BETTEL GREENLAND – Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister has strongly criticised Donald Trump’s tariff announcement. Xavier Bettel told RTL the move was “very peculiar and unacceptable” for allies and partners, warning it would damage transatlantic relations. Luxembourg maintains that Greenland’s future should be decided by Greenlanders themselves, or together with Denmark. Bettel said Arctic security should be discussed within NATO, and stressed that law and rules, not pressure and threats, should be used.
GARDEN SHED TRIAL – The trial of a former Luxembourg mayor accused of misusing public funds starts this afternoon. Roberto Traversini, who was mayor of Differdange, allegedly arranged for work on his private home to be carried out through an employment initiative and partly by the municipality. He resigned in September 2019, following an investigation, also stepping down as a member of parliament. Traversini faces charges including misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and forgery. Three others, including two municipal officials, are also on trial.
HOTEL FIRE – A hotel fire in Belvaux has left the national karate coach and four athletes without passports and belongings. The group had to evacuate late on Friday evening. Some are due to travel to Turkey on Wednesday and are working with the Swiss embassy for emergency documents. Noone was injured in the blaze, which spread rapidly and required one person to be rescued by helicopter.
SPAIN TRAIN ACCIDENT – Update: The death toll in the train collision in Spain has risen to 39 people with more than 120 people injured. Authorities have called it the country’s worst train carash in over a decade. The accident happened shortly after 7.30pm Sunday evening near the town of Adamuz in Andalusia, when the train collided with another service. Passengers were trapped in carriages for several hours. The cause of the derailment remains unclear.
EU TARIFFS – The European Union is to hold an emergency summit this week over new American tariffs linked to the Greenland dispute. EU Council President António Costa made the announcement yesterday evening. The tariffs, affecting imports from seven countries, are due to come into force on February 1. EU ambassadors met in Brussels yesterday but reached no decision. Counter-tariffs on American goods worth 93 billion euros are being considered. The measures threaten a trade deal agreed between Brussels and Washington last year.
PORTUGAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION – Portugal is heading for a presidential runoff between a socialist and a right-wing populist. After yesterday’s first round, Socialist António José Seguro won 31%of the vote, with André Ventura on just under 24%. The second round will be held on February 8.
DAVOS WEC – The World Economic Forum opens in the Swiss resort of Davos today, with current geopolitical tensions expected to dominate discussions. Around 60 heads of state and government are attending, alongside hundreds of representatives from business, science, and society. US President Trump is due to address the forum on Wednesday. Other speakers include Ukraine’s President Volodymr Zelensky and Israel’s President Isaac Herzog. Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden is also attending.
ATHLETICS – Three national records were broken at an international athletics meeting in Luxembourg yesterday. Fanny Arendt set a new 800m record and Ruben Querinjean, Luxembourg’s Sportsman of the Year, claimed the 3000m record with a time of 7:40.72 seconds. Victoria Rausch set a new 60m hurdles record of 8.08 seconds in qualifying, although she finished 7th in the final. Sprinter Patrizia Van der Weken won the 60m, delivering the world’s best performance of the year in the 60m, clocking an impressive 7.14 seconds.
FOOTBALL – Senegal have won the Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic final against Morocco. The match finished 1-0 after extra time, but not before extraordinary scenes. A Senegalese goal was disallowed in the 92 nd minute for a foul. Morocco were then awarded a penalty after a VAR review, prompting Senegal’s players to walk off in protest. The penalty, taken in the 24th minute of stoppage time, was saved. Pape Gueye scored the only goal in extra time to secure Senegal’s victory.
TENNIS – Coco Gauff and Daniil Medvedev have advanced to the second round of the Australian Open. Novak Djokovic begins his campaign for a record 25th Grand Slam title later today. Iga Swiatek and home favourite Alex de Minaur are also in action. Seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime has retired from the tournament with cramp.
Expect ice and fog to kick off the new week, so pay particular attention if you’re driving to work this morning. Fortunately the fog will clear up and we could even spot a bit of sunshine as we head into the afternoon today. Conditions are set to remain dry as well. Temperatures will start off cold at -2 to 0°C in the morning, rising to highs of 3-5°C in the afternoon.
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.
