SUNDAY POLL – The coalition would lose its majority if elections were held this Sunday, according to the latest Sunday Poll for RTL and Wort. The CSV would slip to just under 22.8% and lose six seats, while its partner the DP would gain one. Luxembourg’s most right wing party, the ADR is the big winner, reaching a record high that would give it eight seats. A three-party coalition would be needed to form a government. The poll also found 58% of voters think a shift to the right, like in Germany or France, could happen in Luxembourg too.
CLIMATE PROTEST – Around 50 climate protesters gathered outside the Chamber of Deputies yesterday as MPs returned from the summer break. They laid out burnt wood from the Mullerthal and released artificial smoke to evoke this summer's wildfires. They want faster climate action and a quicker phase-out of fossil fuels.
PLANT BACTERIA – A plant bacterium called Xylella fastidiosa, one of the most dangerous to plant life, has been found on vines at three sites in the Moselle wine region, in Grevenmacher and Mertert, the Agriculture Ministry has confirmed. It is harmless to people and animals, and doesn't affect the wine. Affected vineyards have been cordoned off and infected plants destroyed, and growers will be compensated.
POPE LUNG CANCER – Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung cancer, but the Vatican says surgery to remove part of his right lung was successful. The 71-year-old had the lower lobe removed at Rome's Gemelli Hospital yesterday, with no complications. He's expected to stay in hospital for about a week.
IRELAND AI SUMMIT – Around 1,000 political and business leaders are in Dublin today for an AI summit, hosted by Ireland and the European Commission. The EU wants to avoid falling further behind the US and China, and is looking to Ireland, an early adopter that has welcomed data centres despite local backlash. Speakers include Google DeepMind's Demis Hassabis and Microsoft's Brad Smith.
FRANCE PROTESTS – More than 160,000 people joined rallies across France yesterday, backing protesting school students, according to the interior ministry. Unions put the figure at nearly half a million. Cars were set alight and tear gas was fired in Paris. Pressure on the government is growing, with a nationwide protest over the cost of living planned for Saturday.
GERMANY SUGAR TAX – Germany's coalition government has agreed to introduce a sugar tax on drinks from the middle of next year. The finance minister, Lars Klingbeil, hopes it will raise a billion euros a year, but critics, including some within the coalition, say it's more about plugging budget holes than improving health.
US TUPAC MURDER SENTENCE – A man has been jailed for 40 years over the murder of the American rapper Tupac Shakur. Duane Davis was convicted of helping to plan the 1996 shooting in Las Vegas, and of supplying the gun. Thirty years on, his lawyers say they will appeal.
FOOTBALL – Some football results from the second match day of the League phase in the Champions League: Bayern Munich were held to a 3-3 draw at Viking in Norway. Club Brugge won a seven-goal thriller 4-3 at Inter Milan. Atlético Madrid beat Manchester United 2-0, Barcelona won 4-1 at Galatasaray, and Arsenal beat Lille 3-0.
Tonight, holders PSG play Manchester City. Elsewhere, Roma face Real, Linz play Liverpool, Bodø/Glimt play Dortmund, and Betis Sevilla play Porto.
Luxembourg’s women’s national football team lost a friendly against Montenegro 4-0 yesterday. The FLF side were already 3-0 down at half-time in Rumelange.
FORMULA 1 – Rwanda will host Africa's first Formula One Grand Prix since 1993 in "the early 2030s" after the circuit announced a decade-long deal with the country today.
E-FOOTBALL – A Luxembourg eSports player has signed for a German club. Ivanilson Lopes Pinto Vaz Moreira, a four-time winner of the Orange eLeague, has joined Hannover 96 to play EA Sports FC in the Virtual Bundesliga. The club says he is the first Luxembourger to compete in it. The new season starts tomorrow.
We start the day under fog or low cloud, so take it easy on the roads. But it won't last, as it's turning fairly sunny later. Temperatures start at 7–9°C in the morning, going up to 16°C in the afternoon. Winds stay light, and no rain is expected. A lovely autumn afternoon ahead.
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