A vast and silent drama may be unfolding beneath the icy waters surrounding Antarctica. New research suggests that the Southern Ocean—one of the planet’s most powerful climate regulators—could someday release a massive pulse of stored heat, a “thermal burp” capable of reigniting global warming even after humanity successfully cuts emissions. For decades, this ocean has acted like Earth’s safety valve, absorbing extraordinary amounts of excess heat and carbon dioxide produced by human activity. This buffering effect has slowed atmospheric warming and bought time for climate action. But scientists now warn that this hidden reservoir of heat may not stay locked away forever. Climate-model simulations show that if the world eventually reduces atmospheric CO₂—first stabilizing emissions and then going “net negative”—the planet’s surface will begin to cool. As sea ice expands and surface waters grow colder and saltier, they become heavier and begin to sink. Meanwhile, the deep Southern Ocean remains comparatively warm. This imbalance sets up the conditions for deep-water convection: a sudden mixing event where warm water from the depths surges upward, releasing long-stored heat into the atmosphere. Researchers describe this as a potential “century-long burp,” a slow but powerful exhalation of energy that had been quietly accumulating over decades. Such an event wouldn’t depend on future emissions—it would stem from the ocean’s memory of the past. In other words, the planet could experience renewed warming even in a world making significant climate progress. What makes this scenario especially concerning is its longevity. Models indicate the heat release could continue for decades, perhaps up to a hundred years, creating a stubborn rebound effect that offsets gains made through emissions cuts. While the study relies on an idealized model and cannot assign exact timelines, experts agree it highlights a crucial vulnerability in Earth’s climate system: the deep ocean, still poorly understood, may hold surprises that complicate even the most ambitious mitigation plans. This doesn’t negate the value of cutting emissions—far from it. The less heat the ocean stores today, the weaker any future release would be. But the findings underscore the need for long-term climate vigilance. Slowing emissions is essential; understanding the deep ocean is equally critical. The Southern Ocean’s potential “heat burp” is a reminder that climate change is not just an atmospheric story. It is an ocean story, an ice story, and a story about the slow, powerful forces of the planet that may respond long after humanity shifts course. Read More : phys.org/news/2025-10-southern-ocean-massive-burp.html?utm_source

A new update from STATEC shows that Luxembourg’s labour market regained steam in the third quarter of 2025, with employment rising by 0.5% — a noticeable acceleration after modest gains earlier in the year. Both residents and cross-border workers contributed to the growth, with resident employment climbing 0.4% and commuters 0.5%. The expansion was driven largely by business services (especially temporary work and landscaping/building services) and the public sector, which remained the top job creator. At the same time, job vacancies began to rise again in September and October, especially in business services, finance, and construction — signaling renewed demand for labour. Despite these positives, the unemployment rate in Luxembourg has not fallen sharply; it has recently stabilised around 6.0% of the labour force. Looking beyond labour, the report forecasts relief for consumers on energy costs: electricity prices are expected to drop by roughly 15% early next year, as state support for the supply network is maintained and wholesale tariffs ease. Overall, the third quarter data suggests a cautiously optimistic recovery: more jobs and growing demand, but also persistent unemployment — a reminder that economic momentum remains fragile even as conditions improve. Read More : statistiques.public.lu

Luxembourg is preparing for a major digital upgrade to its public transport network, as the Ministry of Mobility confirms that QR-code information panels will soon be installed at roughly 3,700 bus stops across the country. The nationwide rollout follows a promising pilot project in the Nordstad, where 150 stops were equipped with small QR plates designed to give passengers instant access to real-time travel details. According to Mobility Minister Yuriko Backes, the assessment of the Nordstad trial—conducted between July and October 2024—left little doubt about the system’s usefulness. The test panels were scanned an average of 120 times per day, adding up to around 3,500 monthly consultations. A user survey reinforced the positive results, more than 90% of respondents described the information as helpful and easy to navigate. The materials selected for the plates also proved robust, with no visible damage or degradation reported over the months-long test. The QR-code system is designed to give even the smallest rural stop the same informational advantage as major transport hubs. A quick scan displays upcoming departures in real time, downloadable PDF timetables for lines serving the stop, and alerts about service disruptions or construction works. This aligns with the government’s coalition agreement, which calls for more consistent and accessible passenger information throughout the network. The ministry emphasises that the digital signs are meant to complement—not replace—traditional display boards. They also help identify the precise name and direction of a stop, reducing confusion at locations with several poles or platforms. With installations set to begin in December, Luxembourg is taking another step toward modern, uniform, and user-friendly public transport infrastructure. Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu

From 26–27 November 2025, Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, travelled to Milan for a working visit aimed at strengthening economic and commercial links between Luxembourg and Italy. During the visit, Bettel met with business representatives from northern Italy to engage in open dialogue about the business climate, cross-border investments and Luxembourg’s attractiveness as a hub for companies. The discussions targeted both firms already established in Luxembourg and those considering expansion or relocation there. Italy, noted for its long-standing economic relationship with Luxembourg, remains one of Luxembourg’s key partners. The Milan visit reaffirmed that bilateral ties continue to evolve, particularly as Luxembourg positions itself to welcome further Italian investment and economic collaboration. The Milan mission also offered an opportunity to connect with honorary consuls in Milan, Turin and Genoa, underlining diplomatic as well as commercial cooperation between the two countries. This visit comes alongside other efforts by Luxembourg to expand economic links — including financial, corporate, and cultural ties — reinforcing the vision of a diversified and international working environment benefiting both Luxembourg and its partners abroad. Read More : Foreign Affairs Ministry+1 Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu

In nature’s catalogue of flowers, petals usually serve a simple role: attract pollinators. Most blooms flaunt a modest count — just enough petals to catch eyes and entice bees or butterflies. But every now and then, a flower mutates and transforms into a “double flower,” where the original structure shifts, and petals multiply. These extravagant blossoms don’t just stand out — they completely reshape what a normal flower looks like. Botanists explain this phenomenon through a genetic twist: the same ancestral blueprint that once produced petals, stamens, and other floral organs can be “rewired.” A mutation might reroute what should have become stamens or reproductive parts into petals instead — turning organs designed for reproduction into layers of petals. The result? A bloom packed almost entirely with petals, often sterile but striking beyond compare. Some familiar garden favourites illustrate this beautifully. For example, double-flowered versions of meadow buttercups — also known as “bachelor’s buttons” — or double buttercups, lesser celandines, and marsh marigolds (all commonly sold in garden centres) sometimes feature petal-counts vastly higher than their wild ancestors. These are not merely aesthetic tweaks — they’re dramatic shifts in form, where function is traded for flamboyance. That said, such lush floral displays remain rare among truly wild plants. Most species stick to modest petal counts, because their evolutionary strategy remains rooted in efficient pollination and reproduction. But among gardeners, horticulturalists, and flower-lovers, double-flower versions have become a beloved anomaly — a testament to how flexible and surprising floral genetics can be when nature takes a detour. Read More : Which flower has the most petals? - Discover Wildlife Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu

Luxembourg’s latest national forest inventory paints a troubling picture: between 2010 and 2023, the country’s forests released more carbon dioxide than they absorbed, effectively turning them into a net source of emissions. The findings come from the third National Forest Inventory (NFI), carried out from early 2023 to mid-2024 across 1,845 sampling sites, following earlier editions in 2000 and 2010. According to Environment Minister Serge Wilmes, who presented the results alongside the Nature and Forestry Administration, the reversal in the forests’ carbon balance is closely tied to the accelerating impacts of climate change. Years of repeated drought have weakened many tree species, increasing mortality rates and creating ideal conditions for bark beetle outbreaks. The infestation forced the clearing of around 2,050 hectares of spruce—more than double the area recorded in the previous inventory. The report highlights additional areas of concern. The amount of standing timber is no longer rising at the pace seen in past decades, with total wood volume increasing by only 11% since 2000. Forest growth between 2010 and 2023 slowed by roughly a quarter compared to the previous period, a trend attributed to extreme weather events, disease, and widespread dieback. Yet the picture is not entirely bleak. Luxembourg’s forests—covering 35% of the country, or about 92,250 hectares—have also benefited from long-term adaptation efforts. Foresters’ push to improve resilience has boosted the proportion of hardwood species from 66% in 2010 to 75% in 2023, contributing to stronger ecological stability. Forest ecosystems have also become more diverse and structurally varied, with more mixed and multilayered stands. Another encouraging sign is the sharp rise in old, large-diameter trees, whose numbers have more than doubled to reach 135,000 in 2023. Dead wood, a vital resource for countless insects, birds and fungi, has expanded from an average of 6 to 27 cubic metres per hectare since 2000—an important gain for biodiversity even as climate pressures intensify. Read More : Presentation of the third National Forest Inventory: Luxembourg companies facing the climate challenge - News - Portal of Environment - emwelt.lu - Luxembourg Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu

On 27 November 2025, deputies from the parliamentary committees responsible for budget execution and public works convened to assess the state’s largest ongoing and planned infrastructure undertakings. The meeting, bearing special oversight, focused on projects whose costs exceed €30 million and are managed by the public buildings administration or the national bridges & roads authority. Among the public-building projects under review: a vast renovation and upgrading plan for the national military centre at Herrenberg (budgeted at €192.1 million), expansion of the penitentiary facility at Uerschterhaff (€173.9 million), and conversion of the old national library into a modern facility (€56.7 million). The list also includes several major educational investments — such as new or upgraded high-schools (including a large-scale “Neie Bouneweger Lycée” at €312.9 million), international schools, and technical-vocational institutions across the country — along with social infrastructure like youth hostels, care homes and community facilities. On the transportation side, the meeting examined numerous road and mobility-infrastructure plans. These span from multimodal transit hubs and park-and-ride facilities, to large projects such as expanding highway A3 to three lanes (estimated cost: €501.5 million), building bypasses for towns like Hosingen, upgrading junctions on major highways, and roadworks on key national routes. Other plans include enhanced cycle-path links, renovation of the Adolphe bridge access, the establishment of a new traffic-control centre, and major hydropower and water-management works — reflecting a broad portfolio covering mobility, infrastructure modernisation, and environmental adaptation. Deputies also raised issues beyond financing: during the exchange, questions emerged about traffic-management, real-time communication to road users regarding congestion, and the introduction of carpool lanes. Some opposition members expressed concern over privacy protections around proposed use of technology to monitor vehicle occupancy. The session underscores Parliament’s tight oversight of public-works investment, as well as the scale and ambition of state-led infrastructure renewal across education, defense, transport and public services. As many of these projects run into hundreds of millions of euros in expenditure, their follow-up remains central to Luxembourg’s long-term mobility, urban planning and public-services strategy.   chd.lu Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu

Luxembourg’s Ministry of Mobility and Public Works is set for one of the largest budget envelopes in 2026, with planned spending reaching €3.5 billion — equal to 11.5% of the entire state budget. The figures were reviewed by members of Parliament on Thursday during committee discussions on next year’s financial plan. According to Mobility Minister Yuriko Backes, the 8% rise in the ministry’s budget — an additional €290 million — is mainly driven by “major investment projects” scheduled for the coming year. Capital investment will surge by 31%, while operational costs are expected to total around €1.7 billion. A significant share will go toward running the country’s public transport networks, with €634 million dedicated to rail services and €600 million to road-based transport. Special funds will also play a key role. The Rail Fund will receive €742 million, including €119 million earmarked for upgrading the Luxembourg–Bettembourg railway line to a double-track configuration, a project due for completion in 2027. The Roads Fund will be allocated €382 million to advance major projects: the three-lane expansion of the A3, ongoing construction along the N7, and new bypasses for Hosingen, Dippach-Gare and other localities. Additional funding will support progress on the rapid tram linking Luxembourg City to the south, as well as extensions of the tram network within the capital. At Findel, €44 million has been set aside to build a hybrid air-traffic control tower. Beyond transport, the ministry will invest heavily in modernising public buildings. €336 million has been budgeted for 2026, with spending expected to rise to €622 million by 2029. The priority in the coming years will be improving the energy efficiency of state-owned infrastructure. Read More : 2026 Mobility Budget: Investments up 31% | Chamber of Deputies of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Image Credit: chd.lu Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu

The small, shimmering Blue‑ringed octopus might look harmless — or even beautiful — but it ranks among the most venomous sea creatures on Earth. Belonging to the genus Hapalochlaena, this octopus packs a punch through its production of a deadly neurotoxin called Tetrodotoxin (TTX). TTX is terrifyingly potent. It’s estimated to be about 1,200 times more toxic than cyanide for humans, and the toxin is found throughout the octopus’s body thanks to symbiotic bacteria in its salivary glands.  When injected — usually through a bite — TTX attacks the nervous system by blocking sodium channels, halting nerve signals, paralyzing muscles and often leading to respiratory failure or death. What makes this danger all the more insidious is how subtle the octopus can be before striking. These creatures are tiny — often no bigger than a golf ball — and their bite can be almost painless. Many victims don’t even realise they’ve been envenomated until numbness sets in and breathing becomes impossible. And to make matters worse: there is no known antidote. Treatment relies entirely on supportive measures, like artificial ventilation, to buy time until the toxin leaves the body. Despite all that, the blue-ringed octopus isn’t aggressive by nature. It hunts small fish, shrimp and crabs — using its venom to paralyse prey — and hides in cracks or among coral. Its striking blue rings only appear when it feels threatened, serving as a warning to predators or unsuspecting humans who might pick it up. Encounters with humans are rare, but when they do happen, the stakes are high. Since there’s no antivenom, the window for effective medical intervention is small.  For these reasons, marine experts emphasise a simple rule: observe, don’t touch. Appreciating the beauty of marine life from a safe distance can save lives — yours and others. Read More : discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/marine-animals/blue-ringed-octopus?utm_source= Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu

To highlight Orange Week, several municipalities across Luxembourg are opening their doors for free public screenings of Breathing Underwater, the acclaimed film by Éric Lamhène that recently took home the Best Film award at the Luxembourg Film Awards. The initiative aims to spark open conversations about domestic violence and strengthen community awareness. Organised with the support of the Ministry for Gender Equality and Diversity, the screenings will take place in Strassen, Hesperange, Leudelange, Sanem, Roeser, Mamer and Bertrange over the next two weeks. Each session will also include exchanges with people closely connected to the film and its message. Director Éric Lamhène and actress Esperanza Martin González-Quevedo — who portrays a character sharing her own name and is herself a survivor of domestic violence — will join the discussions. They’ll be accompanied by specialists from support centres and a representative of the association La Voix des Survivants et Survivantes. Where and when to watch All screenings begin at 7pm: 26 November – Centre Barblé, Strassen 27 November – Cultural Centre “Celo”, Hesperange 28 November – Leudelange Cultural Centre 1 December – Artikuss, Sanem 2 December – Salle des Fêtes, Roeser 3 December – Mamer Town Hall 10 December – Bertrange Beyond these community events, the 2024 film is also being shown in secondary schools, ensuring that awareness reaches younger audiences. uni.lu/en/news/orange-week-uni-lu-join-the-film-screening-breathing-underwater/?utm_source