FARMERS PROTESTS - Farmers’ protests are also taking place also in the German border area today. Police have announced that border crossings will be closed in the morning with tractors, tyres and straw bales. The following crossings are affected by the blockade: Nennig and Remich, Wincheringen and Wormeldange, Wellen and Grevenmacher as well as Perl and Schengen. Only the motorway remains open.
While farmers in neighbouring countries like Belgium, Germany, and France take to the streets in protest, Luxembourg’s agricultural sector has remained notably quiet. Instead of resorting to protests, farmers are – for now – looking towards upcoming events like the Agriculture Conference in early March and the leadership of the new Minister of Agriculture, Martine Hansen, with high expectations.
HOUSING CRISIS - The real estate market in Luxembourg has experienced a significant decline in notarised deeds over the past two years. According to our colleagues at RTL.lu, figures reveal a stark reduction of one-third in such deeds in 2023 compared to the previous year. In response to the dwindling activity, both the previous and current governments have implemented measures to bolster the sector.
GAZA AID - Luxembourg continues to support the aid work for Palestinian refugees of the United Nations, despite the accusations that employees helped Hamas. Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel told the Chamber yesterday that last year, Luxembourg gave 9.6 million euros to UNWRA, 1.6 million euros of it for humanitarian aid due to the current war. A number of other countries stopped their aid because of the accusations.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR - The war in the Gaza Strip has been going on for almost 4 months now. In the meantime, more than half of all buildings have been destroyed. According to the BBC, satellite data shows that up to 175,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. About 1.7 million people – more than 80% of Gaza’s population are displaced.
The Israeli army has confirmed that it has flooded Hamas’s tunnels with seawater. In this way, they would like to neutralize the underground terror infrastructure.
DELORS MEMORIAL - There is a commemorative celebration in Brussels today for the deceased former EU Commission President Jacques Delors. The Frenchman is considered one of the fathers of the euro and the European single market. A number of heads of state and government are expected.
EU UKRAINE SUMMIT - This is followed by an informal dinner to prepare for the EU summit tomorrow. Where further financial aid to Ukraine will be discussed. The Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán continues to oppose a 50-billion-euro aid package for Kyiv.
FOOTBALL - In the German Cup, the DFB-Pokal, Düsseldorf is the first team in the semi-finals. That after a 4-3 victory against St. Pauli. Tonight, Kaiserslautern plays against Hertha Berlin.
Football clubs worldwide spent a record 8.88 billion euros on international transfers last year, surpassing the previous record set in 2019 by more than $2 billion, according to a FIFA report. The top 10 player transfers in 2023 accounted for over 10% of the entire outlay. Those deals included Jude Bellingham’s move to Real Madrid, Enzo Fernandez joining Chelsea and Harry Kane signing for Bayern Munich.
BEAMON MEDAL - Half a century after his jump at the 1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics, Bob Beamon’s record still stands -- though he is ready to part with his gold medal. He said it was time to pass it on, ahead of the award’s auction by Christie’s in New York tomorrow. Beamon’s historic leap of 8.9 meters – still stands as the top Olympic jump.
SKATING MEDALS - US figure skaters who moved into gold medal position after a Russian Kamila Valieva was disqualified from the 2022 Winter Olympics, have said they want a ceremony at the Paris Olympics. Reigning world ice dance champions Evan Bates and Madison Chock were among nine Americans who became 2022 Beijing Olympic team figure skating champions after Valieva, part of the winning Russian team, received a four-year ban for failing a doping test before the Beijing Winter Olympics.
The day will likely begin with a mostly cloudy sky, accompanied by fog or high fog that tends to linger into the late morning. By noon, there’s a chance of gradual clearing in some areas, allowing the sun to break through. Colder temperatures will range between -1 to 2 °C in the morning, gradually rising to a milder 6-9 °C by the afternoon.
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