EU JUSTICE – EU Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders is visiting Luxembourg today. He will present a report on the state of the rule of law in Luxembourg and in the EU in the Chamber of Deputies. Last year, Reynders already praised Luxembourg’s constitutional reform for enhancing the independence of the judiciary in the context of the rule of law. The EU’s recommendations for this year suggest that the Chamber should continue improving its transparency, among other things.
CAR ACCIDENT – On Sunday evening, a collision involving two cars left two people injured in Soleuvre. The accident happened at around 6pm on the Rue de Belvaux, according to the latest Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) report.
US PRIMARIES – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Donald Trump. He quit ahead of the Republican primary election in New Hampshire tomorrow, leaving only Nikki Haley standing between Trump and nomination as the Republican Party’s candidate for the US presidential election in November. Haley, the former UN ambassador, is clearly behind the ex-president in the polls.
GERMANY PROTESTS – Tens of thousands of Germans have taken to the streets to protest against the far-right. The demonstrations are in response to a report claiming that several members of the far-right Alternative for Germany Party, the AfD, had taken part in a meeting where plans to deport migrants en masse were discussed. Organisers said 350,000 gathered in Berlin. In Munich protests had to be called off due to overcrowding.
GERMANY MEMORIAL – Staying in Germany, the German parliament, the Bundestag, will hold a memorial event for Wolfgang Schäuble today. The CDU politician and former president of the German parliament died in December at the age of 81. Around 1,500 guests are expected. Among other things, French President Macron will give a speech. Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden is also expected to attend.
EU FOREIGN MINISTERS – EU foreign affairs ministers are meeting in Brussels today to discuss the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, along with other current affairs issues. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will join via video conference and Luxembourg will be represented by Xavier Bettel.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR – Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the terms of a deal for Hamas to release the remaining hostages. He said that Hamas demanded Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and leaving Hamas in power. According to Netanyahu, who also confirmed that there will be further attacks on Hamas positions as well as against the Hezbollah militia in the south of Lebanon, this is not an option. Hamas say the death toll has passed 25,000.
OSCAR NOMINATIONS – Nominations for this year’s Oscars will be unveiled tomorrow, with the ‘Barbenheimer’ juggernaut expected to roll on to the climax of Hollywood’s awards season with multiple chances at glory. ‘Oppenheimer’ appears to have the edge in the race for best picture, the Academy’s top prize. Greta Gerwig’s popular ‘Barbie’ – had nine nominations for the Globes, but left with just two consolation prizes – best song and a newly created trophy for box office achievement.
FOOTBALL – In Germany, Werder Bremen beat Bayern 1-0, keeping Bayer Leverkusen seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
In France, Marseille and defending champions Toulouse have been knocked out of the French Cup in the last 32, both falling in knife-edge penalty shoot-outs.
And in the Premier League, Liverpool remains the table leader after a 4-0 win against Bournemouth.
ATHLETICS – An international athletics meeting took place at the Coque, here in Luxembourg yesterday, with some excellent performances by Luxembourgish athletes. Luxembourg’s reigning Sportswoman of the Year, Patrizia van der Weken, surpassed her own record, running 60 meters in 7 seconds and 9 hundredths. Bob Bertemes, achieved a shot put distance of 21 meters 71cm. With that, he came in first place and has qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris. A new Luxembourg record was also set by Victoria Rausch for the 60 meter hurdles. She crossed the finish line in 8 seconds and 16 hundredths and was ranked in 5th place.TENNIS – Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska has upset former champion Victoria Azarenka to surge into the Australian Open quarter-finals. In the men’s games, Carlos Alcaraz is seeking to match the feat and make the last eight for the first time. So far, defending champion Novak Djokovic has dropped just three games in his fourth-round match on Sunday.The cold front should finally be passing and we will start seeing warmer temperatures today and throughout the week.The sun will be covered for the most part, with lots of rain and clouds, but it should become milder as the afternoon progresses. It will get a bit windy too, with gusts reaching up to 50 km/h.Temperature-wise thermometers will show positive temperatures all day, with a minimum of 3 to 5°C, going all the way up to 7 or 8°C in the afternoon.
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