HEAT ALERT – The national weather service Meteolux has issued a fresh heat warning for today, with temperatures expected to climb above 30°C. People with health conditions are advised to stay in the shade and avoid physical exertion.
HOPPING PROCESSION – Thousands of pilgrims and dancers are expected in Echternach for the annual hopping procession, one of the country's most distinctive traditions and a UNESCO-listed piece of cultural heritage. The event honours Saint Willibrord, and gets underway with an address by Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich at 9.15 in the morning. The last groups are expected to reach the basilica by early afternoon.
FERTILISER SUPPLIES – EU agriculture ministers are meeting in Brussels today to discuss fertiliser supplies, which have soared in price in the wake of the Iran war. Luxembourg's Martine Hansen is among those at the table. Last week the European Commission unveiled a new action plan to shield farmers from high prices and import dependency, with 200 million euros from the agricultural reserve to be released directly to farmers.
IRAN WAR – The US military says it has launched fresh strikes on southern Iran, targeting missile sites and boats attempting to lay mines. Central Command says the strikes were taken in self-defence, and come even as American and Iranian officials report some progress in ongoing ceasefire talks.
LEBANON STRIKES – Meanwhile the Israeli army has started a wave of strikes across Lebanon following an announcement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel will intensify its attacks on Hezbollah.
POPE AI – Pope Leo has published his first encyclical, focusing on artificial intelligence. In the document, titled "Magnificica Humanitas", the Pontiff insists AI must always serve human values, and that decisions over life and death must never be left to machines.
UKRAINE WAR – Russia has warned foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Kyiv, saying it plans fresh strikes on the Ukrainian capital targeting what it calls decision-making centres and command posts. Moscow's foreign ministry urged embassy staff and international organisation personnel yesterday to evacuate the city as soon as possible.
EUROPE HEATWAVE – Europe is sweltering in its first heatwave of the year. May temperature records broke yesterday in several French cities including Brest, Rennes and Nantes, with highs around 34°C. The UK also set a new May record at Heathrow, reaching 33.5°C. In Germany, authorities report six people drowned over the holiday weekend, four of them children or young people.
SONNY ROLLINS RIP – Jazz legend Sonny Rollins has died at the age of 95. One of the most celebrated saxophonists and composers, Rollins passed away in New York. Over a career spanning decades, he worked alongside giants including Miles Davis and John Coltrane, and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
FOOTBALL – FC Atert Biissen have been crowned BGL Ligue champions following 1-0 victory over Differdange on the final matchday. Biissen make history as the first club from northern Luxembourg to ever with the championship title and will now also enter next season's UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds.
In German football, Wolfsburg have been relegated from the Bundesliga after 29 years in the top flight, beaten in a play-off by Paderborn.
Iran's World Cup squad will be based in Mexico rather than the United States. FIFA relocated the team after the US declined to host them, with both sides officially citing distance to stadiums as the reason. Iran's opening matches are in Los Angeles.
FORMULA 1 – Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli has made Formula One history, becoming the first driver ever to win each of his first four Grand Prix in succession. The Mercedes driver claimed victory at the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday, extending his lead in the drivers' championship to 43 points.
CYCLING – The Giro d'Italia resumes today after a rest day, with a tough mountain stage from Bellinzona to Cari. Jonas Vingegaard leads the general classification, more than two minutes clear of his nearest rivals.
After a long weekend of sunshine, there's more of the same on the way, and then some. The morning will start gentle at 14–16°C, but by afternoon the thermometer hits 33°C.
Skies will stay completely clear with bright sunshine from start to finish.
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