European defence in focus, hunting season opens, and CFL unveils new train

Luxembourg 

HUNTING SEASON – The hunting season in Luxembourg's woods and fields begins on Saturday, a period that authorities warn brings an increased risk of wildlife-related traffic accidents.With the season lasting until the end of January, wild animals are more likely to dart unexpectedly onto roadways. Drivers are urged to reduce their speed and remain vigilant, particularly when driving along forest edges and fields.

PAPER LICENCES – Around 62,000 drivers in Luxembourg still hold old pink paper driving licences, which must be replaced by January 2033. The EU will only recognize the modern plastic card format from that date. While the paper licences remain valid until the deadline, drivers are encouraged to exchange them now through the National Road Traffic Authority, the SNCA. Over 6,000 people have already made the switch in the past two years.

TRAIN MODERNISATION – Luxembourg's CFL has launched its first "coupled" Coradia train, creating a 164-metre-long unit with 668 seats - double the capacity of a single train. Fourteen of the 34 new trains are already in service, with full deployment expected by the end of 2026. The fleet will increase total seating capacity across the network by 46% - the largest order in CFL history.

World

NATO DEFENCE MEETING – NATO defence ministers met in Brussels yesterday, determined to counter hybrid threats and recent violations of European airspace by Russian drones and fighter jets. Luxembourg's Defence Minister Yuriko Backes said NATO partners will not tolerate these breaches but will respond in a measured way. Ministers also discussed drone defence cooperation between NATO and the EU. Backes stressed these efforts must be complementary, not duplicate each other, with both organizations working together to strengthen the continent’s defences.

GAZA CEASEFIRE – Israel's defence minister has threatened to resume fighting if Hamas does not honour the terms of a US-backed ceasefire that halted the war in Gaza. The statement from Defence Minister Israel Katz's office came after Hamas handed over the remains of two more deceased hostages, and said it would be unable to retrieve any more bodies from the ruins of Gaza without specialised equipment.

FRANCE POLITICS – French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is expected to survive two no-confidence votes today after agreeing to suspend a controversial pension law. Lecornu's survival averts another political crisis and has reassured investors, though suspending the law, which raises the retirement age to 64, comes at a cost of 400 million euros next year and represents a setback for President Macron's economic reforms.

PORTUGAL ATTACK – A knife attack in the Portuguese seaside resort of Cascais yesterday  morning has left one tourist from the United States dead and another seriously injured. The assailants, three in number, fled the scene in a vehicle and remain at large.

SPAIN STORM – Heavy rains from Storm Alice continue to batter parts of Spain, causing severe flooding in Catalonia that has trapped people in cars, forced evacuations, and led to a state of emergency in several areas. While no fatalities have been reported, at least 18 people have been injured by the severe weather.

Sport

FOOTBALL – It’s the second day in the women's Champions League league phase today. Among the matches Atletico Madrid play against Manchester United, Bayern Munich play Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain take on Real Madrid and Benfica are set against Arsenal.

BASKETBALL – The round of 16 in the Luxembourg Basketball Cup kicked off yesterday with a major upset. Defending champion Esch was eliminated, losing 67-84 to Etzella Ettelbrück at home. In the derby, Amicale Steinsel defeated Résidence Walferdange 84-71. Meanwhile, T71 Dudelange, Sparta Bertrange, Arantia Larochette and Mambra Mamer all advanced to the quarter-finals.

SWIMMING – Four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus has announced her immediate retirement from swimming, calling it a "really tough" decision.  The 25-year-old Australian had been on an extended break since the Paris Olympics but had previously said she planned to return for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Weather

Today the weather will be grey and overcast, but at least the dry weather is due to take us through to the end of the week.Temperature-wise we're looking at 5-7°C in the morning, rising to a high of 14°C in the afternoon. 

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