HOUSING PACKAGE – Luxembourg's government has unveiled a seven-point plan to make housing cheaper. Finance Minister Gilles Roth and Housing Minister Claude Meisch say it offers tax relief for buyers and incentives for investors, to boost the supply of rental homes. A new Housing Bond is planned for early next year, letting people lend money to the state at a fixed rate, tax free. The state hopes to raise €250 million to invest in affordable housing.
JUNGLINSTER RENOVATION – Junglinster's main street, the former N11, is to be completely rebuilt over the next three years. Residents were briefed on the plans at a public meeting last night. The 2.2 kilometre stretch will get cycle paths, wider pavements and a 30- kilometre-an hour zone through the village centre. Work starts in October and should finish by 2029.
FUEL PRICES – Bad news on the forecourts as fuel prices, across the board, have risen. 95- and 98-octane petrol have increased by 4.2 cents to €1.726 and €1.894 per litre, while Diesel goes up 6.1 cents to €1.804 per litre. The price of heating oil has also increased by 6.3 cents per litre.
TRIER MURDER – More than 1,000 students and staff at the University of Trier held a vigil yesterday for a fellow student who was killed, as the campus remains in shock over his death. The 22-year-old was attacked with a knife by a man of the same age on Wednesday as he walked home from shopping. Police say the two are not believed to have known each other. The suspect has been arrested, and is reported to be mentally ill.
MACRON–MERZ MEETING – France and Germany hold a joint government meeting near Cologne today, aiming to rebuild defence cooperation after last month's collapse of their joint fighter jet project. Presidents Macron and Merz will also discuss a French led nuclear deterrence scheme for Europe, and launch new cooperation on radar and missile defence.
TRUMP SPEECH – In a prime time speech last night, US President Trump claimed China influenced the 2020 election and stole voter data. Speaking just over three months before the midterms, Trump alleged it was the biggest data theft in history and that intelligence agencies covered it up. Authorities found no evidence of foreign interference back in early 2021. Polls suggest Trump's Republicans could lose control of Congress in the midterms.
IRAN WAR – The US struck new targets inside Iran overnight, hitting dozens of military sites with precision munitions, according to US Central Command. The aim, it says, is to further weaken Iran's military capabilities. American forces have now been striking for six days, prompting retaliation from Iran, which has hit Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Iran has also threatened to block the Red Sea in addition to the Strait of Hormuz.
PELE SHIRT – A jersey worn by Pelé in Brazil's first World Cup final win has sold for $4.9 million at a New York auction. Pelé was just 17 when Brazil beat Sweden 5-2 in the 1958 final. It's the second most expensive shirt ever sold. The record was for a jersey worn by Argentinian star Maradona during a legendary quarter final clash with England in 1986 which included his infamous "Hand of God" finish.
FOOTBALL – US President Donald Trump will attend Sunday's World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in New York. FIFA confirmed in June that Trump will present the trophy at the MetLife Stadium. The match starts at 9pm our time. Meanwhile France and England will play for 3rd place tomorrow, this match starts at 11pm.
Luxembourg's two Conference League sides were both knocked out yesterday. Mondercange lost on away goals after a 1-1 draw against Dinamo Tbilisi in Georgia, while Differdange went down 3-1 away to Ilves in Tampere, Finland, after a red card clash following a disputed penalty.
CYCLING – Belgian sprint star Tim Merlier trebled up at the Tour de France yesterday as he won the 12th stage in a chaotic and crash-marred dash for the line. Today's stage, the longest of this year's race, runs 205 kilometres from Dole to Belfort, taking in the Ballon d'Alsace 25 kilometres from the finish. It's a big chance for Pogačar to extend his lead over the rest of the field.
FORMULA 1 – Formula 1 returns this weekend with the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa. First practice is at 1.30pm today, qualifying tomorrow at 4pm, and the race on Sunday at 3pm, live on RTL and RTL Play.
Showers and thunderstorms should bring welcome relief from the heat today, but the weather may remain unsettled throughout the day. Morning temperatures will range from 17–19°C, warming up to a maximum of 25°C in the afternoon.
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