NEW SCHOOL CURRICULUM – Luxembourg’s Education Ministry has announced that artificial intelligence, financial literacy, and emotional education will become mandatory subjects in primary schools, starting in September 2026. These subjects are part of seven new cross-cutting topics designed to modernise the curriculum and equip students with essential life skills.
WAGE INDEXATION – According to the latest economic forecasts by STATEC, the next wage indexation is expected to arrive earlier than anticipated, energy prices are set to fall, and unemployment is projected to decline by 2029. The next automatic wage indexation increase of 2.5% is now expected sometime between April and June.
BETTEL UKRAINE WAR ANNIVERSARY – Luxembourg’s foreign minister said whether Ukraine gets peace depends on Donald Trump. Xavier Bettel, marking four years since Russia’s invasion, warned that Europe’s divided voice is leaving it sidelined from negotiations.
KARTHEISER AND RUSSIA – Luxembourg MEP Fernand Kartheiser allegedly organised secret video conferences last year with Kremlin-linked Russian politician Leonid Slutsky, also attended by far-right German politicians. Those present deny any pro-Russian propaganda, calling it dialogue. Kartheiser was expelled from the ECR group in the European Parliament last June over his pro-Russian stance.
TRUMP ADDRESS – President Trump told Congress the US is stronger, richer, and back on track in his State of the Union address. He defended his tariffs, claimed prices are falling, and threatened Iran with military action if no nuclear deal is reached. Several Democrats boycotted the speech. Special guests included the US men’s Olympic gold medal-winning ice hockey team.
UK TRAVEL – British dual nationals can no longer board flights to the UK on a foreign passport alone, as the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme comes into force today. They must show a valid British passport or pay for a Certificate of Entitlement. The changes also affect non-visa nationals from 85 countries, who must now hold an ETA under the UK’s new digital border system.
MERZ IN CHINA – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is in China today, visiting Germany’s biggest trading partner, but one increasingly viewed as a dangerous rival. Merz has called for fair and transparent competition, and urged Beijing to use its influence over Moscow to help bring the war in Ukraine to an end.
FOOTBALL – In last night’s Champions League playoffs, Bodø/Glimt knocked out Inter Milan, winning 2-1. Atletico Madrid beat Bruges 4-1, Newcastle defeated Qarabag 3-2, and Leverkusen drew 0-0 with Olympiacos. Tonight, Real Madrid face Benfica but without their star striker Kylian Mbappe, who is missing the game due to a knee injury.
CYCLING – Luxembourg cycling legends Andy and Fränk Schleck are back in the UCI WorldTour, this time in management. Andy joins Lidl-Trek’s women’s team as deputy general manager, Fränk as sports director. The brothers, who retired in 2014 and 2016, have remained active in the sport ever since.
After a foggy start, the sun will pop out in the early afternoon, amid some lingering clouds. But today’s temperature is the star of the show: starting off at 5°C in the early morning, it’s going to actually warm up to around 16°C in the afternoon.
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