HATE SPEECH – The Chamber of Deputies has unanimously adopted a resolution condemning all forms of hate speech after MP Tom Weidig of the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) liked a social media post advocating the “extermination” of LGBTQIA+ people. The resolution strongly denounced all forms of violence, hatred, discrimination, and attacks against human rights, particularly targeting minorities. During an at-times emotionally charged session, one party after another sharply criticised Weidig’s conduct. Weidig has publicly apologised for the incident.
The LGBTIQ+ advocacy group Rosa Lëtzebuerg has announced that it has filed a police complaint against both the author of the comment in question and Weidig, who liked it. The group is also calling on Weidig to recognise his responsibility as an MP and to resign from all political positions as a consequence.
DEVELOPMENT AID – Today, Xavier Bettel, in his function as Minister for Development Cooperation and Human Affairs, is making a statement in parliament on Luxembourg’s aid programme. This is followed by an hour of news on relations with the new Trump administration in the United States.
MURDER TRIAL – A 35-year-old man has appeared in court, admitting to strangling his 71-year-old father in December 2022 but insisting he never intended to kill him. During the hearing, the defendant expressed remorse and claimed he had not intended to kill his father, stating that he had placed him in a “headlock” during an argument to calm him down.
GARE ARRESTS – Following a violent mugging and assault on a pedestrian in the Gare neighbourhood early Tuesday morning, the police have quickly identified and arrested three of the four suspects. The incident occurred on Rue des États-Unis, where the assailants used violence and threats with a knife to extort the victim’s personal belongings.
UKRAINE WAR – New US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth arrives for his first meetings at NATO headquarters in Brussels today looking to push European nations over support for Ukraine and ramping up military spending. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is ready to swap land in negotiations with Russia. In an interview with The Guardian, Zelensky said he was ready to trade land in Russia’s Kursk region, which Ukraine seized in a surprise offensive last year. He described himself ready for serious talks when he meets US Vice President JD Vance in Munich on Friday.
GAZA CEASEFIRE – Israel has threatened to resume full-scale military operations in Gaza if Hamas does not release more hostages by Saturday. The ceasefire deal, which has largely halted more than 15 months of fighting in Gaza, has come under increasing strain in recent days, while Hamas insists it remains committed to the ceasefire and has accused Israel of violations. UN chief Antonio Guterres has urged Hamas to proceed with the planned release and “avoid at all costs resumption of hostilities in Gaza”.
SUPERBOWL RECORD – An estimated 127.7 million television viewers watched Super Bowl 59, making Sunday’s championship spectacle the largest audience for a one-network telecast in TV history. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 for the NFL crown.
EAGER BEAVERS – Beavers have saved Czech taxpayers a cool $1 million by flooding a protected former army training site where a long-stalled dam was planned. Officials had hoped to build a barrier to shield the Klabava River and its population of critically endangered crayfish from sediment and acidic water spilling over from two nearby ponds. Yet before the excavators got the green light to begin digging, nature’s great engineers set to work building a dam of their own and have now built a wetland with pools and canals.
FOOTBALL – Starting with some football results from last night’s Champion League play-offs: Real Madrid edged Manchester City 3-2 in a thrilling showdown, while PSG cruised past Brest 3-0 and Borussia Dortmund took a commanding step toward the last 16 with a 3-0 win over Sporting Lisbon. Juventus beat Eindhoven 2-1.
In today’s games, you can watch Bayern take on Celtic live on RTL Today. Monaco are playing Benfica, Feyenoord are playing AC Milan, and Bruges take on Atalanta.
RUGBY – Warren Gatland has left his role as Wales head coach by “mutual agreement” after a record run of 14 straight Test defeats. Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt will take temporary charge for the side’s remaining three Six Nations games against title favourites Ireland, Scotland, and England.
World champions South Africa’s Rugby Championship trip to Argentina has been switched to London’s Twickenham stadium. The match will take place on 4 October on the final weekend of the annual championship between the four southern hemisphere powers of Argentina, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.
SKIING – Mikaela Shiffrin has rebounded with a record-equalling 15th medal at the World Ski Championships in Saalbach. Shiffrin teamed up with Breezy Johnson to win the combined event. It was Shiffrin’s eighth career gold medal from the world championships.
The day will remain mostly cloudy, but at least there’s no rain forecast. The morning greyness will gradually lift, though some clouds will linger into the afternoon. The weather will stay dry, but take care in the evening, as white frost is expected to blanket most of the country.Temperatures will start between -1°C and 1°C, rising to 4–6°C in the afternoon.
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