FRITSCH INVESTIGATION – Luxembourg authorities have carried out major searches in connection with the businessman Kindy Fritsch, grandson of Cactus supermarket founder Paul Fritsch. The operations targeted properties in Luxembourg as well as Monaco, Switzerland, and Belgium. Six people and 27 companies in all are under investigation for suspected offences including fraud, money laundering, forgery and embezzlement. Estimated damages exceed €200 million euros. Kindy Fritsch denies all accusations.
FUEL PRICES – Drivers and homeowners will see some relief at the pump from today. The price of diesel has dropped by 6.8 cents to €1.685 a litre, while fuel oil is down 7.2 cents to €1.117 a litre.
NORDSTAD MERGER – Four municipalities in the north of the country have backed the continuation of the Nordstad merger process. Diekirch, Ettelbruck, Schieren, and Erpeldange-sur-Sûre gave the green light yesterday. The councils are calling for greater state funding, saying €10,000 euros per resident would be needed, which at current population levels amounts to more than €220 million euros. Without additional support, they warn, the process in its current form would be in jeopardy.
ABU DHABI FLIGHTS – From 21 October, Etihad Airways will launch four weekly flights between Luxembourg and Abu Dhabi, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The route will be served by brand new Airbus A321 aircraft. Etihad says it sees strong demand for the connection, with potential passengers both from the Greater Region and visitors from the Emirates keen to explore the Grand Duchy.
GERMANY HAMAS – Germany's chief federal prosecutor says Hamas appears to have been planning an attack on European soil. Nine suspected sympathisers have been arrested since late last year, accused of storing and transporting weapons for the group. A pre-recorded video found on one of the suspects claims responsibility for an attack timed to coincide with the second anniversary of October 7.
IRAN WAR – The agreement between the United States and Iran is said to be a very general document, just one and a half pages with few details. US Vice President J.D. Vance said on American television that many key questions remain to be negotiated. It is still unclear exactly when the Strait of Hormuz will fully reopen, or whether Iran will be permitted to charge vessels a transit fee. The document is said to have been signed electronically, with a formal paper signing expected on Friday.
Tehran says the first Iranian tankers have transited the Gulf of Oman following the lifting of the US naval blockade. In return, Iran is expected to open the Strait of Hormuz, something President Trump says could happen as early as Friday.
Israel's Prime Minister has again defended the joint strikes with the United States on Iran, saying they prevented Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon and destroying Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu says the threat has been set back by years.
EU UKRAINE & MOLDOVA – EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova have formally opened. The decision was taken at a meeting of representatives from both sides in Luxembourg yesterday evening. Talks will begin with topics including justice, fundamental values and security. President Volodymr Zelensky welcomed the development.
G7 MEETING – The situation in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine are among the main subjects at today's G7 summit in Évian, where leaders of the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom are meeting.
US AIRCRASH – Eight people have been killed after a US military B-52 bomber crashed near Los Angeles. The aircraft had taken off from a military base on a test flight and came down shortly afterwards. The cause of the crash has not been established.
FOOTBALL – Cape Verde have claimed a hard-fought point against reigning European champions Spain in their opening World Cup Group H match, drawing 0-0. Luxembourg's Cape Verdean community marked the occasion with a public viewing in Ettelbruck, where the result was celebrated in style.
A string of draws in all results at the World Cup yesterday: Belgium and Egypt drew 1-1, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay also drew 1-1 and Iran and New Zealand drew 2-2. This evening’s highlight includes Senegal taking on France.
Tunisia have responded to their 5-1 World Cup thrashing by Sweden by sacking coach Sabri Lamouchi and replacing him with Frenchman Herve Renard. Renard coached Saudi Arabia to a shock win against eventual winners Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has since coached the France women's team.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS – Special Olympics Luxembourg has held its first ever inclusive sports day, bringing together people with and without disabilities across 19 workshops run by 70 volunteers. The event, organised in partnership with several disability organisations and sports federations, saw participants collect stamps and earn medals.
CYCLING – World champion Tadej Pogačar makes his Tour of Switzerland debut this week as his final tuneup before a bid for a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title. The Slovenian is an overwhelming favourite for victory in the five-day race.
The morning is starting under cloudy skies, with scattered showers expected through until around midday. After that, the rain will ease and the clouds will begin to break up, with brighter spells developing through the afternoon. Expect a fairly sunny second half to the day. It's a mild start, with 16 to 18 °C this morning, with temperatures peaking at around 26 °C .
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