Here are five things you should know at the end of this week:
Luxembourg’s next wage indexation is expected to be triggered by the end of April, leading to a salary increase in May.
Projections – The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (STATEC) has indicated that the country’s wage indexation mechanism is likely to be activated by the end of this month. This would mean that salaries, pensions, and other indexed payments will increase starting in May. Wage indexations in Luxembourg are designed to preserve purchasing power by adjusting incomes in line with inflation, and its activation this spring would be the result of recent trends in consumer prices.
Short of the mark – The system is triggered when a specific inflation threshold – an average index value of 1013.46 – is reached. As of now, the calculated average stands at 1012.69, just short of the mark. STATEC estimates that if April’s inflation rises by 0.56%, the required threshold will be met, thereby activating the indexation mechanism. This small gap suggests that unless inflation drops unexpectedly, the index will likely be triggered.
Confirmation pending – Once the threshold is met, the indexation takes effect the following month, with higher wages appearing in that month’s pay slips. STATEC will release final inflation data at the end of April to confirm whether the threshold has officially been reached. If it goes ahead, this will be the only indexation scheduled for 2025, offering workers a single adjustment for the year based on inflation trends.
Luxembourg has confirmed its first case of tularaemia – commonly known as rabbit fever – near Junglinster, prompting officials to warn the public not to touch dead hares without protective gear.
Veterinary experts stress that while the disease can spread from rodents, rabbits, and hares to humans and pets, the risk to house pets and people is very low, with infections typically remaining localised.
Residents are urged to report sightings of dead hares to ALVA and follow safety measures such as wearing gloves and masks when handling animal remains.
Case confirmed – Veterinary authorities in Luxembourg have officially confirmed the country’s first case of tularaemia, also known as rabbit fever, after a dead hare found near Junglinster tested positive for the bacterial infection. The Luxembourg Hunters Federation initially reported the case, which was later verified by the Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA).
A second suspected case is currently under investigation. In response, both organisations have issued strong warnings to the public, advising people to avoid direct contact with dead wildlife. If handling is necessary, gloves and FFP2 masks should be used, and carcasses should be placed in sealed bags for safe transport to the Dudelange laboratory.
Low risk – The ALVA’s Dr Caroline Merten emphasised that although tularaemia is a zoonotic disease – meaning it can infect humans – the overall risk of transmission to people and domestic pets is considered low. Most cases observed in neighbouring countries like Germany have remained geographically limited, and the strain found in Central Europe tends to be less virulent.
For pets such as dogs and cats, infection is rare and usually not severe, with symptoms like fever and loss of appetite. Households are mainly advised to prevent their pets from approaching dead animals during outdoor walks to further reduce any risk.
Precautionary measures – To help contain any potential spread of the disease, ALVA and the Hunters Federation are asking the public to report sightings of dead hares by emailing info@alva.etat.lu. They stress that individuals should never handle carcasses without proper protection – specifically gloves and a protective mask – and should avoid letting pets investigate any dead wildlife.
Infected animals should be delivered to the Dudelange wildlife care centre or ALVA’s lab for testing. Dog owners are also encouraged to perform tick checks after outings, as ticks and mosquitoes are potential carriers of the bacteria.
Two patients from Gaza, each accompanied by a relative, were evacuated to Luxembourg via Romania for urgent medical treatment as part of an EU-coordinated effort.
The operation involved Luxembourg’s Air Ambulance and emergency services, with the Red Cross providing accommodation and psychosocial support upon arrival.
While the evacuees can apply for asylum, Luxembourg has no plans to accept more patients due to capacity limits, despite the success of this initial humanitarian mission.
Evacuation via Romania – This marked Luxembourg’s first involvement in the EU and WHO-led medical evacuation initiative for Gaza, which aims to provide life-saving treatment for patients whose conditions cannot be managed in the war-torn territory. The evacuation began with Romanian authorities flying the group from Gaza to Bucharest, where Luxembourg’s Air Ambulance service took over using dedicated MEDEVAC flight hours.
Act of ‘solidarity’ – Upon landing in Luxembourg, the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) ensured specialised medical transport to appropriate care facilities, where the patients began treatment for serious but treatable conditions. Meanwhile, the Luxembourg Red Cross arranged housing for all four evacuees and included provisions for psychosocial support, recognising the trauma associated with their journey and the conflict in Gaza.
Health Minister Martine Deprez described the mission as an act of “solidarity” that reflects Luxembourg’s commitment to humanitarian values by offering both medical care and dignity to those in crisis.
One-off effort – Although the transfer was successful, Luxembourg officials stressed that the country’s medical infrastructure has limited capacity for such complex cases, and no further evacuations are currently planned. The evacuees are officially expected to return to Gaza once their treatment concludes, though authorities acknowledge the volatile situation may prevent that, giving them the option to seek international protection in Luxembourg.
Despite taking in just four individuals, officials argue that participation in the April operation made a profound difference to those involved, especially as many EU countries have yet to contribute to the programme.
Trump this week paused global tariffs for 90 days but intensified them against China, raising levies on Chinese goods to a staggering 145% while maintaining a 10% baseline for other countries.
Markets surged then plunged amid policy chaos, as Trump’s sudden reversal and conflicting administration messages rattled global investors and sent bond and equity markets swinging.
Allies welcome temporary relief but tensions with China deepen, with Canada and the EU pursuing negotiations while Beijing hit back at the US with 125% tariffs and restricted Hollywood imports.
Back and forth– President Donald Trump announced a surprise 90-day pause on his sweeping global tariff regime, reducing the baseline duty to 10% for most countries, a move he said was in response to requests from over 75 nations seeking negotiations. However, China was explicitly excluded from this pause, with Trump instead imposing a massive 125% tariff on Chinese imports, on top of an earlier 20% duty, bringing the total additional rate to 145% – the highest in modern US history.
Framing the move as retaliation for what he called China’s lack of respect for global markets, Trump emphasised that this escalation was designed to pressure Beijing over its trade practices, including alleged overproduction, intellectual property concerns, and its role in the fentanyl supply chain.
Market chaos – Financial markets experienced wild swings in reaction to Trump’s erratic trade policy announcements, initially rallying on the news of the tariff pause before reversing sharply as the implications of the China escalation became clear. Wall Street saw its biggest single-day gains since the early 2000s on Wednesday, only to tumble the next day as investors digested the uncertainty and growing risks of a full-blown US-China trade war.
Trump’s conflicting messages, often delivered via Truth Social (his own social media platform), along with public contradictions between his top aides, contributed to the volatility. Bond markets, typically a safe haven, also saw sell-offs, while gold soared to a record high as investors sought refuge from the turbulence.
Trump defiant – Countries like Canada and members of the European Union cautiously welcomed Trump’s partial reversal, describing it as a “welcome reprieve” and an opening for potential negotiations, though warning that retaliatory measures could resume if talks fail. The EU suspended its own planned tariffs on $22 billion worth of US goods for 90 days, and Canada announced plans to begin talks with the US after its upcoming election.
Meanwhile, China responded to the intensified US tariffs with 125% duties on American imports and new restrictions on Hollywood film imports, though its officials left the door open for dialogue. Despite this, Trump remained combative, insisting his strategy would lead to manufacturing returning to the US and labelling the standoff with China as necessary “medicine” for the American economy.
Over 220 people were killed when the roof of the iconic Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed during a packed concert, marking the Dominican Republic’s deadliest disaster in decades.
The tragedy claimed the lives of prominent figures including merengue legend Rubby Perez and former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, and has prompted national mourning and an official investigation.
Experts blame the collapse on structural overload and past fire damage, while families begin burying victims and authorities vow full accountability.
Disaster strikes – The collapse occurred in the early hours of Tuesday during a performance by beloved merengue singer Rubby Perez, with the nightclub reportedly hosting between 500 and 1,000 guests – well beyond its intended capacity. As the roof came falling down, it crushed hundreds of partygoers, injured more than 500 others, and sparked a frantic rescue operation involving over 300 responders and international support.
Despite tireless efforts using sniffer dogs and heavy equipment, the search for survivors was called off two days later, with officials confirming 221 deaths and dozens still unaccounted for. The scope of the tragedy has left the nation in shock and mourning, with flags at half-mast and funerals taking place across affected communities.
Prominent victims – Among the many victims were notable culture and sports figures who were household names in the Dominican Republic and beyond. Rubby Perez, 69, was performing on stage when the roof gave way; his daughter managed to escape, but his body was recovered the next day.
Baseball stars Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, both beloved in the community of Haina where they grew up, also perished in the collapse. Their deaths have added a layer of collective grief to the national tragedy, prompting President Luis Abinader to declare three days of mourning and attend memorial services alongside grieving families.
Meanwhile, the government has pledged a transparent investigation into the causes of the collapse and has begun coordinating the identification and burial of the victims.
Structural deficiencies – Initial assessments by engineers and architects point to a combination of factors behind the collapse: the Jet Set club was housed in a 52-year-old building originally designed as a cinema, with insufficient structural reinforcements and reportedly no columns to bear the heavy weight of equipment like generators and air conditioning units on the roof.
Additionally, a fire two years prior may have weakened the integrity of the concrete and steel. Experts say corrosion, poor planning, and lack of building oversight likely contributed to the disaster.
While mourning continues – many families holding collective funerals for multiple lost loved ones – Dominican authorities have promised a thorough investigation by both national and international experts, and pledged that every victim will be identified and honoured properly.
Business & Tech – Prada said Thursday that it had reached a deal to buy Versace for €1.25 billion ($1.38 billion), building a new Italian fashion powerhouse and hoping to insert much-needed “spark” into its smaller, flashier rival.
Science & Environment – A Texas startup called Colossal Biosciences made a big splash this week by releasing footage of canines they say are dire wolves, a species that vanished more than 12,000 years ago.
Entertainment – Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone are set to headline a scorching Coachella 2025, as tens of thousands descend on California’s desert for a heatwave-fuelled kickoff to the music festival season.
NATO – On Thursday, a NATO AWACS – short for Airborne Warning and Control System – aircraft carried out a series of low flyovers at Luxembourg Airport, drawing the attention of onlookers eager to witness the rare sight.
Employment – In January 2025, Luxembourg’s minimum wage of €2,638 is the highest in the EU, significantly surpassing the wages of other member states, according to Eurostat.
Drug use – Luxembourg City’s wastewater contains higher cocaine concentrations than Munich or Barcelona, according to a European study that detected illicit drugs in all 128 participating cities.
Your Weekly Recap is published every Friday at noon. Read earlier versions.
