LUXEMBOURG DEFENCE – Defence Minister Yuriko Backes has confirmed Luxembourg is bolstering defence with a historic €2.6 billion investment, alongside plans to reengage in international military operations to strengthen European security. Backes highlighted the significant threat Russia poses to Europe, underscoring the necessity for preparedness against potential aggression. She also announced Luxembourg’s return to the KFOR (Kosovo Force) mission, from which it had withdrawn in 2016.
EXPENSIVE CITY – Luxembourg City is the 4th most expensive European capital for expats, just after London, Dublin, and Amsterdam. In the latest Working Abroad Index, essential expenses such as rent, public transport costs, electricity, grocery shopping, and mobile phone plan were taken into account when comparing 28 European capitals, with Luxembourg City getting an unwanted top spot.
PLASTIC WASTE – An average of 40 tonnes of plastic waste are exported annually from Luxembourg to other countries for recycling. Among these countries are Luxembourg’s three neighbouring nations, as well as Italy and the Netherlands, with Italy receiving the largest portion. This practice aligns with a recent EU decision prohibiting the export of plastic waste to non-OECD countries due to concerns it may be buried or incinerated without being recycled.
RTL in mourning – Steve Schmit, the Content Director of RTL, has passed away at the age of 56 after a long battle with a relentless illness. The Today Radio team and RTL Today extend their deepest sympathy and condolences to Steve’s wife Marilyn, his three daughters, and his son.
WINTER TYRES – If you have yet to change to winter tyres on your car, now is the time as temperatures are expected to fall this week, dropping below the freezing point by Friday.
NETHERLANDS VIOLENCE – There was more unrest in Amsterdam last night. Dozens of people armed with sticks and firecrackers set fire to a tram and clashed with police. It is not clear whether the unrest is related to attacks on Israeli football fans last week. Noone was injured in last night’s violence. Meanwhile, Israel has urged fans to avoid Thursday’s France-Israel football game, which authorities fear could become a flashpoint following the violence in Amsterdam. Around 4,000 gendarmes will be on duty in Paris and the match is considered a “high security game”, which will also be attended by French President Emmanuel Macron.
EU COMMISSION – The heavyweights of the EU’s new top team are to be quizzed by lawmakers in Brussels this afternoon during confirmation hearings that are set to lay bare political dividing lines within the bloc. Estonia’s ex-prime minister Kaja Kallas and France’s ex-foreign minister Stephane Sejourne are among six vice-presidents chosen by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to lead her new European Commission – and set to face scrutiny from parliament.
US TRUMP TEAM – President-elect Trump’s administration is taking shape with high profile appointments underway. He has selected congressman Michael Waltz as the next National Security Advisor and is reportedly considering Marco Rubio as his secretary of state. The two appointments will be key architects of Trump’s ‘America First’ foreign policy, with the incoming president having promised to end the wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East and avoid any more American military entanglements.
US RUSSIA – The Kremlin has denied a US media report that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US president-elect Donald Trump shared a call about the Ukraine conflict. The Washington Post reported on Sunday that Trump had urged the Russian leader not to escalate the war in Ukraine. Trump also spoke by phone to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and, according to Scholz’ spokesman, the pair “agreed to work together towards a return to peace in Europe”.
FRANCE STRIKE – The trade union of the French railway company SNCF have announced a strike starting on 11 December to protest against expected restructuring. The strike currently has no set end date and could be extended by 24 hours at a time, potentially affecting Christmas travel.
FOOTBALL – The world’s best football clubs will discover their group stage opponents for the inaugural 32-club FIFA Club World Cup at the draw on 5 December in Miami. The draw will determine the eight groups of four teams who will compete in the tournament in the United States from 15 June to 13 July.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has left Manchester United’s coaching staff as new manager Ruben Amorim arrived at the club’s training complex to start his Old Trafford reign. Dutchman Van Nistelrooy, a former star striker at the club, was put in temporary charge after the sacking of Erik ten Hag late last month.
Former England football captain Gary Lineker is set to leave his role presenting the BBC’s flagship Match of the Day highlights show at the end of the season, BBC News reported yesterday. The 63-year-old took over as host of the Saturday night programme in 1999.
TENNIS – Jannik Sinner spent his first rest day at the ATP Finals in Turin collecting the trophy for finishing the year ranked the number one tennis player in the world. Sinner entered the season-ending event already assured of becoming the first Italian to top the ATP end-of-year rankings.
It is rather a gloomy day. The sun will remain hidden away as the morning begins with a slight drizzle, and the sky maintains a cloudy overcast for the remainder of the day. In terms of temperatures it will be similar to previous days. 4–6°C in the morning, 6–8°C in the afternoon.
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