TAX REFORM – MPs vote this morning on the government's tax reform. Under the plan, the three tax classes are merged into one, and marital status will no longer decide how a person is taxed. The reform takes effect in 2028. The CSV and DP are expected to vote in favour, backed by Déi Lénk. The LSAP will abstain. The ADR, the Greens, and the Pirates are against the bill.
HOUSING PROTEST – Thirteen youth organisations demonstrated outside the Chamber of Deputies yesterday, demanding action on housing. They want a cap on rents, more affordable homes, and a national housing commission. They say it's only the start. A march from Hamilius to the Chamber is planned for Friday 13 November at 6pm, and organisers are urging everyone to join, saying the housing crisis affects the whole country, not just the young.
BOMMELEEER TRIAL – The appeal trial of four former officials over alleged false statements in the 2013/2014 Bommeleeër trial opened on Tuesday. Prosecutors want the three-year suspended sentence for former police chief Pierre Reuland confirmed. They also seek convictions for three other senior police officers, who were acquitted at first instance. The trial resumes on Friday.
BETTEL FOREIGN POLICY STATEMENT – Luxembourg stands for multilateralism, international law, and European solidarity in an uncertain world. That was Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel's message to the Chamber of Deputies yesterday afternoon. He called for closer EU-NATO cooperation and backed enlargement, including Ukraine, Moldova, and Montenegro. Bettel reaffirmed support for a two-state solution in the Middle East, and said imports from illegal settlements will be banned.
ISRAEL ELECTIONS – Israelis voted on Tuesday in their highest turnout for decades. Exit polls show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's camp and that of his rival, ex-army chief Gadi Eisenkot, neck and neck, with around 51 seats each in the 120-seat Knesset. That is well short of the 61 needed to govern. Israeli Arab parties made strong gains, with exit polls giving them 17 or 18 seats.
UK BUDGET – Britain's chancellor John Healey unveils his first budget today, juggling defence spending and help with household bills with little room to manoeuvre. Rising inflation and borrowing costs, largely due to the US-Iran war, are adding pressure on Prime Minister Andy Burnham's new government.
US FED – The US Federal Reserve announces its interest rate decision today, with markets expecting it to hold steady despite surging inflation. It comes six days before the midterms. Energy prices have soared since President Trump's war on Iran began in February, and his tariffs are adding to the pressure.
BRAZIL BOLSONARO – Flavio Bolsonaro has not been seen since losing Brazil's presidential election. A court had banned him from travelling because he is being investigated for money laundering, and ordered him to hand in his passport. He didn't. It now appears he has left Brazil and is heading for the United States via Argentina, or has already arrived. He and his family have been granted visas.
FRANCE LOOTING – About 2,400 shops were looted in France during the large demonstrations of the past two weeks. Trade Minister Serge Papin says more than 1,700 online adverts for stolen goods have been found and removed. Platforms such as eBay and Vinted are helping the authorities spot suspicious listings, and around 500 are already the subject of legal proceedings.
FOOTBALL – A sensation last night. Arsenal are out, beaten on penalties by fourth-tier Fleetwood Town. The English champions lost the shoot-out.
In the German Cup, Borussia Dortmund edged Werder Bremen 3-2. Ten-man RB Leipzig won 2-1 at third-division Rot-Weiss Essen, and Frankfurt and Cologne also went through to the last 16. Tonight holders Bayern Munich host Magdeburg in Harry Kane's first match since winning the Ballon d'Or.
And Kylian Mbappe has apologised after the Real Madrid star was dropped by major Chinese brands for apparently joking about Mao Zedong in a video that has gone viral. The row deepened when Chinese state television said it was suspending broadcasts of matches from the Spanish league.
WEIGHTLIFTING – The world championships began yesterday in China. Luxembourg's athlete Mara Strzykala was in action. She narrowly missed the top ten in both the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk in her category, finishing in 11th and 12th place respectively.
After a few leftover clouds this morning, we'll see some brightening, and by the afternoon many of us can look forward to a pleasant mix of sunshine and cloud. It stays dry with a light breeze and temperatures starting off around 6–8°C in the morning, going up to 14°C in the afternoon.
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