ISRAELI BONDS – The Israeli government bond will not be extended. The announcement came last night from Finance Minister Gilles Roth, speaking on RTL television news. The issue of Israeli bonds, which can be sold on the European market via Luxembourg, has drawn heavy criticism. Amnesty International, among others, has accused Luxembourg of indirectly participating in a genocide, saying the government in Jerusalem uses the money to fund its actions against the Palestinians.
TRIER BODY – The body of a young woman has been found at her home in Trier, after police, firefighters and emergency services forced entry to the property. The student had been reported missing since Friday. Police say she had injuries consistent with a killing, and they are appealing for witnesses. The University of Trier addressed the community in a letter on Monday, saying it was shocked and grieving over the incident.
IMMIGRATION SCANDAL – The Pirate Party want former Immigration Minister Jean Asselborn to appear before parliament's Home Affairs Committee, to be questioned over the immigration affair, which involves allegations of corruption, document fraud, subsidy fraud and the trafficking of migrants. The ADR backs the call, and has not ruled out pushing for a commission of inquiry. Both parties welcome the audit ordered by Home Affairs Minister Gloden, but say it shouldn't be limited to the Immigration Department. They believe asylum procedures should also be reviewed, arguing they are also vulnerable to fraud and corruption.
BETTEL PHILIPPINES / SINGAPORE – Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel is on a working visit to the Philippines and Singapore from today until Saturday. Manila will mark the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Grand Duchy, while a Luxembourg embassy will be officially opened in Singapore.
FRANCE WILDFIRE – A large wildfire is spreading rapidly through the Var region of France. 1,800 hectares have already burned, and around 400 residents nearby have been evacuated. Ten water bombing aircraft are being used alongside hundreds of firefighters. Two firefighters have died in a separate wildfire near Bordeaux airport, after their fire engine was engulfed by flames yesterday.
NORWAY TERROR ATTACK – Today marks 15 years since Anders Behring Breivik's terror attacks in Norway, in which 77 people were killed by a car bomb in Oslo and a shooting at a youth camp on the island of Utøya. A memorial ceremony is being held at Oslo Cathedral as well as on Utøya. Breivik, the far-right perpetrator, is due to remain in prison until 2033, after which he will move into preventive detention, meaning he is never expected to be released.
IRAN WAR – Fresh US strikes on Iran have triggered air defences in Tehran this morning, after President Trump warned he wasn't finished with a war that has already cost America $37.5 billion. The conflict has now spread to the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supplies, after a preliminary deal collapsed.
FRANCE SOCIAL MEDIA BAN – France has become the first EU country to approve a social media ban for teenagers. Both chambers of parliament backed the law on Tuesday, which bars under 15s from opening new accounts from September, and deletes existing ones from January. It also bans mobile phones in high schools. President Macron called it a major step forward for protecting children.
CYCLING – Belgian victory on Belgium's national holiday at the Tour de France yesterday: Remco Evenepoel was fastest in the time trial around Lake Geneva, taking 28 seconds out of overall leader Tadej Pogacar. Today's stage covers 174 largely flat kilometres from Chambéry to Voiron – live on TV from 3 o'clock.
FOOTBALL – A heavy defeat last night for Luxembourg's football champions in the second qualifying round of the Conference League. Bissen lost 6-2 at the Stade de Luxembourg to Hungarian champions Győr, trailing 3-1 at half time. The return leg is in Hungary next week. Strassen play Partizan Belgrade tomorrow evening.
A new transfer record in English football - Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers has moved to Chelsea for the equivalent of €137 million, the most ever paid for a player in the English top flight.
It's going to be another dry and cloudy day in Luxembourg, with a slight breeze as a bonus. Temperatures won't change much: we start around 11–13°C, and go up to 23°C in the afternoon. They will rise a bit as the week advances, but do not worry, we are not getting back into heatwave territory just yet.
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.
