FRIEDEN AGENDA - It’s another full agenda for Luc Frieden today. Luxembourg’s Prime Minister will meet EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss international and European issues. Then, there are talks with the Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo before the Benelux summit in Rotterdam today. Yesterday, Luc Frieden met French President Macron and French Prime Minister Borne in Paris, on the sidelines of a meeting with other European heads of government on the future of the EU.
BETTEL OSCE - Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel is in North Macedonia today. He is taking part in an OSCE meeting in Skopje, which will also be attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. A meeting is not planned but Bettel told RTL that he would not ignore Lavrov, if he were to make contact. He said that if Russia wanted to manoeuvre itself out of the one-way street they are in, the EU would not stand in its way. He added that impunity is out of the question, but a conversation with Russia would be equally important.
CLIMATE SURVEY - Luxembourg residents are increasingly concerned about climate change, as indicated by the findings of the 6th climate survey conducted in 2023 by the European Investment Bank (EIB). Following a year marked by inflation, extreme heat, and drought, the EIB has released the results of its comprehensive climate survey. For residents of Luxembourg, the escalating cost of living emerges as the foremost challenge, closely trailed by concerns regarding the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.
LOTTERY WIN - And there is one lucky winner of the EuroMillions jackpot, worth over €83 million. The winning ticket for yesterday’s draw was sold in Luxembourg. The winning numbers were 12,16,27,33 and 44 with lucky stars 7 and 8. It appears this is the Grand Duchy’s biggest lottery win. In 2015 someone won €31 million, while a 2013 winner took home €65 million. The national lottery has not commented.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR - The US President Joe Biden says extending the conflict in Gaza would only play into Hamas’ ideology. Biden said on social media that continuing down the path of killing and war would give Hamas what it seeks. Mediators from the US, Israel, Egypt and Qatar were in talks to extend the ceasefire beyond its current 6 days. Israel says it has received another list of potential hostages who may be released by Hamas today. This would be the 6th group to be let go since the humanitarian truce began.
FINLAND BORDER - Finland’s prime minister has said the country will shut its last border crossing with Russia, following an influx of migrants which Helsinki claims is an attack orchestrated by Moscow. The closure will come into effect overnight and last until December 13.
INDIA RESCUE - Indian workers were greeted with wild cheers and flower garlands yesterday as rescuers safely brought out all 41 from the collapsed Himalayan road tunnel where they were trapped after a marathon 17-day engineering operation.The rescued men were welcomed as heroes after being hauled through 57 metres of steel pipe on stretchers specially fitted with wheels, where they were greeted by state officials before embracing their families.
POPE COP28 - Pope Francis has cancelled his upcoming trip to Dubai for the COP28 climate talks, on the advice of doctors concerned over his recent flu-like symptoms. The 86-year-old, who has made protecting the environment a cornerstone of his 10-year papacy, had planned to become the first pontiff to attend the UN event since the process began in 1995.
ROYAL BOOK - The Dutch version of a new book about the British Royal Family has been withdrawn amid reports it accidentally revealed which royal commented about the skin colour of Harry and Meghan’s baby. The publisher Xander said in a statement that an error occurred in the Dutch translation and is currently being rectified.
FOOTBALL - In the Champions League yesterday, Dortmund qualified for the last 16 with a 3-1 win over AC Milan. Paris St Germain secured a 1-1 draw with Newcastle. PSG now sit second in Group F with seven points, with Newcastle and Milan tied on five points as Dortmund top the table. Barcelona also came back to beat Porto 2-1, as did Atletico Madrid in a 3-1 success at Feyenoord. Tonight’s games include Arsenal against Lens, while Bayern play Copenhagen and Real Madrid face Napoli.
WOMEN’S SPORT - Global revenues from women’s sport will top $1 billion for the first time in 2024 thanks to an explosion in popularity, according to financial experts Deloitte. Fresh from a highly successful 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, football’s revenue is expected to reach $555 million. The booming popularity of women’s sport is expected to lead to more prime-time broadcasting slots and visibility on streaming platforms.
We will see occasional spells of snow, sleet, or rain throughout the day, punctuated by intermittent dry intervals. Temperatures will linger on the colder side, reaching a maximum of 1 to 3 degrees. Looking forward, brace for the continued wintry weather, as colder air from Scandinavia is set to intensify, potentially leading to intermittent frost in certain areas.
Be sure to catch our full bulletin on the hour, every hour and headlines at half past the hour on Today Radio. You can also access the news via Alexa, and on RTL Play.
