LIMITED POWERS - The mayor of Luxembourg City, Lydie Polfer, has acknowledged that without the necessary police powers, she is unable to address the issues causing much frustration to local residents in the Gare neighbourhood. Despite police raids targeting the drug scene, the passing of a new law allowing forced removal of individuals, the deployment of private security guards, and regular neighbourhood meetings, the feeling of insecurity has only escalated in recent months. On Wednesday, she clarified that although she is responsible for security under police regulations, she lacks the authority to mandate police patrols, emphasising that - contrary to popular belief - the mayor is not the police chief.
MONEY LAUNDERING - The Action Task Force, an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to combating money laundering and terrorist financing, unveiled its evaluation report on Luxembourg during a joint session of the Parliamentary Justice Committee and the Finance and Budget Committee. The FATF commends Luxembourg for largely adhering to its recommendations and acknowledges the effectiveness of implemented anti-money laundering measures. However, the report also underscores the need for the Grand Duchy to bolster its resources further to improve its ability to detect, investigate, and prosecute intricate money laundering cases.
SILENT SHOPPING - In an effort to create a more comfortable shopping environment for autistic and hypersensitive people, Luxembourg has introduced the concept of heures silencieuses (‘silent hours’) in two shopping centres. This initiative was first launched by a major shopping centre in Kirchberg in late June. By early August, the project had garnered the attention of the Ministry of Family Affairs, which decided to endorse and expand it nationwide. Multiple stakeholders are actively engaged in the endeavour, with the Luxembourg Trade Confederation among them.
NUCLEAR CONSTITUTION - North Korea has enshrined its status as a nuclear power in its constitution, with leader Kim Jong Un calling for more modern atomic weapons to counter the threat from the United States, state media reported on Thursday. Despite international sanctions over its nuclear weapons programme, North Korea has conducted a record number of missile tests this year, ignoring warnings from the United States, South Korea and their allies. Diplomatic efforts to convince Pyongyang to give up its atomic arsenal failed, and after Kim’s declaration last year that North Korea was an “irreversible” nuclear weapons state, the status was included in the constitution this week.
DIPLOMAT RETURNS - France’s ambassador to Niger landed in Paris on Wednesday, after weeks of tensions with the post-coup regime in the West African country. The return of the ambassador comes two months after a coup in Niger ousted its pro-Paris president and prompted a souring in relations between France and its former colony, with Niger’s new rulers demanding his departure. Niger’s military leaders - who overthrew the democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 - welcomed the announcement.
NOBEL PRIZE - Next week’s Nobel Prize announcements will celebrate a string of groundbreaking achievements, but with conflicts raging around the globe, experts solicited about possible Peace Prize winners are scratching their heads. In a reflection of the frictions, the Russian ambassador’s invitation to the Nobel Prize banquet in Stockholm in December was recently rescinded following angry protests. The list of nominations is kept secret, but 351 individuals or organisations are known to be on it. The Peace Prize will be announced in Oslo on October 6.
PLASTIC CLOUDS - Researchers in Japan have confirmed microplastics are present in clouds, where they are likely affecting the climate in ways that aren’t yet fully understood. In a study published in Environmental Chemistry Letters, scientists climbed Mount Fuji and Mount Oyama in order to collect water from the mists that shroud their peaks, they then applied advanced imaging techniques to the samples to determine their physical and chemical properties. Emerging evidence has linked microplastics to a range of impacts on heart and lung health, as well as cancers, in addition to widespread environmental harm.
CARABAO CUP - In last night’s games Manchester City crashed out of the competition as they lost 1-0 away to Newcastle, Chelsea recorded a much needed 1-0 victory over Brighton, Liverpool defeated Leicester City by 3 goals to 1, and Arsenal recorded an away victory with a slim 1-0 win at Brentford.
US OPEN CUP- The Houston Dynamo defeated Inter Miami 2-1 to win the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday with an injured Lionel Messi watching from the stands at DRV PNK Stadium. Without Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba, Miami struggled to compete with an enterprising Houston and could have little to complain about the outcome. With Houston coach Ben Olsen stating that his team had deliberately exploited the absence of the ex-Barcelona players.
Today begins with clear skies and warmer temperatures. The morning will see plenty of sunshine with temperatures of around 12 to 14 degrees. As lunchtime approaches, light clouds will move in but plenty of sunshine will break through as temperatures rise to a high of around 23 degrees.
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