EU SUMMIT – Prime Minister Luc Frieden is in Brussels for an EU summit dominated by the war in Ukraine and the European economy. Arriving at the summit, Frieden welcomed the US-Iran framework agreement, saying Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. He also said Luxembourg has an interest in seeing energy and fertiliser supplies resume from the region, to help bring prices down. Talks opened with Ukrainian President Zelensky, focused on new credit-financed support and EU accession negotiations. Discussions then turned to the trade deficit with China. Talks ran until half past one this morning. Today's agenda turns to the EU's 2028 to 2034 budget, with difficult discussions expected. The summit is due to run into this afternoon.
SHOP OPENING HOURS – New rules on shop opening hours come into force today, six months after the law was passed. Shops can now open from 5am to 9pm on weekdays, closing at 7pm on weekends and public holidays. The new rules also apply to petrol stations, except for around 35 located on motorways and main roads, which can continue longer hours. Food shops can extend hours further under exemption, up to midnight or even 24 hours.
EUROPEAN SCHOOLS – A new European secondary school is to be built in Schifflange, after the Chamber passed the corresponding bill. The school will take five years to build, cost €21.4 million, and accommodate 1,000 pupils. Education Minister Claude Meisch says demand is high, with only around one in four applicants able to secure a place at the existing Differdange-Esch international school this year.
HEAT ALERT – An orange heat alert is in force from today, with health authorities also declaring a level 3 heat alert, the second highest level. The heat is expected to last several days, with no real cooling at night as temperatures stay above 20°C. Locally, it could feel as hot as 39°C from Monday. Visits are being organised for over-75s living alone, with the Red Cross handling registrations. The Labour Inspectorate is recommending precautions, including limiting heavy physical work and ensuring sufficient water is available for workers. There's no nationwide school closure, though lessons should be adapted to the heat, with individual municipalities or schools able to decide locally.
COVID LAW – The Covid law expires on 30 June. Health Minister Martine Deprez told parliament yesterday that anyone still wearing a mask after that point could potentially face penalties. The law will not be extended. LSAP MP Mars di Bartolomeo had called for an extension due to the legal uncertainty around masks, but the motion was rejected.
UK POLITICS – Labour's Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election, taking almost 25,000 votes and beating Reform UK's Robert Kenyon by more than 9,000. The result paves the way for Burnham to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership.
IRAN WAR – A signing ceremony for the US-Iran framework agreement, due to take place in Switzerland today, has been cancelled. Mediator Pakistan said the deal had already been signed remotely. The 14-point agreement aims to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with phased sanctions relief and a 60-day deadline for a final settlement.
HEATWAVE – Temperatures continue to rise across western Europe as a new heatwave grips the continent. Forecasts show highs in the upper 30s, locally approaching 40°C in parts of Spain, France and Italy, with heat alerts in force in several countries.
FOOTBALL – At the World Cup, Czech Republic and South Africa drew 1-1. Switzerland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1. Canada thrashed Qatar 6-0. Mexico beat South Korea 1-0 and have already secured top spot in their group, qualifying early for the knockout stage. Tonight at 9pm, the US plays Australia, followed by Scotland against Morocco at midnight. Brazil, still without the injured Neymar, play Haiti at 2.30am and Turkey face Paraguay at 5am tomorrow.
SWIMMING – There's a new national record in swimming. At a meet in Indianapolis, Rémy Fabiani finished the 50m backstroke final in 25.29 seconds, placing joint seventh. Quintin McCarty came in first spot, clocking 24.45 seconds.
Meteolux has issued an orange heat warning for today, with hot, sunny conditions expected and 13 hours of sunshine forecast. Temperatures start at 21 to 23°C this morning, climbing to a maximum of 36°C this afternoon. Thunderstorms are likely later in the day.
Stay connected: Tune in to RTL Today Radio, now on 93.3 FM and DAB+, and be sure to catch our full bulletin on the hour, every hour, and headlines at half past the hour.
