SNOW ACCIDENTS - Around 80 accidents were reported on Luxembourg’s snow-covered roads between 7am and 12pm yesterday. For the most part, the police received reports of collisions or vehicles that went off the road but left no one injured.
WOMEN’S PROTEST - Despite the rain, several hundred people took to the streets for women’s rights and equality yesterday on International Women’s Day. The organisers of the women’s strike estimated that around 1000 people took part in the march, which revolved around putting an end to violence against women, housing and fair working conditions.
INFLATION DECREASE - The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies has reported that inflation slightly decreased over the past year. According to the latest report, the inflation rate dropped from 4.8% to 4.3% but food prices increased by 13%. Furniture as well as household goods and routine household maintenance equipment also rose substantially by 8.25%.
GRAND DUKE INCOME - The government has tabled a bill to regulate the Grand Duke’s income. These allowances, as well as any income derived from properties owned by the Grand Ducal family, will be exempt from tax and integrated into the wage indexation system. The Grand Duke himself would receive a state allowance of just over 520,000 euros per year. The law still has to go through the standard legislative process. If passed, it will come into force on 1 July of this year.
NATO EXERCISE - Luxembourg is participating in a NATO test exercise, starting today. The aim of the “NATO Crisis Management Exercise” is to test the consultation and decision-making procedures within the Alliance. This year’s exercise will focus, among other things, on the global response to a complex military-civilian scenario and it will last until 15 March.
GEORGIA PROTESTS - Riot police in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi have used water canon and tear gas to clear protesters from the streets. The demonstrators, who turned out for a second night are opposed to new legislation, which they say could suppress civil liberties. Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky has voiced his support for the protesters.
UKRAINE STRIKES - Officials in Ukraine say that missile strikes overnight have damaged buildings and infrastructure in several parts of the country. Kharkiv in the north-east and Odessa in the south are among the cities targeted. No casualties have been reported.
CZECHIA PRESIDENT - The Czech Republic gets a new president today. Petr Pavel will be sworn in this morning, after winning the presidential election against former Prime Minister Babis at the end of January. The former NATO general is considered a close supporter of Ukraine.
FRANCE PROTESTS - And it’s another day of disruptions in France. The French railway company SNCF has warned that traffic will be “very heavily disrupted” today due to continuing protests.
HANDBALL - In the qualifiers for the European Cup in handball last night Luxembourg scored 29 out of 30 against Turkey. The decisive goal was scored by the Turks with the very last attack. On the Luxembourg side, Tironzelli was the best scorer with 6 goals. The return match is on Sunday in Turkey.
FOOTBALL - AC Milan and Bayern Munich are in the quarter finals of the Champions League. Milan drew 0-0 at Tottenham yesterday, Bayern won 2-0 at home against Paris St Germain.
CYCLING - The 4th stage of the Paris-Nice was won yesterday by two-time former Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar. The Slovenian pipped David Gaudu by one second. Bob Jungels was the 23rd best Luxembourger. He is now 18th overall, 2min16 behind the new leader Pogacar. Today’s fifth stage is a 212.5 km ride with four testing climbs as the peloton heads to the foothills of the Alps.
Your umbrella is your best friend today. Intermittent rainfall is expected throughout the day, reaching up to 15 to 25 l/m2. It’s set to be overcast with slightly higher temperatures than yesterday with morning temperatures starting off between 6 and 8°C, before rising to 8-10°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.
