WATER ALERT – Water levels have fallen sharply because of the dry weather, with the situation becoming critical in the north. The Water Management Authority says record low levels are being recorded in places. Taking water from rivers, streams, and ponds is now banned until further notice, and residents are urged to use drinking water sparingly.
MISSING PEOPLE – Police are still searching for two missing people. 17-year-old Marcio Antonio Soares Madeira was last seen on Friday at around 2pm. 48-year-old Ahmed Abdelkader has been missing since 8 July. Anyone with information is asked to contact police in Differdange or Diekirch/Vianden.
KATY PERRY – Pop star Katy Perry took a stroll through Luxembourg City yesterday, ahead of her open-air concert at LuxExpo tonight. She was seen walking hand in hand with partner and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the old town. Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel joined them, along with his husband Gauthier Destenay and their dog Aspro.
STATE INHERITANCE – An inheritance has helped fund the Tripartite agreement. The state received €400m through a single inheritance, without a direct heir. Finance Minister Roth revealed the figure to the Chamber's finance committee yesterday afternoon, presenting the latest state finance figures as robust. However, the government wants to limit the rise in spending next year.
FRANCE WILDFIRES – Two people have been arrested in France over the major wildfire in the Fontainebleau forest near Paris. More than 1,300 hectares have been destroyed, with some 600 firefighters and water bombing aircraft tackling the blaze. Serious wildfires have also broken out elsewhere in France, with 59 arrests made across the country on suspicion of arson or negligence. Southern Europe is also battling major wildfires.
IRAN WAR – The conflict between the US and Iran continues to escalate. American forces carried out further air strikes on Iran overnight, prompting renewed Iranian attacks on US military bases in the region. The UAE says Iran also attacked two of its oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one crew member.
President Trump has announced a new naval blockade against Iran, targeting Iranian ports and oil terminals. Neutral ships not heading to Iran will not be affected. Trump also wants a 20% tax on all goods transported through the region, to cover American costs securing the Strait of Hormuz. The UN's maritime organisation says there is no legal basis for this.
UKRAINE WAR – The coalition of Western allies backing Ukraine is to hold joint military manoeuvres in neighbouring countries in the coming months. French President Macron announced the plan after talks in Paris with German Chancellor Merz, British Prime Minister Starmer, and Ukrainian President Zelensky.
Macron says the coalition now has a multinational force ready for deployment, and wants to better protect Ukraine and Europe from Russian ballistic missiles. Today, Macron will preside over France's largest military parade since the Second World War, with British, Ukrainian, and Luxembourgish troops set to march down the Champs Elysees.
FOOTBALL – The first World Cup semi-final takes place tonight at 9pm, with France facing Spain. England play Argentina tomorrow evening.
CYCLING – Stage 10 of the Tour de France takes place today, 167km from Aurillac to Le Lioran. RTL TV has live coverage from 3pm. Tadej Pogacar keeps the yellow jersey.
HOCKEY – Luxembourg's hockey teams enjoyed a historic double at the EuroHockey Qualifiers in Helsinki. The women won gold, beating Hungary on penalties, while the men took bronze against Malta, also in a shoot-out. It's the first time both national teams have made it onto the podium in the same competition.
The heatwave wears on, and the yellow weather warning remains in place until midnight tonight. We will have a mainly sunny day with some clouds here and there and temperatures surpassing yesterdays… Starting at around 20°C in the morning, with highs of up to 33–35°C in the afternoon.
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