LUXEMBOURG AMBASSADOR - The current Director of Luxembourg for Finance (LFF), Nicolas Mackel, is reportedly set to become the new Ambassador to the EU in Brussels. He is expected to succeed Sylvie Lucas as the head of the Permanent Representation in Brussels next summer.
PROACTIF DISMISSAL - The ProActif employment initiative finds itself in need of new leadership following the sudden dismissal of François Georges last week. According to information obtained by RTL, Georges’ termination stems from allegations of “aggression and misconduct” towards certain individuals. ProActif provides a range of services including gardening, catering, carpentry, and vegetable growing and employs 650 people.
GREENPEACE 40 - Greenpeace Luxembourg celebrated its 40th birthday yesterday. At a press conference marking the milestone anniversary, the organisation’s director Raymond Aendekerk stressed the ongoing urgency to drive change. Greenpeace Luxembourg is set to embark on various campaigns this year, including continued advocacy for a ban on glyphosate and calls for the closure of one of the reactors at the Cattenom nuclear power plant.
EU FARMERS - The European Commission has officially extended an exemption on rules requiring farmers to leave part of their land fallow if they apply for EU subsidies. The rules on fallow land were part of the grievances that have led to protests by angry farmers across Europe in recent weeks. The EU introduced the regulations for more environmentally-friendly practices, but temporarily suspended them following the Ukraine war in response to security concerns.
US IMPEACHMENT - The US House of Representatives has voted to impeach President Biden’s Secretary of Homeland Security. Republicans accuse Alejandro Mayorkas of failing to enforce immigration laws at the US’s southern border. It’s the first time since 1876 that a cabinet member has been impeached.
BIDEN TRUMP - President Biden has forcefully denounced comments made by Donald Trump, who said he would encourage Russia to invade NATO allies that didn’t spend enough on defence. President Biden said the remarks were shameful, dangerous and un-American.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR - UN officials have issued dire warnings over Israel’s proposed ground incursion into Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city. The UN aid chief, Martin Griffiths said it could lead to a slaughter, as people have nowhere else to go.
STEVE WRIGHT DIES - The DJ Steve Wright, an iconic BBC radio presenter who also hosted Top of the Pops has died at the age of 69. Wright’s family confirmed the death yesterday.
FOOTBALL - In the Champions League games round of 16 last night, Manchester City beat Copenhagen 3-1 and Real Madrid won against Leipzig 1-0. Tonight’s games will see Paris St. Germain playing Real Sociedad and Bayern vs Lazio.
In other football news, former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will fulfil a lifelong dream by managing Liverpool in a charity legends game against Ajax next month. Eriksson has revealed he has incurable pancreatic cancer and said at the time he had always wished to be manager of the club one day.
FORMULA 1 - Ferrari have unveiled their new SF-24 car, ready for the upcoming Formula One season which will be the last before Lewis Hamilton joins the Italian team from rivals Mercedes. The new 24-race campaign kicks off in Bahrain on March 2 with Ferrari not having won a drivers championship since 2007.
This Valentine’s day, prepare to be drenched. We have grey skies brimming with rain showers. All. Day. Long. Temperatures start off between 5 and 7°C in the morning, before rising to a mild high of 11°C in the afternoon.
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