WAGE INDEXATION – Luxembourg’s next wage indexation is expected in the second quarter of 2025, according to a new report from STATEC. The forecast comes as annual inflation edged down from 1.9% to 1.7%, despite a notable rise in consumer prices in February.
FOOD RECALL – Customers who purchased a whole chicken product for soups and stews from Delhaize stores are being urged to check their products after the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration announced a recall due to possible salmonella contamination. The affected products were sold between 27 February and 4 March.
WATCH AUCTION – Watch enthusiasts and collectors are set to gather in Mondorf-les-Bains for the auction of 202 luxury watches, part of a larger collection seized from Luxembourg real estate magnate Flavio Becca. The collection of watches with starting prices ranging from €600 to €80,000 will go under the hammer on Saturday, 29 March.
WOMEN MANAGERS – The number of women in managerial roles across the European Union has steadily increased over the past decade, but Luxembourg remains among the countries with the lowest representation of female managers, according to the latest EU Labour Force Survey. The Grand Duchy had 22.2% of women in managerial positions in 2023, placing it only ahead of Croatia and Czechia.
LUX FILM FEST – The 15th edition of the Luxembourg City Film Festival starts today, running until the middle of the month. As usual, the programme is very diverse, with both fiction films and documentaries as well as an entire programme dedicated to virtual reality. The festival opens with a screening of Hot Milk, starring Vicky Krieps, Emma Mackey, and Fiona Shaw. Among many events, actor Tim Roth will be giving a masterclass. He stars in Desirée Nosbusch’s first feature film, called Poison, which will be shown at this year’s festival.
EU UKRAINE SUMMIT – European leaders are holding an emergency summit to discuss an increase in defence spending and support for Ukraine. President Zelensky is due to attend the talks in Brussels. Yesterday he said there had been positive movement with the US despite Washington’s suspending intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
MACRON ADDRESS – In a televised address last night, President Macron warned that Russia has become a clear threat and Europe cannot be sure that the United States will remain on its side. His comments came ahead of today’s EU summit.
LITHUANIA BOMBS – Lithuania has become the first country to quit an international convention banning cluster bombs, citing security concerns over neighbouring Russia. The NATO member has said it wants to strengthen its defences following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fearing it could be next if Moscow succeeds.
PORTUGAL POLITICS – Portugal’s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who faced a vote of censure yesterday over conflict of interest allegations, said he will seek a vote of confidence that risks leading the country to new elections. The timing of the confidence vote remains unclear.
FOOTBALL – Starting with some results in the Champions League last 16 first leg: Harry Kane said his two goals in Bayern’s win over Bayer Leverkusen were “probably” the most important so far. Kane’s ninth-minute header and second-half penalty put Bayern in control of the tie ahead of next week’s return leg against the German champions and on track for the quarter-finals. In other matches, Barcelona beat Benfica 1-0, Liverpool beat Paris St Germain 1-0, and Feyenoord lost to Inter Milan 2-0 in Rotterdam.
FIFA has announced it will pay total prize money of one billion dollars to participants in the Club World Cup taking place in the United States this year. The figure is significantly more than the prize money offered for either the last men’s or women’s World Cups.
GOLF – Rory McIlroy has said that a deal to reunify golf does not feel any closer despite a flurry of recent meetings between the rival PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf. Hopes of a breakthrough in negotiations between the two circuits had risen after President Donald Trump hosted PGA and LIV golf leaders at a White House meeting last month.
CRICKET – Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson struck brilliant centuries as New Zealand posted the highest-ever Champions Trophy total of 362-6 in their semi-final against South Africa in Lahore today. The winners will face India in the final in Dubai on Sunday.
It’s another sunny spring day. The morning will start off chilly around -1°C, but by the afternoon we can expect springy temperatures between 15–17°C.
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