Death toll in Hong Kong fire hits 94, Strassen neo-Nazi sentenced, and two athletics stadiums to be built in Hamm

Luxembourg 

NEO NAZI SENTENCE – A young neo-Nazi has been sentenced to eight years in prison, six of which are suspended, after his trial in July on charges including violations of weapons laws, planning terrorist attacks, and membership in a terrorist organisation. He will also serve five years' probation, conditional on completing a deradicalisation programme.

POLICE OPERATION – Police and labour inspectors conducted joint checks on Wednesday in Luxembourg City's Gare and Bonnevoie districts, focusing on cafes, restaurants, drug laws, and immigration. Two people were arrested on outstanding warrants and taken to Schrassig prison while three violations were recorded for tax, drugs, and labour law breaches.

TODDLER DEATH – Nearly six years after two-year-old Emran was killed by a collapsing ice sculpture at Luxembourg City's Winter Market, his family says they are still waiting for answers and for the case to finally go to trial. Questions remain over who is responsible, where the main mistakes lie, and how this could happen. In 2021, the case was expected to be closed, with assurances from the City of Luxembourg that the incident would be handled as quickly as possible.

ATHLETICS STADIUM – Plans are advancing for a new athletics complex in Hamm to replace the Stade Josy Barthel, with completion targeted for the end of 2028 ahead of the Games of the Small States. The city council is set to vote on the second phase before Christmas. The project, estimated at around 140 million euros, will include two athletics stadiums and later add two football pitches and a sports hall.

World

HONG KONG FIRE – Firefighters in Hong Kong have extinguished the blaze in seven high-rise buildings, but the death toll has reached 94 with many still missing. It is the city's worst fire disaster in almost 80 years, with three construction company employees arrested after the flames apparently spread via bamboo scaffolding.

US SHOOTING – President Trump has confirmed the death of a National Guard member shot in Washington, with a second victim in critical condition. The suspect, who arrived from Afghanistan in 2021 and worked with the CIA there, allegedly drove cross-country from the West Coast to carry out the attack. Trump is using the National Guard shooting to announce even stricter immigration measures, including suspending immigration from "third world countries" and reviewing all Afghan nationals who entered under Biden, as well as people from other so-called “problematic" nations.

UKRAINE WAR – Russian President Putin says he is open to peace negotiations but remains firm that unless Ukraine cedes the territories Russia demands, the war will continue. Kyiv is rejecting those demands. Russia currently controls a fifth of Ukrainian territory. President Zelensky has hinted at a crucial meeting next week, possibly with Donald Trump. Vladimir Putin meanwhile claims he is willing to provide written guarantees that Russia will not attack Europe, calling suggestions of a Russian invasion "lies and complete nonsense" that could gladly be put in writing.

LOUVRE TICKET PRICES – The Louvre in Paris is raising admission prices for non-Europeans by 45% next year, from 22 to 32 euros, after October's jewellery theft exposed security shortfalls. The museum is hoping to generate 15 to 20 million euros annually, with Americans and Chinese visitors particularly affected amongst the museum's 8.7 million yearly visitors.

Sport

BASKETBALL – Luxembourg's men's basketball team has won their first pre-qualification match for the 2029 European Championship, defeating Ireland 89-77 at the Coque. They face their second group match on Sunday away in Baku, Azerbaijan.

FORMULA 1 – The second-to-last Grand Prix of the season takes place in Qatar this weekend with the world championship still undecided. Lando Norris has a 24 point lead over teammate Oscar Piastri and over Max Verstappen. The sprint takes place tomorrow at 3pm and the Grand Prix on Sunday at 5pm. You can watch these live on RTL Play.

Weather

This morning starts off misty again today, with little to no chance of sunshine. It will be foggy and grey throughout the day, with patches of rain throughout. In terms of temperatures, it will be 4–6°C in the morning, rising to 6–8°C in the afternoon, and weirdly it's meant to get a degree warmer in the evening.
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