Corruption in EU Parliament, Railway strikes and the tram turns 5

Luxembourg

WEATHER WARNING - Meteolux has issued a yellow alert for the whole country on Tuesday as temperatures are set to drop as low as -8°C. 

ACCIDENTS  - Six people were injured in crashes across the Grand Duchy last night. Two cars collided between Hamm and Sandweiler at around 9pm, leaving two people with injuries. Another collision took place between Hoscheid and Hoscheid-Dickt at around the same time, with three people injured. And one person was seriously injured following a crash between Vichten and Bissen at around 1.30am.

TRAM BIRTHDAY - Luxembourg’s tram is 5 years old. On the 10 December 2017 the first tram went into service on the stretch linking Luxexpo to the Red Bridge. Luxtram director André Von der Marck described the last five years as a success story, saying that more than 80,000 people ride the tram on a daily basis and that is has become an icon of the capital.

World

EU PARLIAMENT CORRUPTION - Belgian prosecutors have charged 4 people in connection with an investigation into corruption at the European Parliament. Officials are looking into claims that Qatar tried to bribe parliamentary officials. The regime in Doha denies all accusations. One of the parliament’s vice presidents, thought to be Greek MEP Eva Kaili has been suspended from her role. Group leaders in parliament will discuss the corruption scandal in Strasbourg today.

GERMANY PLOT - Germany will tighten gun laws following the suspected attempt to overthrow the government by far-right extremists, known as Reichsbuerger. The Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said they were suspected terrorists and called on all state authorities to remove their weapons.  Last Wednesday, police arrested 25 people and they believe that 25,000 people were close to the Reichsbuerger.

EU IRAN - EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels today to decide on further sanctions against Iran. A visa ban against some 30 Iranian individuals and institutions is planned as well as an freeze on their assets.  The European Union is accusing Iran of human rights violations and drone deliveries to Russia. In addition, the EU wants to give 5.5 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine. EU agriculture ministers are also meeting in Brussels today to discuss the impact of the Ukraine war on the agricultural sector and the reform of the law on the welfare of animals.

UKRAINE ERDOGAN - Turkish President Erdogan spoke with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the phone yesterday about the agreement on the export of Ukrainian grains. Erdogan asked that other Ukrainian food can also be shipped across the Black Sea.Moscow will only give its agreement if the export limitations on Russian goods are cancelled.

FRANCE STRIKES - A new railway strike is disrupting train traffic between France and Luxembourg today. According to the traffic plans published by the SNCF, passengers of the Nancy-Metz-Luxembourg line will only be able to count on five trains on Monday morning. Usually, they can rely on no fewer than 18 trains to go from Metz to Luxembourg between 4.45am and 10.30am. Passengers will not have much choice when it comes to the return direction. The SNCF has announced that only three trains will leave Luxembourg to go to Metz and Thionville between 5-7pm.

Sport

CYCLING WORLD CUP -  The Luxembourgish cyclist Marie Schreiber has come in 5th place at the Cyclo-cross World Cup in Ireland. And third place in the Under-23s. The Dutch cyclist Fem van Empel won overall. FOOTBALL WORLD CUP - In the World Cup – all eyes are on the first semi final on Tuesday. Croatia will play Argentina at the Lusail stadium. Lionel Messi and Argentina's World Cup dream remains alive but a Croatia side inspired by the enduring brilliance of Luka Modric stands in their way. Argentina have recovered from the shock of losing their opening game to Saudi Arabia and made the last four with an exhausting win on penalties against the Netherlands at the end of last week. After reaching the final four years ago, Croatia have beaten Japan and Brazil on penalties to make the semis.

Weather

A very cold start. The morning will start of with a shocking -8°C in some parts of the country. The highest temperature of today will be 0° and this during the afternoon when the morning clouds make space for less clouds and the occasional sunshine.

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