COALITION TALKS - Officials from the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) have announced their unanimous decision to start coalition negotiations with the Democratic Party (DP). Reasons for their choice are the strength of this potential majority (35 out of 60 seats) and the policy alignment between both parties.
Luc Frieden, who earlier on Monday was appointed to form a new government, underlined that the CSV will not entertain simultaneous coalition talks with different parties. Speaking to RTL on Monday evening, he described the DP as their “first choice”. Outgoing Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, for his part, has been tasked by the Democratic Party to lead the coalition talks with the CSV.
CARGO CENTRE - Trade unions have met officials from Luxair and Cargolux in relation to the new operator of the cargo centre at Findel airport. The unions are demanding that the jobs of the affected employees be guaranteed.
ISRAEL PALESTINE WAR - Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the Gaza strip is being put under a total siege, with electricity, food and fuel supplies being cut off as part of the response to the attack on Israel by Hamas militants on Saturday. He said airstrikes were just the beginning.
Hamas has warned it will start killing hostages if more bombing raids target what it calls civilian homes without warning. Israel has reported more than 900 deaths and 2600 injured while the Palestinian Ministry of Health has spoken of more than 680 dead and more than 3800 people who have been injured in the Gaza strip.
INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS - The leaders of the US, France, Germany and Italy have condemned Hamas for its attack on Israel and backed Israel’s efforts to defend itself. Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn has also condemned Hamas’s offensive on Israel, reassuring that Luxembourg nationals in the country are safe and underlining the need for a renewed international commitment to a two-state solution. EU Foreign ministers are meeting today to discuss the situation in Israel and regions The talks will happen on the sidelines of the EU and Arab Gulf states meeting in Oman.
HOLLYWOOD WRITERS’ STRIKE - Hollywood writers have overwhelmingly voted to end one of the industry’s longest ever strikes. The Writers Guild has announced that 99% of its members voted in favour of ratifying the deal agreed on last month. After 148 days on strike, negotiators reached a deal with the likes of Netflix and Disney, achieving better pay, greater protections from AI as well as increased health and pension contributions.
OLYMPICS CRICKET - Cricket could feature at the Olympic Games for the first time since 1900, after organisers recommended it to be part of the 2028 Los Angeles games. Flag football, a non-contact version of American football and squash have also been proposed to make their Olympic debuts, whilst LA Olympic officials also want a return of baseball, softball and lacrosse. A decision will be made next week.
FOOTBALL AUGSBURG - Bundesliga strugglers Augsburg have sacked head coach Enrico Maassen after a 2-1 defeat to promoted Darmstadt. Augsburg said “changes to the coaching position” were necessary after a German Cup exit to third division Unteraching, and just one win in seven Bundesliga games leaves the club one point above the relegation zone. Augsburg’s under-23 coach Tobias Strobl will step in on an interim basis.
Today will kick off with some morning fog and clouds are expected to keep giving the sun a run for its money throughout the day. But we can expect temperatures to soar from a chilly 9°C in the early hours to a warm 23°C later in the day.
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