UKRAINE FOREIGN MINISTER – Ukraine's foreign minister says Kyiv is ready for a ceasefire on energy infrastructure, and ready to hold elections. Andriy Sybiha, who was in Luxembourg yesterday, told RTL a vote would need at least two months of security first, with eight million Ukrainians abroad and a million fighting for their country. Separately, EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg added around 1,600 individuals and organisations to the sanctions list.
EU BUDGET – EU ministers are meeting in Luxembourg today to prepare for this week's European Council, where leaders will negotiate the EU's 2028–2034 budget. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz says the latest Irish presidency proposal is no basis for an agreement.
PHISHING SCAM – The National Pension Insurance Administration (CNAP) is warning about fake text messages sent in its name. The messages link to a counterfeit website designed to steal bank details.Similar scams are also under way in the names of the CCSS, the National Health Fund and LuxTrust. CNAP urges people to use only its official website.
NORTHERN LIGHTS – The northern lights were visible in parts of Luxembourg overnight from Saturday to Sunday, but a repeat looks unlikely. A Meteolux meteorologist says there is no significant solar activity at the moment, and more cloud is expected in the nights ahead.
FRANCE STUDENT PROTESTS – French school students and education staff are staging a 5th day of protests, with unions calling for strikes and demonstrations over resources and staffing. Government concessions have not calmed things, and there are fears of fresh clashes with police. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez appears before the Senate this afternoon to answer questions on public-order policing.
POPE SURGERY – Pope Leo is due to enter Rome's Gemelli Hospital later this morning for surgery to remove a lung nodule. The Vatican says it was found early during routine checks, and recovery is expected to take about a week.
US TUPAC MURDER SENTENCE – Duane "Keffe D" Davis is due to be sentenced in Las Vegas for orchestrating the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed rapper Tupac Shakur. The 63-year-old was convicted of first-degree murder in August and could get a life sentence.
HUNGARY LGBT LAWS – The Hungarian Parliament is expected to vote this morning on repealing anti-LGBT laws brought in under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, including curbs on LGBTQ+ content and rights.
CYCLING – Bob Jungels has ridden his last professional race. The 34-year-old Luxembourger finished 130th in Paris-Tours one day race on Sunday, ending a career that brought victory in Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2018 and a Tour de France stage win in 2022. He called it a childhood dream coming to an end.
TENNIS – Alexander Zverev will finish the year as men's world number one for the first time. The German clinched it on Monday, when Carlos Alcaraz lost his third round match in Shanghai. The 29-year-old won the French Open in June and the US Open in September.
RUGBY – Rugby League World Cup holders Australia begin their title defence in Sydney on Thursday against New Zealand. The 12-time champions beat Samoa in the 2022 final. The Kangaroos’ coach Kevin Walters says he has never seen so much talent across the top nations.
FOOTBALL – The women’s national football team plays another friendly today. It’s against Montenegro in Rumelange at 7pm, and entry is free.
The second matchday of the Champions League also gets under way today, with nine matches. Atlético Madrid play against Manchester United, Arsenal play Lille, Bayern are visiting Viking Stavanger in Norway, Inter meet Club Brugge, and Galatasaray take on FC Barcelona.
Today will be cloudy with spells of rain or drizzle, although there will be some longer dry and brighter periods in between. Temperatures this morning range from 10-12°C, with a high of around 16 °C in the afternoon.
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