Luxembourg’s Chamber of Commerce hosted the second day of Internet Days 2025 on 19 November, bringing together digital leaders, policymakers and technology experts to discuss the country’s evolving digital sovereignty and resilience. The day opened with Media65 CEO Peter Poehle and a keynote from Claude Demuth, Chairman of LU-CIX. Demuth highlighted this year’s core themes—security, sovereignty and resilience—not as technical buzzwords but as essential principles shaping Europe’s future. He stressed the need for a strong European Union and greater technological independence, noting that “there is no real freedom without sovereignty, and no sovereignty without technological sovereignty.” Manuel Picco, Head of Information Security at the Government IT Centre (CTIE), addressed the growing complexity of cyberthreats and the crucial role of national infrastructure. He explained how CTIE works with trusted local partners to protect critical services, emphasising that skilled people are just as vital as advanced systems. According to Picco, human agility, judgment and strategic foresight remain central to maintaining digital resilience. Amandine Le Pape, Co-founder and Acting Managing Director of the Matrix.org Foundation, discussed the advantages of open-source technology in strengthening Europe’s digital autonomy. She noted that open-source standards ensure transparency and reduce reliance on foreign tech platforms—key elements in Europe’s push for digital sovereignty. She highlighted the growing collaboration between Matrix.org, European public institutions and the European Commission. Gilles Massenceo from Fondation Restena followed with insights on the critical role of a robust DNS infrastructure. He underlined how secure and resilient domain name systems support national integrity during crises and encouraged organisations to consider the long-term sovereignty impact of their digital choices. Luxembourg’s Minister for Digitalisation, Stéphanie Obertin, closed the session with remarks on the country’s state-operated cloud infrastructure. Fully run by the government since 2016, it provides public administrations with high-level data protection and reliable IT services. She also noted that Luxembourg increasingly relies on open-source solutions aligned with European interoperability standards, reflecting a national strategy based on transparency, openness and collaboration. The conference concluded with expert panels on supply chain security, operational digital resilience across the EU and the implications of Europe’s AI Act, followed by a networking reception. Read more : luxembourg-internet-days.com Chamber of Commerce : cc.lu/en/agenda/detail/luxembourg-internet-days-2

Luxembourg may be small in size, but when it comes to showing gratitude, the country’s generosity stands tall. A new study from delivery platform Wolt shows that Luxembourgers tip more per order than customers in several other wealthy European nations. According to Wolt’s data, only 17% of customers in Luxembourg leave a tip — but when they do, they make it count. The average tip comes in at €1.97, placing the Grand Duchy at the top of the five countries included in the study. Germany, by contrast, has more frequent tippers (25%), yet their average tip is slightly lower at €1.85. Meanwhile, Norway — rich in oil but somewhat modest in tipping habits — shows only 11% of customers tipping, with an average of €1.96. Within Luxembourg, generosity varies by region. Mersch emerges as the most giving town, with 23% of users tipping and an impressive €2.15 average. Luxembourg City follows at €1.97, while Wiltz tips average €1.91. “All tips go directly to the courier,” says Tomás Etcheverry, General Manager for Wolt Luxembourg. He emphasises that tipping isn’t mandatory: “But it’s a kind gesture when you’re pleased with the service — and let’s be honest, there’s real joy in having your sushi or burger show up on time and with a smile.” For couriers navigating rainstorms, traffic, and late-night deliveries, even small tips and friendly notes make a meaningful difference. They already earn a fair income, but tips add a personal touch of appreciation. Etcheverry sums it up simply: “If your order arrives hot, fast, and with care, a little extra thank-you goes a long way — for the courier, and for your karma.” Read More: press.wolt.com/en-LU/257986-big-hearts-small-country-luxembourg-tips-more-than-other-rich-countries

Social media trends have reached the Grand Ducal family, and Luxembourg’s new Grand Duke, Guillaume, has stepped right in. Recently, he appeared in a series of Instagram videos supporting the Bam Challenge, a nationwide initiative encouraging people to plant a tree and nominate others to do the same. A video shared by the Grand Ducal Court on 18 November shows Guillaume participating enthusiastically. Wearing boots and carrying a shovel, he headed into the Fischbach forest, where he planted a young oak tree—one that will grow for decades in the peaceful woodland of the Grand Duchy. The Grand Duke was nominated by Luxembourg’s two scout federations and the municipality of Colmar-Berg. As the head of the Luxembourg scouts, he gladly accepted the challenge, highlighting the shared motivation behind it: working together “for a greener, more sustainable and more united world.” Read More: pointdevue.fr/amp/royal/luxembourg/guillaume-de-luxembourg-releve-un-defi-lance-sur-les-reseaux-sociaux Sign up to Join Our Community : luxembourgexpats.lu

When a major Cloudflare outage rippled across the internet and took down some of the world’s biggest platforms, most of the web went dark for hours. But one company managed to bounce back astonishingly fast — and it did so with the help of artificial intelligence. During the outage, countless services including X (formerly Twitter), ChatGPT, Spotify, Discord, and Canva experienced disruptions as Cloudflare, one of the world’s largest internet infrastructure providers, struggled with a critical internal failure. The crash was traced back to a dormant software issue — a “latent bug” — buried deep inside a massively scaled threat-management system. A routine configuration update caused the system to collapse, dragging a huge portion of the internet down with it. While leading global platforms waited for Cloudflare engineers to bring systems back online, an education-technology company — Coursera — managed to restore its services ahead of many global giants. And the secret behind its rapid recovery was a powerful, AI-driven response system. According to company co-founder Andrew Ng, Coursera’s engineering team used advanced machine learning tools to detect the failure patterns instantly. These tools ran automated diagnostics across their entire infrastructure, identifying weak points, predicting bottlenecks, and recommending real-time rerouting strategies. Essentially, the system acted like a high-speed crisis manager: advising engineers on how to redirect web traffic away from the failing Cloudflare routes and spin up alternate pathways within minutes. Instead of waiting helplessly for the internet to come back, the team used AI to create a temporary failover system — a lightweight clone of the essential traffic-handling mechanisms they depended on. It wasn’t meant to replace Cloudflare, but it was strong enough to keep Coursera online while much larger companies remained offline. What makes this story global and important is not just one company’s quick rebound — it’s the broader message: AI is no longer just a tool for innovation or automation. It is becoming a key player in digital emergency response. As infrastructure grows more complex and outages become more disruptive, AI can spot patterns and execute contingency plans faster than any human team alone. This incident highlights a future where resilience, not just performance, becomes a defining measure of strong digital systems. AI-driven defence, monitoring, and recovery could soon become the standard for organisations wanting to stay online even when the internet’s backbone trembles. In a world that relies on constant connectivity, this outage proved one thing clearly: when the web goes down, AI is ready to step up. Read More : timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/cloudflare-outage-how-ai-helped-this-edtech-company-to-get-back-online-before-some-of-the-biggest-websites/articleshow/125439594.cms

Winter in may be magical for humans, but for pets it can be a season full of hidden hazards. From icy pavements dusted with road salt to dark, early evenings and tempting indoor heaters, the colder months call for a little extra care to keep four-legged companions safe and comfortable. One of the biggest winter troublemakers is road salt. It keeps sidewalks walkable, but it can sting sensitive paws, cause cracking and lead to irritation if pets lick the residue after a walk. Giving paws a quick rinse with warm water, using protective balms or even slipping on pet booties can make a world of difference. Snow and ice chunks can also lodge between toes, so a quick check after each walk is essential. Cold weather affects pets more than many owners expect. Short-haired dogs, small breeds, senior animals and outdoor cats are especially vulnerable to winter chill. A warm jacket, shorter walks on icy mornings and a dry, draft-free resting spot at home help keep them cosy. Indoors, heaters and fireplaces bring their own risks: pets can get too close, risking burns or dehydration from overly dry air. A safe distance—and a bowl of fresh water nearby—keeps them protected. Luxembourg’s long winter nights also make visibility a real concern. With most morning and evening walks happening in low light, reflective gear becomes essential. LED collars, reflective harnesses and high-visibility leashes ensure pets are clearly seen by drivers, cyclists and joggers, especially in busy neighbourhoods or near parks. Another winter risk is antifreeze. Popular car products used during the season often contain substances that smell sweet to animals but are highly toxic. Keeping containers tightly sealed and wiping up spills immediately can prevent severe poisoning. And since chilly weather often means shorter outdoor adventures, pets may need extra mental and physical stimulation at home. Puzzle toys, indoor play and interactive games help keep spirits high while they wait for spring to return. With a few simple precautions, Luxembourg’s winter can be just as enjoyable for pets as it is for their humans—keeping them warm, safe and ready for snowy fun. Read More : Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu

The Chamber of Civil Servants and Public Employees (CHFEP) has once again voiced strong concerns over the government’s proposed pension reform. The organisation argues that the planned changes are “poorly designed,” risk creating divisions in society, and undermine the very basis of the current pension model. Under the reform, early retirement will become more difficult: starting 1 July 2026, those wishing to retire before 65 will need to work an additional month. The proposal also foresees higher pension contributions, raising the rate from the current 8% to three times 8.5%, shared between employees, employers and the State. The CHFEP warns that the reform relies on “purely theoretical” long-term financial projections and could threaten the sustainability of the first-pillar system, which currently forms the foundation of Luxembourg’s pension model. Read More : Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu

A family from Australia, long accustomed to celebrating Christmas in the summer heat, set out on a European winter holiday in search of the traditional festive charm they had always imagined. After travelling by train across seven countries and eight cities—from London and Mainz to Prague and Budapest—they finally found the Christmas magic they were hoping for in Luxembourg City. Their journey included sampling local treats such as potato pancakes in Mainz, klobása in Prague, and lángos in Budapest, along with plenty of warm drinks, including Nuremberg’s famous Feuerzangenbowle. But the dream of cosy Christmas markets was frequently overshadowed by overcrowded tourist hotspots. The family abandoned the London markets due to overwhelming crowds and described Prague’s Old Town Square as “more suffocating than festive.” Everything changed when they reached Luxembourg. In a BBC travel feature, the family described the Grand Duchy as the highlight of their entire trip—a peaceful, beautifully lit city that offered winter magic without the chaos. They praised the Winterlights festival for its warmth and atmosphere, spread across several charming locations, each offering room to explore and enjoy. Luxembourg won them over with: Glistening streets and thoughtfully decorated wooden chalets Friendly vendors and plenty of cosy seating Easy access thanks to the free panoramic lift linking upper and lower parts of the city Local favourites like Kniddelen, Gromperekichelcher and crémant For the family, Luxembourg was the only destination where they could truly slow down and enjoy the festive season—proving that sometimes the smallest places deliver the biggest Christmas magic. BBC: Seven countries, one winner: The best Christmas market in Europe - BBC Travel

Meteolux has issued a yellow alert for snow across all of Luxembourg, with up to 5cm of fresh snowfall expected, mainly in areas higher than 300 metres. The warning is in effect from 3am to 3pm on Wednesday. Forecasters say most regions will see between 1 and 5cm of snow during this period. Temperatures will stay cold throughout. From Tuesday night into Wednesday, lows will range from -1°C to 2°C. On Wednesday, temperatures will dip to -2°C to 2°C in the morning, rise slightly to between 1°C and 4°C during the afternoon, and fall again to 0°C to 3°C in the evening. Skies will remain heavily cloudy all day. Meteolux is urging drivers to be careful, especially in higher-altitude areas where snowfall will be more noticeable and roads may become slippery. meteolux.lu/?lang=fr Read More : Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu

Winter in Luxembourg brings a mix of rain, snow, and slushy pavements that can be tough on footwear. Streets often get treated with salt to prevent ice formation, which protects pedestrians but can seriously damage shoes—especially leather boots. Preparing your footwear properly can save you from ruined materials, stains, and cold, wet feet during the winter months. With a little care, your shoes can withstand even the harshest Luxembourg winter. As temperatures drop and humidity rises, shoes made of leather, suede, and fabric become more vulnerable. Water seeps into fibers, salt leaves white rings, and constant moisture weakens soles. That’s why winter-proofing isn’t just about style; it’s a practical step to protect your investment. The first essential step is waterproofing. Leather boots especially need a protective layer to stop snow and slush from soaking through. Using a waterproofing spray or beeswax-based cream creates a barrier that repels water without changing the texture of the leather. It’s best applied to clean, dry shoes and repeated every few weeks throughout the season. Salt stains are one of the most common winter problems in Luxembourg. When shoes come into contact with salted pavements, white marks appear as the salt dries on the surface. A simple fix is to gently wipe the stains with a mixture of warm water and a little white vinegar—an effective and safe method used widely for leather care. For suede shoes, using a suede eraser or brush helps lift the salt without damaging the delicate fibers. Drying shoes correctly is another crucial step. Many people place wet shoes near radiators or heaters, but this can crack leather, warp the shape, or separate glued soles. Instead, stuffing shoes with newspaper or using a shoe tree allows them to dry evenly and naturally. For those who need a quicker method, a low-heat boot dryer is a safe alternative. Finally, winter is the perfect time to invest in grippy winter soles or simple anti-slip add-ons. Wet and icy pavements in Luxembourg can be slippery, and rubber soles with good traction make a noticeable difference in comfort and safety. Preparing your shoes for winter may seem like a small task, but it makes your daily outdoor routine more comfortable and keeps your footwear in top condition. A little care goes a long way—so this season, step confidently onto Luxembourg’s cold, slushy streets knowing your shoes are ready for whatever weather comes your way. Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu 

Luxembourg will take a major step onto the global climate stage at COP30 by presenting its first-ever national pavilion and increasing its international climate finance pledge to €320 million. Until now, Luxembourg shared space with the Benelux partners and the European Investment Bank. This year, however, the country will run an independent pavilion. According to Environment Minister and climate envoy Serge Wilmes, who spoke to gouvernement.lu, the pavilion will highlight Luxembourg’s climate actions, welcome international partners, and host a full schedule of discussions and events. Luxembourg recently strengthened its financial commitment to global climate efforts, raising its contribution from €220 million for the 2021–2025 period to €320 million for 2026–2030. The country continues to align closely with EU climate negotiations. While the EU’s updated 2035 NDC outlines an emissions reduction range of 66.25–72.5%, Wilmes said Luxembourg views the higher end as the only credible target. Luxembourg also backs the EU’s proposed legally binding 2040 goal of a 90% emissions cut, though it regrets the inclusion of up to 5% reductions through international carbon credits. At home, Luxembourg has met its climate targets for five years in a row and has reduced emissions by 33% compared to 2005 levels. Its revised national energy and climate plan (PNEC) includes more than 200 measures to ensure the country meets its 2030 objectives. Looking ahead to COP30, Wilmes said the final outcome remains uncertain but added that Luxembourg will consider the conference a success if it delivers a clear, united call for stronger global climate policies that remain consistent with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C pathway. For More Info : gouvernement.lu/en/actualites/toutes_actualites/interviews/2025/11-novembre/17-wilmes-luxembourg-times.html Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu