Here are five things you should know at the end of this week:
Nicolas Mackel, the current Director of Luxembourg for Finance (LFF), is set to become the new Ambassador to the EU in Brussels, succeeding Sylvie Lucas.
Succeeding Sylvie Lucas – Nicolas Mackel, currently serving as the Director of Luxembourg for Finance (LFF), is reportedly on the move to a significant diplomatic position as Luxembourg’s Ambassador to the European Union in Brussels. This transition is expected to take place next summer, marking a shift from his role in promoting Luxembourg’s financial sector to representing the nation’s interests at the EU level.
This move has been confirmed by multiple sources, including RTL, who cite well-informed insiders. Mackel is poised to succeed Sylvie Lucas, showcasing a strategic shift in Luxembourg’s representation within the EU.
Favoured by PM – Since his appointment as CEO of LFF in 2013 by then-Finance Minister Luc Frieden, Mackel has been instrumental in elevating Luxembourg’s profile on the global financial stage. Under his leadership, LFF has worked closely with the Ministry of Finance, maintaining a synergy that has been pivotal for the promotion of the financial sector.
Prepared for the job – Mackel’s journey to the top echelons of Luxembourg’s financial and diplomatic circles is built on a rich tapestry of international experience and legal expertise. Before his tenure at LFF, he had already made his mark in diplomacy, serving as Consul General in Shanghai and taking up roles at the Luxembourg Embassy in Washington.
His initial stints at the Permanent Representation in Brussels and work at the European Court of Justice laid a solid foundation for his diplomatic career, as did his specialisation in European law.
The tram extension from Bonnevoie to Cloche d’Or, including a 73-metre bridge across the motorway, is on schedule, with the new phase opening in summer 2024.
The extension features a Y-shaped bridge for trams, pedestrians, and cyclists, adds four kilometres and five new stops to the network, with one stop provisional due to late land acquisition.
Optimising commuter traffic – The tram line extension from Bonnevoie to Cloche d’Or marks a significant development in Luxembourg’s public transportation network. This new phase includes the construction of a 73-metre long bridge that spans the motorway, linking the industrial area of Howald with the business district of Cloche d’Or. Set to open in the summer of 2024, the extension aims to facilitate smoother and more efficient travel for commuters, enhancing connectivity within the capital.
Provisional stop – The bridge designed for this extension is a Y-shaped structure that supports multiple modes of transport. Apart from carrying tram carriages at frequent intervals of six to eight minutes, it also accommodates pedestrians and cyclists, promoting sustainable modes of transportation.
The extension itself stretches over four kilometres and introduces five new tram stops into the network. However, one of these stops remains provisional due to a delay in acquiring a crucial piece of land, which was only resolved in December.
Further extensions ahead – The completion of track laying by the end of spring marks a crucial milestone in the project timeline, setting the stage for the commencement of testing in May. This phase ensures that all aspects of the tram line extension meet safety and operational standards before it becomes fully operational in June.
Looking ahead, the project has ambitious plans for further expansion, with an extension to Findel Airport anticipated to open by January 2025.
A teacher in Luxembourg City forced a seven-year-old girl to walk barefoot and without a coat from a swimming pool to a bus stop as punishment for dawdling.
The girl’s mother demanded an explanation from the school, while the teacher defended his actions by hoping to change the girl’s behaviour.
The Ministry of Education deemed the incident at a primary school in Hollerich “unacceptable” and indicated it would have consequences, though details were not provided.
Forced to walk barefoot – A Luxembourg City teacher is reported to have taken a punitive measure against a seven-year-old girl for what he perceived as dawdling. After a swimming class, the girl was forced to leave the pool barefoot, without her coat, and with wet hair to walk to a bus stop located approximately 50 metres away. This action by the teacher was intended as a punishment for the girl spending too much time in the changing rooms, prioritising a harsh lesson over the child’s safety and comfort in the cold conditions outside.
Teacher stands by decision – Upon learning of her daughter’s punishment, the girl’s mother immediately reached out to the school’s administration, seeking an explanation for the teacher’s actions. In response, the teacher justified his decision by explaining that the girl had repeatedly ignored instructions to get ready and that his intention behind the punishment was to encourage a change in her behaviour.
Ministry announces consequences – The Ministry of Education was quick to respond to enquiries about the incident, confirming that it occurred at a primary school in Hollerich. Labelling the teacher’s actions as “unacceptable,” the Ministry indicated that there would be consequences for the incident, though it refrained from providing specific details on what those might entail.
Israel launched new strikes on southern Gaza and sent troops into a Gaza hospital, accusing Hamas of using it for military purposes, amid international condemnation and warnings from global leaders about the humanitarian impact.
The health ministry in Gaza reported catastrophic conditions at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis due to the conflict, with thousands displaced and the medical facility operating under severe strain.
International efforts to broker a ceasefire remain ongoing, with US, Qatar, and Egypt mediators involved, and families of hostages held in Gaza protested in Tel Aviv for their release amidst escalating regional tensions, including Hezbollah’s involvement.
Hospital raid – Israel has intensified its military operations in the Gaza Strip, launching deadly strikes on southern Gaza, particularly focusing on the city of Rafah, despite mounting international criticism. The Israeli military also conducted a raid on Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, citing credible intelligence that Hamas militants were using the hospital for military purposes and possibly holding hostages there.
This action has been met with severe backlash, as it compromises one of the few remaining operational medical facilities in Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Patients left behind – The situation at Nasser Hospital has been described as catastrophic by the health ministry in Gaza, with the facility struggling to cope under the weight of the conflict. Thousands of people, including patients, were forced to leave the hospital amidst fighting, with medical staff unable to safely move bodies to the morgue.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported a chaotic situation in the hospital, further hampered by shelling that resulted in casualties and critically wounded people being left behind.
Broader conflict – The international community has been actively seeking a resolution to the crisis, with mediators from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt attempting to broker a ceasefire. These efforts include high-level discussions involving CIA Director Bill Burns and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, among others.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll of the conflict has spurred families of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza to protest for their release, highlighting the personal tragedies unfolding amidst the broader geopolitical conflict.
The involvement of Hezbollah, which has escalated tensions by firing rockets into northern Israel in retaliation for Israeli strikes, indicates the widening scope of the conflict and the complex challenge facing international mediators in achieving a ceasefire and addressing the humanitarian crisis.
Nicolas Sarkozy received a reduced sentence of six months’ imprisonment with an additional six months suspended for excessive campaign spending in 2012, with plans to appeal the decision.
Sarkozy’s legal troubles persist, involving charges of corruption, illegal financing, and a forthcoming trial over alleged Libyan contributions to his 2007 campaign.
Despite legal controversies, Sarkozy continues to wield significant political influence in France, evidenced by his ongoing advisory role to President Macron and commentary on potential political successors.
Sarkozy defiant – Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been handed a revised sentence by the Paris Court of Appeal concerning the ‘Bygmalion’ affair, which revolves around illicit campaign financing during his unsuccessful 2012 reelection attempt.
Initially sentenced to a year’s imprisonment, the appeals court has now modified this to six months of incarceration with an additional six months suspended. This decision shows the court’s stance on the severity of Sarkozy’s actions, yet provides a somewhat lenient modification that reflects the legal system’s nuances.
Sarkozy, undeterred by the verdict, intends to challenge this decision in France’s Court of Cassation, highlighting his persistent claim of innocence and determination to clear his name.
Further legal troubles – Sarkozy’s post-presidential life has been marred by a series of legal battles that extend beyond the ‘Bygmalion’ affair, enveloping him in a cloud of legal scrutiny.
Notably, Sarkozy is bracing for another major legal confrontation slated for 2025, concerning allegations of receiving illicit funding from the late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi for his 2007 presidential campaign. This impending trial not only deepens the legal quandaries faced by Sarkozy, but also brings to light the intricate intersections of international politics and campaign financing.
Continued influence – Despite the legal entanglements that have characterised his post-presidential years, Sarkozy continues to exert notable influence within French political circles. His advisory relationship with the current President Emmanuel Macron signifies the enduring political relevance and influence Sarkozy holds, even as he navigates through his legal challenges.
Business & Tech – Microsoft on Thursday shook up the video game world with word it is making some once-exclusive Xbox video games available for play on rival consoles.
Science & Environment – A US spaceship attempting a lunar landing lifted off early Thursday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the second such private-led effort this year after the first ended in failure.https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/a/2066108.html
Entertainment – Israel can compete in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, organisers confirmed on Thursday, again rejecting calls for it to be excluded over the Gaza war like Russia was after invading Ukraine.
Opposition party reacts – Following allegations that the minister lashed out at a colleague, members of the Left say Meisch should step back from his roles in public life until the incident has been cleared up.
Defence spending – Despite being one of the world’s wealthiest nations, Luxembourg ranks last in NATO for defense spending, with commitments to increase its military budget amidst an alliance-wide push to meet a 2% GDP target.
Healthcare – Luxembourg has achieved the top spot in Europe for access to contraceptives, highlighted by its comprehensive coverage policy, as per the “Contraception Policy Atlas Europe 2024.”
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