JANUARY WEATHER – January 2025 was a cold and rainy month, with limited sunshine. The weather station at Findel recorded significant rainfall, 211% above the average recorded 1991 and 2020. Sunshine was scarce with only 43.2 hours of sunlight recorded, less than the monthly average for January.
NICOTINE POUCHES – The debate around nicotine pouches continues. They are already banned in Belgium and are facing prohibition in France, the United States, and Sweden. In Luxembourg, policymakers are looking to implement strict regulations to protect young people but not a ban, by setting the nicotine cap low. The US tobacco giant Philip Morris has dispatched a team of advisers from Brussels to Luxembourg, hoping to influence the debate.
EU SUMMIT – Relations with the United States and its new President Donald Trump, defence and security, and a potential trade war with America are high on the agenda at an EU summit in Brussels today. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are also attending the summit. Starmer says the talks are part of efforts to ‘reset’ relations with the EU. It will be the first time a British Prime Minister has joined the European Council talks since Brexit.
ELECTRONIC AUTHORISATION – Since January, visitors from several non-EU countries, including Australia and the USA, have needed an additional electronic authorisation to travel to the UK. This requirement will extend to Luxembourg and all EU countries from 2 April. This means that EU travellers without a long-term visa, such as a student visa, will have to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering the UK.
US TARIFFS – President Trump has hit Canada and Mexico with new tariffs of 25%, as well as China with a 10-percent tariff in addition to levies already in place. The latest tariffs on key US trading partners are set to take effect tomorrow. The EU has warned that it will respond “firmly” to any US tariffs on its exports, vowing retaliation if Trump targets EU goods.
GERMANY PROTESTS – A mass protest erupted in Berlin on Sunday, with at least 160,000 demonstrators condemning the CDU’s unprecedented collaboration with the far-right AfD. The move, seen as a breach of Germany’s postwar political consensus, comes just weeks before a key federal election.
GRAMMY AWARDS – And the winners of this year’s Grammy Awards are coming in thick and fast. Chappell Roan was named Best New Artist, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” won Best Pop Solo Performance, Kendrick Lamar won Record and Song of the Year, and Beyoncé made history, winning the coveted Album of the Year prize for “Cowboy Carter.”
FOOTBALL – Starting with some football results from yesterday: Bayer Leverkusen has beaten Hoffenheim 3-1 to move within six points of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, while Frankfurt and Wolfsburg drew 1-1.
In France, Marseille have strengthened their grip on second place Ligue 1, as they sealed a 3-2 win over Lyon.
It was a 1-1 draw in Italy in the Milan duel between AC and Inter.
In the English Premier League, Arsenal beat Manchester City 5-1.
Spain’s former football chief Luis Rubiales goes on trial today over the forced kiss he gave star forward Jenni Hermoso with the player scheduled to take the stand. The 47-year-old provoked worldwide outrage after he cupped Hermoso’s head and gave her an unsolicited kiss after Spain beat England to win the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia.
CYCLO-CROSS – Marie Schreiber won silver at the U23 Cyclo-cross World Championships, 40 years since the last medal for Luxembourg. Taking place in freezing temperatures in Liévin (France), Schreiber came in 41 seconds ahead of Dutch cyclist Leonie Bentveld. The British cyclist Zoe Backstedt stayed ahead of Schreiber and came in first place, winning gold. In the women’s elite, the Dutchwoman Fem Van Empel is the world champion and in the men’s, Mathieu van der Poel has won his 7th cyclo-cross world title.
TENNIS – It’s a first for Luxembourg tennis too. The Davis Cup team will play in World Group 1 for the first time ever. Over the weekend the Luxembourg team beat Lithuania 3-1. Taking over the weekend at the Coque here in Kirchberg, Chris Rodesch took the decisive third point against Vilius Gaubas, with a two-set victory.
We are in for another wintery day – the sunshine is still here and is scheduled for 7 hours today. But there will be some fog and clouds to keep the sun company. It is still cold though, so be sure to bundle up! With temperatures pretty similar to yesterday, expect -5 to -2°C in the morning with a warmer afternoon between 4 to 7°C.
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