GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLE – Marc Spautz is being sworn in by Grand Duke Guillaume as Luxembourg’s new Labour Minister this morning, replacing Georges Mischo. Martine Hansen takes over the Sports Ministry. The CSV National Council unanimously approved the government changes proposed by Prime Minister Luc Frieden. Laurent Zeimet will succeed Spautz as CSV parliamentary group leader.
POLITMONITOR SURVEY – Housing remains the top concern for Luxembourgers at 70%, according to the latest Politmonitor survey. The international geopolitical situation ranks second at 64%, followed by increased traffic. The rise of right-wing extremism, the pension system, and climate change each worry about half of respondents, while 29% are concerned about the economic situation.
LUXAIR WARNING – Luxair is warning passengers to expect disruption on its Portugal routes today due to a nationwide general strike. The airline says flights between Luxembourg and Porto and Lisbon are planned to operate, but delays are likely. Travellers should allow extra time to reach the airport as local public transport will also be affected.
MURDER SENTENCE – A Luxembourg court has sentenced three family members to life in prison for the 2021 murder of a man in Portugal. The victim was poisoned with insecticide after multiple failed attempts on his life. The court heard the murder was planned around a dinner table in Esch-sur-Alzette, where the defendants discussed which poison to use.
ELECTRONIC SICK NOTES – Electronic sick notes will be introduced in Luxembourg in January 2026, Health Minister Martine Deprez has announced. The country has also begun preparing to join a Europe-wide medical data system. The European Patient File, launching in March 2029, will allow doctors across the EU to access key patient information like medications and allergies.
OIL TANKER SEIZURE – President Trump says the US has seized what he called the largest oil tanker ever captured off Venezuela’s coast. He didn’t specify the vessel’s name or exact reason for the seizure. Washington has been pressuring Caracas for months over alleged drug smuggling.
WEST BANK SETTLEMENTS – Israel has approved construction of 700 more homes in the occupied West Bank, despite international criticism. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called it a strategic move to strengthen settlements. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the decision, which the international community considers illegal under international law.
FED INTEREST RATES – The US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates for the third consecutive time, lowering them by a quarter point to between 3.5 and 3.75%. The decision was made despite limited economic data due to the recent 40-day government shutdown.
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE – Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado made her first public appearance in almost a year, waving to supporters from her Oslo hotel balcony. The Nobel laureate missed Wednesday’s ceremony, with her daughter accepting the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. She will hold a press conference with Norway’s prime minister today.
FOOTBALL – In the Champions League, Manchester City beat Real Madrid 2-1, while Arsenal’s 3-0 win in Bruges keeps them top with maximum points. Luxembourg’s Leandro Barreiro scored in Benfica’s 2-0 victory over Napoli. Bayer Leverkusen-Newcastle and Dortmund-Glimt both finished 2-2, while PSG drew 0-0 with Athletic Bilbao. Tonight, the Europa League continues with Porto-Malmö and Celtic-Roma among the fixtures.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL – The NFL will play regular season games in Munich in 2026 and 2028 as part of its ongoing German expansion. Munich’s Allianz Arena has previously hosted matches in 2022 and 2024, with all German games selling out. Berlin will host its first NBA game in January.
DARTS – The Darts World Championship begins today at London’s Alexandra Palace. 128 players, including five women, will compete until 3 January for the title and a prize of £1 million.
It’s the usual morning fog, followed by clouds all day long, with the possibility of rainfall here and there. The temperature will stay rather constant the rest of the week, starting at 6–8°C and going ever-so-slightly up to around 10°C.
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