Here are five things you should know at the end of this week:
The newly elected Chamber of Deputies in Luxembourg convened for a first time on Tuesday, with 46 MPs taking their oaths while re-elected ministers await the formation of a new coalition.
Inaugural session - The political landscape of Luxembourg witnessed a significant event as the newly elected Chamber of Deputies convened for its inaugural session on Tuesday. During this gathering, a total of 46 Members of Parliament (MPs) officially committed to their roles by taking their oaths.
Concurrently, 14 ministers who were successful in their re-election bids are in a holding pattern. Their roles as heads of various government departments will continue until a fresh coalition is sworn in, at which point their parliamentary oaths will be taken, especially if they fail to secure a position in the upcoming government setup.
From minister to MP - The political transition is not limited to just the new entrants. Notably, several ministers, who have previously held significant roles in the government, are now on the brink of shifting their focus to the legislative side of affairs.
Jean Asselborn, the current Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, is one such figure who has been the centre of much speculation. Alongside him, key members from parties like the LSAP and the Green Party, such as Georges Engel and Sam Tanson, are also poised to make the switch from their ministerial desks to the opposition benches of the Chamber of Deputies.
More changes on the horizon - While the new Chamber of Deputies is taking shape, there are still a considerable number of variables at play. The ultimate composition hinges significantly on the outcome of ministerial appointments. As the Frieden-Bettel leadership deliberates, the landscape could see further reshuffling, especially with the provision that allows for the appointment of external individuals as ministers.
The full clarity on the Chamber’s makeup will only manifest once the government’s appointments are finalised. A notable milestone on the horizon is December when the new government is projected to take its oath, marking a second wave of MPs to commit to their roles in a plenary session.
Luxembourgish chef Louis Linster, of restaurant Léa Linster in Frisange, was named ‘Chef of the Year’ by Gault&Millau, with the establishment scoring 17/20 possible points.
Clovis Degrave received the ‘Young Chef of the Year’ award, impressing with his innovative Chef’s Table setup at Hostellerie du Grünewald.
The Gault&Millau guide, bilingual in French and English, added 24 new Luxembourg addresses this year, spotlighting top chefs, restaurants, and wineries in the country.
Another title in the bag - Chef Louis Linster was celebrated by the esteemed Gault&Millau gastronomic guide as the ‘Chef of the Year’. This accolade came just three years after he was recognised as the ‘Young Chef of the Year’.
Léa Linster, his mother’s former restaurant he helms in Frisange, secured an impressive score of 17 out of 20. This distinction not only showcases Linster’s culinary prowess, but also positions his restaurant near the pinnacle of Luxembourg’s dining scene, in close competition with renowned establishments such as Ma Langue Sourit, La Distillerie, Fani, and Mosconi.
Chef’s Table - Clovis Degrave, a 33-year-old culinary artist, was celebrated with the title of ‘Young Chef of the Year’. His unique culinary vision was significantly influenced by the popular “Chef’s Table” concept, which was notably popularised by an American Netflix series.
Degrave’s innovative approach involves a grand counter at the Hostellerie du Grünewald that seats 18 guests, who are then simultaneously served by the chef and his team directly from a central kitchen. This intimate and immersive dining experience is nothing short of theatrical, and early reviews, including from RTL Infos, suggest that Degrave is on a trajectory to quickly catch the attention of more gastronomic aficionados and guides.
24 new additions - The Gault&Millau guide, a prominent bi-lingual publication in French and English, has continued its tradition of recognising and promoting culinary excellence across Luxembourg. This year, the guide expanded its list by introducing 24 new addresses, underscoring the rich and diverse gastronomic landscape of the country.
The guide meticulously curates its selections, honoring not just chefs and restaurants, but also outstanding brasseries, bars, chocolatiers, and even the crème de la crème of Luxembourg’s wineries. This comprehensive approach ensures that readers and food enthusiasts get a holistic view of what the country has to offer in terms of culinary delights.
Prince François, son of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, made his first public appearance during a visit to the ‘Elysis’ care home in Neudorf.
Born on 27 March 2023, the young prince charmed the facility’s residents with his curious smile during the visit.
Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie expressed a keen interest in the care home’s art and music therapy programmes to increase residents’ well-being.
Stepping into the public eye - Prince François, the son of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, took his first steps into the public eye with a visit to the ‘Elysis’ care home in Neudorf. This outing was marked by the presence of his parents and the Acting Minister for Family Affairs, Max Hahn.
As a prominent royal event, the visit to the care home signified an early introduction of the young prince to his official responsibilities and engagements, marking the beginning of his public life.Little prince charming -
The care home’s residents were quickly taken by the young prince’s presence, as he brought joy and warmth, capturing their hearts and leaving a lasting impression, underscoring the positive impact that even the youngest royals can have during such visits.Well-being programmes - The visit to ‘Elysis’ care home was not solely about introducing Prince François to the public. Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie showcased a profound interest in the therapeutic aspects of the facility, particularly the art and music therapy programmes.
These programmes are integral to enhancing the well-being of the care home’s residents, highlighting the Duchess’ genuine concern and emphasis on holistic care and the mental and emotional well-being of the elderly.
Yocheved Lifshitz, an 85-year-old Israeli, recounted her traumatic abduction by Hamas militants but mentioned being treated well during her two-week captivity in Gaza.
While she endured physical harm during the abduction, Lifshitz said a doctor visited her and the other hostages regularly, and they were provided basic necessities.
Although Lifshitz was freed, her husband, along with over 200 other hostages, remain captive in Gaza as calls for a ceasefire mount.
Terrifying ordeal - Yocheved Lifshitz, an 85-year-old resident of the Nir Oz kibbutz located near the Gaza Strip, experienced a harrowing ordeal when Hamas militants attacked her community on 7 October. Describing her traumatic experience, Lifshitz shared how the militants went on a rampage, forcibly taking her away.
They laid her on a motorcycle and sped through fields, subjecting her to a terrifying ordeal she never imagined she would face. Despite her advanced age, Lifshitz was whisked away by these militants in a manner that would be traumatic for anyone.
Treatment and care - While the initial encounter with the militants was violent and she was physically harmed, Lifshitz’s time in captivity saw a change in the militants’ behaviour. A doctor was arranged to check on her and the other hostages every few days, ensuring they had the necessary medicines. Lifshitz highlighted that the militants were prepared and had provisions in place for their captives.
Over 200 remain captive - The news of Lifshitz’ release is a glimmer of hope amidst a tense situation. Her freedom came alongside another resident of Nir Oz, Nurit Cooper, and followed the release of an American woman and her daughter.
However, the situation remains dire for many, as Lifshitz’s own husband, a man also in his 80s, is among the more than 200 hostages that are still under Hamas’ control in Gaza. This serves as a stark reminder of the complex and volatile dynamics of the region, with innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
Calls for ceasefire - As the conflict between Israel and Hamas intensifies, EU leaders are calling for humanitarian corridors in Gaza where civilian casualties have mounted. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, Israel’s airstrikes have resulted in over 7,000 deaths, predominantly civilians. The Hamas’ attack on 7 October is said to have killed 1,400 people, primarily civilians.
Aid access has been restricted, with Gaza receiving only 74 trucks of essentials since the conflict began, compared to the pre-conflict daily average of 500 trucks. The UN highlights the dire situation, stating “nowhere is safe” in Gaza. Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel at the EU summit advocated for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, aligning with the request made by UN Secretary General António Guterres.
Meanwhile, the US warns Iran against escalation after attacking Iranian-linked sites in Syria and emphasises that this is separate from the Israel-Hamas conflict. The broader region is on edge, with incidents reported at the Israel-Lebanon border and an Egyptian town being hit by a rocket.
Republican Mike Johnson, an ally of Donald Trump, was elected as the new Speaker of the US House of Representatives, succeeding Kevin McCarthy.
Johnson, having never held a senior leadership role, faces immediate challenges including a potential government shutdown and issues related to funding for Ukraine and Israel.
Despite his controversial past, including efforts to overturn the 2020 election, he received backing from key Republicans and aims to “find common ground” with Democrats.
Desire for unification - Mike Johnson, previously a lesser-known figure closely aligned with Donald Trump, emerged as the new leader of the US House of Representatives after weeks of internal Republican disputes. This power shift came after the ousting of Kevin McCarthy from his position on October 3, a move characterised as a right-wing coup. Johnson’s unanimous election by his party signifies a desire to unify and move past the recent standstill that has plagued Congress.
No pause for reflection - As the new Speaker, Johnson enters a political environment filled with pressing challenges. Notably, he will have to navigate the looming threat of a government shutdown, a situation that could jeopardise his newly-acquired position.
To prevent this, he will need to negotiate a budget deal for 2024 with more experienced political figures, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and President Joe Biden. Furthermore, Johnson will be at the forefront of contentious discussions related to financial aid for Ukraine and Israel, reflecting the international concerns the US is currently grappling with.
Contentious past - Johnson’s ascension to the Speaker’s role has not been without scrutiny. As a staunch ally of Donald Trump, he was central to legal attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. This position, along with his stance against gay rights in Louisiana state politics, has been a source of contention.
However, in the immediate aftermath of his election, he received endorsements from prominent Republicans, suggesting the party is keen to rally behind him. Looking forward, Johnson has expressed intentions of fostering a cooperative environment with the Democrats, emphasising a need to find mutual understanding and goals.
Business & Tech - The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged Thursday for the first time since July last year, as inflation starts to slow and the eurozone economic outlook darkens.
Science & Environment - Scientists in Brazil, the world’s second-biggest consumer of cocaine, have announced the development of an innovative new treatment for addiction to the drug and its powerful derivative crack: a vaccine.https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/a/2066108.html
Entertainment - Britney Spears, the dewy-eyed child star who became a global pop phenomenon and then melted down in full view of the world, tells her story Tuesday with the release of her already bestselling memoir.
Lucky escape - An IT glitch with speed radars has resulted in no drivers having points deducted between September 2022 and October 2023.
From €38 to €51 million - The ongoing renovation of Luxembourg City’s ‘Knuedler’ car park faces opposition as budget extensions strain the patience of the municipal council.https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/a/2066108.html
Due to animal performances - In the wake of recent interventions by veterinary inspectors in Remich and Grevenmacher, the municipality of Kayl decided to withdraw Cirque Crone’s permit.
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