BETTEL MIDDLE EAST – Reacting to the pager explosions in Lebanon yesterday, which left 12 people dead and about 3,000 injured, Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel stated that the circumstances of the incident and responsibility for it are still unclear, as no confirmed information has been received. Expressing deep concern over the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, Bettel remarked that the conflict shows no signs of de-escalation. He reiterated Luxembourg’s stance that a two-state solution remains the only viable path to peace.
MP DEFECTION – The Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) announced this morning that MP Ben Polidori has been accepted as a new LSAP member following his recent departure from the Pirate Party. Polidori is said to have requested the change in affiliation, which the LSAP leadership, its parliamentary group, and north section all approved. The LSAP thereby now holds 12 seats in parliament.
BLUETONGUE DISEASE – Bluetongue disease continues to spread across Luxembourg, with 98 new cases detected over the past week. In total, 883 animals have been infected, including 734 cattle, 140 sheep, eight goats, and one alpaca.
SCIENCE PRIZE – Two 14-year-old Luxembourgers recently won the special jury prize at the 35th European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) in Poland for their app AllergyScan, which helps users instantly identify allergens in food products. Ido Semekh and Leonardo Magnani were recognised for their innovative project, an invention has the potential to greatly simplify life for millions suffering from chronic allergies.
MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT – Health officials in Lebanon say 20 people have died after walkie-talkies bought by the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah exploded. More than 450 others were wounded, a day after a similar attack involving exploding pagers killed 12 others. Israel hasn’t admitted carrying out the attacks but has said the focus of its war is moving from Gaza to the northern border with Lebanon, where it has been exchanging fire with Hezbollah since Hamas launched its attack on southern Israel last October.
EU IMMIGRATION – Hungary will join the Netherlands in asking for an opt-out from the EU’s migration policies, in another sign of fracturing EU consensus around immigration. The new Dutch government last week announced it was aiming to implement “the strictest asylum policy ever” and submitted a request for an opt-out on some EU policies yesterday.
EU GOOGLE – The EU General Court, based in Luxembourg, has scrapped a €1.49-billion fine imposed by Brussels against Google over abuse of dominance in online advertising. A Google spokesperson said the company welcomed the ruling, noting it had “made changes” to its ad services in 2016, before the EU decision.
FED INTEREST RATES – The US Federal Reserve has cut its key lending rate by half a percentage-point in its first reduction for more than four years, sharply lowering borrowing costs shortly before November’s presidential election. The central bank’s benchmark rate is now between 4.75 percent and 5.00 percent.
PORTUGAL WILDFIRES – Deadly wildfires raging in Portugal have forced more people to flee their homes as crews are battling dozens of blazes in the north of the country. Stifling heat and strong winds over the weekend fanned a spate of forest fires across the north and centre of the country that have left five people dead, including three firefighters and a volunteer firefighter.
CYCLING – The first stage of the Tour de Luxembourg was won yesterday by world champion Mathieu Van der Poel with Bob Jungels finishing in 16th place and achieving the best Luxembourgish result. Today, the cyclists will race from Junglinster to Schifflange – 155 km. Due to the Tour de Luxembourg and consequently closed roads, several schools in the south of the country as well as the International School in Junglinster will be closing early today.
FOOTBALL – In the Champions League, Manchester City and Inter Milan drew 0-0, Dortmund beat Bruges 3-0 and Paris St Germain won 1-0 to Girona. Today are the last six matches of the first match day in the Champions League. Among the games, Arsenal are playing Atalanta, Atletico Madrid play against RB Leipzig, and Monaco are playing Barcelona.
And a fungal infection has led to additional restoration costs of approximately €100,000 for the pitch at the Stade de Luxembourg, with ongoing concerns about the impact on upcoming matches, including the next game against Bulgaria on 15 November. The pitch features a combination of natural grass and synthetic microfibers.
RUGBY – Up to 10 mixed teams will take part in the annual Kick Cancer into Touch (KCIT) tournament at Boy Konen Cessange on Sunday. Men, women, girls, and boys will play in mixed ability teams for the glory of being the KCIT champion. As touch is a very low contact sport, it is open to players of all abilities, shapes, sizes, and ages. In addition to the sport there will be food and an all day bar.
Another warm September day awaits, starting off with sunshine and very few clouds in the sky. However, parts of northern Luxembourg may experience rain showers later on. Temperatures start off at 11–13°C in the morning, rising to highs of 22–24°C in the afternoon.
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