COALITION TALKS -
Coalition talks between the CSV and DP continue at Senningen Castle today. Coalition leader Luc Frieden will give the Grand Duke an interim report on the talks today.INFLATION FORECAST - According to the latest report by Statec, inflation in the country is projected to average 3.8% in 2023, with a slight decrease anticipated for next year. As a result, the next wage indexation is scheduled for the third quarter of 2024. And EU Finance Ministers are meeting in Brussels today, to discuss the economic forecasts for this and next year. Luxembourg is represented by Finance Minister Yuriko Backes.
LIFE EXPECTANCY - The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently released its ‘Health at a Glance 2023' report.The report reveals that Luxembourg boasts an average life expectancy of 82.7 years, securing its position in the top ten among the 37 OECD member countries. Notably, Luxembourg stands out as one of the few nations where life expectancy remained unaffected during the pandemic.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR - Israel’s campaign to crush Hamas has entered its second month and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has told reporters that troops are “in the heart of Gaza City.” Calls for a halt in the fighting have gone unheard, while aid agencies including the World Health Organisation have said the level of death and suffering is hard to fathom. According to them, an average of 160 children are killed every day in Gaza.
G7 foreign ministers are looking to hammer out a common line on the Israel-Hamas war today, while vowing there will be no let-up in their support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. The ministers are expected to call in a joint statement to be issued later in Tokyo for “humanitarian pauses” in Gaza, while stopping short of urging a ceasefire.
HEAT RECORD - Last month was the hottest October ever recorded in Europe, according to Europe’s climate agency Copernicus. With temperatures soaring beyond previous averages and record temperatures measured in the seas, scientists say the pressure on world leaders to curb planet-heating greenhouse gas pollution has never been more urgent.
UKRAINE EU - The EU’s executive is giving its advice on whether Ukraine is ready to begin formal membership talks today. Ukraine was officially named a candidate to join last June. The broad expectation is that Ukraine -- along with Moldova -- will get backing to move to the next stage.
SEXIEST MAN - The actor Patrick Dempsey has been voted 2023 Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine. Dempsey, famous for starring as neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd on the show “Grey’s Anatomy” says that at 57, he is glad it’s happening at this point in his life. He is married with 3 children. Chris Evans was given the title in 2022.
FOOTBALL - Starting with some football results from last night’s Champions League games: AC Milan won 2-1 against PSG, Dortmund 2-0 against Newcastle. Atletico Madrid beat Celtic Glasgow 6-0 (https://today.rtl.lu/sport/international/a/2135272.html). And Donestk beat Barcelona 1-0. Manchester City and Leipzig are both already in the quarterfinals after their victories against Bern and Belgrade respectively.
Tonight, Bayern will play against Istanbul and other matches include Arsenal vs Sevilla, Manchester United against Copenhagen, Real Sociedad vs Benfica and Napoli vs Union Berlin.
CRICKET - Glenn Maxwell said he was proud to have guided Australia into a World Cup semi-final with a stunning double century against Afghanistan. Australia were all but beaten at 91-7, chasing 292 for victory in Mumbai yesterday. But Maxwell snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a remarkable 201 not out, only the third double hundred in World Cup history. England are playing the Netherlands today.
SPORTS AWARDS - Luxembourg’s sports luminaries are set to shine at the annual sports gala on 7 December, where the national sports press will crown the year’s top athletes. Ahead of the event, members of the national sports press will vote on their choice for athletes of the year across several categories, the winners of which will then be announced on the big night itself. The main categories are female athlete of the year, male athlete of the year, team of the year, and trainer of the year.
It’s a typical autumn day, with familiar clouds loitering overhead and new rain showers creeping in by the evening. But the morning’s looking a bit more promising, with a touch of partial sunshine to kickstart your day. Prepare for a brisk morning with temperatures ranging from 3 to 6ºC. The afternoon brings slightly warmer temperatures of 7-10ºC.
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