This week we found out exact details about “Solidarity Pack 2.0” which will cost the state €1.1 billion.
The 15% gas price cap will apply from 1 October 2022 until December 2023
Energy price caps had to be introduced to prevent 5 consecutive wage increases (that was an earlier scenario), according to Energy Minister Claude Turmes
Finance Minister Backes assured the State can afford the measures, pointing to a €969 million budget surplus.
Support for SME’s: 3 new aid packages were announced for small businesses in a bid to help them develop and remain competitive.
Related: STATEC said on average households in Luxembourg earn €5,700 per month, after taxes and social contributions. It calculated the poverty threshold for the Grand Duchy at €1,982. According to the Institute’s estimations, 17.4% of the population were affected by poverty.
Also: Inflation in the Eurozone stood at 10% in September.
All participants agreed that Luxair must implement significant changes.
François Bausch called aviation an “ultra-liberalised” sector where “Luxair respects certain social standards”.
Luxair must modernise both its fleet and Luxair Cargo, and reduce costs.
Employees marched in protest on Monday to demand an improvement of work conditions and wages.
Dangerous work practices: A Luxair Cargo employee described questionable and dangerous work practices.
Near the airport: The Luxembourg Freeport has reported 8 million in losses since opening in 2014. €210 million of assets belonging to Russian citizens have been frozen since the war began. The CSV’s Laurent Mosar, said “that says a lot of the Freeport’s clientele”.
Explosions caused natural gas to leak out of underwater Nord Stream pipelines.
EU leaders believe this to be an act of sabotage.
Russia and Washington denied involvement.
Russia attempted to annex territories through referendums that the UN has branded illegal and the West “shams”.
The EU proposed a new series of sanctions.
NATO said the leaks appeared to be sabotage and vowed a “determined response” to any attacks on the critical infrastructure.
An Environmental Disaster: According to Greenpeace, the leaks could have the effect of almost 30 million tonnes of CO2, or more than two-thirds of the annual emissions of Denmark.
From the war: At least 23 were feared dead after missile strike that hit a convoy of civilian vehicles.
Is Russia weaponising its gas? The pipelines are critical for Europe as the continent depends on Russian natural gas for its energy production. Russia had suspended gas flows earlier this year, then Russia said there were maintenance issues and now confirmed explosions point to what many fear is a weaponisation of energy to counter EU sanctions and support for Ukraine.
- Christos Floros
She is expected to form the first far-right government in Italy since World War II.
She ran in an alliance with Salvini and Berlusconi, but she’s the clear leader.
She’s not expected to change her position on Russia.
She’s going to be Italy’s first female PM, but not yet, sometime in October.
A Threat to EU values? The EU’s Frans Timmermans said he fears the social and moral agenda of the far right. He said he views Ms. Meloni’s future coalition as a threat to EU values.
Same-Sex Marriage still illegal: Her election has prompted fears among gay families and civil rights activists that things might get worse, as she is dedicated to defending “traditional family values”.
Related: I wrote about the rise of fascism and the far-right in Europe earlier this week.
More than 2 million people in Florida lost electricity, and 2,000 flights were cancelled as a result of the hurricane.
In Cuba 11.2 million were left in the dark on Tuesday.
On Wednesday it sustained wind speeds of 241km/h near Fort Myers
Up to 23 migrants went missing after their ship sank during the storm.
US President Joe Biden said Hurricane Ian could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history
The Climate picture: Climate change-related sea level rise is making surge-related flooding more damaging. The UN expects an increase in major tropical cyclones worldwide.
Iranians continue to protest despite fears of a bloodier crackdown.
The Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies passed a resolution calling for an investigation into the death of the 22 year-old Amini.
A peaceful protest and vigil was organised by Iranian students in Luxembourg.
Journalists detained: A reporter covering the funeral of Mahsa Amini was arrested in Iran. A number of journalists have been detained since protests began.
Related: Alannah Meyrath wrote about the hijab, Islam and the Iranian regime last week.
Your Weekly Recap is published every Friday morning. Read earlier versions.
What did you think? What would you like the Weekly Recap to include? Let me know: christos.floros@rtl.lu
Christos Floros covers News and Politics for RTL Today @christosfloros
