SURGEON SUSPENSION – The orthopaedic surgeon suspended over allegations of unnecessary knee operations has described the process as reminiscent of “dark times”. Dr Philippe Wilmes has written an open letter to Prime Minister Luc Frieden contesting his temporary dismissal last month. In it he accuses Health Minister Martine Deprez of having suspended him without a fair procedure, going so far as to allege abuse of office and illegal actions. He also reproaches the Medical Council for failing to follow legal procedures.
FLIGHT DIVERTED – A flight from Luxembourg to Djerba was forced to divert after adverse weather conditions caused by a sandstorm prevented it from landing. The Luxair flight, carrying 173 passengers, was diverted to Enfidha in Tunisia, where it refuelled before returning to Findel airport last Friday. Luxair said an additional flight would be organised on Sunday to ensure all passengers reach their destination in Djerba.
LUCIEN WEILER DEATH – Former Christian Social People’s Party politician and Marshal of the Court, Lucien Weiler has died suddenly at the age of 74. Paying tribute to Mr Weiler, Prime Minister Frieden told RTL that the country had lost a great politician. Mr Weiler is survived by his wife and two sons.
BUS CRASH – Eight people were killed and 26 others injured in a bus accident yesterday morning in Antalya, in southern Turkey. According to the provincial governor, the coach was carrying 34 people when it overturned on the edge of a motorway, which had become slippery due to rain. A seaside resort on the Mediterranean coast, Antalya welcomes large numbers of domestic and foreign tourists throughout the year.
LATEST EPSTEIN FILES – US authorities on Friday released the latest cache of files related to the investigation into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files contained references to numerous high-profile figures, including US President Donald Trump, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and British billionaire Richard Branson.
DEEP SEA FIND – Sediment containing rare earth was retrieved from ocean depths of 6,000m (about 20,000 feet) on a Japanese test mission, the government said today, as it seeks to curb dependence on China for the valuable minerals. Japan says the mission was the world’s first bid to tap deep sea rare earths at such a depth. It comes as China - by far the world’s biggest supplier of rare earths - ramps up pressure on its neighbour after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo may react militarily to an attack on Taiwan, which Beijing has vowed to seize control of by force if necessary.
GRAMMYS – Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny made history Sunday at the Grammys, winning Album of the Year for his “Debi Tirar Mas Fotos” -- the first Spanish-language work to take the top honor in music. Other winners included: Kendrick Lamar, Olivia Dean, Lady Gaga and even the Dalai Lama
AUSTRALIAN OPEN – In tennis, Carlos Alcaraz says that his absolute hatred of losing drives him to keep making landmarks. This is after he beat Novak Djokovic to win his first Australian Open yesterday. The 22-year-old has set the record as the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam. It was Alcaraz’s seventh major title and he will head to the other three Grand Slams in 2026 as the man to beat once more, with world number two Jannik Sinner his closest rival.
DRAMATIC LATE WIN – Manchester United rescued a dramatic late win over Fulham at Old Trafford after conceding twice in the final five minutes to throw away a 2–0 lead. Benjamin Sesko fired a stunning stoppage-time winner, giving Michael Carrick a third straight victory in charge. The result lifts United back into fourth place, strengthening their push for Champions League qualification.
NEW NATIONAL RECORD – Luxembourgish swimmers delivered strong performances at the Euro Meet with personal bests, A-final qualifications, and a new national record in the 200m breaststroke. On Saturday morning at 8.30am, João Carneiro and Finn Kemp were on the starting blocks for the 50m breaststroke. Kemp clocked an excellent time, just two tenths of a second off the national record, but the young swimmer was disqualified due to an illegal kick. In the 200m breaststroke, however, he qualified for the afternoon A-final. Emma Barthel qualified for the B-final in the morning with a time close to her own national record.
It is a cold, wet and grey start to the morning with fog and mist in places. The rain should ease up later in the morning. Highs today of 5 to 7 degrees.
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