$500 million embezzlement case, Amsterdam protests, Middle East summit, and blundering thief

Luxembourg

EMBEZZLEMENT CASE - A large-scale embezzlement case involving an estimated $500 million which allegedly passed through Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (BIL) is under investigation. Millions were allegedly stolen from an Azerbaijani bank and funneled into ventures including real estate investments with some funds potentially passing through Luxembourg bank BIL. According to documents presented in a London court, the embezzlement reportedly occurred between 2005 and 2015. In 2020, BIL was fined €4.6 million by Luxembourg’s financial regulator for inadequate anti-money laundering controls.

ROTTERDAM SUSPECT - Dutch police are searching for a man suspected of violently assaulting a homeless person in Rotterdam, and the individual might have a connection to Luxembourg. The man allegedly used a rock to brutally attack a homeless person sleeping on the street in Rotterdam, causing severe injuries. The victim is currently in critical condition in the hospital. In a security photo taken in a store, it appears that the suspect was carrying an eco-bag from Luxembourg. But despite gathering numerous clues, the Dutch police have been unable to identify the man.

POLICE CHECKS - Police conducted alcohol checks during the night from Saturday to Sunday, between Hesperange and Itzig, as well as at several locations in the city, as ordered by the public prosecutor. On Saturday evening, 163 drivers underwent breathalyser tests, with 17 exceeding the legal alcohol limit. Three drivers had their licenses confiscated on the spot. Additional controls also took place in Mertzig and Vianden where 433 drivers were checked. Seven of them were found to be over the legal alcohol limit, and one driver had their license seized immediately.

THIEF’S BLUNDER - On Saturday, at around 7pm, police responded to the theft in Dudelange. A man and a woman had arranged a meeting via a mobile app to exchange perfume, but the man had other plans – he stole both the perfume and the woman’s money. During his escape, the man accidentally dropped his wallet, which led police to his address. When he returned home, officers were waiting and immediately arrested him.

World

ISRAEL PROTESTS - Dutch police detained dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters in Amsterdam on Sunday after they defied a demonstration ban put in place in the wake of violence against Israeli football supporters. Israel has now urged fans to avoid Thursday's upcoming match between France and Israel in Paris, which authorities fear could become a flashpoint following the hostile incidents in Amsterdam. Last week’s violence was condemned as "anti-Semitic" by Israeli, US, Dutch, and European leaders. Around two dozen people were injured while police said they had made more than 60 arrests.

MIDDLE EAST SUMMIT - Arab and Muslim leaders will gather in Saudi Arabia today for a summit addressing the wars in Gaza and Lebanon with a chance to send a message to US President-elect Donald Trump. The Saudi foreign ministry announced plans for the summit in late October during a meeting of a new "international alliance" to press for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Meanwhile, as Israel intensified its strikes on Gaza and Lebanon, killing dozens, the US set a deadline for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, warning Israel of potential cuts in military assistance.

CUBA EARTHQUAKE - Two powerful earthquakes rocked southern Cuba in quick succession on Sunday, just days after the island was struck by a hurricane that knocked out power nationwide. The effects of last week's Hurricane Rafael have sparked rare protests with an unspecified number of people arrested, according to authorities.

JAPAN PM VOTE - Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faces a parliament vote on Monday that is expected to keep him in the job but with a fragile grip on power after a disastrous general election. Ishiba, 67, took office in early October and called a snap election which he hoped would shore up his mandate as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Instead, voters, who have been unhappy with inflation and a slush fund scandal that helped sink Ishiba's predecessor Fumio Kishida, delivered the party its worst result since 2009. This could cause political gridlock in a hung parliament. While the conservative LDP and its junior coalition party lost their majority in the general election, they remain the largest bloc in parliament's powerful lower house.

Sport

NBA - Reigning champions Boston Celtics recorded a 113-107 win over the Milwaukee Bucks to remain 2 games behind unbeaten Cleveland in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile the Denver Nuggets played out a 122 -120 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

FOOTBALL - In La Liga, Barcelona fell to a controversial 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad after Robert Lewandowski had a goal controversially disallowed for offside,with coach Hansi Flick labeling the decision a "big mistake". Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid battled to secure their fourth consecutive victory across all competitions with a hard fought 1-0 win against Mallorca.

RUGBY - In this weekend's international fixtures, Wales fell to a surprise home defeat as Fiji triumphed 19-24 in Cardiff. Meanwhile South Africa proved to be too strong for Scotland as the Springboks recorded a 15-32 victory in Edinburgh.

Weather

Today is going to be the definition of a drab day, incredibly grey. Foggy morning, rainy afternoon, rainy evening. Not what you want to hear but don't shoot the messenger.

In terms of temperatures it will be similar to previous days. 4-6°C in the morning, 9-12°C in the afternoon and back down to 6-8°C in the evening. The weather is gloomy but your future is bright! I read that in a fortune cookie...

---

Be sure to catch our full bulletin on the hour, every hour, and headlines at half past the hour on Today Radio. You can also access the news via Alexa, and on RTL Play.