LAWS PASSED – Deputies have passed several laws in their last sitting before the summer break. Affordable housing is now classed as a matter of public utility, opening the door to public-private partnerships. Grants for energy renovation for homes have been extended and increased. New rules now govern intelligent transport systems, and MPs have approved solar panels along motorways and an extension of the capital's tram line to the Centre Hospitalier. The Chamber has also approved almost €4.5 billion for the public bus service, running through to 2038.
ROAD ACCIDENTS – A pedestrian was hit by a car and injured in Wormeldange at around 6.30pm last night. And a three-car crash on the A1 near the Howald tunnel caused damage but no injuries.
EMPLOYMENT – New figures from STATEC show Luxembourg's biggest employers. The Dussmann Group, known for cleaning services, tops the list with 5,340 staff, twenty more than national rail operator CFL in second place. Amazon ranks third with 4,550 employees, ahead of POST and supermarket chain Cactus. BNP Paribas leads the banking sector with 3,880 staff, while steelmaker Arcelor employs 3,570 people. PwC and cargo airline Cargolux round out the top ten. The survey covered 387 companies with at least 90 employees as of 1 January.
FRANCE WILDFIRE – Around 950 firefighters are still tackling the forest fire in Fontainebleau, southwest of Paris. It is under control but not yet out. President Macron is due at the scene this morning. Prosecutors say an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter has been arrested on suspicion of starting the blaze on Monday. Some 2,000 hectares have burned since Sunday in the forest, a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
IRAN WAR – There is still no sign of de-escalation in the Middle East. The US has struck again, hitting a tanker trying to break Iran's port blockade. Iran has shut the Strait of Hormuz once more and reportedly attacked US infrastructure in Jordan. Explosions were heard in Iran overnight, with sirens also sounding in Kuwait and Bahrain. The situation is affecting markets too. South Korea's central bank has raised interest rates by 0.25%, while Japan's Nikkei fell 3%.
UKRAINE WAR – Kyiv has been hit by a fresh wave of Russian missiles overnight. Mayor Klitschko says at least eight missiles struck the east of the city, sparking fires. No casualties have been reported so far.
ITALY BRIDGE VERDICT – An Italian court rules today in the trial over Genoa's Morandi Bridge collapse, which killed 43 people in 2018. The four-year case centred on maintenance failures. Prosecutors want jail terms totalling more than 400 years for the 57 defendants.
FOOTBALL – Luxembourg champions FC Atert Bissen are out of the Champions League, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Klaksvik in the Faroe Islands. They will face Hungary's ETO Györ in the Conference League next week.
And it's Argentina against Spain in the World Cup final. Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 in the semi-final last night, with goals from Enzo Fernandez and Martinez in the closing stages. Defending champions Argentina face Spain on Sunday at the MetLife Stadium in New York.
CYCLING – Norwegian rider Soren Waerenskjold has won the 11th stage of the Tour de France, launching a long-range sprint to take victory in Nevers. The 161-kilometre stage from Vichy averaged just over 50kph, making it the fastest road stage in the race's 113-year history.
The heatwave is finally easing off! Expect a cloudy start with some sunshine breaking through the clouds, before a truly sunny and pleasant afternoon. Morning temperatures start between 16–18°C, before things warm up to around 30°C in the afternoon
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