Your Weekly Recap for 29 April to 3 May.

Here are five things you should know at the end of this week:

  • Global taxi company Uber to debut in Luxembourg
  • Luxair announces GPS jamming incidents
  • Luxembourg satellite operator SES acquires US rival IntelSat
  • US universities embattled in anti-war protests
  • Tens of thousands protest against Georgia 'foreign influence' bill

Weekly recap

@rtl.today Here are the top five news stories in Luxembourg this week #luxembourgnews #newsinluxembourg #luxembourg #weeklyrecap ♬ original sound - Today Radio Luxembourg by RTL
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1. Global taxi company Uber to debut in Luxembourg

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  • Pricing details remain undecided, with Webtaxi director Laurent Slits indicating that cost comparisons with other taxi services will be clarified in the weeks to come.

Convenience vs compliance – Uber's long-awaited expansion into Luxembourg is scheduled for mid-June, where it will enter the market in collaboration with Webtaxi. Unlike its typical model in other countries, Uber Luxembourg will deviate by only employing licensed professional taxi drivers instead of allowing private individuals to offer rides. This strategic move ensures compliance with local regulations and aims to merge the convenience of app-based ride-hailing with the reliability of professional taxi services.

Partnership – Customers will have the flexibility to book rides either through Uber's app or directly via Webtaxi. This partnership leverages Uber's vast user base – reported to be around 150 million globally – to potentially increase the customer reach for Webtaxi. For both services, the integration into one platform promises to streamline the process of hailing a taxi, providing a seamless experience for users, whether they are residents or visitors to the Grand Duchy.

Prices to be determined – As for the pricing strategy, it remains an area of uncertainty. In a recent interview, Laurent Slits, the director of Webtaxi, stated that the pricing details are still being finalised and did not confirm if Uber would position itself as a cost-competitive option against existing taxi services. The decision on pricing will be crucial as it could influence customer preference and impact the market dynamics within Luxembourg's transportation sector.

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2. Luxair announces GPS jamming incidents

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  • Luxair confirmed that its flights, along with others in the aviation industry, have been impacted by GPS jamming incidents, prompting the adoption of alternative navigation systems and other mitigative measures to ensure safety.

  • The disruptions, affecting approximately 50,000 flights primarily over Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region, are allegedly linked to a Russian military base in Kaliningrad, although Russia denies these claims.

  • Despite these challenges, Luxair reassures passengers that the GPS jamming has not compromised flight safety or control, and the airline remains committed to upholding the highest safety standards.

Safety not compromised – Luxair has acknowledged the occurrence of GPS jamming incidents that have affected its operations as well as those across the broader aviation sector. In response to these disruptions, the airline has quickly implemented alternative navigational procedures as recommended by aircraft manufacturers.

These measures include utilising conventional navigation systems that do not rely on GPS and turning off faulty GPS signals to avoid misleading data, ensuring that flight safety is not compromised despite these challenges.

Widespread disruptions – The issue of GPS jamming is extensive, with reports indicating that around 50,000 flights have been affected in recent months, especially over countries like Poland, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Estonia, and the Black Sea region.

These disruptions are believed to be emanating from a Russian military base in Kaliningrad, according to European media. However, Russia has countered these allegations by dismissing them as propaganda, complicating international relations and adding a layer of geopolitical tension to the safety concerns in aviation.

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3. Luxembourg satellite operator SES acquires US rival IntelSat

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  • Luxembourg-based satellite giant SES has acquired US rival IntelSat for €2.8 billion, aiming to enhance its competitiveness against major market players like Starlink and Kuiper.

  • The merger, following IntelSat's restructuring post-2020 bankruptcy, significantly bolsters SES's capabilities, with the company now boasting an order book of €9 billion and extending its global reach to over 360 million households.

  • Luxembourg PM Luc Frieden supports the acquisition, highlighting its strategic importance in maintaining SES's industry leadership and contributing to national defence and communication sectors.

Crucial acquisition – SES's acquisition of IntelSat for €2.8 billion represents a strategic move to solidify its position in the competitive satellite telecommunications sector. By integrating IntelSat's assets, SES aims to better compete with prominent industry players like Elon Musk's Starlink and Jeff Bezos' Kuiper.

This acquisition is crucial as these companies are rapidly developing their satellite constellations to provide global internet coverage, particularly targeting areas without robust terrestrial infrastructure.

Strategic expansion – The merger with IntelSat marks a significant milestone for SES, especially considering IntelSat's journey through bankruptcy and restructuring since 2020. This acquisition not only augments SES's technological and satellite assets, but also substantially increases its current market potential. SES has an order book valued at €9 billion and an extensive reach to over 360 million households worldwide.

Support from PM Frieden – Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, has publicly supported SES's acquisition of IntelSat, emphasising the move as a strategic response to the challenging economic landscape. By securing the merger, SES avoids the risk of being acquired and instead strengthens its future prospects.

Frieden's comments reflect a broader government perspective that sees SES not only as a business entity, but also as a critical component of the national and European defense strategy. The government's involvement through substantial state ownership and the support from high-ranking officials underline the importance of SES in Luxembourg's economic and strategic planning, particularly in sectors like defence and communications.

The Independent Trade Union Confederation OGBL has meanwhile urged Frieden to protect the jobs of SES and Intelsat employees following SES's acquisition of Intelsat, criticising the lack of employee consultation and expressing concern over potential job relocation and cuts in Luxembourg.

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4. US universities embattled in anti-war protests

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  • Police forcibly removed pro-Palestinian protesters from an encampment at UCLA after a week-long occupation, following escalated tensions and violence.

  • UCLA's initial tolerance contrasted with the approach of the nearby University of Southern California, which involved police in riot gear from the first day of a similar protest.

  • The situation at UCLA intensified after a pro-Israel counter-demonstration and subsequent clashes, leading to a police crackdown and arrests of students, while faculty voiced concerns over students' free speech rights.

Escalating tensions – At the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a week-long occupation by pro-Palestinian protesters ended abruptly when police in riot gear forcibly cleared the encampment. This action followed a period of escalating tensions, highlighted by incidents of violence and confrontations with pro-Israel counter-demonstrators. The police used tactics such as flashbangs to disperse the protesters, which significantly heightened the already charged atmosphere on campus.

Restraint vs force – The handling of the protest at UCLA was markedly different from the approach taken by the nearby University of Southern California (USC). At USC, authorities deployed police in riot gear from the very first day a similar protest encampment was established. This proactive approach by USC contrasts with UCLA's initial tolerance, which included the use of private security personnel in yellow vests instead of police, reflecting a more restrained response in the early days of the protest.

Debate among faculty members – The escalation of tensions at UCLA led to a decisive shift in the university administration's stance, culminating in the declaration of the encampment as illegal. This was in response to a particularly violent confrontation that involved pro-Israel counter-protesters and the subsequent assault on the encampment. Despite the university's late intervention, the incident sparked significant debate among faculty members.

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5. Tens of thousands protest against Georgia 'foreign influence' bill

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  • Tens of thousands of Georgians protested in Tbilisi against a "foreign influence" bill, which has been criticised for potentially stifling free speech and dissent, with international bodies including the UN and US expressing concern.

  • The controversial bill requires NGOs and media receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents, escalating protests and international criticism.

  • The ongoing protests, marked by police violence, come ahead of parliamentary elections and amid Georgia's aspirations to join the EU and NATO, reflecting deep public support for Western alignment against Russian influence.

UN and US concerns – In the capital city of Tbilisi, a significant public outcry has emerged with tens of thousands of people demonstrating against a proposed "foreign influence" bill. This legislation has drawn sharp criticism for its potential to restrict free speech and suppress dissent, mirroring concerns similar to laws seen in Russia. The protests have attracted international attention, with both the United States and United Nations speaking out against the bill.

The UN human rights chief, specifically, has expressed concerns over police brutality towards protesters, highlighting the tension and the stakes involved in the opposition to this bill.

Foreign influence – The bill in question mandates that any non-governmental organisation (NGO) or media outlet receiving more than 20% of its funding from foreign sources must register as an "organisation pursuing the interests of a foreign power". This stipulation has been perceived by critics as a move to label and potentially discredit organisations critical of the government, thus threatening the operational independence of various civic groups and free press.

The European Union, among other international entities, has criticised the bill, arguing that it could harm the democratic fabric of Georgian society by introducing repressive measures under the guise of increasing transparency.

EU membership in jeopardy – The protests have been occurring amid a broader political context, with parliamentary elections scheduled for October, which are seen as a crucial test of democracy in Georgia. The nation's commitment to aligning more closely with Western institutions like the EU and NATO is evident both in its constitutional mandates and in popular opinion, which heavily favours Western integration.

This political turmoil and the government's push for the controversial bill are seen as steps that could potentially jeopardise Georgia's aspirations for EU membership, as the EU has stipulated judicial reforms and reduced political polarisation as conditions for the advancement of membership talks.

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The best of... 📚

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And in case you missed it... ⚠️

  • Football star in Luxembourg – Manchester City star Erling Haaland turned heads on Tuesday as he was seen shopping on Rue Philippe II in Luxembourg City, accompanied by bodyguards and carrying luxury boutique bags.

  • Healthcare – The Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch (CHEM) announced on Tuesday that it will soon be equipped with two new mammography machines as part of an initiative spearheaded by the Federation of Luxembourg Hospitals (FHL) to upgrade mammography equipment across the Grand Duchy.

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Your Weekly Recap is published every Friday at noon. Read earlier versions.