LUXEMBOURG IN FIGURES - The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (STATEC) has published the 2024 edition of “Luxembourg in figures”, offering a statistical overview of the country and its society. Examples range from 1: Luxembourg is the only Grand Duchy in the world to 5,200,000,000,000 (5.2 trillion): this figure corresponds to the total assets under management in investment funds in Luxembourg.
FAKE VIDEO - A fake video circulating on Facebook, falsely claiming that Luxembourg’s Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume is endorsing a cryptocurrency platform, has duped viewers with doctored footage and a fraudulent website mimicking the layout of RTL. Users are advised not to follow the scam or click on the link.
LA DISTILLERIE - Michelin-starred restaurant “La Distillerie,” proclaimed as the the best veggie restaurant in the world, will be relocating to Findel Airport in January and rebranding as “Restaurant Fields, by René Mathieu.” A new concept for La Distillerie in Bourglinster will be announced in 2025.
LOTTERY WINNER - A lucky Luxembourg player has won a €1 million jackpot in the national lottery. In the press statement, the lottery further underlines that all of the funds generated through its prize games are used to finance social, cultural, environmental, and sports projects in Luxembourg.
LIAM PAYNE DIES - The British musician and former member of the boy band One Direction, Liam Payne has died in Argentina. Police in Buenos Aires said the 31-year-old singer fell from a 3rd floor of a hotel. It was not immediately clear if the fall was accidental or whether Payne, who has spoken publicly of struggles with alcohol abuse, may have been intoxicated.
EU GULF SUMMIT - Gulf leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met EU leaders in Brussels yesterday for talks they hoped could help defuse the “extremely dangerous escalation” in the Middle East. The EU is looking to work more closely with the Gulf states in the future. Trade, energy and climate change were all discussed, but Israel’s conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon dominated the agenda.
EU & NATO SUMMITS - EU leaders are meeting in Brussels today. The main topics will cover migration policy, support for Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to make an in-person appearance. And NATO’s chief Mark Rutte has told reporters that NATO defence ministers will be discussing the “victory plan” outlined by Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky during two-day talks starting today. The plan calls for ramped-up Western backing including an invitation to join NATO.
US ELECTIONS - Kamala Harris pledged a clean break from Joe Biden’s presidency in an interview with right-wing Fox News aimed at reaching Republican voters wary of Donald Trump.Harris clashed with interviewer Bret Baier on hot-button issues including immigration and gender transition surgery, with the Democratic nominee repeatedly asking “may I finish” when the host talked over her answers.
WATSON ASYLUM - Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson has asked French President Macron to grant him asylum as he fights a Japanese attempt to have him extradited from Greenland, where the prominent anti-whaling activist was arrested in July.
FOOTBALL – Barcelona bounced back from an opening-day defeat to thrash Hammarby 9-0 in the Women’s Champions League yesterday, while Bayern Munich fought to a 2-0 win at Juventus. Man City came from behind to beat St Poelten 3-2 , while Arsenal got their campaign back on track, beating Valerenga 4-1.
Thomas Tuchel said he must rise to the challenge of ending England’s wait for a first major trophy since 1966 as the German was unveiled as the new manager of the Three Lions yesterday. Former Chelsea boss Tuchel will start his new job from the first of January next year on an 18-month deal to the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.
TENNIS - The Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters starts at the Coque this evening. Eight former world tennis stars will compete for the title until Sunday. Kicking off at 6pm tonight, Martina Hingis will play British player Laura Robson. Then Germany’s Andrea Petkovic takes on Magdalena Rybarikova from Slovakia.
Carlos Alcaraz has admitted it will be a “difficult moment” facing “idol” Rafael Nadal when the Spanish superstars clash for the final time. Nadal announced last week that he will retire from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month. Today, however, the 38-year-old will take on Alcaraz for a place in the final of the “Six Kings Slam” exhibition event in Riyadh.
CYCLING - Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen won his 14th world championship track title with victory in the team sprint event yesterday. Today he races in the keirin, competes in the time-trial on Friday and then the individual sprint event on Sunday.
There’s not a lot of sun today. Early on, we’ll have heavy cloud coverage, followed by periods of rain in the afternoon, followed by a foggy evening. The temperature won’t be too bad, though: 13–15°C in the morning, going up to 17–19°C in the afternoon.
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