 3am.
FOOTBALL - Luxembourg’s national football team won 2-0 against Bosnia-Herzegovina last night. With that, the Red Lions are now in third place in their group in the European Championship qualification.
Elsewhere, Portugal beat Iceland 1-0, while Slovakia hold onto second place following a 1-0 win over Liechtenstein. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 123rd goal on his 200th appearance for Portugal.
EUROPEAN GAMES - Tonight is the official opening ceremony of the European Games in Krakow. Luxembourg’s Olympic Committee announced that the table tennis player Ni Xia Lian and the fencer Flavio Gianotte will carry the red-white-blue flag. The competitions started yesterday, with athletics. After the first day, Luxembourg is in last place in the 2nd division in 12 out of 37 disciplines. The only exception was a strong performance by Patrizia van der Weken, who won the 100 meter race.
CRICKET - Australia have won the first ashes test by 2 wickets on a nail biting final day at Edgebaston.
The morning starts off foggy, and a rather cloudy afternoon awaits us this Wednesday. There’s also a possibility of some rain showers starting in the late afternoon. Morning temperatures are around 19°C, rising to 23-26°C in the afternoon.
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