MINIMUM WAGE – The minimum wage is going up, but trade unions say it’s not enough. The government is raising the minimum wage by 3.8%, which combined with the 2.5% index tranche brings the total increase to 6.3%. The OGBL union says this amounts to nothing more than the standard index adjustment, and has announced protest actions. OGBL president Nora Back and Labour Minister Marc Spautz will face each other live at RTL this morning to discuss what this means for social dialogue.
ACCIDENTS / FIRE – A car ended up on its roof last night between Hunsdorf and Reckange, leaving one person injured. A motorcyclist was also hurt in a separate incident near Soleuvre. This morning, fire crews from across the region are tackling a fire at a timber company on Rue Gadderscheier in Soleuvre, with units deployed since just after 4am.
NATIONALITY US – A rise in the number of Luxembourgers registered in the United States is putting the country’s nationality laws under the spotlight. The figures jumped by more than 3,500 in a single year, reaching nearly 21,000 by the end of 2025. The majority are not migrants themselves, but descendants of Luxembourgers who have inherited their citizenship. The surge has sparked a debate about how nationality laws work, what it means to be Luxembourgish, and whether reform is needed.
ISRAEL DEATH PENALTY – Israel’s parliament has passed a law introducing the death penalty for terrorists, by a majority of just two votes. The measure has drawn widespread criticism, with opponents accusing the government of deliberate discrimination, as the law effectively targets Palestinians in the occupied territories. Legal challenges at the International Court of Justice are widely expected.
SLOVAKIA EU TENSIONS – Tensions between Slovakia and the EU Commission are escalating over fuel prices. Bratislava has introduced a two-tier pricing system for diesel and petrol which is cheaper for Slovak residents and more expensive for foreign licence plates. The measure is meant to prevent fuel tourism amid shortages linked to the Iran war. EU Energy Ministers meet today by video conference to discuss a coordinated European response to rising energy prices.
IRAN WAR – Attacks across the Gulf region are continuing, with Iranian rockets and drones striking targets in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the Emirates. A large oil tanker was hit in the Persian Gulf off Dubai. Meanwhile, preparations for a US ground offensive against Iran are reportedly advancing, with thousands of troops, including elite Navy SEAL units, now in the region according to Reuters, the New York Times, and CBS.
UKRAINE WAR – EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and a dozen European foreign ministers are in Ukraine today, marking the fourth anniversary of the liberation of Bucha, the city that became a symbol of Russian war crimes, where over 700 civilians were killed in spring 2022. A ministerial meeting with the Ukrainian government follows the commemoration.
FRANCE STRIKES – France is facing a nationwide strike in education today, with one in three teachers expected to walk out. Unions are protesting the scrapping of over 4,000 teaching posts and a budget they say is far too small, with class sizes continuing to grow.
FRANCE SOCIAL MEDIA BAN – France is moving closer to banning social media for under-15s. The Senate meets this afternoon, with approval expected following the National Assembly’s green light. President Macron wants the ban in place by the next school year.
FOOTBALL – The biggest match for Luxembourg’s national football team in years. This evening at 6pm, the sold-out Stade de Luxembourg hosts the Nations League playoff return leg against Malta. The Red Lions lead 2-0 from the first leg, meaning Malta need a two-goal win to force extra time. You can follow the match live on RTLToday.lu with English commentary.
In other matches, tonight decides the last four European spots at this summer’s Football World Cup. Bosnia-Herzegovina host Italy, Czech Republic face Denmark, Sweden take on Poland, and Kosovo meet Turkey.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says Iran will take part in the World Cup as planned, insisting there is no Plan B. His comments come amid speculation over whether Iran’s matches could be moved from US venues, given the current state of Iran-America relations.
We’re bidding farewell to March under distinctly wintry conditions. Expect a cloudy day with the odd glimpse of sunshine and scattered showers possible at any time. It’s a chilly start this morning at just 1 to 3 degrees, with temperatures struggling to reach a maximum of 10 degrees this afternoon.
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