MERTERT FIRE – Fire crews were called to Mertert port shortly before midnight after a large quantity of scrap metal caught fire. Scrap fires are difficult to bring under control, and with concerns the smoke could be toxic, residents nearby were alerted via the LU-Alert system and advised to keep windows and doors closed. Crews from Mertert, Flaxweiler, Hesperange, Manternach and Luxembourg City attended the scene, supported by a specialist unit trained in handling hazardous substances.
Elsewhere, three people were injured in separate road accidents overnight. In Leudelange, two cars collided at around 6pm, leaving two people hurt. And at around the same time in Bettembourg, a car and a lorry were involved in a crash, in which one person was injured.
FUEL PRICES – From today, selected fuels will go up in price. Diesel has jumped up by 7.7 cents to €1.966 per litre and unleaded (95) petrol has risen by 3.6 cents to €1.761 per litre.
EURO BANKNOTES – The Directorate of Defence has apologised for a social media post showing AI-generated euro banknotes featuring weapons, tanks and fighter jets, as the EU debates designs for its next generation of notes. In a statement, the Directorate said it wanted to showcase its capabilities amid a wider online trend, but understood the backlash and apologised. It confirmed the post had not been approved by Defence Minister Yuriko Backes.
TRIER MURDER ARRESTS – Two people have reportedly been arrested over the fatal stabbing of a 29-year-old student found dead in her Trier apartment nearly two weeks ago. According to media, a 35-year-old man was arrested on Thursday, suspected of killing the student for financial gain; a woman has also been detained. Police have confirmed two arrests but have not yet released an official statement.
HAMAS DISARMAMENT– The US-led Board of Peace says Hamas has agreed to fully disarm, in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. President Trump announced the deal on Truth Social, calling it a monumental step towards peace. Hamas has confirmed the agreement, though Israel has yet to respond. Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar mediated the deal.
ENCLAVE MIGRANTS – Spain is deploying troops to reinforce security in Ceuta after thousands of migrants swam in from Morocco on Thursday, overwhelming border police. Several migrants drowned attempting the crossing. Local officials have appealed to Madrid for help due to the recent rise in crossing attempts.
EUROPE WILDFIRES – Greece is battling to contain a spate of wildfires, including on Crete, where thousands of locals and holidaymakers were forced to evacuate and three firefighters died. Although the situation was improving on Thursday, PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of difficult days ahead, and the European Commission said the EU was preparing extra support.
In southwest France, firefighters say they're close to bringing the country's worst wildfire since 1949 under control. After eight gruelling days, and with cooler weather and help from water-bombing aircraft lent by other European countries, crews say the battle appears to be won.
UKRAINE WAR – Poland says a missile that landed around 80 kilometres from the border was likely Russian, fired during Moscow's latest overnight mass attack on Ukraine, which killed at least 10 people. PM Donald Tusk said Poland was not the target, but confirmed two objects breached Polish airspace, prompting NATO to scramble jets.
PAKISTAN AVALANCHE – Renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja is among 10 people missing after an avalanche struck a climbing expedition on Broad Peak in northern Pakistan. The country's alpine club club said the avalanche hit the team on Thursday, and that it had lost all contact with the climbers since. A search and rescue operation is under way.
FOOTBALL – UEFA has said it will boycott the World Cup and pull European teams from all FIFA competitions if football's governing body proceeds with its plan to let private investors buy stakes in tournaments, unless the proposal is fully scrapped.
CYCLING – Pauline Ferrand-Prevot begins the Tour de France Femmes this weekend hoping to repeat last year's win, but faces stiff competition from in-form Dutch rival Demi Vollering. The nine-stage race starts in Lausanne on Saturday and finishes in Nice on 9 August, taking in nearly 19,000 metres of climbing, including, for the first time in the women's race, a summit finish on Mont Ventoux.
We start the day with clouds hovering over us. The afternoon should bring back the sun, but we could still get a bit of rain throughout the day – with a greater chance in the evening.
Temperatures remain high: a minimum of 18–20°C, and a max reaching 31°C in the afternoon.
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