Trump visits Japan, World Cup ticket prices spark outrage, and LSC finalists to be announced

Luxembourg 

ROAD ACCIDENTS – Rescue services are reporting an accident between a motorcycle and a car yesterday evening around 8.05pm on the Esch motorway, between Leudelange and the Cessange intersection. Three people were injured. Earlier yesterday, shortly after 5.30pm, a car overturned near Koerich, and around 9.30pm last night, a car went into a ditch between Niederpallen and Reichlange. In both cases, one person was injured.

ROYAL VISIT – The Grand Ducal couple is in Berlin today as part of their series of visits to our neighbouring countries. Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie will be officially received by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife at Bellevue Palace.

MOTORWAY CLOSURE – Over the weekend, the Dudelange motorway was completely closed to traffic because a new pedestrian bridge was being installed near Bettembourg. The bridge is over 60 metres long and weighs 90 tonnes.

EU FISHING  – EU Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers are meeting in Kirchberg today and tomorrow. Martine Hansen and her counterparts are discussing, among other things, future permitted fishing quotas in the Baltic Sea. Herring and cod are particularly in focus. These two fish species are becoming increasingly rare and scientists are calling for a complete fishing ban for at least two years. This would be catastrophic for the fishing industry, according to warnings from the economic sector.

LUXEMBOURG SONG CONTEST – 25 contestants took to the stage at RTL City in Kirchberg, hoping to qualify for the Luxembourg Song Contest. The auditions began around midday on Friday, transforming the venue into a hub of live performances. Saturday marked the second day of auditions, and by Sunday it was decided which singers will take the stage in January at the LSC in the Rockhal. The finalists will be announced in due course.

World

ARGENTINA ELECTIONS – In the midterm parliamentary elections in Argentina, President Javier Milei and his ultra-liberal party are celebrating a surprising success. Despite corruption scandals in his circle and an economy that has declined sharply, Milei's party managed to secure around 40% of all votes. The left-wing opposition, according to results announced early this morning, came in at just 32%.

TRUMP ASIA – US President Donald Trump is travelling to Japan today on his Asia tour. In Tokyo, he will meet Emperor Naruhito today, and tomorrow the new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The programme also includes a visit to a US Air Force base, and he will meet business representatives. Japan and the USA are currently fully engaged in difficult negotiations about future trade relations.

IRELAND NEW PRESIDENT – Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly has been elected Ireland's new president with over 63% of the vote, defeating Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys. However, the election saw a record number of spoilt ballots at nearly 13%, with conservative voters protesting the lack of right-wing candidates. The 68-year-old lawyer will replace Michael Higgins next month.

Sport

FOOTBALL – Starting with national football and Strassen is currently the league leader following their 5-0 victory yesterday against Rodange. Level on points is FC Differdange, who won 2-0 in Rosport yesterday. However, Differdange still has two games in hand. Mamer lost 4-2 to  Kaerjeng and is now bottom of the table. Mondercange managed a surprise yesterday with a 3-1 victory against F91 Dudelange. Jeunesse Esch beat Hesperange 1-0 and Bissen demolished Hostert 7-1.

In international football, Sunday's matches in the German Bundesliga saw Stuttgart win n 2-1 against Mainz, and Leverkusen 2-0 against Freiburg. In Spain, Real Madrid won the Clasico 2-1 against Barcelona. In England, Aston Villa won 1-0 over Manchester City. And in Italy, Lazio beat Juve 1-0.

And for all football fans, the second phase of ticket registration for next year's World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico starts today. You can register online on the FIFA website all week. There is criticism about the exorbitant prices being charged. The cheapest ticket for the final, for example, costs €1,745, almost 10 times more than three years ago for the final in Qatar.

FORMULA 1 – Lando Norris won the Mexican Grand Prix yesterday evening, ahead of Charles Leclerc for Ferrari. Norris is now the new overall leader, one point ahead of his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, who finished 5th yesterday. Max Verstappen came third and is 36 points behind Norris. Four races remain, the next one on the weekend of November 9th in Sao Paulo.

OLYMPICS – The residents of Munich are ready for Olympic Summer Games in their city. This was the result of a referendum held yesterday in the Bavarian capital. 62% of people are in favour. The German Olympic Committee will decide next year whether Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, or the Ruhr region should submit a bid for the Olympics in 2036, 2040, or 2044.

Weather

Intermittent rain will punctuate the day until the evening – when it is expected to be dry. It will not be as windy as yesterday and we might even see a spot of sunshine mid-morning. Temperatures will start around 7-8°C this morning, creeping up to a maximum of 11°C in the afternoon.
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