A large hole that suddenly appeared last week in Villerupt in the French department of Meurthe-et-Moselle has raised many concerns as it continues to expand prompted the evacuation of residents and further investigations According to reports from Le Républicain Lorrain teams from the operator Veolia were working to fix a water leak when the ground unexpectedly gave way spanned both the pavement and the driveway of a house Another house close to the site was already unoccupied as reported by our colleagues from RTL Infos She had received an alert earlier that day notifying her that water service would be interrupted due to nearby construction work she and her family were awakened by the fire brigade "The concrete collapsed," Audrey explained "It seems they discovered a large water leak that had been there for some time and had washed away the earth beneath the concrete An emergency meeting was convened with representatives from the town hall the French Gas Distribution Network (GRDF) and specialists from the Geological and Mining Research Bureau (BRGM) to address the situation initial assessments suggest that the collapse may be of karstic origin a phenomenon caused by the dissolution of limestone beneath the surface The growing hole has raised concerns not only for nearby residents but also for the wider community some locals have recalled Villerupt's mining history and the network of galleries that still exist beneath the town This is not the first time a cave-in has occurred in the area Mayor Pierrick Spizak explained that residents would need to remain patient as experts continue their investigations "The studies will determine whether the fault will extend or if it is concentrated in a small area," he said "We also need to understand the nature of the ground which is why this process is taking time." Spizak added that it could take up to three or four weeks before residents see any significant progress we cannot proceed with filling the hole as we would like," he noted in an interview with France Bleu others in close proximity to the Grand Duchy fared much worse As far as Luxembourg’s neighbouring Lorraine region is concerned, the rankings show that Metz, the capital of the Moselle department, has dropped five places in one year, slipping from 33rd to 38th place nationally, while Nancy, the capital of Meurthe-et-Moselle, continues its own downward slide, moving from 112th to 124th between years. The methodology of the ranking is questionable, as the criteria analysed may penalise the communes in the north of Lorraine because of their distance from France’s major urban centres. Despite this, there are communes that manage to shine. Mey and Peltre municipalities may seem a long way from the border because of their proximity to Metz rather than Thionville, but given the growing number of cross-border workers from Moselle, the Metz area is increasingly seen as being 'on the border' with the Grand Duchy. This is evidenced by the growing number of cross-border commuters who travel to Metz to take the train to Luxembourg, or who use the nearby A31 motorway. The two communities stand out, as they have for several years. Mey and Peltre are both regulars in the top five of their respective categories. As last year, Mey tops the national ranking for villages with between 0 and 500 inhabitants (out of 18,344) - though at departmental level, it comes 37th out of 725 communes, as towns are given more prominence in the departmental rankings. The second darling in the Metz area is Peltre, number four nationally in the 500-2,000 inhabitants category (out of 11,107 communes), having been number one in 2020 and 2021, then number two in 2022. Peltre is 17th at departmental level. It is no surprise, given its size, that Thionville is ranked 2nd, both in terms of the number of inhabitants in the department, but also in the ranking of towns and villages where it is good to live in Moselle. Nationally, the sub-prefecture is ranked 174th. Other towns in the surrounding area also do well: Hayange, for example, is ranked 5th at departmental level, first in its category of towns with 10,000 to 20,000 inhabitants in Moselle and 111th out of 514 in the same category at national level. There are also towns popular with cross-border commuters such as Fameck (12th at departmental level), Yutz (16th), Florange (18th), Hagondange (21st) and Uckange (22nd). One border area is much less well represented in Lorraine: the Pays Haut, and in particular the part located in Meurthe-et-Moselle. While Longwy, the main town in this area, ranks 20th out of 591 communes in the department, it is second-bottom (7th) among towns with 10,000 to 20,000 inhabitants in Meurthe-et-Moselle. Last is Villerupt, 513th out of 514 nationally in this category. Mont-Saint-Martin, 39th in Meurthe-et-Moselle, is just 19th out of 22 departmental towns with 5,000 to 10,000 inhabitants. For its part, Hussigny-Godbrange is last in the category of 3,500-5,000 inhabitants in Meurthe-et-Moselle and 921st out of 969 in France. Overall, the Pays Haut is heavily penalised in the ranking. On the Moselle side, Audun-le-Tiche also ranks near last in its category of 5,000-10,000 inhabitants in the department and comes in at 1,131th out of 1,163 nationally. The presence of the Pays-Haut municipalities in the depths of their respective rankings can be explained in particular by the ranking taking into account only facilities present on French territory Even though the inhabitants of this catchment area benefit from the proximity of the border such as Findel airport and the shops and services on the other side of the border The remoteness of urban centres is also a penalising factor: the only town classed as big on French territory within easy reach is Thionville - 32km from Audun-le-Tiche (This story was first published by Virgule. Translation and editing by Alex Stevensson.) EconomyFrench premier says referendum may be needed for reform plan It is essential for the country to balance its public finances, Bayrou said FranceFar-right Bardella confirms 2027 presidential bid if Le Pen is barredMarine Le Pen may be barred from the 2027 race over an embezzlement conviction she’s appealing. If she loses, Jordan Bardella will step in Early vote?Macron floats fresh snap election in France as early as the fallThe next legislative elections aren’t due until 2029, but Macron might be exploring the possibility of dissolving the parliament before then FranceFrance seeks extra spending cuts as budget plan under pressureA deteriorating growth outlook after US President Donald Trump announced sweeping trade tariffs is undermining France’s budget plans for this year Tourism industryTariffs may not impact travel economy, global tourism expert saysData on summer travel, which reflects existing bookings, shows France and Spain are each heading for a record year FranceFrance’s Le Pen tells supporters at rally she’ll keep fightingFar-right leader was found guilty last week of embezzlement and given an immediate five-year ban on running for office JusticeFrench far right to keep up pressure as Le Pen gets lifelineFrance’s National Rally is planning protests on Sunday following the conviction of its presumed presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen. EconomyFrench and Spanish inflation undershoot, backing ECB rate cutsFriday’s data provide early indication of momentum in Europe this month, before publications from other major member-states next week Advertiser contentTreat yourself to a stress-free holidayDreaming of a worry-free trip What if the secret to a smooth getaway was simply good preparation and the right protection Advertiser contentReal estate: Why should you take advantage of the start of 2025 to begin your real estate project?The main things we remember about the housing sector over the past 12 months are the rise in interest rates and the fall in property prices Advertiser contentProperty: I've decided to invest!The various forms of government support for investment Advertiser contentThe Luxembourg Times BusinessRun is happening again on 18th September!On Thursday 18th September with the starting gun of the 11th Luxembourg Times BusinessRun fired at the Coque at 7 pm Share this with instagramShare this with facebookShare this with linkedinSections ©2025 Mediahuis Group. All rights reserved Context. Villerupt is a small town in Lorraine built on the border with Luxembourg on a subsoil that was once full of iron ore It followed the huge expansion of the exploitation of this resource growing from 560 inhabitants in 1861 to over 16,000 a century later Many Italians will come to fill the tens of thousands of jobs needed to extract and process millions of tons of material Four generations will follow one another until the resource was exhausted More than fifty years later, a large number of Villeruptians remain attached to their Italian roots and Villerupt organizes an annual Italian film festival of national scope. On the other hand, almost all industrial facilities have been dismantled, but the landscape retains many vestiges of this period. Giant retaining walls are the most spectacular. It is at the foot of one of them that the Arch is built. Site planIssues/Challenges. Villerupt is the center of a string of municipalities built in the Alzette Valley. These neighbors, united by the same industrial history, are now all linked to the massive demand for labor called for by Luxembourg. Ground floor planThese municipalities have come together in a major joint project to clean up a vast industrial wasteland and build a new district with a future. Symbolically, the first building to be erected in this area was L'Arche, with the aim of obtaining the title of "European Capital of Culture" in partnership with its Luxembourg neighbor, Esch-sur-Alzette. The goal was reached in 2022 even before its final delivery. © Guillaume AmatThe lamps are coated with show gelatin to color the light in the dominant tones of a Lorrain sunset The colors in general are chosen in their faded tones or in the concrete greys The rest of the spaces are whitened in a matt way as if powdered with a white of Meudon L'Arche is a unique building that nevertheless follows the theme of timelessness that its architects continue to explore in their creations Because if minimalism remains their dominant trend the authors use a malicious pleasure to never push their picturesque referents beyond the limits of abstraction It is as if they refuse to let their works stand out in history "Buildings of contemporary writing too often tell only of a simple disinterest in history.” We are looking for the exact opposite" says Jérôme Sigwalt You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Villerupt's town hall announced on Monday that the attack took place The teenager was assaulted on Saturday evening around 10pm The 15-year-old boy was attacked with a utility knife in order for the perpetrator to steal a phone and electric scooter "This cowardly and unacceptable act not only concerns our municipality but it forces us to react" as stated in a press release from the commune Faced with the significant drug trafficking issues, which led to a shooting which included a Luxembourgish teenager in 2023 the elected officials of the municipality called on the French government for help stated that the police station's staffing levels have not reached a sufficient number The city reiterated its intention to install 87 surveillance cameras by the end of the year Situated in a small town of Villerupt, in the picturesque Lorraine region of France, the L'Arche - Micheville Cultural Centre stands as a testament to the area's rich industrial history and its enduring ties to Italian heritage. Built on the border with Luxembourg the centre has not only revitalised the town but also very quickly become a symbol of cultural excellence it is part of a larger joint project undertaken by neighbouring municipalities to transform an industrial wasteland into a thriving district for the future The architectural design of L'Arche is a remarkable blend of minimalism, abstraction, and contextual relevance. The building harmoniously coexists with a massive stone retaining wall, which serves as a poignant reminder of the region's industrial heritage. Karine Herman and Jérôme Sigwalt from Paris-based K architectures drew inspiration from the surrounding landscape evoking the colossal walls featured in the Game of Thrones series they incorporated elements reminiscent of the arcades found in another nearby retaining structure The exterior of L'Arche is characterised by its massive mirroring the imposing presence of the adjacent wall The building's volume is sculpted with bevelled edges culminating in a paved staircase that leads to a belvedere offering panoramic views of the surroundings The structure opens generously with arcades into the Esplanade Nino Rota named after the renowned Italian composer famous for his contributions to films like The Godfather and Federico Fellini's Casanova Upon entering L'Arche, visitors are greeted by a light-filled hall, creating a convivial atmosphere. The interior design continues the contemporary minimalism found in the design The focal point of the hall is a staircase that leads to the balcony of the main auditorium serving as a monumental artwork in its own right The lighting within the space is carefully crafted with chandeliers designed specifically for the venue support lighting fixtures that emit a sunset-like glow and concrete greys create a harmonious and timeless aesthetic furthering the industrial and modern aspects of the building while also providing a sense of solidity and durability The cinema within L'Arche is another highlight of the cultural centre it provides an intimate setting for film screenings fostering a sense of community and shared appreciation for the cinematic arts The carefully designed acoustics and state-of-the-art projection equipment add to an exceptional viewing experience for movie enthusiasts the auditorium with a seating capacity of up to 1,140 people serves as a versatile space for various cultural events The versatility of the auditorium allows it to adapt to different configurations accommodating different artistic disciplines and audience sizes providing artists and musicians with dedicated spaces for creation These studios are equipped with high-quality equipment and soundproofing to facilitate the production of music across genres and support the local artistic community The bar-restaurant within L'Arche offers a welcoming environment for visitors to relax where cultural events spill over into conversations further enriching the overall experience of the centre Pooja is an architectural historian by education writer-editor-curator by choice and traveller by passion She has worked with Historic Environment Scotland the Victoria and Albert Museum in Scotland She has executed multiple architectural exhibitions and publications exhibitions and publications for effective communication of architecture and design All her free time is spent exploring the world through books and travel From vernacular knowledge to modern sustainability Middle Eastern pavilions serve as living archives of architectural thought offering fresh frameworks for global adoption STIR engages with the curators of the Togo Oman and Qatar pavilions—debuting at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025—on representation the book presents a fictional story depicting algorithms exercising control over humans and how this affects the built environment Tipnis shares how the toolbox democratises the practice of restoration via DIY resources to repair tangible urban heritage made of common building materials Exclusive preview for subscribers. 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Learn More © Copyright 2019-2025 STIR Design Private Limited Please confirm your email address and we’ll send you a link to reset your password All your bookmarks will be available across all your devices Password must be 8 characters long including one capital letter By creating an account, you acknowledge and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy by STIR Select the Conversation Category you would like to watch Please enter your details and click submit Single account access for STIRworld.com,STIRpad.com and exclusive STIRfri content Verification link sent to check your inbox or spam folder to complete sign up process by Pooja Suresh Hollannavar | Published on : Jun 26 World Subscribers only 'A Pope in the tradition of Francis': From New York to Ghana Catholics hope for continuity at the Vatican World Subscribers only Chancellor Merz's diplomatic first week 2025."> World Trump's proposal to reopen Alcatraz deemed 'absurd' in San Francisco World Subscribers only Founder of Sant'Egidio community fears next pope could undo Francis's legacy Opinion Subscribers only 'Russian gas and Europe is an old story that ended badly Economy Subscribers only Europe's steel industry flattened by crisis World Subscribers only How European countries plan to fund defense efforts France Subscribers only Macron announces citizens' convention on school schedules France Subscribers only 21 charged over French prison attacks as investigation narrows in on drug traffickers France Subscribers only French mosque stabber was driven by 'morbid fascination,' prosecutor says France Subscribers only At the trial of Kim Kardashian's robbers Videos World expos: From Paris 1855 to Osaka 2025 Videos How the Trump administration is attacking scientific research in the US Videos Tesla cars set on fire in Las Vegas as calls to boycott Musk's company grow worldwide Videos Can France's nuclear deterrent protect Europe Opinion Subscribers only 'It is pointless to imagine a significant wave of American academics leaving' Opinion Subscribers only 'The American dream is dying' Opinion Subscribers only 'The trade war creates new opportunities for Europeans and France' Magazine Subscribers only Tracking down the pianos taken from French Jews during the Nazi Occupation Magazine Subscribers only Eve Rodsky the American helping couples balance the mental load Magazine Subscribers only Desecration or more glory Joan Didion's private diaries are revealed Magazine Subscribers only For Jewish cartoonist Joann Sfar 2025."> Pixels Subscribers only Golden Owl solution is revealed but leaves players of 31-year hunt disappointed Pixels Subscribers only Secrets of decades-long Golden Owl treasure hunt to be revealed Lifestyle Inside Chanel's French leather workshops Culture Subscribers only The marvelous bronzes of Angkor on display at the Musée Guimet in Paris are offered tiny apartments on the French side of the border Elected officials are at a loss on how to crack down on the abusive landlords The houses have more letterboxes than windows one of them has been divided into five studios of 30 square meters each It would be a tight fight if there were only two of them who arrived from Cape Verde in September 2023 live there with their four children aged 15 Mattresses are stacked in a corner of the room during the day and in the evening they are laid out on the floor The children sleep at the foot of the parents' double bed The house isn't a shack but everything seems to have been hastily cobbled together The beams are covered in coarse gray tape to block openings in the wood and "keep the rats out," said Maria Da Luz the only French speaker in this house whose occupants are all Portuguese or Cape Verdean and he told us we were already lucky to be here that we'd have found worse elsewhere." The rent is €900 per month You have 84.14% of this article left to read Lecture du Monde en cours sur un autre appareil Vous pouvez lire Le Monde sur un seul appareil à la fois Ce message s’affichera sur l’autre appareil Parce qu’une autre personne (ou vous) est en train de lire Le Monde avec ce compte sur un autre appareil Vous ne pouvez lire Le Monde que sur un seul appareil à la fois (ordinateur En cliquant sur « Continuer à lire ici » et en vous assurant que vous êtes la seule personne à consulter Le Monde avec ce compte Que se passera-t-il si vous continuez à lire ici Ce dernier restera connecté avec ce compte Vous pouvez vous connecter avec votre compte sur autant d’appareils que vous le souhaitez mais en les utilisant à des moments différents Nous vous conseillons de modifier votre mot de passe Votre abonnement n’autorise pas la lecture de cet article merci de contacter notre service commercial Paris-based K Architectures designs a hybrid cultural space in Villerupt, a small town in Lorraine, France The region built on the border with Luxembourg stands on a subsoil that was once full of iron ore Following the expansion of the exploitation and exhaustion of this resource all industrial facilities have been dismantled but the landscape retains many vestiges of this period The edifice is developed at the foot of one of the valley’s many large monumental retaining walls Sitting at the foot of the high and thick stone-built retaining wall the structure responds to the disproportionate bordering morphology while facing a striking landscape The architecture links to its environment resembling Villerupt’s typologies recalling the singular shape of the house is profiled in a monumental paved staircase while its high landing is designed as a belvedere and awaits the installation of a building combining architecture and digital art The form slims down and opens generously in arcades The design team deliberately sustains the same contemporary minimalism throughout the interior architecture welcomes the public in a space reminiscent of theatrical foyers which leads to the balcony of the main hall is deported from the interior facade standing as a monumental piece the edifice is developed at the foot of one of the valley’s large monumental retaining walls are designed according to scenographic technical structures Their frame is in raw steel and the assemblies are relatively low-tech These structures are designed to support technical lighting fixtures along cone-shaped lines The color palette carries faded tones and concrete greys while most internal spaces display white-coated surfaces The extended theme of minimalism and abstraction ensures the essence of timelessness that defines the contemporary structure the architecture links to Villerupt’s typologies recalling the singular shape of the house the composition forms exposed concrete surfaces on each side of the facade the form slims down and opens generously in arcades K Architectures carries out an extended theme of minimalism and abstraction ensuring timelessness the color palette carries faded grey tones the cultural center hosts several functions including a cinema the staircase leading to the balcony of the main hall stands as a monumental piece name: L’Arche designer: K Architectures | @karchitectures – Emilie Bourdier photography: Guillaume Amat | @guillaumeamat client: Community Of Municipalities Pays Haut Val D’alzette designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style adventure films and more are on the agenda for Villerupt’s 46th Italian film festival Photo: Festival du film italien de Villerupt The 46th Villerupt Italian Film Festival will showcase 70 films in different categories Some of the films that will be featured include Miracolo A Milano The films will take place in six different cinemas: three in Villerupt Luxembourg (Kulturfabrik) and one in Dudelange located in the French department of Meurthe-et-Moselle just a short distance from a residential property The sudden appearance of the sinkhole prompted the evacuation of nearby residents and sparked numerous questions about its origins an expert report has already pointed to several potential causes partially covers both the pavement and the driveway of a house Initially measured at a depth of 2.5 metres Experts have not ruled out the possibility of a much larger For residents of Rue François Raspail in Villerupt, the discovery of the sinkhole on 2 January was alarming "We may have narrowly avoided a tragedy," said Pierrick Spizak He noted that a neighbour had parked their car in the exact spot where the sinkhole later appeared on 1 January authorities established a safety perimeter closing the road to traffic and shutting off water and gas supplies to the area Two houses closest to the sinkhole – numbers 16 and 18 – are now deemed uninhabitable The elderly resident of number 18 has been rehoused while the property at number 16 was already vacant at the time of the incident preliminary findings suggest a "probably natural" cause for the sinkhole A report published on 10 February by the French Geological and Mining Research Bureau (BRGM) highlights ongoing concerns about the stability of the area affected by the sinkhole in Villerupt The document concludes that significant uncertainties remain regarding the cavity's size and the processes that led to its formation it is "highly likely" that the situation will continue to evolve with potential consequences including the widening of the collapse zone and residual subsidence on nearby plots The report warns that heavy rainfall could accelerate these changes noting that "the dynamics of evolution could be rapid particularly after significant precipitation." Given the exceptionally wet weather experienced in recent months the risk of further instability remains a concern One major unknown is the depth of the underground cavity responsible for the collapse which experts have so far been unable to determine the stability of the two houses closest to the sinkhole – numbers 16 and 18 – is not guaranteed the road in front of these properties is described in the report as "considered dangerous." the BRGM has recommended that a geotechnical engineering consultancy conduct a detailed risk assessment The study aims to confirm the presence of an underground cavity beneath the street and affected dwellings and propose appropriate measures to fill the hole Mayor Spizak emphasised the importance of this step stating that it is crucial to reassure residents many of whom are understandably anxious about the possibility of the sinkhole expanding "I'm aware that this is a concerning situation and neighbours may wonder whether the hole is going to get any bigger," he said The primary explanation proposed in the BRGM report suggests that the sinkhole was caused by "the partial or total collapse of an underground cavity." The area situated on a limestone plateau (Bajocian limestone) is known to potentially contain karstic cavities Given the volume of collapsed clay soil and the size of the affected area near the sinkhole it is hypothesised that a karstic cavity extending beneath properties at numbers 16 and 18 as well as under the roadway in Rue François Raspail the report emphasises the need for caution as the exact process behind the collapse remains uncertain it is not possible to determine which mechanism is at play," the document states Rapid emptying of a clay-filled cavity: This could have occurred following an exceptional rainfall event or significant anthropogenic water input causing the sudden evacuation of clay from the cavity Heavy rains have been recorded in the region in recent months compounded by sub-zero temperatures in the days leading up to the collapse.Progressive leaching of clay: Another possibility involves the gradual and continuous erosion of clay at deeper levels due to the circulation of groundwater this could create a void that rises toward the surface until it eventually leads to a sudden rupture Collapse of a limestone cavity roof: A third hypothesis points to the failure of the roof of a cavity within the limestone layer social media was rife with rumours and criticism with many residents questioning whether the local authority's aging water network might have contributed to the incident due to significant leaks The BRGM report lends some weight to this concern stating that the "triggering factor appears to be the water leak at the dwelling identified by Veolia," a French utilities company Mayor Spizak confirmed that when the sinkhole emerged Veolia teams were already addressing a leak in the drinking water network nearby he clarified that the company's intervention may have inadvertently exposed an existing issue rather than causing it we might not have noticed the subsidence," he explained Their work simply revealed the problem," Spizak said It should be emphasised that this remains hypothetical as the exact sequence of events is still under investigation Another frequent target of criticism has been the operation of a limestone quarry in the neighbouring municipality of Audun-le-Tiche the mayor was careful to qualify his earlier statements "I never said the quarry caused the subsidence – I'm not accusing the quarry," he stressed he posed a question for technical experts: "Could the vibrations from the explosions used in limestone extraction have accelerated a pre-existing instability?" the mayor noted that an application for recognition of the incident as a natural disaster had been submitted promptly such a designation would support the conclusion that the collapse resulted from natural causes It is worth recalling the region's mining history and the extensive network of tunnels beneath Villerupt which have long posed risks to surface stability This is not the first such incident in the town and another occurred in the early 2010s near the Robespierre block of flats." Even further back A total of 18,580 French cross-border employees joined the Luxembourg workforce in the years from 2020 to 2024, compared to just 4,020 Belgians and 3,670 Germans, the report by the Lorraine-Nord Urban Planning and Sustainable Development Agency (Agape) notes. Cross-border workers from France have continued to flow into Luxembourg despite a drop in the overall number of posts created in the Grand Duchy, with 48,380 jobs created between 2020 and 2024, compared to 69,650 between 2014 and 2019. Around half of the more than 124,000 employees crossing between France and Luxembourg each day have settled in northern Moselle, the Agape data showed, an increase of 14% in just four years. However, growing numbers are also opting to live in northern Meurthe-et-Moselle (+20%), which includes towns such as Longwy and Villerupt, and even in northern Meuse (+17%). “Cross-border workers continue to favour northern Moselle, but tend to spread towards the Metz metropolitan area and more rural municipalities, while remaining close to major roads, particularly the A31,” the Agape study noted. In some border municipalities, the rate of cross-border workers is sometimes higher than 80%, as in the Pays Haut Val d’Alzette community of municipalities, including Villerupt and Audun-le-Tiche. cross-border workers who commute to Luxembourg have become the majority more than one in two workers [residing] in Thionville-Portes de France work in Luxembourg,” said Agape (This article was originally published by Virgule. Translation and editing by John Monaghan) two houses can no longer be inhabited due to a significant risk of expansion who was forced to leave his home and temporarily move in with his daughter in Normandy It would have been far too complicated to relocate him to a hotel 30 kilometres away "That's why we took him in here in Normandy and started looking for a flat for him." "We covered all the costs for the new flat: his deposit he now has to pay an extra 1,000 euros per month." the family has yet to receive any financial assistance from their insurance provider given they are still waiting for the final expert assessment "My father is old and it's incredibly difficult for him to not live in the house he's called home for the past 50 years We understand that such procedures take time Our biggest wish is for him to go back home Residents evacuated after giant sinkhole appears in Villerupt The RGTR bus line between Luxembourg and Villerupt long regarded as a "problem line," has once again come under scrutiny the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) raised concerns over driver safety calling for enhanced protection measures following reports of persistent violence and harassment the LCGB highlighted the "unacceptable" conditions faced by drivers and insecurity." The union pointed to numerous incidents of verbal and physical assaults some of which have required medical attention as evidence of a "critical situation that has persisted for too long." The LCGB emphasised that it is "intolerable" for workers to face such risks while performing their duties which represents the majority of workers in the transport sector expressed its "deep unease" and "indignation" over a recent attack on a bus driver operating the Luxembourg-Villerupt route It described an "unacceptable climate of fear and insecurity" and urged all companies in the sector to implement "immediate and concrete measures" to protect employees from all forms of violence During a public transport safety steering committee meeting in November 2021 the union secured funding from the Ministry of Mobility to install secure cabins for drivers While 43% of the RGTR fleet is now equipped with these protective barriers the LCGB argues that progress is insufficient It is calling for an "immediate acceleration" in deploying the equipment prioritising high-risk routes such as those serving Villerupt the union is appealing to passengers to show greater respect and solidarity toward bus drivers Audun-le-Tiche finished bottom of the pile in the Moselle department in the category of towns with 5,000 to 10,000 inhabitants in the 2024 edition of France’s Villes et villages où il fait bon vivre (towns and villages where it’s good to live) ranking Another border town close to the Grand Duchy came in last place for towns with between 10,000 and 20,000 inhabitants there was good news for one city across the border which was the only city in Lorraine to finish in the national top 50.Ranked first in the Moselle department and remains the second most pleasant city in which to live in the Grand Est region lost ground from last year and ranks a paltry 112th in the national list The top of the national rankings is dominated by cities in the west of France Bayonne and Biarritz occupying the top three places where it is considered most pleasant to live in 2024 the criteria for drawing up the list raises questions about whether border towns are fairly ranked The list is drawn up based on raw data supplied by public bodies in various categories deemed to be "important to the residents of a municipality" Some of the 187 criteria used puts border communities at a clear disadvantage as in certain categories only facilities on French soil are taken into account That means that towns close to the Luxembourg border who benefit from proximity to facilities such as an airport are penalised in the ranking because most of these amenities are located in Luxembourg (This article was updated on 14 February 2024 at 17:55 to correct that Audun-le-Tiche is in the Moselle department (This article was first published by Virgule. Translation and editing by Duncan Roberts) Public administrationGovernment to create administration overseeing housing aidNew office aims to improve access to housing support and reduce delays NextGenerationEUBrussels signals approval for €58m of extra Luxembourg fundingLuxembourg likely to receive fresh EU funds for worker training, housing improvements and digitalisation of public services EconomyHousing affordability remains low, OECD says in Luxembourg reportEconomic survey calls for housing and pension reforms and economic diversification in the Grand Duchy MortgagesPremiumIn home financing, interest rates are just ‘the tip of the iceberg’Credit advisor Marlon-Yves Nadler unpacks with the Luxembourg Times the challenges of accessing home loans in the Grand Duchy HousingPrivate developers disadvantaged in affordable housing sales, lobby claimsPrivate developers face stricter requirements for same properties than public bodies, argue real estate lobby group Chambre immobilière Affordable housingLuxembourg government bought 208 unsold private properties in 2024Housing Minister Claude Meisch confirmed no new affordable housing projects are currently under construction, though discussions are ongoing Off-shore investingPremiumCome to Dubai! Realtors set sights on Luxembourg buyers looking for better dealsBrokers anticipating that European buyers will continue to eye the high returns, tax benefits and luxurious lifestyle the Emirates offer HousingLuxembourg’s rental prices slip, as EU rents edge upOn average, monthly rent for an apartment in Grand Duchy is €1,779; rent for a house is €3,152 The AFP news agency reported a 17-year-old male from Luxembourg was among the victims of the shooting in Villerupt on Saturday He is said to have undergone life-saving surgery overnight Further details on his condition are not yet known The other victims included a 20-year-old French national who was struck in the vicinity of the heart A 30-year-old Algerian woman suffered a gunshot wound to the hip Two other people were also injured in the shooting Further reading: 'Prime suspect' arrested after Villerupt shooting the Villerupt Italian Film Festival kicks off and ballroom dancing makes a return at the Cercle And don't forget that clocks turn back one hour from Saturday to Sunday.26/10/2012SharePERFORMING ARTS The latest screening from the MET in New York features Renée Fleming in Verdi's adaptation of Shakespeare classic Othello the victim of Falk Struckmann's Iago in his revenge plot against Otello (Johan Botha) and Cassio (Michael Fabiano) October 28, Bob Geldof, Den Atelier, doors open 8pm At the time of publication tickets were still available to see music legend Bob Geldof at Luxembourg's Atelier. While the singer, songwriter, philanthropist and activist is used to filling arenas, he will play a quiet solo concert in Luxembourg, presenting his first new album in a decade “How to Compose Popular Songs That Will Sell”, released in 2011. October 17-November 18, Casals Catalans du Benelux The Catalan Centre of Luxembourg is hosting an exhibition of Catalan artists in association with the Benelux “Casals Catalans”. From a variety of backgrounds, the exhibition shows sculptures, paintings, photographies and other installations. ongoing until February 24, Michel Paysant OnLAB, Mudam Tiny gold dust sculptures are at the centre of Michel Paysant's interactive exhibition project OnLAB. Almost invisible to the naked eye, the exhibit fuzes are and sciences, inviting visitors to try and see the invisible. While the installation may seem puzzling at first, presentations of the project are hosted during the regular guided tours, as well as at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Saturday 27, Textile Market, Luxexpo, 10am-5pm Hundreds of different kinds of fabric will be for sale at Luxexpo this weekend, as 4,000 square metres of the exhibition space will be dedicated to the big “Marché du Tissu”. From silks and brocade to patchwork fabric or upholstery, the market offers everything a sewer may need, including sewing machines and other equipment. October 28, Wedding Fair, Trifolion Echternach, 10am-6pm If you were inspired by Guillaume and Stéphanie's nuptials last weekend, why not head to the wedding fair in Echternach on Sunday to discover the latest in wedding dresses, wedding bands, table decorations and more. PoliticsLuxembourg lawmakers divided over Israel-EU relationsAttempt to find unified position on extension of EU-Israel trade agreement failed during divisive committee meeting World of workJob market last year grew at slowest pace since financial crisisLuxembourg created fewer new jobs in 2024 than any year since the 2008-9 banking crisis AustraliaAustralians mark election day with 'democracy sausages' and in 'budgy smugglers'Australians fired up barbecues and wore tight-fit swim trunks called "budgy smugglers" to voting centers as they welcomed election day on Saturday (3 May) with some unique and quirky traditions. GrantsEU to propose €500m package to attract researchersPlan to double grant amount by 2025 and continue support in 2026 and 2027 Costs of six million eurosPremiumBus drivers unable to drive cost Luxembourg firm €6m annually Some given odd jobs or are idle, but could soon be employed by municipal councils World of workSpain to move ahead with plan to cut work week to 37.5 hoursThe bill is set to face a lengthy approval process in Parliament, where it’s uncertain to have enough backing from lawmakers Innovation and educationLuxembourg opens drone school to boost safetyEducation ministry has launched a civilian drone school, where pilots can hone their skills and share ideas Nancy prosecutor François Capin-Dulhoste announced that the suspect is the prime suspect in the case "He was arrested at 6.05am near the home of his two brothers and taken into police custody," the magistrate said The vehicle was found burnt out in Fameck in the Moselle department The site of the shooting is a known drug trafficking location in the town with the case likely being linked to a drug story the drug traffickers have brought out the camping chairs they have put the scales to weigh the drugs on the window panes of our technical services," 35-year-old mayor Pierrick Spizak (PCF) lamented to the AFP news agency "What happened was unfortunately predictable and it is not that we were not warned" the state is responsible and guilty for the neglect of our territory," he added in a statement published on his Facebook page speaking of "extremely serious events with cross-border implications" There was no rest for firefighters on Christmas eve and Longwy fire brigades were dispatched to an accident Two cars crashed on the route connecting Villerupt to Bréhain-la-Ville Emergency services from Audun-le-Tiche and Audun-le-Roman were also at the scene as a total of 21 firefighters attended the victims of the collision The crash occurred at 9 pm and left five injured Firefighters also specified that an infant had been on board one of the vehicles