ECONOMY FORECAST – Luxembourg's economy and employment are still growing, but more slowly than before, according to figures presented to the Tripartite Monitoring Committee. STATEC, the national statists office, says purchasing power is rising in all income groups between 2024 and 2027, with the biggest gains for top earners. The government will meet the unions next Thursday to discuss whether energy subsidies continue in 2027.
PETITIONS ONLINE – Thirty-three new petitions go online today on the Chamber's website, at petitiounen.lu until 3 December. Demands include a national response to the housing crisis, a minimum age of 18 for buying alcohol, and an age limit for e-scooters. Another petition wants AI glasses that can film or photograph people banned in public. Any petition with at least 5,500 signatures will be debated publicly in the Chamber.
STORM ALERT – A yellow alert for strong winds is in force across the country from midday until midnight. Meteolux is warning of wind speeds between 65 and 85km/hour. Walkers are advised to stay out of the forests while the yellow alert is in force. The Nature and Forests Agency says care is still needed afterwards, because the trees are in a fragile state. Despite recent rain, the woods remain very dry, so branches could fall or whole trees could come down. Anyone who does go out should keep to the paths.
FRANCE PROTESTS – France is preparing for another day of protests tomorrow. President Macron says only union-organised protests will be allowed. In Paris, only one of two planned marches has been authorised, while all gatherings are banned in Lyon and central Nice. The protests began over poor conditions in schools, and Macron meets pupils' associations at the Élysée this afternoon.
UKRAINE STARLINK – Ukraine has complained that Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet, was restricted. Media report that Donald Trump asked Musk to reverse it. Trump would not say whether he got involved, but said he is glad it is working again.
TAIWAN TYPHOON – Most shops and schools were shut across Taiwan today as Typhoon Champi approached, with more than 1,200 people evacuated from their homes. The storm is expected to pass Taiwan's northeast before moving on towards China and Japan, and hundreds of flights in the region have been cancelled. At least one person has died after being swept away by waves, and dozens have been injured.
MERCURY PRIZE RAYE – Raye has won the UK's Mercury Prize for her album This Music May Contain Hope. The 28-year-old singer-songwriter was named winner in Newcastle last night, beating Olivia Dean and 10 other acts, including Paul McCartney.
FRANCE MONET AUCTION – A Monet painting has become the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction in France. "Iris" went for €50 million, including buyer's fees, at Sotheby's in Paris on Thursday. The canvas had never left the Paris home of the Schlumberger family. It was known only from a black-and-white photograph.
FOOTBALL – The United States will host the first women's football Club World Cup in 2028, FIFA has announced. The tournament will bring together 19 top clubs from all six continental confederations. FIFA said it chose the US because of its experience of staging major tournaments, including this year's men's World Cup.
Bournemouth have beaten AC Milan 3-0 in the Europa League, making it three wins from three. Elsewhere in the competition, Crystal Palace drew 2-2 with Beşiktaş, and Celtic lost 2-1 to Celta Vigo, their third defeat in a row. Bayer Leverkusen beat Nicosia 2-0, and Sunderland drew 1-1 with Lech Poznan. Juventus drew 2-2 with Rennes, Marseille lost 1-0 to Sturm Graz, and Lyon were beaten 3-0 by Hoffenheim.
Luxembourg is at its first-ever FIFA World Cup event, with the national under-16 squad taking part in the inaugural FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan. Around 190 nations are involved, and the matches are eight-a-side, lasting 40 minutes. Each team plays at least nine games. Coach Pol Hansen says the focus is on developing young players.
FORMULA 1 – Kimi Antonelli has admitted that he needs to have a ‘perfect weekend’ at the United States Grand Prix to realise his dream of winning a maiden drivers’ world championship. Mercedes’ 20-year-old Italian could become the youngest champion in F1 history, if he wins Sunday’s race and nearest rival and team-mate George Russell fails to finish in the top eight.
Today will be cloudy with repeated rain throughout the day. The wind will pick up, becoming stormy, with strong gusts from mid-afternoon into the evening. Temperatures start at 6–8°C this morning, warming up to a maximum of 13°C in the afternoon.
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