RTL Today - Your Weekly Recap: Next wage indexation projected for late 2026, Mamdani elected NYC mayor, and 12 die in Kentucky plane crash

Your Weekly Recap for 3–7 November 2025.

Here are five things you should know at the end of this week:

STATEC projects next wage indexation for late 2026
Real estate agencies push back against atHome price hike
Immigration to Luxembourg declines slightly in 2024
New York City poised for socialist agenda as Zohran Mamdani wins mayoral race
12 dead after UPS cargo plane crashes in Kentucky

1. STATEC projects next wage indexation for late 2026

STATEC expects the next wage indexation in Q3 2026 and another in Q3 2027, following the last rise on 1 May 2025.
Inflation is now forecast at 2.2% for 2025 and 1.5% for 2026, with expected drops in electricity (-15%), gas (-7%), and Brent crude (-8%) bringing energy inflation to -6.3% in 2026.

Food inflation is set to rise from 2% in 2025 to 2.4% in 2026, and overall inflation is projected to approach the 2% target with 1.9% in 2027 if support measures continue and the economy improves.

Long way to go – STATEC's latest projections point to two upcoming wage indexations, with the next one pencilled in for the third quarter of 2026 and a follow-up in the third quarter of 2027, continuing the automatic adjustment that last took effect on 1 May 2025. The timing reflects inflation remaining high on an annual basis even though monthly inflation dipped slightly, helped by cheaper travel and fuel in October.

Energy – Inflation is now seen at 2.2% for 2025 and 1.5% for 2026, a touch higher than August's outlook, and the 2026 slowdown is tied to expected easing in energy costs, with electricity prices projected to fall by 15%, gas by 7%, and Brent crude by 8%, which together would pull energy inflation down to about minus 6.3% in 2026 despite only a modest month to month fall this autumn.

Food – Food prices are expected to push the other way, with food inflation rising from 2% in 2025 to 2.4% in 2026, yet looking further out STATEC expects overall inflation to edge toward the 2% goal, landing around 1.9% in 2027, on the assumption that current government support measures continue and the broader economic environment improves.

2. Real estate agencies push back against atHome price hike

A reported 30% price hike by property portal atHome has sparked a sector-wide backlash in Luxembourg, with around 600 professionals mobilising through meetings.
Agencies plan to send an official letter signed by 120 firms demanding a pricing "rebalancing", while some push to create a new federation and a cheaper rival listings platform.
The Real Estate Chamber said it would be leading talks with the portals next week, criticising the protest's method and questioning the new federation's governance as conflicted, while atHome declines to comment until it receives a formal letter.

Aggressive pricing strategy – The revolt stems from a reported 30% rise in atHome's fees at a time when the sales market has already endured two tough years. Discontent that had built up across agencies turned into coordinated action, with roughly 600 professionals attending meetings to compare invoices, quantify the impact on margins, and weigh collective leverage.

The recent acquisition of atHome by Apax Digital added to worries about a more aggressive pricing strategy and about how smaller agencies would cope compared to larger networks.

Neutral access wanted – On tactics, the group is prioritising a formal letter signed by 120 agencies that asks atHome to rebalance its pricing and to explain why different firms appear to face different rates. Alongside that, some participants want structural change through a new federation called FIL, paired with a national listings portal named FILIA that would centralise ads and provide neutral access at a lower cost.

Others are cautious, arguing that building a platform requires heavy investment, robust traffic, and long-term governance safeguards. One attendee even quipped that it felt like "the next atHome", revealing the split between those seeking immediate price relief and those pushing for an alternative ecosystem.

Institutional scepticism – The Chamber of Real Estate has entered the fray and plans meetings with the major portals next week to seek clarity and concessions. Vice President Jean-Paul Scheuren criticised the protest approach as "pure Trumpism" and raised governance red flags about FIL, noting that its board composition could create conflicts of interest under Chamber statutes.

atHome, for its part, declined to comment substantively before receiving the letter, which leaves the immediate next step as a formal exchange between the agencies and the portal, alongside the Chamber's attempt to broker a structured dialogue.

3. Immigration to Luxembourg declines slightly in 2024

Immigration to Luxembourg declined slightly in 2024, with 26,000 new arrivals, mostly from within the EU, and a 19% drop in first-time asylum applications.
Reforms in 2023–2024 focused on combating illegal employment, aligning with the EU Blue Card Directive, and making it easier for skilled workers and their families to settle.
Luxembourg replaced its integration policy with a broader "coexistence" approach in 2024, rethinking inclusion efforts while remaining a key destination for foreign labour.

Stats and figures – According to a new OECD report, Luxembourg saw a modest 4% decrease in long-term or permanent immigrant arrivals in 2024 compared to the previous year. The vast majority of newcomers (61%) arrived under EU free movement rules, while others came for family reunification (22%), labour migration (12%), or humanitarian reasons (4%).

Meanwhile, the country processed 2,100 first-time asylum applications – a 19% drop from 2023. Eritrea, Syria, and Algeria were the top countries of origin for asylum seekers, and 64% of the 1,520 asylum decisions issued were favourable. Temporary protection for Ukrainians has been extended to March 2026, with new rules requiring biometric residence cards upon arrival.

EU provisions – Luxembourg introduced major legal changes to address illegal immigration and enhance its appeal to qualified foreign workers. In 2023, the government tightened labour laws, increasing penalties for undeclared work and addressing legal gaps that affected third-country nationals residing without valid work permits. The crackdown also targeted human trafficking-related offences.

Further reforms in 2024 brought national immigration law in line with the EU Blue Card Directive, lowering entry barriers for skilled professionals. The minimum contract length was reduced to six months, and a single salary threshold of €58,968 was introduced, making it easier for highly qualified workers and their families to obtain residency and employment.

Policy shift – In a shift away from traditional integration policies, Luxembourg implemented a new "law on intercultural coexistence" at the start of 2024. This legal framework replaces the previous concept of integration with a more inclusive model of coexistence, aiming to foster mutual understanding and civic engagement across diverse communities.

The 'Biergerpakt' (citizenship pact) was expanded to include all residents and workers in the country, reflecting a stronger commitment to inclusion.

4. NY City poised for socialist agenda as Zohran Mamdani wins mayoral race

Socialist Democrat Zohran Mamdani was elected New York City's first Muslim and youngest mayor in over a century, defeating high-profile opponents despite attacks on his heritage and policies.
High voter turnout and Mamdani's grassroots campaign reflect growing dissatisfaction with Trump-era politics, despite Republican efforts to undermine his candidacy.
Democrats also secured key gubernatorial wins in Virginia and New Jersey and passed voter redistricting measure in California, signalling a broader shift ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Historic win – Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Socialist Democrat and state lawmaker from Queens, made history Tuesday night by becoming New York City's first Muslim mayor and its youngest in over a century. His victory came despite sustained attacks from conservative media, business elites, and former President Donald Trump, who labelled him a "Jew hater" in a last-minute intervention.

Mamdani built his campaign around promises to address the city's rising cost of living with bold proposals like free bus travel, city-run grocery stores, and public childcare. His grassroots appeal, strong social media presence, and direct engagement with working-class voters propelled him past former governor Andrew Cuomo, whom he had already defeated in the Democratic primary.

Grassroots energy – With 2.06 million ballots cast – surpassing turnout from the 2021 mayoral race – this election reflected heightened public engagement and a rejection of Trump-style politics in several key areas. Mamdani's campaign in particular harnessed grassroots energy, informal community outreach, and digital savvy to reach voters alienated by the political establishment.

His rise, though initially viewed as improbable, tapped into deep frustrations with both Republican and centrist Democratic leadership, especially around economic insecurity and urban inequality. While conservative voices, including financier Bill Ackman and outlets like The New York Post, attempted to discredit Mamdani, their efforts fell flat amid a mobilised electorate.

Beyond NYC – Beyond New York, Democrats had a strong election night nationally, securing high-profile victories in Virginia and New Jersey's gubernatorial races and winning a progressive ballot measure in California. Mikie Sherrill defeated a Trump-backed businessman in New Jersey, while Abigail Spanberger reclaimed the Virginia governor's mansion for the Democrats – both wins seen as rebukes to Republican leadership and a boost to Democratic momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms.

In California, voters approved a proposition to redraw electoral districts, aimed at curbing Republican gerrymandering efforts supported by Trump in other states. These victories signal a potential shift in the national mood just a year after Trump's return to the White House, offering Democrats a path forward and renewed hope in what had seemed like a bleak political landscape.

5. 12 dead after UPS cargo plane crashes in Kentucky

A UPS cargo plane on Tuesday crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville, Kentucky, killing 12 people after its left engine caught fire and detached.
The aircraft, carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel, struck nearby businesses and a petroleum facility, narrowly missing a major Ford plant.
Investigators recovered the black boxes and are probing causes, including air traffic control staffing, as concerns grow over US aviation safety amid a government shutdown.

12 people killed – A UPS cargo plane bound for Hawaii crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, killing 12 people in what officials say was the deadliest accident in the company's history. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), closed-circuit footage revealed that the aircraft's left engine caught fire and detached from the wing during the takeoff roll.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, carrying a three-person crew, went down just three miles from the airport, exploding into flames and striking nearby buildings. The crash killed not only those aboard but also multiple people on the ground, with several individuals still unaccounted for as of Wednesday morning.

Path of destruction – Loaded with approximately 38,000 gallons of fuel, the cargo plane created a fiery debris field nearly 800 meters long when it crashed into an area adjacent to the UPS Worldport facility. The aircraft narrowly missed a major Ford vehicle assembly plant employing around 3,000 workers, prompting state officials to say the tragedy could have been far worse.

The plane hit a petroleum recycling facility and destroyed or damaged multiple buildings in the vicinity. Aerial footage showed massive plumes of smoke and firefighters battling the flames, while UPS temporarily halted operations at its main hub due to the extent of the devastation.

Concerns and risks – The crash occurred during the longest government shutdown in US history, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning of widespread disruption to air travel due to a lack of air traffic control staff. While the NTSB stated it was not yet aware of any staffing shortages at Louisville's airport at the time of the crash, the investigation will examine all contributing factors, including potential gaps in air traffic services.

The incident comes amid heightened concerns over US aviation safety, especially following a deadly collision earlier in the year involving an American Eagle airliner and a military helicopter. Aging infrastructure and chronic understaffing in the air traffic control system have further fuelled fears of systemic risk within the country's aviation sector.

The best of... 📚

Business & Tech – France has called on the European Union to sanction fast-fashion giant Shein after outrage over childlike sex dolls sold on its French website and growing concerns about the brand's environmental impact.
Science & Environment – World leaders attending a climate summit in Brazil launched a fund Thursday to save the world's forests, quickly raking in over $5 billion in pledges to reward tropical countries for not chopping down trees.
Entertainment – The newest installment to the blockbuster Grand Theft Auto video game franchise has been delayed again, this time until November 2026, its creators announced Wednesday.
Sport – FIFA has created a new annual award called the FIFA Peace Prize to be awarded for the first time during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, world soccer's governing body said Wednesday.

And in case you missed it... ⚠️

Politics – Foreign Minister Bettel has taken legal action over a satirical Instagram post that altered his appearance and mocked his Middle East stance, with the investigation pending and prosecutors saying they have not yet received the complaint.
Mobility – Amid ongoing service disruptions for cross-border commuters, a major milestone was reached for Luxembourg's rail network as the first tracks of the new Bettembourg-Luxembourg City line were laid during the All Saints' holiday closure.
Healthcare – From March, patients will be able to book appointments with multiple specialists at the new Findel Clinic, a private initiative aiming to ease access to medical care in Luxembourg.
Boradcasting – The country's DAB+ era begins Thursday as the first transmitter in Dudelange goes live, with RTL Today Radio joining the airways under its old name.

Your Weekly Recap is published every Friday at noon. Read earlier versions.