SCENE.LU

ABBL: Luxembourg banks deny aiding developing nations tax evasion

Doug — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:01:26 +0000

The ABBL (Luxembourgish Bankers Association) have refuted the claims that Luxembourg exploits developing nations. The ABBL were responding to a report published by the Luxembourgish NGO, Cercle de Cooperation which focused on tax evasion. In the report Luxembourg’s banking sector is accused of costing developing nations billions. The ABBL said that the figures in the report have no factual basis.

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Déi Lénk: The coalition agreement not completely public

Doug — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:55:04 +0000

Déi Lénk remain unhappy about the fact that the coalition agreement has still not been made completely public. They are also unhappy about the fact that ministers were sworn in, even though no-one has seen the full coalition agreement. They have demanded an explanations from Mr. Juncker by next Wednesday.

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LSAP: Former minister Lucien Lux to become fraction chief

Doug — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:51:27 +0000

Lucien Lux was unanimously voted into the post of fraction chief. He was the only candidate. He was said to be happy about his new role which would allow him to have more free personal time, to pursue his own interests.

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Power changes hands on Thursday in the Ministry of Justice

Doug — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:48:17 +0000

After 11 years as head of the Ministry of Justice, Luc Frieden will hand over power to his successor Francois Biltgen. 60 laws were passed during his time as minister and the ministry personnel rose by 89%. Francois Biltgen said he already misses ‘his’ ministry, but said he is looking forward to his next important post as justice minister.

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Vatican: Giacinto Berloco new nuncio of Luxembourg

Doug — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:44:48 +0000

Pope Benedict XVI has nominated Giacinto Berloco as the new nuncio of Luxembourg. The archbishop of Fidene, near Rome, will replace Mgr. Karl-Josef Rauber. The nuncio is an ambassador for the Vatican. Giacinto Berloco will also be nuncio for Belgium.

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Parliamentary commission: 5 member from CSV

Doug — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:39:13 +0000

The CSV will have 5 members instead of 4 in the parliamentary commission. The decision was taken in the parliament on Thursday.

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Weekend Roundup 24 - 26 July

Doug — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:21:59 +0000

Before we rush ahead to have a look at what’s hot this weekend, a word about last night. Doors for the Leena James gig, which was moved from den Atelier to Exit 07, opened at 20h as advertised and the band took to the stage at 21h30. Now I know there were ‘technical difficulties’, but an hour and a half hanging around is a bit much. Apart from that, the idea of moving the gig proved to be a very good one. James and her rather excellent band pulled out all the stops delivering a deeply groovy, profoundly sweaty, soulful night out. Worth the (very long) wait.

On to the business at hand, in other words: ‘What’s happening this weekend?’

If you’re a jazz fan, and even if you’re not, you’re in for a bit of a treat tonight when South African singer Tutu Puoane (pictured) takes to the stage in L’Inoui in Redange. Tutu started playing music professionally in 1997 in down town Johannesburg, but even before that, while growing up in a township outside Pretoria, she seemed to know that her voice would take her away from her native South Africa and into the wider world. As a little girl in school, she always claimed that one of her favourite hobbies was to travel, even before she had set foot outside Pretoria. “I am living my dreams. “My voice is my passport” she now says. And what a voice; Warm, sweet, round, pure, pitch perfect, yet understated. Her first album ‘Song’, included material which embraced everything from jazz, the torch song, a Joni Mitchell cover (A Case Of You), and traditional South African music. The gig in Redange is in part a presentation of her latest album, released just this month called ‘Quiet Now’ and I imagine you’ll hear not a murmur when she starts to sing. Well worth the short trip.

A brief reminder about Saturday. Snow Patrol in the Rockhal and Evita in Wiltz (which runs from tonight until Sunday) shouldn’t present many of you with a dilemma of choice, and we’ve previewed them both earlier in the week, so check back for further details. Tickets are still available for both events.

There’s also something called ‘Les Samedis en Couleurs’ (Saturdays in Colours) happening in pedestrian zones around the city centre. This event takes place once a month and is usually based around a theme. This months theme is music or more specifically strange musical instruments. The main idea of the day is that it’s an interactive experience with sculptures and installations on display, games for the kids, a music garden and something intriguingly called a Sound Cube. You’re guess is as good as mine, so go along and explore!

On Sunday you could squeeze in a little more jazz if you’re up to it, with the Marc Demuth Quartet and Sofia Ribeiro at the regular pre-lunchtime gig in the Brasserie at the Abbaye de Nuemunster.

Well that’s your lot for this weekend, have a good one and careful with that sound cube.

http://www.inoui.lu/ - Tutu Puoane - €20

Swine flu: 18 new cases bring total to 36

Doug — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:02:18 +0000

The summer holidays are said to be the reason for the rapidly rising number of new cases of swine fever. 18 new cases were diagnosed between the 15th and 23rd of April. Only three people became infected, indigenously, in the country, with all other cases coming from abroad.

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Tax evasion: Developing countries lose an estimated $2.5 billion a year

Doug — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:58:24 +0000

According to estimates, developing countries lose up to $2.5 billion a years, because wealthy people hide their money here. Luxembourg aid to developing countries totals $409 million. Rainer Falk says that Luxembourg need to open the exchange of information with developing nations to help them in the fight against tax evasion.

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LDH (Human Rights League): Police break Romanian woman’s I.D. card

Doug — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:54:17 +0000

In mid-April a Romanian woman had her identity card broken in the Centre Hamilius police station in the city centre. The Human Rights League demanded an investigation. State Attorney Robert Biever said that the breakage was accidental, had not been done on purpose, and that no more action would be taken. The Human Rights League were reported as being shocked by the state attorney’s response.

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