HOUSING AID - Minister of Housing Claude Meisch confirmed in an interview with RTL that a whole series of measures put in place to boost the housing market in 2024 will not be renewed next year. In order to take advantage of benefits, transactions must be completed before 31 December.
BIRD FLU - While no cases of bird flu have been reported in Luxembourg so far, the Veterinary and Food Administration is reminding the public of precautionary measures in place. Measures to prevent the spread of bird blu include provisions stipulating that poultry must only be fed indoors and that contact with wild birds should be avoided as much as possible. To this end, nets may be set up in outdoor areas.
BLOOD DONATIONS - Following concerns raised by the Luxembourg Red Cross over a growing deficit in blood donation services, Minister of Health Martine Deprez has announced that the state plans to take over the service in the long term. Currently, the Luxembourg Red Cross manages the collection, testing, storage, and distribution of blood donations in the country.
WORLD DIABETES DAY - Today is World Diabetes Day. According to a new study, global diabetes rates have doubled in the past three decades, largely in developing nations, from 14 percent of adults in 2024 instead of the seven percent in 1990. In this country, there are about 37,000 people with diabetes. Many do not even know that they are affected. According to international figures, one person out of three does not know that they are affected. Luxembourg’s Ministry of Health has launched a nationwide campaign, enabling residents to assess their diabetes risk at 65 pharmacies across Luxembourg. This initiative builds on last year’s campaign, during which 1,300 people took advantage of the testing opportunity.
US ELECTION - Donald Trump has met President Biden at the White House to discuss the transition of power and said the process would be “as smooth as you can get”. His Republican party is now predicted to win the majority in the House of Representatives, meaning it will control the three main levers of political power. Trump has been making appointments to his team, including the congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney-general. Gaetz has faced allegations – which he denies – of sexual misconduct and financial impropriety.
SPAIN RAIN - Malaga province has been hit by its heaviest rains in 35 years, as Spain struggles with a second wave of flooding in less than three weeks. Rivers have burst their banks, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes. Streets of Malaga city are inundated but there has been no repeat of the terrible scenes in Valencia two weeks ago when more than 220 people died.
EU ISRAEL - Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, has proposed to formally suspend political dialogue with Israel over the country’s alleged violations of human rights and international law in the Gaza Strip. Borrell’s proposal will be officially submitted next Monday, when foreign affairs ministers meet in Brussels.
BOXING - The boxing world is looking on in expectation as the former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has weighed in ahead of Friday’s big fight against the You Tuber Jake Paul. 56-year-old Tyson was tempted out of retirement by a reported 20 million dollars. Some fellow former professionals are nervous about his prospects against 27-year-old Paul who now has solid boxing experience.
FOOTBALL - Israel faces France in a Nations League match in Paris this evening that will be surrounded by a huge security operation following attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam last week, which have been met with a heated debate in Dutch parliament.
The Paris police chief has described the match at the Stade de France as “high risk” and Israel has urged fans to avoid the fixture. A total of 4,000 police and members of the security forces will be stationed in Paris and around the Stade de France. In a rare move, police will also be deployed inside the stadium.
Tonight’s other games include Belgium against Italy and Greece is playing against England.
MOTO GP - In a thrilling finale, Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia will battle for the MotoGP world title this weekend in Barcelona, with Martin holding a 24-point advantage and a clear path to his first championship.
The weather will remain very cloudy to overcast with the occasional clearings. There might be some light showers in the morning but the majority of the day will be dry. In terms of what the thermometer will be showing, the morning starts off with 4–6 °C rising to a solid 8–10°C in the afternoon.
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