Your Weekly Recap for 24–28 March 2025.
Here are five things you should know at the end of this week:
- New Bettembourg bridge restores key commuter traffic route
- Three new public European schools planned to meet rising demand
- Government courts innovation with new fiscal incentives, expat perks
- Black Sea ceasefire faces setbacks as Europe rallies behind Ukraine
- Trump dismisses 'witch hunt' after US officials accidentally leak strike plans to journalist
1. New Bettembourg bridge restores key commuter traffic route
© Domingos Oliveira
The new Emile Hammerel bridge in Bettembourg will open on 4 April, restoring a key commuter route after a year-long reconstruction.
- The 148-metre-long bridge includes mixed-use paths for pedestrians and cyclists and now meets modern transport standards.
- Its closure disrupted over 10,000 daily users and affected train services, but marks a major milestone in regional infrastructure upgrades.
Opening ahead – After a year of construction, the Emile Hammerel bridge is set to reopen to traffic on 4 April, bringing relief to thousands of commuters who faced daily disruptions. The bridge, a vital link over the railway tracks in the centre of Bettembourg, had been closed since March 2024 when the original structure was demolished due to safety concerns.
Local authorities have planned a public opening ceremony at 5pm to mark the occasion, signalling the end of a major infrastructure project that impacted both road and rail travel.
Safe and accessible – The newly built structure is a bowstring bridge spanning 148m and rising 22.5m above the railway lines below. Designed to accommodate contemporary mobility needs, it features 2.5-metre-wide mixed-use paths on both sides for cyclists and pedestrians. Although the traffic lanes are slightly narrower than before, the bridge adheres to modern rail and transport safety standards, making it a safer and more accessible connection point for all users.
Key link – During the reconstruction, the closure of the bridge severely impacted traffic on the N13, a route used by more than 10,000 vehicles each day. The works also caused major disruptions to train services, especially between mid-July and mid-September 2024, when no trains operated between Bettembourg and Luxembourg City, affecting key rail lines 60 and 90.
Passengers had to rely on replacement buses, adding time and inconvenience to their journeys. Now complete, the project represents a significant step in modernising the region's transport network, especially following the recent expansion of the nearby A3 motorway.
2. Three new public European schools planned to meet rising demand
© RTL archive
Luxembourg plans to build three new public European secondary schools near Esch-sur-Alzette, Dudelange, and Luxembourg City to address growing student numbers.
The Ministry of Education is updating its 20-year-old sector-specific plan and aims to complete the new strategy by 2028, including school relocations and regional expansions.
Despite concerns about broad graduation criteria, the government remains committed to expanding public European schools, with reforms under evaluation by the Observatory for Quality of Education.
Three new schools – With Luxembourg's population on the rise, Education Minister Claude Meisch announced a major expansion plan for secondary education, which includes the construction of three new public European schools. These schools will be located in areas facing the highest demand for educational infrastructure, specifically near Esch-sur-Alzette, Dudelange, and Luxembourg City.
The initiative aims to relieve overcrowding and ensure that the country's diverse and multilingual student population has sufficient access to quality public education.
Plans updated – The government is in the process of overhauling its outdated strategy for secondary schools, which was originally drafted two decades ago. Minister Meisch presented the new sector-specific plan to MPs from both the education and housing committees, outlining a timeline for completion by 2028.
The plan includes not only the creation of new schools but also the relocation of existing institutions to better distribute educational facilities across the capital and surrounding areas. For instance, Lycée Michel Lucius will move to Kirchberg, and Lycée technique du Centre will be relocated to Gasperich, helping to ease pressure in Limpertsberg, where school density has become extremely pronounced.
Evaluation – While the expansion of public European schools has drawn criticism – particularly regarding their allegedly lenient graduation standards – Minister Meisch defended the approach by citing the positive outcomes seen at the existing European schools in Kirchberg and Mamer. He acknowledged the complexity of the evaluation and graduation frameworks but stressed that reforms must be carefully considered rather than rushed.
To address these issues constructively, Meisch proposed involving the Observatory for Quality of Education in assessing potential improvements. He also pointed to recent measures like the introduction of French literacy education as evidence that broader reforms to the national education system are already underway.
3. Government courts innovation with new fiscal incentives, expat perks
The government unveiled a new investment strategy featuring capped tax incentives and €300 million in funding to support start-ups, scale-ups, and spin-offs in key sectors like fintech, cybersecurity, and health tech.
A 10-point plan will promote collaboration between public and private funds, with the SNCI and Luxembourg Future Funds playing key roles in fostering innovation.
To attract international talent, Luxembourg is introducing a favourable expat tax regime and plans to reintroduce a stock-option scheme exclusively for start-ups.
New strategy – Luxembourg's new investment strategy, unveiled by Economy Minister Lex Delles and Finance Minister Gilles Roth this week, aims to boost the country's start-up ecosystem through a set of targeted fiscal measures. Among these are capped tax incentives for emerging enterprises, although the specifics will only be clarified once the draft law is published.
The initiative will support start-ups, scale-ups, and spin-offs working in strategic sectors such as fintech, cybersecurity, sustainable development, deep tech, and health technologies. These fields align with Luxembourg's broader economic goals and existing financial infrastructure, including its 280 well-established financial institutions.
Five-year commitment – As part of the government's 10-point plan, the National Credit and Investment Company (SNCI) and the Luxembourg Future Funds, co-managed with the European Investment Fund, will channel €300 million over five years into start-ups and innovative SMEs. Each start-up may receive up to €200,000 in funding.
The plan places special emphasis on scale-ups – firms transitioning from early innovation to broader commercial growth – and on spin-offs that help translate research into marketable solutions. Public funds will also be directed into private investment funds, with legal mechanisms ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process.
Expat perks – Recognising that financial support alone is insufficient, the government is also focusing on attracting international talent through favourable tax policies. A recently approved expat tax regime allows foreign professionals to pay taxes on only half of their first €400,000 in income for up to eight years.
Additionally, the government plans to reintroduce a stock-option scheme – limited to start-ups – to allow employees to hold equity in their companies, reversing a 2017 policy change that had abolished such benefits. Finance Minister Roth also acknowledged concerns around housing pressures caused by increased immigration, promising continued efforts to ease the strain on the housing market.
4. Black Sea ceasefire faces setbacks as Europe rallies behind Ukraine
© AFP
The US brokered parallel agreements in Saudi Arabia where Russia and Ukraine pledged to avoid strikes in the Black Sea, with Washington offering to help restore Russian agricultural trade access as an incentive.
Despite the tentative progress, both sides quickly accused each other of violating the truce, particularly with continued drone and artillery attacks on energy infrastructure.
European leaders, led by France and the UK, rejected lifting sanctions and proposed a "reassurance force" to support Ukraine post-ceasefire, though unity and clarity on deployment remain limited.
Cautious optimism – In a rare moment of tentative progress, Russia and Ukraine agreed in parallel statements – mediated separately by the United States in Riyadh – to refrain from military strikes in the Black Sea. This agreement, seen as a potential first step toward broader peace talks, came amid President Donald Trump's push for a swift end to the war.
To incentivise Russia, the US pledged to help restore access to global markets for Russian agricultural and fertiliser exports, which, while not directly sanctioned, had been hindered by financial transaction restrictions. The deal also includes commitments to safeguard commercial vessels and ensure safe navigation in the region.
Bilateral accusations – Shortly after the US announced the Black Sea deal, both Moscow and Kyiv accused one another of derailing the agreement through continued military strikes, particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Ukraine condemned Russia's launch of over 100 drones, including attacks on cities like Kryvyi Rih and Sumy, which left dozens injured. Russia, in turn, accused Ukraine of attacking energy facilities in Crimea and Bryansk, despite President Putin's earlier order for a 30-day moratorium on such strikes.
Europe united – At a summit in Paris, European leaders – spearheaded by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer – reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining and potentially increasing sanctions on Russia until a peace agreement is reached. Macron and Starmer also unveiled a Franco-British initiative to deploy a "reassurance force" to Ukraine following a ceasefire, aimed at deterring future Russian aggression.
However, the proposal has not achieved full consensus within Europe, with countries like Italy expressing hesitation. Zelensky welcomed the support but noted the lack of clarity on the force's mandate, leadership, and deployment strategy.
5. Trump dismisses 'witch hunt' after US officials accidentally leak strike plans to journalist
US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, blamed for the security blunder, speaking during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on 21 February 2025. / © AFP
A major security breach occurred when journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added to a Signal group chat where top Trump officials discussed sensitive US strike plans on Yemen's Huthi rebels.
Despite the White House insisting no classified information was shared, the leaked messages included timing, targets, and critical comments about European allies, prompting outrage and bipartisan calls for investigation.
President Trump and his administration downplayed the incident as a “witch hunt", while a federal judge ordered the preservation of all related Signal messages amid concerns over potential violations of federal records law.
Major blunder – A significant national security lapse unfolded when Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was mistakenly added to a Signal group chat involving top Trump administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. The chat, created just days before a planned US strike on Yemen's Iran-aligned Huthi rebels, contained sensitive discussions about the operation.
Goldberg reported receiving information about targets, weaponry, and strike timelines well before the attacks occurred on 15 March 2025. Although he did not publish the details until after the strikes, the fact that a civilian journalist had real-time access to such high-level military planning stunned Washington and sparked intense scrutiny.
'Freeloading' Europeans – While the White House maintained that no classified material was shared, the messages revealed in the chat included specific operational details such as launch times, weapons platforms, and real-time battlefield updates. The texts also exposed unfiltered views of top officials, including derogatory remarks about European allies, with Hegseth and Vance expressing disdain for what they saw as European "freeloading" on US military power.
Democrats condemned the breach as potentially illegal and dangerous, with several lawmakers calling for resignations and formal investigations. Even some Republicans voiced concern, acknowledging the incident's gravity and its implications for operational security and diplomatic relations.
'Witch hunt' – In response to the mounting fallout, President Trump in signature fashion dismissed the controversy as a politically motivated “witch hunt” and stood by his embattled defence chief, claiming the operation's success outweighed any messaging mishap. He blamed National Security Advisor Mike Waltz for the error, who in turn admitted responsibility, citing a contact mix-up.
Meanwhile, a federal judge ordered the administration to preserve all Signal communications from the period surrounding the leak, amid fears that disappearing messages could violate federal records laws. Despite bipartisan calls for accountability and the risks posed to US service members, the administration continued to downplay the severity of the incident, focusing instead on the military effectiveness of the Yemen strikes.
The best of... 📚
- Business & Tech – World powers on Thursday blasted US President Donald Trump's steep tariffs on imported vehicles and parts, urging retaliation as trade tensions intensify and price hikes appear on the horizon.
- Science & Environment – Overnight rain helped douse some of South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, authorities said Friday, as the death toll from the unprecedented blazes raging for nearly a week reached 28.
- Entertainment – Disney's Marvel Studios on Wednesday revealed the bumper cast of its next Avengers film, six years after "Avengers: Endgame" became the highest-grossing movie of all time.
- Sport – Red Bull said on Thursday that Liam Lawson has been axed and replaced by Yuki Tsunoda, confirming days of speculation after disappointing performances in the first two races of the F1 season.
And in case you missed it... ⚠️
- Work-life balance–Just 3% of Luxembourg's cross-border workers telework regularly compared to 20% of residents, reveals a new report, exposing stark inequalities in post-pandemic work flexibility.
- Space exploration –Luxembourg is poised to make space history in June 2025 as its 'Tenacious' rover attempts a lunar landing aboard Japan's ispace lander, marking the Grand Duchy's first direct participation in Moon exploration.
- Cannabis legalisation–Initial findings from Luxembourg's cannabis policy reform suggest minimal behavioural changes among most users, though researchers caution the early data remains inconclusive about long-term impacts on consumption rates.
- Mobility – In an unusual case of wildlife interference, snails have been blamed for disabling traffic lights in northern Luxembourg, creating a ten-week safety hazard that will finally be addressed next week.
Your Weekly Recap is published every Friday at noon. Read earlier versions.
