Here are five things you should know at the end of this week:
Caritas has challenged the legal basis of a parliamentary commission investigating its €61 million embezzlement case, citing an ongoing penal inquiry and alleging a conflict of interest involving commission president Stéphanie Weydert.
Conflict of interest – Caritas has raised concerns about the legitimacy of the special parliamentary commission investigating its €61 million embezzlement scandal. The organisation argues that the commission lacks legal grounds due to the ongoing penal inquiry, which it believes should take precedence.
Additionally, Caritas has alleged a conflict of interest involving the commission’s president, Stéphanie Weydert, pointing out her prior association with a law firm representing one of the banks implicated in the case. These objections were outlined in a letter sent to parliament ahead of the commission’s meeting on Wednesday, where members planned to discuss the next steps in the investigation.
Allegations dismissed – Stéphanie Weydert, president of the parliamentary commission, has firmly denied allegations of a conflict of interest. She clarified that she has not practised law since November 2023, having fully transitioned to her political roles as Mayor of Rosport-Mompach and an MP.
The committee, however, engaged in a lengthy debate over her impartiality and ultimately decided to consult the parliamentary ethics committee and the head of the bar association for a definitive ruling. The controversy follows the earlier resignation of Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) MP Laurent Zeimet from the same committee due to his connections with another law firm involved in the case.
Weydert has suggested that Caritas’ accusations are an attempt to avoid engaging with the commission.
Transparency concerns – The Financial Sector Supervisory Commission (CSSF) is conducting its own investigation into the Caritas scandal, focusing on whether the banks involved adhered to legal obligations concerning fraud and money laundering. While a report on the findings is expected by the end of March, CSSF Director General Claude Marx indicated that it would likely remain confidential, accessible only to the implicated banks under existing laws.
Although any sanctions against the banks will be made public, other details of the report will not be shared with the government or parliament, raising concerns about transparency in addressing the scandal.
Luxembourg’s judicial authorities are investigating allegations of sexual misconduct linked to a theatre group affiliated with Lycée Hubert Clément in Esch-sur-Alzette, involving teachers, students, and alumni.
Searches and interviews were conducted on 7 January 2025, with the investigation focusing on testimony gathered since November 2024 regarding alleged misconduct during group activities.
The Education Ministry has suspended the theatre group’s activities and implicated teachers while emphasising the presumption of innocence and the protection of all parties involved.
Investigation underway – Luxembourg’s judicial authorities are investigating allegations of sexual misconduct linked to a theatre group associated with Lycée Hubert Clément in Esch-sur-Alzette. The allegations involve both adults and minors, including teachers, current students, and alumni. The inquiry, led by youth protection specialists from the Criminal Police Service, aims to uncover the extent and nature of the alleged misconduct.
Systematic examination – On 7 January 2025, 16 investigators conducted searches and interviews at various locations, including the homes and offices of those connected to the theatre group. This operation builds on testimonies gathered since November 2024, which reportedly pointed to misconduct during a specific group activity.
While authorities have refrained from providing explicit details about the alleged behaviour, their focus on a non-profit overseeing the youth theatre programme indicates a thorough investigation into the organisation’s practices and oversight.
Presumption of innocence – In response to the allegations, the Ministry of Education has taken precautionary measures to suspend the theatre group’s activities and temporarily remove implicated teachers from their roles. These steps are intended to protect the interests of all parties while the investigation is ongoing.
The ministry has also emphasised the importance of adhering to Luxembourg’s legal principle of presumption of innocence, ensuring that accusations are thoroughly and fairly investigated before conclusions are drawn.
The Luxembourg public prosecutor’s office has dismissed allegations of breach of trust and tax fraud against CMCM Director General Fabio Secci, closing the case with no criminal proceedings.
The investigation, initiated by a Ministry of Health complaint in March 2024, was based on concerns of double remuneration and potential tax fraud highlighted in a 2023 financial report.
A separate complaint regarding potential privacy law violations within the CMCM was also resolved with no grounds for criminal action.
No criminal wrongdoing – The Luxembourg public prosecutor’s office concluded that there was no evidence to support allegations of breach of trust or tax fraud against Fabio Secci, the Director General of the Mutualist Medical and Supplementary Fund (CMCM). These allegations stemmed from a complaint filed by the Ministry of Health, but after careful legal analysis, the prosecutor determined that the essential elements required to establish criminal wrongdoing were not met. Consequently, the case has been officially closed, clearing Secci of any suspicion.
Background – The investigation began in March 2024 following concerns raised by a Ministry of Health complaint, which cited findings from a February 2023 financial report. The report had flagged potential issues within the CMCM’s compensation system, including risks of double or triple remuneration for identical tasks and possible tax fraud.
Definitive conclusion – In addition to the financial allegations, a separate complaint filed in late March 2024 alleged a potential violation of privacy protection laws within the CMCM. This claim underwent an independent legal analysis, but the public prosecutor determined that there was no evidence to justify criminal proceedings in this matter either.
With this resolution, the prosecutor has closed all inquiries related to the case, bringing the investigation to a definitive conclusion.
Massive wildfires in Los Angeles have killed at least 10 people, destroyed neighbourhoods, and displaced over 180,000 residents, prompting the National Guard to assist amid reports of looting.
Firefighters are battling multiple blazes, including a 20,000-acre fire in Pacific Palisades and another near Altadena, with efforts hampered by returning winds and new fires erupting.
Evacuees are finding widespread devastation, including destroyed multi-million-dollar homes, while officials warn that critical fire conditions persist due to dry weather.
Death and displacement – The devastating fires in Los Angeles have left a tragic toll of at least ten confirmed deaths as entire neighbourhoods lie in ruins. Over 180,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, with many unsure of when, or if, they will be able to return.
Authorities have implemented a nighttime curfew to address reports of looting in evacuated areas, with the National Guard deployed to maintain order and protect vulnerable communities. Governor Gavin Newsom has pledged full state resources to combat the disaster and ensure the safety of those affected.
LA Mayor Karen Bass faces criticism for attending an overseas event while devastating wildfires rage, with critics arguing that recent budget cuts to the LA Fire Department, which reduced funding for emergency preparedness, worsened the situation. Bass defended her leadership, emphasising her focus on saving lives and staying in constant contact with officials during her absence.
Aerial efforts – The largest of the wildfires, consuming nearly 20,000 acres in Pacific Palisades, is only partially contained, while another significant blaze in Altadena has scorched over 13,000 acres. Despite progress during a temporary lull in winds, firefighters are battling fresh challenges as strong winds reignite conditions, fueling new blazes like the Kenneth Fire near Calabasas, which rapidly expanded to 1,000 acres within hours.
Aerial firefighting efforts continue, although one aircraft was grounded after colliding with a drone, highlighting additional obstacles in an already immense operation.
Far from over – Returning evacuees have encountered harrowing scenes of destruction, with neighbourhoods reduced to ashes and iconic locations like Malibu’s oceanfront homes obliterated. Residents recount the surreal tragedy of the fires, which devastate some homes while leaving others untouched.
The fires have disrupted daily life for millions, closing schools, cutting power, and relocating major events. Scientists link the intensity of the blazes to climate change, with recent dry conditions and accumulated vegetation creating a perfect storm for catastrophic fire growth, which meteorologists warn could worsen in the coming days.
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet’s Tingri county on 7 January, killing at least 126 people, injuring 188, and displacing over 30,000 residents amid freezing temperatures, with tremors felt in Nepal and India.
Rescue operations involve thousands of workers amid harsh conditions, as 3,600 houses collapsed, forcing the setup of 187 relocation sites to accommodate affected residents in the high-altitude region.
Leaders like Xi Jinping, Antonio Guterres, and the Dalai Lama have expressed condolences, while international support has been pledged for the region, which is grappling with weak infrastructure and extreme cold.
Historic quake – A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the rural, high-altitude Tingri county in Tibet on 7 January, claiming at least 126, with 188 people injured and over 30,000 displaced. The quake caused extensive damage, collapsing 3,609 houses constructed primarily from traditional materials such as mud bricks and stone.
Tremors were felt as far as Kathmandu in Nepal and parts of India, underscoring the quake’s severity. The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) recorded the magnitude at 6.8, while the US Geological Survey noted it as 7.1, making it the most powerful in the region within a 200-kilometre radius in the past five years.
Rescue operations – Thousands of rescue workers, including firefighters, soldiers, and medical teams, have been deployed to the disaster site, racing against freezing conditions with temperatures dropping to -16°C. Makeshift shelters, quilts, and cold-weather gear have been dispatched to support displaced residents now living in 187 temporary relocation sites.
Videos showed workers pulling survivors from the rubble, distributing blankets, and providing medical care. However, the region’s rugged terrain, weak infrastructure, and sub-zero temperatures pose significant challenges to ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.
Disputed region – Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for “all-out search and rescue efforts”, while international figures like UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Russian President Vladimir Putin have extended condolences and offered assistance. The Dalai Lama expressed deep sadness and prayed for the victims, highlighting the cultural and spiritual significance of the affected region.
Despite global concern, restrictions on foreign media access to Tibet limit independent reporting, highlighting Beijing’s tight control over the area, which remains a politically sensitive and geographically challenging region.
Business & Tech – Social media giant Meta on Tuesday slashed its content moderation policies, including ending its US fact-checking programme on Facebook and Instagram, in a major shift that conforms with the priorities of incoming president Donald Trump.
Science & Environment – Antarctic sea ice rebounded in December after a long period of record lows, US scientists said, giving pause to speculation that Earth’s frozen continent could be undergoing a permanent change.
Entertainment – Ubisoft announced Thursday plans for a major restructuring, including delaying the release of the latest installment in its flagship “Assassin’s Creed” franchise.
PSA – A recent spike in thefts on Luxembourg’s trams and other public transport has prompted police to issue safety advice to help passengers avoid falling victim to pickpockets.
Culture – At just 29 years old, Hungarian conductor Martin Rajna has been appointed as the new chief conductor of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing a fresh perspective to the ensemble from September 2026.
Healthcare – Since 7 January, the CHdN has been offering advanced bone density scans using a newly installed scanner, with the capacity to see up to 30 patients a day.
Your Weekly Recap is published every Friday at noon. Read earlier versions.
