SPACE SUMMIT – Paris is hosting the international Space Summit, which started on Wednesday, bringing together hundreds of figures from politics, business, science, and society to discuss Europe's security interests in space. Luxembourg is represented by Prime Minister Luc Frieden, who is expected to stress the importance of independent satellite capabilities for Europe and Luxembourg's role in that field.
WERO FAKE MESSAGES – Fraudsters are sending fake text messages impersonating the payment service Wero, using urgent payment requests and suspicious links to try to steal personal and banking details. Customers are urged to check senders' numbers and links carefully before clicking, and never to share banking information by text. Speaking of fake messages, former prime minister Jean Claude Juncker's X account was hacked yesterday, briefly posting an image of a figure resembling him dressed in a chicken costume. The image was later removed.
PETROL PRICES – Petrol prices in Luxembourg are seeing a slight reduction today. The price of a litre of 95-octane petrol has fallen by 2.8 cents, bringing the new rate to €1.84 per litre. For 98-octane petrol, motorists can expect a 3 cent decrease, with the price per litre dropping to €2.03.
BACK TO SCHOOL – More than 104,000 children and young people are returning to Luxembourg's public schools this year, according to the Ministry of Education. Over 58,000 are in primary education and around 45,000 in secondary, including almost 7,000 secondary students on international programmes. Just over 2,700 children are starting school for the first time.
PHILIPPINES FERRY FIRE – At least five people are dead and 87 remain unaccounted for after a fire broke out on a ferry near a tourist hotspot in the Philippine province of Palawan. 42 people have been rescued so far, out of 134 on board.
ECB INTEREST RATES – The European Central Bank is expected to raise interest rates for the second time this year today, as clashes in the Middle East push up energy prices and inflation. Brent crude climbed above $100 a barrel yesterday, while European gas prices hit their highest level since early 2023.
TEMPERATURE RECORD – August was the hottest month ever recorded globally, according to the EU's Copernicus climate monitor, with ocean temperatures also at record highs and western Europe posting its warmest summer on record. Average global air temperatures reached 16.96C, narrowly topping the previous record set in July 2023.
UKRAINE WAR – Ukrainian President Zelensky's plane may have narrowly avoided a Russian drone while flying from Moldova to Oslo for the funeral of King Harald . There has been no official confirmation. Russian drones have repeatedly entered Moldovan airspace in recent months.
According to US President Trump, Russian President Putin wants a deal to end the war in Ukraine. Trump said it would be welcome if Ukrainian President Zelensky also agreed to a deal. Moscow says Putin gave Trump a detailed briefing on the situation at the front and guaranteed Russia has no aggressive plans towards Europe.
US MIDTERM ELECTIONS – With less than two months to go until the US midterms, President Trump is stepping up his campaign to mobilise voters, promising every voter $5,000 if the Republicans win. Speaking at a Republican event in Dallas, he called the midterms among the most important elections in American history.
FOOTBALL – Six more Champions League matches were played yesterday evening. Among the results, Barcelona beat Feyenoord 5-1, Liverpool came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1, Arsenal edged past Napoli 1-0 and PSG thrashed Slovan Bratislava 6-1. Tonight Bayern play Bodo Glimt of Norway today, live on RTL.
TENNIS – At the US Open, Alexander Zverev has reached the semi-finals, beating Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in three sets. In the women's draw, Coco Gauff of the US is also through, where she will now face new world number one Elena Rybakina.
CYCLING – Sprint king Matthew Brennan has claimed a fifth Vuelta a Espana stage victory as he edged a bunch sprint in Seville to win the 17th stage. The 21-year-old Grand Tour debutant crossed the finish line ahead of Jordi Meeus and Magnus Cort Nielsen Today, riders take on a 32.1km individual time-trial in stage 18.
A dry day lies ahead, with a mix of clouds and brighter spells throughout the day. Morning temperatures will range from 8–10°C, warming up to a maximum of 21°C in the afternoon.
Stay connected: Tune in to RTL Today Radio, now on 93.3 FM and DAB+, and be sure to catch our full bulletin on the hour, every hour, and headlines at half past the hour.
