SURGEON ACCUSED – Health Minister Martine Deprez told MPs yesterday that all procedures were followed in the Dr. Philippe Wilmes case and that his defence rights were respected. The affair continues today with hospital directors from Robert Schumann Hospital and CHL speaking live on RTL radio about the accusations regarding the orthopaedic surgeon. He stands accused of performing unnecessary operations. Dr. Wilmes himself will respond on RTL Television tonight.
IRAN ARREST – Iran has arrested Mehdi Mahmoudian, screenwriter of the Luxembourg co-production “A Simple Accident,” which won the Palme d’Or and is Oscar-nominated. It is believed he was arrested for signing a letter criticising Iran’s January repressions.
BETTEL MALAWI – Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel is on a working visit to Malawi, one of the world’s poorest countries. He is holding political talks and field visits to explore the basis for a cooperation agreement.
BABY MILK RECALL – Following the recall of certain milk products last week due to a suspected cereulide contamination, Aptamil Pronutra 1 with a best-before date of 10 November 2026, has now been added to the list. There is not only a suspicion that the milk powder is contaminated with the toxic cereulide, but also with the bacterium Bacillus cereus, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
FRANCE BUDGET – France has approved its budget after months of deadlock. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s minority government survived two no-confidence votes last night, allowing the budget through without a parliamentary vote. The state deficit is to be reduced below 5% this year.
US-IRAN TENSIONS – The United States and Iran will meet in Turkey at the end of the week, diplomats have confirmed. The talks follow fresh tensions after Washington deployed warships and Ayatollah Khamenei warned of war if Iran is attacked.
NORWAY TRIAL – Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s crown princess, goes on trial in Oslo today facing 32 charges including multiple counts of rape, domestic violence and assault. He was arrested again on Sunday for drug possession and breaching a restraining order. It comes as his mother Mette-Marit was drawn into the Jeffrey Epstein scandal at the weekend, after the documents revealed her apparently close friendship with the convicted sex offender.
ISRAEL-GAZA – Israel has reopened the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt for the first time since May, allowing limited pedestrian movement under the ceasefire agreement. US envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel today to discuss the next phases of the peace framework.
BELGIUM JACKPOT – A group of 21 friends from a Belgian village won the 123-million jackpot in the EuroMillions last Friday, quickly becoming the talk of the town. Each of the friends, who live in the Flemish village of Zingem, stands to pocket about 5.8 million euros once the prize is divided into equal shares.
FOOTBALL – Luxembourg international Mathias Olesen has joined the Austrian club Grazer AK on loan from Greuther Fürth on the final day of the German transfer window. The deal includes an option to buy.
Leverkusen host St Pauli in the German Cup quarter-finals. The French Cup sees Marseille against Rennes, and Reims against Le Mans. And in the English League Cup, Arsenal face Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final.
OLYMPICS DOPING – Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler has failed a doping test and has been provisionally suspended from competing at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The 24-year-old’s sample showed the presence of letrozole, a drug used to treat breast cancer, the Italian anti-doping agency said in a statement.
RUGBY – England captain Maro Itoje will be on the bench for his side’s Six Nations opener at home to Wales on Saturday. Itoje has been grieving the death of his mother Florence, and former skipper Jamie George will lead the side out as they seek to make it 12 wins in a row.
Rain as far as the eye can see today! We’ll start off with a light drizzle, graduating to heavier showers in the afternoon. By the evening it might dry up somewhat. Temperatures will be on the chilly side in the morning at 2-4°C, rising to a maximum of 4-6°C in the afternoon.
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