ADR Facebook fallout – Following the ADR’s decision to sanction MP Tom Weidig with a written warning for liking a hateful Facebook comment, the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) has called for the resignation of the ADR president Alexandra Schoos. The controversy stems from Weidig’s decision to “like” a Facebook comment advocating for the “extermination of LGBTQ”. The LSAP expressed disappointment that the ADR did not expel Weidig, stating that the incident crossed red lines related to “homophobia and racism” and that the ADR risks becoming an “openly far-right party”.
BLOOD DONATIONS – Authorities are sounding the alarm that not enough blood is currently being donated. There is a shortage of blood plasma, not only in Luxembourg but also worldwide. 100–120 donations a day are needed to keep blood reserves at a constant and stable level in the country, which is not the case. Check here for where and how to donate blood.
FARM FIRE – A farm building in Knaphoscheid, a small village in the municipality of Wiltz, was destroyed by a large fire yesterday afternoon. The blaze, which sent a massive cloud of smoke visible for miles, broke out in a substantial structure adjacent to a residential dwelling. Approximately 50 firefighters were involved in the operation and the cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.
POKEMON THEFT – Unknown culprits have broken into a Differdange trading card and video game shop, making off with rare Pokémon cards worth an estimated €30,000. According to the owner’s son, the thieves made off with approximately 100 rare Pokémon cards, which had been professionally appraised, as well as four to five boxes of so-called booster packs.
LUXAIR AGREEMENT – Luxembourg’s national airline Luxair has signed a new collective agreement with trade unions, introducing a range of benefits for its staff. Pay scales for pilots, ground staff, and cabin crew have been adjusted, with a salary progression scale reintroduced from the start of the year. Beyond salary improvements, the new collective agreement introduces enhanced rest provisions for flight crews, including an increase in rest days.
US-RUSSIA TALKS – Russia and the United States have held their first high-level talks since the invasion of Ukraine, with President Trump expressing confidence that they could lead to a peace deal to end the war. Moscow has made it clear it will not accept NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised the talks for excluding Kyiv, saying efforts to end the war must be “fair” and involve European countries, including Turkey. The Ukrainian leader spoke after a nearly three-hour meeting with Turkish President Erdogan in the Turkish capital Ankara.
POPE PNEUMONIA – Pope Francis, who was admitted to hospital last week, has developed pneumonia in both of his lungs. Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital last Friday for bronchitis, but the Vatican has said it was changing his treatment following tests. The Vatican added that the 88-year-old was in “good spirits”.
BRAZIL BOLSONARO – Brazil’s attorney general has formally charged former president Jair Bolsonaro and 33 others over an alleged coup attempt after his 2022 election loss. Bolsonaro and his co-accused were hit with five charges over the alleged bid to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office after a bitter election race.
A$AP ROCKY TRIAL – Rapper A$AP Rocky has been found not guilty of two counts of felony assault in a trial in Los Angeles. The musician, who has two children with singer Rihanna, had faced up to 24 years in prison if he had been convicted of firing a gun at a former friend. The rapper, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, denied the charges, arguing the weapon was a prop gun.
FOOTBALL – Starting with the Champions League in football, Bayern Munich secured their place in the last 16 with a 94th minute strike by Alphonso Davies last night to secure a 1-1 draw on the night and a 3-2 aggregate win. AC Milan were dumped out by Feyenoord and both Club Brugge and Benfica also advanced.
Tonight’s games see Dortmund take on Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid against Man City, PSG play Brest, and PSV play Juventus.
RUGBY – James Kent has been appointed national coach of Luxembourg’s senior men’s XV rugby team. He brings experience from roles with Monaco Rugby 7s, Stade Français, and the French Men’s national team, as well as coaching stints in Canada, Spain, and elsewhere. Kent previously served as an assistant coach for the Luxembourg rugby federation and as director of rugby at Rugby Club Luxembourg.
TENNIS – Novak Djokovic‘s comeback has come to a crashing halt as he lost 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 to Matteo Berrettini in the second round of the Qatar Open. Djokovic said that fitness was not the issue but that he was simply outplayed by a better player.
Today’s skies will be much cloudier than yesterday and are expected to cover up the sun. There is no rain forecast and temperatures are still chilly. The morning starts off at -3 but will move to positive temperatures by lunchtime, heating up to 3 to 6°C. Careful in the valley areas of Luxembourg, as it can get down to -8°C throughout the day!
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