ISRAELI BONDS – The decision by the CSSF not to extend approval for controversial Israeli bonds beyond 31 August has been welcomed by local politicians, who however criticised the initial authorisation. Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel and LSAP MP Franz Fayot expressed satisfaction with the move but targeted the regulator for creating a political headache.
HOUSING MEASURES – The seven concrete housing measures presented last week by Luxembourg's housing and finance ministers are being welcomed by the construction sector as a step in the right direction. Their main objective is to revive residential construction, although industry representatives say additional reforms will be needed to increase building activity and address the country's housing crisis.
MISSING PERSON – Police issued a missing person appeal last night. 43-year-old Andreia Do Nascimento Dos Santos has been missing since Tuesday morning. She may be in the Esch or Schifflange area. A photo is available on RTLToday.lu. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police.
TRIER KILLINGS – Trier remains in shock after two students were killed in separate attacks in recent days. A 29-year-old woman was found dead in her flat on Sunday, believed to be the victim of a violent crime last Wednesday, a 22-year-old student was fatally stabbed on the university campus. The suspect, a 22-year-old Afghan man, has been arrested and is in custody. A memorial ceremony takes place today at the university.
EUROPE FIRES – Firefighters across southern Europe are battling severe wildfires this summer. More than 12,000 people have been evacuated as a precaution due to forest fires in France's Gironde department, many of them tourists. A fast spreading blaze has burned over 1,400 hectares since yesterday. Fires are also raging near Madrid and in Sicily, where temperatures are topping 45°C.
US/SAUDI ARABIA NUCLEAR DEAL – The US has signed a 30-year civil nuclear cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia, allowing American companies to help develop nuclear energy facilities there. The Trump administration says the agreement includes safeguards against non-proliferation.
Meanwhile, Houthi rebels say they've attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, as the US carried out its twelfth consecutive night of strikes on Iran. Iran says two people were killed in the strikes.
ECB INTEREST RATES – The European Central Bank meets today for a policy session. No change is expected to the key interest rate, which stays at 2.25%. A further rise is possible in September depending on how the situation develops. The ECB will also publish new growth and inflation forecasts for the eurozone after the summer break.
FOOTBALL – Despite being unable to officially play any competitive football, as he is under the age of 18 and signed from abroad, 17-year-old Luxembourg national Madjo scored a brace in 45 minutes in Aston Villa’s friendly game against Walsall on Tuesday night.
According to local media, former Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel is set to take over as coach of the Belgium national team. Van Bommel and the Belgian football federation (RBFA) have come to an agreement that will see the 49-year-old sign a contract in the coming days to take charge of the Red Devils through to Euro 2028.
In the second qualifying round of the Conference League, Strassen play away at Partizan Belgrade tonight. Kick off is at 9pm. The Serbian side are strong favourites, and more than 15,000 fans are expected at the stadium. The home leg follows in a week.
CYCLING – Stage 18 of the Tour de France heads into the Alps today, 185 kilometres from Voiron to Orcières Merlette, with 3,900 metres of climbing and a first category summit finish. Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar continues to lead the general classification, 4 minutes 32 seconds ahead of Belgium's Remco Evenepoel. Live coverage starts on RTL Today.lu at 3pm.
COMMONWEALTH GAMES – The Commonwealth Games open in Glasgow later today, with King Charles due to declare the event underway. It's a slimmed down version, ten sports and six para sports, down from nineteen and eight in Birmingham four years ago. Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare says the Games remain a stage where champions are made, with 74 nations and territories taking part.
The day starts off tangled in clouds, but things should clear up as time goes on and we will see the sun in the late afternoon and evening. Temperatures are slowly rising, even if it might not feel like it in the morning, where we have a breezy 11-13°C. But later on, we're up to a maximum of 26°C – which is still quite pleasant.
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