TRIPARTITE PACKAGE – The government says it can fund the €450 million tripartite support package, after stronger-than-expected state revenues in the first months of 2024. Prime Minister Luc Frieden, presenting the package alongside Deputy PM Xavier Bettel and Finance Minister Gilles Roth, said the measures will ease household costs without burdening businesses, funding a minimum wage rise and energy subsidies.
ASYLUM AND MIGRATION PACT – The Chamber of Deputies has voted through the new EU asylum and migration pact following a lengthy debate. Eight EU regulations and one directive are being transposed into national law via two pieces of legislation. Deputies also passed a motion requiring asylum arrangements to be reviewed every four years.
DRUG REPORT – A new report from the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) says Luxembourg is increasingly becoming a transit point for drug trafficking across Europe. Cannabis and cocaine remain the most consumed substances domestically, with cocaine use on the rise. 12 people died of overdoses in Luxembourg in 2024, less than half the figure recorded in 2000.
ROBOTAXIS PILOT – Bolt, the European ride-hailing company, has announced the launch of a year-long trial of autonomous robotaxis in Luxembourg. The pilot programme, which began on Monday, will initially see five self-driving vehicles operating in the town of Bissen. Over time, the project will expand to the more densely populated streets of Luxembourg City, ultimately deploying up to thirty robotaxis, according to the company.
IRAN WAR – US forces have struck Iranian air defence and radar systems near the Strait of Hormuz, in retaliation for the downing of an American Apache helicopter. Iran's Foreign Minister has threatened to hit back, warning the US to leave the region. The strikes came hours after Trump said Middle East peace talks were in their final stages.
BELFAST DEMO – Serious disorder broke out in Belfast overnight, with buildings, cars, and buses set alight. Hundreds had gathered for an anti-immigration demonstration which turned violent, sparked by a stabbing earlier in the week, in which the suspected attacker was a Sudanese national.
FRANCE POPE – It has been confirmed that Pope Leo will make a stop in Metz during a wider tour of France. He will celebrate mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral on Monday 28 September. The visit is expected to draw worshippers from well beyond the Moselle region.
MEXICO PROTEST – The football World Cup gets under way tomorrow evening with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Thousands of teachers blocked access to the ground for several hours on Tuesday in protest at a planned pension reform and a demand for higher pay. They have threatened to continue demonstrating during the tournament.
FOOTBALL – Luxembourg's women's national team have been relegated from League B of World Cup qualifying after losing their final group match 7-0 to Belgium. The team finished six matches without a point and with just one goal scored. It was also the final international appearance for Amy Thompson. Andreia Machado is also retiring from the national team, though she will continue playing for Racing.
Lionel Messi marked his return from injury with a goal in Argentina's 3-0 warm-up win over Iceland in Alabama. Coming off the bench in the final quarter, Messi scored his 117th international goal on his 199th cap and set up the third for Thiago Almada. Argentina open their World Cup defence against Algeria on 16 June.
Spain and France have qualified automatically for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. Spain crushed Iceland 6-1, while France beat the Republic of Ireland 1-0. England missed out on automatic qualification despite a 3-0 win over Ukraine as they need to come through the play-offs, as will Iceland.
CYCLING – American Matteo Jorgenson led Visma-Lease a Bike over the line to win yesterday's 28km team time-trial on stage three of the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes as Frenchman Alex Baudin retained the overall leader's yellow jersey. Before the final three summit finishes, today and tomorrow's stages invite a battle between the breakaway and the sprint teams.
Skies will alternate between sunny spells and clouds, while showers remain a possibility throughout the day. There is also a chance of thunderstorms developing later on, but at least the wind will stay light today.
The day starts on the chilly side with temperatures around 8°C, before climbing to a comfortable 17°C in the afternoon.
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