MIGRATION POLICY – Luxembourg’s treatment of vulnerable migrants has come under scrutiny, with The Greens MP Meris Šehović calling for urgent reforms to protect families at risk of homelessness and improve transparency in the asylum process. Speaking in the Chamber of Deputies yesterday, Sehović criticised significant delays at the Ministry of Home Affairs in processing family reunification applications and granting residence permits.
The debate followed the resignation of a senior civil servant, who resigned in protest over recent changes to Luxembourg’s asylum policy. Marianne Donven claims the policy has left hundreds of vulnerable people, including families with young children, stranded on the streets.
FUEL PRICES – After diesel and heating fuel prices rose significantly last week, there has now been a decrease in the prices of both products. The price of diesel has decreased to €1.527 per litre, while heating oil now costs €0.97 per litre.
ABORTION LAWS – Luxembourg’s Health Minister, Martine Deprez, has rejected calls to extend the abortion time limit from 12 weeks to 14 weeks, citing the ethics committee’s assessment and the coalition agreement. The ethics committee, which took nearly a year to issue its assessment, failed to offer definitive guidance, a decision criticised by LSAP MP and former Minister of Health Paulette Lenert.
MILITARY SERVICE – Luxembourg’s MPs have unanimously rejected the idea of compulsory military service during a parliamentary debate on Wednesday. The discussion, initiated by the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), shifted focus to broader issues facing the military, including recruitment, investment, and national security strategy.
TRUMP IMMIGRATION – The Pentagon is sending 1,500 troops to bolster security at the US-Mexico border, as the Trump administration moves swiftly to crack down on illegal immigration. Officials say the troops will support homeland security, taking complete operational control of the border.
LA WILDFIRE – A new wildfire has flared up near Los Angeles, which is itself still counting the cost of the deadly fires earlier this month. The fire covering a large area near Castaic Lake, north of Santa Clarita. 31,000 people have been evacuated from their homes. The local fire chief said the weather was driving the spread of the blaze.
GERMANY ATTACK – Following a violent knife attack at a park in Bavaria yesterday, which killed a two-year-old child and a 41-year-old man, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for an investigation into why the Afghan suspect was still in Germany. The chancellor is hardening his rhetoric on migration ahead of the German elections on the 23 February.
THAILAND SAME-SEX MARRIAGE – And Thailand has become the first country in south-east Asia to legalise same-sex marriage and give members of the LGBT community the same rights as straight couples, such as sharing their assets and adopting children. Hundreds tied the knot at a mass wedding in a shopping centre in Bangkok to mark the legal milestone.
FOOTBALL – Starting with football results from last night’s Champions League games, Manchester City lost 4-2 to Paris St Germain, Feyenoord beat Bayern 3-0, Real Madrid won 5-1 against Salzburg, and Arsenal beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-0.
TENNIS – Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are clear favourites to win their respective semi-finals today and set up a blockbuster Australian Open title decider. First up is world number one and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka against Spain’s 11th seed Paula Badosa, followed on to the centre court by five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek against Madison Keys.The men’s finalists at Melbourne Park will be decided on Friday.
FORMULA 1 – Lewis Hamilton has driven a Ferrari Formula One car for the first time after the seven-time world champion took to the track at the team’s test circuit. Fans are hoping Hamilton can end an 18-year wait for a drivers’ F1 title which has been dominated by Mercedes and Red Bull.
This morning is likely to start off with light rain or a mix of rain and snow, with temperatures hovering between 0 and 2°C. But we might just get a spot of sunshine mid-morning too. The afternoon will be dry, cloudy and windy, with an expected high of 4°C.
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