HOUSE PRICES – Luxembourg recorded the EU’s sharpest quarterly house price fall in the third quarter of last year, down 3.1%, according to Eurostat. Meanwhile, EU prices overall rose 5.1% annually.
SPARKLER BAN – Several Luxembourg nightclubs have banned sparklers following the deadly Crans-Montana fire in Switzerland. Venue operators say the tragedy was a wake-up call about fire risks in crowded spaces. While there is no nationwide ban, authorities stress that fires can escalate within seconds in packed venues.
IRAN PROTESTS – US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran’s leadership had called him seeking “to negotiate” after he repeatedly threatened to intervene militarily if Tehran killed protesters. For two weeks, Iran has been rocked by a protest movement that has swelled in spite of a crackdown that has killed hundreds across the country.
US SHOOTING – US homeland security chief Kristi Noem has defended federal agents in Minneapolis after an immigration officer fatally shot a protester last week, sparking thousands of people to protest nationwide. Meanwhile, hundreds more agents are heading to the city despite demands from local Democratic leaders that they leave.
EU MERCORSUR TRADE DEAL – The EU is scheduled to sign the long-delayed EU–Mercosur trade deal in Paraguay today, despite protests from farmers and France voting against it. Ursula von der Leyen will attend alongside Mercosur leaders. French farmers are protesting against the deal today, including a blockade in the port of Le Havre.
MYANMAR GENOCIDE – Myanmar faces genocide charges today at the International Court of Justice in The Hague over its treatment of the Rohingya minority, in a case that could set a precedent for proceedings against Israel over Gaza.
AVALANCHE DEATHS – Three separate avalanches killed three off-piste skiers in the French Alps on Sunday, a day after three skiers died in similar incidents, bringing the weekend toll to six. The deaths came despite alerts from the weather service of a high risk of avalanches and warnings against off-piste skiing.
GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS – Timothée Chalamet has won best actor in a musical or comedy at the Golden Globes for Marty Supreme, while Leonardo DiCaprio’s One Battle After Another took home the most awards overall, including best film and best director. Irish actress Jessie Buckley was named best drama actress for Hamnet.
CYCLOCROSS – Marie Schreiber won her fourth consecutive national cyclocross title in Diekirch on Sunday, while Loïc Bettendorf successfully defended his elite men’s championship.
FOOTBALL – Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 to win the Spanish Super Cup, while Bayern thrashed Wolfsburg 8-1, Manchester United were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton, and PSG won the Paris derby 2-1.
The football community in Lorraine and Luxembourg is in mourning after Thierry Steimetz, a former midfielder known for his fighting spirit and technical skills, has died at the age of 42. Steimetz played for several French clubs, including FC Metz. He later wore the colours of CS Grevenmacher and F91 Dudelange, with whom he won a Luxembourg championship title.
Meteolux is warning of freezing rain this morning, with a nationwide alert in place until 10am. Hazardous conditions are possible, particularly on roads and pavements. After 10am, temperatures are expected to rise above freezing, with rainfall expected, which may ease between late morning and early afternoon. Temperatures start off at -1°C this morning, before reaching 1°C to 4°C in the afternoon and up to 5°C by the evening.
Be sure to catch our full bulletin on the hour, every hour, and headlines at half past the hour on RTL Today Radio. You can also access the news via Alexa, and on RTL Play.
