Luxembourg City is stepping up its efforts to become even greener by encouraging residents to cover their façades with climbing plants—a move that not only enhances the city’s beauty but also benefits the environment and urban well-being. Two years ago, the capital was ranked the eighth greenest city in the world. Now, city leaders want to go further by linking existing green spaces and extending nature into residential streets. “As a city, we set an example, but real progress depends on citizens joining us,” explained Maurice Bauer, first alderman of Luxembourg City. Workshops to guide citizens To support the initiative, the City is partnering with the Oekozenter Pafendall and the Œuvre nationale de secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte in the project “We are greening our façades.” The first free workshop took place on 31 May, and the next is scheduled for 21 September in English, with registrations open until 19 September. During the sessions, participants receive practical guidance: first, a theoretical introduction on how to set up façades with climbing plants and fences, followed by visits to homes that have already taken part in the greening project. As an added incentive, each participant can choose a climbing plant from around 20 species offered free of charge by the City. Benefits beyond aesthetics Greening façades is more than just decorative. According to Bauer, the plants: Improve air quality by filtering pollutants, Provide thermal and acoustic insulation, making homes more comfortable, Create habitats for biodiversity, offering shelter to birds and insects. The City also offers subsidies for green roofs, complementing the façade initiative to ensure a broader ecological impact. Expanding beyond the capital Luxembourg City isn’t alone in promoting this ecological vision. Similar workshops are planned in Esch-sur-Alzette on 27 September and Dudelange on 4 October, showing that the greening movement is spreading across the country. Take part in the We green our facades: Participate in urban greenery! | Luxembourg City  action, launched by the Oekozenter Pafendall with the support of the Œuvre nationale de secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte. Read More: In Luxembourg: Citizens encouraged to green the façade of their houses - The essentials Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu   

The eurozone’s manufacturing sector has finally returned to growth after more than two years of contraction, signalling a cautious turnaround but one still clouded by risks. According to the HCOB Eurozone Manufacturing PMI, compiled by S&P Global, activity rose to 50.7 in August 2025, up from 49.8 in July. The index crossed the crucial 50-point threshold for the first time since June 2022, marking the end of a prolonged decline. The rebound was underpinned by the sharpest surge in factory output since March 2022 and the first rise in new orders in over three years. Domestic demand proved to be the driving force, helping offset a continued slump in export sales, which fell for the second month in a row. Growth Uneven but Broad-Based At the country level, Greece and Spain led the recovery with strong growth, while France and Italy managed slight expansions after periods of weakness. Germany, the bloc’s industrial powerhouse, reported broadly stable conditions at a 38-month high, while downturns in Austria, the Netherlands, and Ireland eased to more modest levels. Despite the improvements, challenges persist. Backlogs of work dropped for the 39th consecutive month, pointing to underutilised capacity. Employment in the sector also continued to fall, though only marginally, marking one of the softest declines in the past two years. Inventories shrank sharply, with both pre- and post-production stocks reduced at the fastest pace since March. Purchasing activity also slipped, while supply chain strains worsened, pushing input lead times to their longest since late 2022. Costs and Prices For the first time since March, manufacturers reported a slight increase in input costs, while output charges were marginally reduced as firms sought to remain competitive. Economists view the rebound as a tentative but significant sign of resilience. Dr. Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank, noted that rising domestic orders offer hope for a more sustainable recovery. He stressed, however, that external risks—particularly US tariff policies, geopolitical tensions, and persistent supply chain disruptions—could still weigh heavily on momentum. “The recovery is real but remains fragile,” de la Rubia said, pointing out that shrinking backlogs and low inventories highlight lingering uncertainty. Yet, he added, the fact that production is being ramped up and orders are rising in this environment suggests companies are showing resilience. Read More : Eurozone PMI tops 50 in August, signals fragile recovery - Fibre2Fashion Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu   

Motorists in Luxembourg City are once again being warned to watch out for fraudulent QR codes placed on parking meters, a scam that has resurfaced after first appearing last year. The scheme involves stickers labeled “pay by phone,” which cover the legitimate QR codes on parking bollards. When scanned, these fraudulent codes redirect drivers to a fake website designed to steal personal and banking details. This is not the first time the scam has targeted the capital. Similar incidents were reported in November 2024 and January 2025, after which the fraudsters briefly disappeared. Their return now raises fresh concerns for unsuspecting drivers. How the scam works The counterfeit QR codes lead to a poorly designed website, where users are prompted to enter parking details such as location number, duration, license plate, and vehicle type. The site then requests highly sensitive information, including the driver’s name, address, and credit card number—without clearly stating any payment amount. Authorities note that additional signs of fraud are obvious: none of the website’s links to legal notices, terms of use, or contact details function. Official warning Luxembourg City officials stress that the only legitimate way to pay for street parking is through the Indigo Neo mobile application, which requires a proper download and account creation. Any other platform or QR code should be considered suspicious. Municipal services are actively working to identify and remove the illegal stickers, but motorists are urged to remain cautious in the meantime. Read More: Luxembourg: Les escrocs ciblent à nouveau les horodateurs avec des QR codes - L'essentiel Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu   

From 4 September 2025, Marguerite Krier will officially begin her duties as Luxembourg’s new School Mediator, succeeding Lis de Pina, who is stepping down after several years in the role. Krier is no stranger to the country’s education system. Having joined the Ministry of Education in 2003, she has built up more than 20 years of experience in administrative and educational matters. This background positions her well to take over a role that has grown in importance since it was created in 2018. The School Mediator was established to give families and students an independent channel for raising concerns linked to their schooling—whether related to decisions made by schools or the ministry itself. The office acts as a neutral partner, listening to both sides and working towards solutions that strengthen trust between institutions and citizens. During her time in office, outgoing mediator Lis de Pina played a key role in building awareness of the service and demonstrating its value in the education sector. By stepping in where misunderstandings or tensions might otherwise escalate, the mediator has helped ensure that students’ voices are heard and families feel supported in navigating the school system. As Krier takes over, expectations are high that she will continue this mission while also adapting the service to new challenges in education. With digital transformation, evolving teaching methods, and increasingly diverse student needs shaping Luxembourg’s schools, her role will be crucial in keeping communication open and constructive. The Ministry of Education expressed confidence that Krier’s long-standing experience will ensure a smooth transition, and that the mediator’s office will remain a valuable pillar of support for the school community. Read More: A new school mediator - Ministry of Education, Children and Youth - The Luxembourg Government Mediation Scolaire Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu   

Eurozone households continue to anticipate inflation levels slightly above the European Central Bank’s 2% target, maintaining steady expectations amid a cautious economic backdrop. According to the ECB’s August Consumer Expectations Survey, the median expected inflation rate over the upcoming 12 months held firm at 2.6%, unchanged from July. Expectations for inflation three years ahead ticked up slightly to 2.5%, while projections for five years out remained stable at 2.1%—marking the eighth consecutive month at that level. These figures offer reassurance to ECB policymakers, suggesting that consumers' longer-term inflation views remain broadly anchored—especially important as short-term volatility in energy and food prices fades. The central bank continues to face a delicate balancing act: keeping rates stable to underpin economic stability, while remaining ready to adjust policy if inflationary or disinflationary risks emerge. Read More : Euro zone consumers keep inflation expectations stable, ECB poll | Reuters Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu  

Despite strides in environmental conservation, more than 12% of Europeans reported living under the burden of pollution, grime, or other environmental nuisances in 2023—down from over 15% in 2019. That means more than one in eight residents across the EU continues to face degraded living conditions, according to the latest Eurostat release. The impact is not evenly spread across the continent. Across national lines, Malta recorded the highest incidence—with nearly 35% of its population affected—followed by Greece (20.5%) and Germany (16.8%). At the other end of the scale, Croatia showed the least concern, with just 4.2% of its population reporting environmental discomfort, followed closely by Sweden (5.0%) and Slovakia (5.8%). A closer look at how people live reveals a clear pattern: urban residents are most exposed. In cities, almost 17.2% of the population say environmental problems affect their homes, compared to just 6.8% in rural areas. Those living in suburbs or towns fall in between, at around 10.5%. Underlying this data is the EU’s regular Income and Living Conditions survey—collected every three years—which offers a vital window into the quality of life across the region.   Eurostat: 12% of EU population reported pollution in their area - News articles - Eurostat Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu   

Luxembourg, September 2, 2025 — Authorities are asking the public’s help in identifying owners of personal items recovered by police, believed to have been stolen from cars. The collection includes everyday objects: two pairs of sunglasses, a key ring, a scooter, a necklace, a small bag, and a garage door remote. The police have published photographs of these items to assist in matching them with their rightful owners. Citizens who recognize any of these belongings are encouraged to contact the Diekirch-Vianden police station, either by phone or email. This effort highlights how a small gesture—returning misplaced or stolen items—can make a big difference in the lives of those affected. The owner or owners are asked to contact the Diekirch / Vianden police station via tel.: 244-801000 or via email: police.diekirchvianden@police.etat.lu.

Luxembourg is grappling with a fresh tragedy after a head-on collision between a car and a van on the N15 near Feulen and Heiderscheid on September 1, 2025, at approximately 6 p.m. The crash claimed the lives of all five occupants on the spot, making it the deadliest road accident the country has seen since 1989. The scale of the disaster has cast a stark light on one of the nation's most severe traffic incidents in decades. Reflecting on the gravity of the situation, fire and rescue officials noted that no comparable tragedy has occurred in their 35 years of service. A Glance Back Through Tragedy This recent loss mirrors a pattern of serious accidents in Luxembourg’s past, each leaving its mark on the national memory: In March 2023, a deadly crash on Rue de Neudorf, Luxembourg City, occurred when two vehicles attempted to overtake a parked bus. The impact killed three people and injured another, with one car even crashing into a building during the collision. On the A3 motorway near Luxembourg, in September 2018, four teenagers from the Moselle region of France lost their lives in a head-on collision with a bus after a night out. A decade earlier, in September 2015, a multi-vehicle collision between Waldhof and Gonderange claimed three lives after a driver collided with an oncoming van, sparking further accidents as others swerved to avoid the initial crash. The tragedy of March 1989 still weighs heavily in national memory. A single-vehicle accident between Alzingen and Schlammesté ended in the loss of five lives after the car veered off road during an overtaking attempt, striking multiple trees before bursting into flames. Even before that, in August 1970, the country mourned the deaths of five members of the same Portuguese family when their car veered off a bend near Saeul and caught fire. The victims ranged in age from 23 to 49.  The most devastating incident in regional history occurred on 21 August 1967, when an LPG tanker crashed and exploded on the border near Martelange, killing 22 and injuring 47—a catastrophe that remains unmatched in its scale. Read More: Five dead in a road accident | The Daily Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu   

Luxembourg’s hospitals are warning of possible blood shortages as summer ends, with donor numbers reduced by holidays and new restrictions linked to mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and chikungunya. At the same time, the demand for blood transfusions continues to rise. Blood donations are crucial for hospitals, yet supply often dips during the holiday season. Regular donors are away, and many who return from trips abroad face temporary restrictions before they can donate again. The reason lies in the growing spread of the tiger mosquito, a black-and-white insect that has established itself in several European countries and is capable of carrying tropical viruses. In countries like France and Italy, cases of dengue fever and chikungunya have already been reported, raising concerns in Luxembourg, where transfusion centres must maintain steady reserves. One long-time blood donor explained that for her, donating has been a vital act of solidarity for nearly three decades – knowing that her contribution could one day save the life of a stranger or even someone in her family. Dr Andrée Heinricy of the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Centre noted that supplies remained stable through the summer, but with the new school year, demand is expected to climb. She stressed that every eligible donor is needed. Anyone who has spent even a single night in an area where mosquito-borne diseases were detected must wait 28 days before donating, since such viruses cannot yet be screened out of transfusions. The spread of the tiger mosquito is also tied to climate change. The insect has become established in France, Italy, and Germany, and has already been spotted in both Belgium and Luxembourg. Milder winters allow it to survive in regions where it once could not. Dr Pit Braquet from the CHL Travel Clinic underlined that Luxembourg has not recorded any local infections so far. Still, he warned that rising temperatures are enabling the insect to expand across Europe, leading to outbreaks in countries where such diseases were previously unknown. While the risk in Luxembourg is currently considered low, hospitals continue to stress one message: the need for blood is constant, and every donation counts. Donors can also book appointments directly: Blood Donation - Croix-Rouge luxembourgeoise (EN) - Don du sang Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu   

The Grand Ducal Police carried out late-night alcohol checks across Luxembourg between Friday evening, 29 August, and the early hours of Saturday, 30 August 2025, resulting in several warnings and one driving licence being revoked. The first checkpoint took place on Rue du Village in Schoenfels between 11pm and midnight on Friday. Officers stopped and tested 64 drivers using preliminary breath tests, even when there were no obvious signs of alcohol consumption. Out of these, three drivers tested positive and each received a tax-notified warning. In one case, police immediately confiscated the driver’s licence. A second operation was held in the early hours of Saturday, between 12:30am and 1:30am, on Rue de Luxembourg in Tuntange. Here, police examined 42 drivers under the same conditions. One driver tested positive and was issued a tax-notified warning. The police emphasised that such checks are an important measure to ensure road safety and act as a deterrent against driving under the influence.   Portail de la Police Grand-Ducale - Luxembourg Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu