REFUGEE NUMBERS – In a news conference held yesterday, Immigration Minister Léon Gloden and Interior Minister Max Hahn said that 20% fewer refugees came to Luxembourg last year than in 2023. In total, just over 2000 people arrived in Luxembourg, looking for international protection.
POLICE PATROLS – Police forces from Luxembourg and Thionville conducted joint patrols on cross-border rail services yesterday today to enhance security and deter crime. During the operation, four trains and around 100 passengers were checked. Approximately 300g of hashish were discovered on one person, leading to its confiscation and the issuance of an official report.
STARGAZING LOCATIONS – Luxembourg’s skies may not be able to rival the clarity of remote deserts or high-altitude regions, but the country still offers locations where the night sky’s beauty can be deeply appreciated. Head to the Naturpark Our, the Mullerthal, the Upper Sûre Natural Park or even around Echternatch for some top stargazing. Or you could consult the free online tools such as Dark Site Finder and the Light Pollution Map to identify optimal locations.
EU DEFENCE – The EU’s 27 leaders, Britain’s prime minister and the head of NATO were in Brussels yesterday to brainstorm ways of ramping up European defence spending. There is a widespread consensus across Europe on the need to spend more on defence, with Brussels estimating the needs at 500 billion euros over a decade. Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc was ready to look at relaxing EU budget rules for defence spending but Germany has already rejected the proposal to issue joint debt to finance defence projects. Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden said he is supportive of the French idea of producing European weaponry, which would also stimulate the economy.
US TARIFFS – President Trump has agreed to pause the imposition of 25% trade tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a month. Both countries have said they will act to combat illegal migration and the trafficking of the drug Fentanyl. The taxes were supposed to take effect this morning. Meanwhile, China has said it would impose tariffs of 15 percent on imports of coal and liquefied natural gas from the United States, in retaliation to Washington’s 10 percent levies on Chinese goods.
US TRUMP / NETANYAHU – Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump will discuss the future of the Gaza ceasefire today as the Israeli prime minister becomes the first foreign leader to visit the White House since the US president’s return to power. Trump has claimed credit for sealing the ceasefire after 15 months of war. So far this has led to 13 Israeli and five Thai hostages being freed, while 583 Palestinian prisoners have been released in exchange.
CANNES FILM FESTIVAL – French film star Juliette Binoche will head the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in May. The 60-year-old Oscar winner will succeed US director Greta Gerwig, who chaired the jury in Cannes last year. The remaining members of the jury for the 78th edition of the festival in Cannes have yet to be selected.
COUNTERFEIT MEDICINES – The sale of counterfeit medicine on the internet is on the rise with authorities seizing over €11 million worth of illegal products in 2024 alone.Criminal networks are exploiting online platforms—including social media, e-commerce sites, and the dark web—to distribute substandard or fake medications. Europol has warned that these illicit sales not only deceive consumers but also pose serious health risks and undermine the economy.
FOOTBALL – In European football, several cup matches are coming up in the next few days. In the German Cup, it is the start of the quarterfinals, with Stuttgart taking on Augsburg tonight. Leverkusen will play against Cologne tomorrow. The other two games will be played in three weeks.
Also in Italy it is the start of the quarterfinals. Bergamo plays Bologna and in Spain, in the last 8 in the Copa del Rey today, Atletico will play against Getafe.
Yesterday, the winter transfer period in European football came to an end. It was a quiet month with only a few exceptions. For example, Real Betis have loaned Manchester United winger Antony until the end of the season. Former Barcelona midfielder Arthur has moved on loan to Girona from Juventus and Liverpool youngster Stefan Bajcetic is headed to Las Palmas also on a temporary basis. The Bundesliga’s incoming winter transfer window was also quiet, with the notable exception of RB Leipzig, who smashed their transfer record to make Xavi Simons’ loan from Paris Saint-Germain permanent for 50 million euros. PSG have made the single biggest splash in France with the signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli for a reported 70 million euros.
SKIING – The star American duo of Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn, returning to the slopes from injury and retirement respectively, will headline the World Ski Championships in Saalbach, Austria which are starting today.
Luxembourg is ushering in freezing fog and mist for the morning. Once that dissipates, the weather will be dry and cloudy with some sunshine, but not as lovely as yesterday – only 5 hours are expected today.The freezing fog of the morning will bring in temperatures between -4 to -1°C. The afternoon will be the warmest between 3 to 5°C.
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