LUXEMBOURG UKRAINE/GAZA - Prime Minister Luc Frieden says the government council meeting at Senningen Castle yesterday was a long, intensive day. This weekend marks the second anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The Prime Minister once again expressed his solidarity and support and confirmed the government will continue financial support to Ukraine, as well as to the Ukrainian refugees still living in Luxembourg.
Luxembourg also wants to increase support to NATO, for this reason, the defence budget will be increased to 2% of gross national income.
The Prime Minister said the Council also discussed the situation in Gaza and the issue of possible refugees coming to Luxembourg. The Government council has unanimously decided not to accept any refugees from Gaza at the present time. Frieden said that Luxembourg’s reception and accommodation capacities would not allow it and also because it would be impossible to get people out of Gaza, across the border. Since October 7, Luxembourg has helped the 2.2 million Palestinians in the area with 3.5 million euros.
AIRPORT EXPANSION - Starting Monday, the ongoing tram extension project to Findel Airport will progress into a new phase, involving the redevelopment of the Senningerberg interchange situated along the A1 motorway. As part of this phase, modifications will be made to the slip road leading from Luxembourg City to Trier. In addition, the temporary traffic-light junction will be shifted approximately 150 metres in the direction of the airport.
PARLIAMENT TRANSPARENCY - Efforts to enhance transparency in the Chamber of Deputies are gaining momentum as plans to live stream select commission meetings and revise debate models are underfoot. Although the Chamber of Deputies will not hold a public session this week, the step represents , a significant move towards a more open and efficient parliamentary process. At present, the Chamber’s commissions still meet behind closed doors.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR - Israel has launched air strikes on southern Gaza’s Rafah today after threatening to send troops into the city, where around 1.4 million Palestinians have sought shelter from around the territory. A US envoy was expected in Israel today to try to secure a truce deal.
WIKILEAKS APPEAL - Britain’s High Court has finished hearing two days of arguments over whether to grant WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange a fresh appeal against his extradition to the United States to face espionage charges.Two senior judges heard evidence from his lawyers and those representing Washington, and opted against making an immediate decision on what is likely Assange’s final UK bid to block extradition.
NETHERLANDS ACCIDENT - At least two people died yesterday and two more were injured when part of a bridge under construction crashed down on workers in the Netherlands. Part of the bridge was being hoisted into place in Lochem, in the east of the country, when the cables holding it in place snapped, sending it plummeting to earth. Local mayor Sebastiaan van ‘t Erve said the whole community was shocked by the accident.
MOON LANDING - A company from Texas is poised to attempt a feat that until now has only been accomplished by a handful of national space agencies: landing on the Moon. If all goes to plan, Houston-based Intuitive Machines will guide its spaceship named Odysseus to a gentle touchdown near the lunar south pole today at 2249 GMT, then run experiments for NASA that will help pave the way for the return of astronauts later this decade.
FOOTBALL -In the Champions League Round of 16 matches last night, Italian champions Napoli drew 1-1 with five-time winners Barcelona and Porto beat Arsenal 1-0. We now have a two week break, before heading into an action packed March with more Champions League matches and then, Georgia vs Luxembourg in the UEFA EURO 2024 playoffs on March 21st. A win for the Red Lions will see them head into the final against Greece or Kazakhstan, with a spot at the summer tournament on the line. A huge moment in Luxembourg Football history.
Bayern Munich have said the would part ways with manager Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season, as the reigning German champions struggled to stay in the Bundesliga title race. The coach, whose contract was set to run through to 2025, will exit the club on June 30.
FORMULA 1 - Three-time world champion Max Verstappen gave his struggling rivals little hope for optimism ahead of the new Formula One season when he dominated the first day of winter testing yesterday. The Red Bull driver was more than a second faster than Lando Norris in a McLaren with Carlos Sainz, about to start his final year as a Ferrari driver in third spot.Sainz will lose his seat at Ferrari to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton who is entering his last campaign behind the wheel of a Mercedes. Hamilton will be in action today.
RUGBY - Ben Earl says England will be ready for any “curve balls” that come their way when they face Scotland in Saturday’s Six Nations clash in Edinburgh. England have won their opening two fixtures of the tournament, narrowly defeating Italy and Wales, while Scotland edged past the Welsh before narrowly losing to France. Scotland, however, have dominated rugby union’s oldest fixture in recent seasons, with Gregor Townsend’s men bidding for a fourth successive win over England.
Today’s forecast brings overcast skies with persistent, moderate rainfall — occasionally intensifying to heavy showers, with an orange alert in place for rain, flooding, and strong winds. In certain areas of the country, we might see rainfall reaching over 30 litres per square meter within a 24-hour period. Brace yourself for sustained gusts, particularly in the afternoon and evening hours. The alert is in place for strong westerly winds between 65-75 km/h — with temporary gusts of 80-85 km/h.
As a cold front moves through, there’s a chance of thunderstorms, but the rain and gusts will gradually taper off. Morning temperatures kick off at 5-7°C, increasing to 8-11°C in the afternoon.
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