PARLIAMENT MEETS - Re-elected or elected for the first time on 8 October, the MPs who make up the new House will take the oath of office today from 2.30pm. But not all of them will raise their hands, and several will remain MPs for only a short time. Sixteen days after the general election, the new Frieden-Bettel government is not yet in place. The coalition negotiations between the CSV and the DP got off to a quick start, but are lasting a little longer than thought. The Luxembourg Constitution requires that “the Chamber of Deputies meets in public session on the third Tuesday following the elections to verify the credentials of its members”. That day is today.
CHEF OF THE YEAR - Luxembourgish chef Louis Linster was crowned ‘Chef of the Year’ by the prestigious gastronomic guide Gault&Millau, only three years after becoming ‘Young Chef of the Year’ in 2021. Meanwhile, his partner Njomza inherited the hostess prize of the year 2022. The couple took home three awards in the space of three years, making the restaurant Léa Linster in Frisange one of the best eateries in the country.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR - Two elderly women who were abducted by Hamas during the group’s deadly rampage on Israel have been released. They are the third and fourth people to be freed. The womens’ husbands are still being held in Gaza, along with more than 200 others. President Biden has called for the release of all hostages in Gaza, before there can be a ceasefire. Palestinian health officials say airstrikes on the territory have killed more than 5000 people. The Middle East conflict is also being discussed today in the UN Security Council in New York. Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn is also there at a public meeting. On Friday, EU ministers are meeting for what is called a European Council in Brussels and leaders aim to agree on a common European position. EU leaders are expected to call for a “humanitarian pause” in the Israel-Hamas war, so that aid for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip can safely reach those in need. Some EU countries do not agree, arguing it could be seen as limiting Israel’s right of self-defence. The United States and Israel also fear that Hamas would take advantage of a ceasefire to regroup.
Also 7 French people are said to be among the hostages of Hamas. French President Macron is traveling to Israel today for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
UKRAINE WAR - In the south of Ukraine, in the Kherson region, families with children are now being forcibly evacuated. This is due to increased Russian bombing in that area. An initial appeal to leave the region was followed by only a few hundred people. Ukrainian President Zelensky continues to ask for international help. In Russia, women are now being recruited for military service. Until now, women in the Russian army were only allowed to work in the kitchen or as nurses.
FOREST REPORT - The world is off track to protect and restore forests by 2030, according to a new report from a number of scientific and environmental organisations, including the World Wildlife Fund. Last year, 4% more forest was destroyed than in 2021.A total of 6.6 million hectares of forest were destroyed in 2022, mainly in tropical regions.
OLDEST DOG DIES - Bobi, who was this year ordained the oldest dog in the world by Guinness World Records, has died at the ripe old age of 31. A purebreed Rafeiro, a Portuguese livestock guard dog whose normal life expectancy is between 12 and 14, Bobi was not supposed to make it beyond puppyhood. After he was declared the world’s oldest dog in February, media and curious onlookers from around the world paid Bobi a visit.
FOOTBALL - It’s the start of the 3rd matchday in the group phase of the Champions League tonight. In Group B, FC Sevilla will face Arsenal. Already at a quarter to 7, Bayern are playing Galatasaray Istanbul and Inter Milan are playing Salzburg. Back to 9 o’clock, Union Berlin plays Napoli and Benfica will meet San Sebastian.
RUGBY - The All Blacks are both “mentally and physically” ready for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against old rivals South Africa, according to defence coach Scott McLeod. New Zealand outclassed Argentina 44-6 in the semi-finals to set up the showdown at the Stade de France against the Springboks, victors over England in their last four clash. As each side stares down the barrel of a seventh and final match in France, tagged on to a series of warm-up matches, McLeod insisted there was little sign of fatigue in the All Blacks camp and that they have 33 fit men.
World Rugby said it had launched an official investigation into the allegation that South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi directed a racial slur at Tom Curry of England during the Springboks’ victory in the Rugby World Cup semi-final. Mbonambi, 32, is alleged to have used discriminatory language in the first half of Saturday’s 16-15 victory.
The day begins drier than of late but overcast with a light breeze and temperatures of around 9 to 10°C. There is a chance of some rain in the late morning. But come afternoon, the sun should make an appearance, dissipating much of the cloud and gifting us with a drier afternoon and a more agreeable evening. Afternoon temperatures are expected to peak at around 12 to 13°C.
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