TRAM EXTENSION – The eagerly awaited tram connection to Luxembourg Airport was officially opened on Sunday. The extension between Kirchberg and Findel will have two new stops – ‘Senningerberg, Héienhaf’ and ‘Findel – Luxembourg Airport. The first stop connects the tram network to the Park & Ride facility on Route de Trèves, while the second provides direct access to the airport. The new route spans 3.9 kilometres, including 2 kilometres along the motorway.
PM FRIEDEN – Prime Minister Luc Frieden has condemned the heated clash between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, warning it risked shifting blame onto Ukraine. Frieden said he had tears in his eyes while watching the fiery spat between the two Presidents at the White House on Friday, adding that it was “proof that we are living through a very grave moment in the history of Europe and transatlantic relations.”
Xavier Bettel, Foreign Affair Minister, and Yuriko Backes, Defence Minister, also shared their thoughts of concern with regard to the Oval Office meeting last Friday between President Zelensky and the Trump administration, stressing the need for cooperation.
DIEKIRCH CAVALCADE – The Diekirch Carnival drew around 40,000 visitors, offering a festive atmosphere despite the chilly weather. The grand parade, featuring 25 floats, was the event’s highlight, showcasing months of preparation from various associations across Diekirch, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany. The carnival remains a cultural icon, attracting both newcomers and loyal attendees each year, and serves as a symbol of community spirit and pride for Diekirch.
UKRAINE PRESIDENT – Meanwhile, President Zelensky has warned it would be difficult to remove him as Ukraine’s president, after US Republicans questioned his future following the dramatic Oval Office confrontation. This comes as the Ukrainian president said he would work with Europe to set terms for a possible peace deal to present to the United States, after allies gathered in London pledged to spend more on security and assemble a coalition to defend any truce in Ukraine. The weekend crisis talks, which brought together 18 allies, came at a delicate moment for war-battered Ukraine, facing uncertain US support and on the back foot against Russia’s three-year invasion.
GAZA AID – Israel on Sunday blocked aid flowing into Gaza. The decision came as talks on a truce extension appeared to hit an impasse, after the ceasefire’s 42-day first phase drew to a close. Truce mediators Egypt and Qatar accused Israel of blatantly violating the ceasefire deal by halting the aid. With uncertainty looming over the truce, both Israel and Palestinian sources reported Israeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip, with reports of at least four people killed.
ECB RATES – The European Central Bank is expected to cut interest rates again this week in a bid to boost the floundering eurozone economy. It will mark the central bank’s 6th reduction since last June, with its focus having shifted from tackling inflation to relieving pressure on the 20 nations that use the euro. A reduction by a quarter percentage point would bring the bank’s benchmark deposit rate to 2.50 percent.
SPACE RACE – France’s Ariane 6 rocket is scheduled to launch today, deploying a military satellite designed to enhance intelligence capabilities as Europe seeks to reduce reliance on the US and counter rising space competition.
The high-profile mission comes as French President Emmanuel Macron calls for Europe to reduce its security reliance on the United States and the European space industry struggles to remain competitive in the face of Elon Musk’s Space X.
Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Starship rocket is set for its eighth test flight today, aiming to recover from a fiery explosion during its last attempt and demonstrate progress toward crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. Elon Musk has been making headlines for mass layoffs and funding cuts at US federal agencies under his so-called Department of Government Efficiency. But on Monday, his towering Starship rocket will return to the spotlight with its next test flight. The world’s biggest and most powerful launch vehicle is set for its eighth orbital mission, following a dramatic mid-air explosion over the Caribbean during its last trial.
ACADEMY AWARDS – At the Oscars last night the film Anora, a bold Cinderella story set in New York’s underbelly, dominated the event with five wins, including best picture and best director for Sean Baker, who hailed the film as a victory for independent cinema. Best actress went to Mikey Madison for Anora while the gong for best actor was picked up by Adrian Brody, for The Brutalist.
LUXEMBOURG – In athletics, it was success in Spain at the weekend for Diekirch sprinter Patrizia van der Weken. The 26-year-old won the 60m sprint at the World Indoor Tour Gold in Madrid on Friday, with a remarkable time of 7.07 seconds.The athlete has become a favourite for the upcoming European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – In football news, Real Madrid is set to face rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday. They host Diego Simeone’s Atletico side at the Santiago Bernabeu in the last 16 first leg. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund will take on Lille also on Tuesday in a clash that will see 28-year-old Serhou Guirassy do battle against his former club for a coveted place in the last 16.
PREMIER LEAGUE – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hoping the glamour of the Champions League can galvanise his injury-ravaged squad from their Premier League funk. The Gunners’ dream of a first league title in 21 years appears over after falling 13 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool. Conquering Europe for the first time now appears their only chance of ending a five-year trophy drought and a kind last-16 draw with PSV Eindhoven could buy Arteta time to get some of his key attackers back.
As you are heading off to work this morning, temperatures will be low at -4 to -2 degrees. However, highs of between 8 and 10°C and sunny skies are expected later on, making the choice of jacket somewhat tricky.Have a great start to your week, and here’s hoping that this Monday feels a lot more like a Thursday or Friday!
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