EDUCATION SPENDING - According to the latest OECD report, Luxembourg stands out as one of the top spenders on education among member countries. Luxembourg spends over €140,000 per pupil, educating a child aged 6 to 15. One significant factor contributing to this higher expenditure is the generous pay offered to teaching staff, and the high teacher-to-pupil ratio. Luxembourg and the Netherlands also lead in the number of young people aged 18 to 24 pursuing vocational training.
AIR TRAVEL - European air travel is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, according to a new report. Iceland emerged as the top-performing country, boasting a 16.2% increase in passenger numbers, while Luxembourg shares fourth place with Portugal, both experiencing a 10.5% rise in passenger figures.
STORM FLOODING - Emergency services have officially reported instances of flooding occurring in the northern and eastern parts of the country. The Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) has verified that nine cellars in the northern region and six cellars in the eastern region have been flooded due to last night’s storm. Two trees also fell as a result of the bad weather. There have been no reported injuries as a result of the flooding.
LIBYA FLOODS - The Red Crescent says that 5,000 people are dead and at least 10,000 people are missing in eastern Libya, after the region was devastated by the floods. In the port city of Derna, where two dams and four bridges collapsed, rescue teams are struggling to retrieve bodies that were swept out to sea. Efforts to deliver emergency relief have begun but with much of the road network destroyed by the raging floodwaters, getting to aid to survivors is going to be a big challenge. The Luxembourg Red Cross is asking for donations.
STATE OF THE UNION - Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is making her last State of the Union address in Strasbourg this morning – last, that is, unless she receives a new mandate next year. The speech, lasting around one hour will focus the Green Deal implementation and industrial competitiveness. She is also expected to speak about EU enlargement, climate change, immigration and the war in Ukraine.
FRANCE IPHONE - French regulators have ordered Apple to halt sales of the iPhone 12 for emitting too much electromagnetic radiation, and to fix existing handsets. The French agency that regulates radio frequencies said testing found that the model emits more electromagnetic waves susceptible to be absorbed by the body than permitted by the EU.
ACCELERATION RECORD - Swiss students have designed and built a racing car, which has broken the world record for electric vehicle acceleration. It can go from zero to 100km/hour in less than a second. The Guinness World Records have confirmed that the car, called “Mythen” broke the previous world acceleration record which was set in September last year at 1.461 seconds.
MTV MUSIC AWARDS - Taylor Swift cleaned up at Tuesday’s MTV Video Music Awards, as Shakira accepted the night’s prestigious Video Vanguard prize with a hip-shaking, career-spanning performance. Swift continued her global reign by scooping awards including Best Song and Best Pop.
FOOTBALL - In the qualification matches for the European Championships. Belgium won 5-0 against Estonia and Austria won 6-0 against Cyprus. In friendlies, Germany beat France 2-1 and England scored 3-1 against Scotland.
CYCLING - Danish cylist Jonas Vingegaard has won the 16th stage of the Vuelta. The Tour de France winner is now 29 seconds behind the leader, the American Sepp Kuss.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL - New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has suffered a torn left Achilles tendon that will end his 2023 NFL season. With Rodgers turning 40 in December, there is concern that one of the most prolific passers in NFL history might have played his final contest.
Morning mist will transition into dry weather under partly cloudy skies. There is a slight risk of rain in the afternoon, with some sun still peeking through. Temperatures will be noticeably cooler than in previous days. Morning temperatures of 14-18°C. The afternoon will have a slight, 10-20 km/h breeze to the east, with temperatures at 19-22°C.
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