EARTH OVERSHOOT DAY – Luxembourg ranks first in Europe and second worldwide for Earth Overshoot Day – the point at which humanity has consumed all the biological resources the planet can regenerate in a year. Shockingly, the country has already reached this threshold today, less than two months into 2025, with only Qatar ahead. Both Greenpeace and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have strongly criticised Luxembourg’s overconsumption and its environmental impact.
VIANDEN COMMEMORATION – Minister for Culture Eric Thill called for social cohesion, respect and solidarity especially in times of unrest and war in Europe, at the 80th liberation anniversary commemoration ceremony in Vianden on Sunday. A special tribute was paid to the eleven American soldiers who lost their lives during the liberation of Vianden.
FOOD BUDGETS – A new report from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (STATEC) reveals how income levels influence the way households in Luxembourg allocate their food budgets. Higher-income households dedicate a larger share of their budget to dining out, with restaurants accounting for over 43% of their food expenditures. In contrast, lower-income households rely more on school canteens and takeaway meals.
UKRAINE MEETINGS – The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sought to assure both Ukraine and its European allies that they will be involved in negotiations to end the war. Talks are expected in Saudi Arabia this week, involving only US and Russian officials.
European heads of state and government are meeting in Paris today to discuss the security of Europe in light of the surprise peace talks between Presidents Trump and Putin. Antonio Costa, who heads the European Council, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO secretary general Mark Rutte will also be present. Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden is reportedly not invited to the emergency summit.
GERMANY ELECTION – Germany enters the final week of election campaigning, with the debate more heated than ever. The four main chancellor candidates debated each other live on television last night, discussing their plans for the German economy and how they view Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Illegal migration was also a major topic. Friedich Merz, whose conservative CDU party is currently leading the polls and Chancellor Scholz both criticised US Vice President JD Vance for interfering in German politics after his speech at the Munich Security Conference. Vance had called on Germany to drop its decades-long taboo of having the far right in government, insisting there was “no room for firewalls”. His comments brought tens of thousands of demonstrators to the streets of Berlin yesterday.
BAFTA AWARDS – Papal thriller Conclave and the epic The Brutalist are tied for top honours at Britain’s BAFTA awards with each film picking up four gongs. Conclave, won the BAFTA for the best film, while US filmmaker Brady Corbet took the BAFTA for best director for The Brutalist and Adrien Brody scooped up the award for best actor. Mikey Madison won the BAFTA for best actress for her portrayal of a sex worker in the black comedy Anora.
US STORMS - At least nine people have died in eastern United States, including eight in Kentucky, as powerful storms brought flooding and exceptionally powerful winds, downing trees and cutting power. Brutally cold weather is expected to hit much of the country later in the week.
FOOTBALL – In the English Premier League Tottenham beat Manchester United 1-0 yesterday.
In the German Bundesliga, Eintracht Frankfurt had a comfortable 3-1 home victory over Holstein Kiel, tightening their grip on third spot.
And Athletic Bilbao were held to a 1-1 draw at struggling Espanyol in a match that was temporarily stopped because of racist chanting.
SKIING – Loic Meillard streaked to victory in the men’s slalom at the World Ski Championships in Saalbach on Sunday. Meillard, second fastest after the first run, held his nerve to clock a winning aggregate time of 1min 54.02sec.
GOLF – Sweden’s Ludwig Aberg drained a birdie putt on the 18th hole to win the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines on Sunday. Aberg played the last six holes at 4-under as he posted a final round 66 to pip American Maverick McNealy to the title – his second on the PGA Tour.
The sky will be lightly covered throughout the day, with a good chance of catching some rays if you’re out in the sun. You might feel a little breeze, but it shouldn’t be too bad – around 20 km/h. We still have wintery temperatures though – starting off in the -5°C to -3°C area. Don’t expect it to rise much higher, as the maximum should stay at 2–4°C.
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