EU UKRAINE FUNDING – Prime Minister Luc Frieden is calling the EU Summit a success after securing €90 billion in loans for Ukraine. The funding will come through the European budget rather than frozen Russian assets, following concerns raised by Belgium where most Russian funds are held. Frieden said a legal solution was not clear enough regarding potential lawsuits. Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are not participating in the lending scheme, but the deal went forward without their funds. Frieden says the agreement sends a strong signal to Russia that the EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine
PENSION REFORM – Luxembourg’s pension reform will come into force on 1 January after MPs approved the legislation in a marathon sitting, passing it by 34 votes to 25. Under the reform, the effective legal retirement age of 65 is set to be approached from next year. Access to early retirement at 60 will tighten, with the required contribution period increasing progressively by eight months by 2030.
CHAMBER LEGISLATION – Also in the Chamber of Deputies’ final session, MPs unanimously approved state support for electricity costs in 2026. The government will contribute around €150 million to help households and businesses, with the support automatically applied from January. The Chamber also approved a new scheme allowing people installing solar panels to pay only the amount not covered by government subsidies. And finally, MPs passed two bills extending Sunday working hours. Retail and craft businesses can now open for eight hours on Sundays instead of four, and stores can operate from 5am to 9pm on weekdays.
EXTRA SECURITY – The Grand Ducal police have launched increased patrols around winter markets and public transport in Luxembourg City. 12 agents are now conducting checks at tram stops and Christmas markets as part of security operations to prevent crime during the holiday season.
EU MERCOSUR AGREEMENT – The EU-Mercosur trade agreement has been postponed to January after France and Italy demanded more agricultural protections. Commission President Von der Leyen was set to sign the South American deal in Brazil this Saturday. Yesterday, thousands of farmers from across Europe protested in Brussels with their tractors.
UKRAINE WAR – Negotiations about ending the war in Ukraine are set to take place in Miami this weekend. US President Trump is increasing pressure on Kyiv, saying Ukraine must move more quickly, warning that every time Kyiv delays, Russia changes its mind. The talks will bring together representatives from the USA and Russia, with parallel or preceding discussions between the USA and Ukraine. European politicians may also attend the negotiations.
EPSTEIN FILES – US House Democrats have released 68 new photos from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, increasing pressure on the Trump administration ahead of Friday’s federal deadline to publish extensive Epstein-related files. The images include passports, photos of public figures including Noam Chomsky and Bill Gates, but depict no apparent unlawful conduct.
CRICKET – Australia are building a commanding 204-run lead in the third Ashes Test, crushing England’s hopes of salvaging the series. Travis Head is unbeaten on 68, with Usman Khawaja on 27 as Australia reached 119-2 at tea on day three. England, who lost the first two Tests by eight wickets each, must win in Adelaide to keep the series alive.
BOXING – Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has weighed in at 243 pounds for Friday’s controversial Netflix bout against YouTuber Jake Paul in Miami, nearly 30 pounds heavier than his opponent. The fight, worth a reported $184 million, has drawn criticism as a dangerous mismatch, with Joshua’s promoter calling it catastrophic before contracts were even signed.
SKIING – Marco Odermatt secured his 50th World Cup win when he took a fog-hit men’s downhill at Val Gardena, in Italy, equalling Italian Alberto Tomba’s tally. The pair are level fourth in the all-time men’s list, although still some way behind Mikaela Shiffrin who holds the overall record with 105 World Cup wins.
CYCLING – It has been announced that Andy Schleck is due to take on the Deputy General Manager role for the Lidl-Trek team. The 2010 Tour de France winner has been riding Trek bikes since 2011 and will now take on an important role in the American team, heading the sporting and business sides of the organisation alongside General Manager Luca Guercilena.
The blue skies were short-lived but sweet, and today sees Luxembourg going back to that familiar grey. Expect covered skies, a bit of rain, and some mist to top it all off.
Temperatures will be moderate, with highs ranging between 7 and 9°C, and lows between 5 and 7°C.
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