Trump orders fresh Iran sanctions
Donald Trump imposed what he called “hard hitting” financial sanctions against Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, and eight commanders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The move came after Iran shot down an unmanned US surveillance drone last week and increased tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, who also faces sanctions, said American officials “despise diplomacy, and thirst for war”. Sources: BBC, Deutsche Welle, Financial Times, Guardian and Reuters.
Warsaw loses rule of law case at EU top court
The European Court of Justice, in Kirchberg, said the Polish government’s lowering of the retirement age of judges on Poland’s supreme court was contrary to EU law. Sources: Deutsche Welle, Financial Times, Guardian and Reuters.
Heatwave hits Europe
Authorities across Europe have issued alerts as the temperature is expected to hit 37C-40C, with high humidity, in cities across the continent this week. Sources: Deutsche Welle, Guardian and Sky News.
Carrefour China €620m deal
The French supermarket chain Carrefour, facing increased competition in its domestic market, sold an 80% stake in its Chinese operations to Suning.com, one of China’s largest retail groups. Carrefour’s shares rose on Monday. Sources: Quartz, Reuters and Techcrunch.
US billionaires call for wealth tax
19 ultra-rich Americans--including the hedge fund manager George Soros, Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes and media heiress Abigail Disney--have signed an open letter saying they should pay more tax. Sources: BBC, CNBC and Financial Times.
Here are 2 cryptocurrency stories you may have missed
Rules, part 1: A draft bill in India would make owning cryptocurrencies illegal; trading in virtual money could lead a 10 year jail term, per India Today. Rules, part 2: The British, French and German central banks are planning to regulate Facebook’s forthcoming Libra cryptocurrency, reported Reuters.
Later today
11am: Organisers provide an update on the Luxembourg stand at the 2020 World Expo in Dubai. 6:30pm: Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse on place Clairefontaine. 7pm: The British Ladies Club of Luxembourg hosts its “Professional & Entrepreneurial Women” networking event in the Rives de Clausen.
Looking ahead
Wednesday 26 June: Parliament’s home affairs and justice committees hold a hearing on the compliance of police databases with privacy rules. Wednesday 26 June: Sustainable Finance Forum at the Philharmonie. Friday 28-Sunday 30 June: Asteroid Day at the Cercle Cité.
Channel train operator imposes alcohol limits
Eurostar has “quietly changed” its policy and will only allow passengers to carry one bottle of wine, four cans of beer and no spirits at all (alcohol can be transported via checked luggage). The rail operator said it wanted “to maintain a pleasant environment on board for all our travelers”. Sources: BBC, Independent and Telegraph.
Law & Order
Police in Huntington Park (in Los Angeles County) have sent “HP RoboCop” out on patrol, per CBS Los Angeles (the police robot is also on Twitter)
Women’s World Cup down to 8
The US beat Spain and Sweden beat Canada to make it into the quarter finals at the women’s World Cup. The US will face France, while Sweden will take on Germany. Sources: AFP, ESPN (US), ESPN (Sweden) and Fifa.com.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Aaron Grunwald