FOOD DELIVERY DRIVERS – Luxembourg's Labour Ministry has called for stricter oversight of food delivery platforms, following a meeting on Wednesday addressing concerns over riders' pay and conditions. Minister Marc Spautz wants increased checks on undeclared work, after around 160 Wolt riders staged a protest on 12 June. Trade unions OGBL and LCGB say riders often work over 12 hours a day for less than minimum wage, and are calling for employee status rather than self-employment. Wolt says it supports the EU's platform work directive and wants constructive dialogue with riders' representatives.
CYCLIST DEATH – A cyclist died in a crash yesterday morning, near Trier, in Pluwig. A lorry turning lost control and struck the cyclist. Help came too late for the 57-year-old man. The lorry driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Luxembourg's Air Rescue also attended.
NEW PETITIONS – From today, 14 new petitions are open for signature on the Chamber's website. If any reach 5,500 signatures by 5 August, they will be debated in parliament. Among them: a call to declare a national housing emergency, a proposal for parents who stay home to care for their children to receive a bonus and pension contributions, a call to take the French nuclear plant Cattenom off the grid, a proposal to lower the driving age to 17, and a call for tougher action against hard drugs in public spaces.
LUXEMBOURG PULL – Once a coveted destination for European civil servants, Luxembourg has seen its appeal fade as soaring housing costs make postings to the Grand Duchy increasingly unattractive. The situation has become so acute that the European Commission, Parliament, and Court of Justice are now struggling to fill vacancies in the Grand Duchy.
VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKE – Venezuela has been hit by two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, among the strongest recorded this year. Major damage and casualties are feared. The US Geological Survey warns the death toll could reach into the thousands, possibly as high as 10,000. The capital, Caracas, was also affected. A state of emergency has been declared in Venezuela.
IRAN US TALKS – Talks between the United States and Iran are expected to continue next week, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They are due to take place on Monday or Tuesday, likely again in Switzerland, as both sides work to flesh out a framework agreement aimed at securing peace.
EUROPEAN HEATWAVE – Europe is battling record breaking heat, with around 94 million people facing temperatures above 35°C, mainly in France and Spain. France recorded its hottest day since 1947, while Britain hit its highest-ever June temperature of 36.1°C. Scientists say climate change made the heatwave 2 to 4°C hotter, and the WHO warns it's putting Europeans' health at risk.
UKRAINE CONFERENCE – A major conference on rebuilding Ukraine opens in Gdansk today, but without President Zelensky, who is boycotting it amid a diplomatic row with Warsaw. Kyiv is seeking international investment, but the event is overshadowed by both the ongoing war and the rift with Poland over a Ukrainian military unit's name.
FOOTBALL – At the World Cup, in Group A, the last two matches finished in the early hours. South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 to reach the knockout stage. Mexico also won their third match without conceding, beating the Czech Republic 3-0. Tonight at 10pm, Curaçao play Côte d'Ivoire, and Germany face Ecuador. At 1am, it's Japan against Sweden and Tunisia against the Netherlands. And at 4am tomorrow morning, Paraguay take on Australia, and Turkey play the United States.
Brazil have won Group C, beating Scotland 3-0. Neymar came on as a substitute in the 76th minute. Scotland still face an anxious wait to see if they've made it through to the knockout rounds. Morocco finished second in the group, after a 4-2 win over Haiti.
In Group B, Switzerland beat Canada 2-1 to top the group, while Bosnia also reached the last 16, after a 3-1 win over Qatar.
Luxembourg City is bringing back public World Cup screenings at the Glacis, from 4 to 19 July, covering matches from the round of 16 through to the final. Entry is free, with food stalls and DJ sets between games.
TENNIS – Chris Rodesch was knocked out in the second round of Wimbledon qualifying, losing in two sets, 6-2 and 6-4, to Dusan Lajovic.
The red alert is on until Friday at the very least, but considering that we're expecting some of the hottest temperatures during the weekend, it's likely going to be in effect all the way until Sunday. As for today, we have interrupted sun all day with temperatures starting at 23°C in the morning, and we'll be frying under the afternoon's 36 -38°C heat.
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