REMOTE WORKING - Cross-border workers from France can now work remotely for 34 days per year before having to pay taxes in France. The Chamber of Deputies unanimously passed a convention that will increase the maximum number of days to 34 from 29 days previously. For the first time, these rules also apply to the civil service and not just the private sector.
GERMANY FIRE - There has been a fire in a residential high-rise building in Saarbrücken overnight. According to local media, flames came out of an apartment on the 12th floor. There were several injuries, some people had to be taken to hospital. More than 100 people were evacuated. Police and firefighters took part in the large rescue operation.
BETTEL VIETNAM - Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Minister Lex Delles are currently in Vietnam on a state visit. In addition to political and diplomatic meetings, they travelled to the famous Halong Bay and a visited a modern Vietnamese car factory yesterday. Today they will be received at the President’s Palace in Hanoi. Aside from visiting the unknown soldier memorial and the mausoleum of former Vietnamese President Hồ Chí Minh, there will also be a ceremony for the signing of the memorandums of understanding
GAS PRICES - Luxembourg has made it through the winter in terms of gas reserves. All reservoirs are nearly full, and prices appear to be falling. However, it will be some time before retail customers notice a cost difference. Aside from the fact that suppliers make long-term purchases, the government’s gas price cap is also still in effect and will remain so until 2024.
UKRAINE ATTACKS - Explosions have been heard overnight in Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv. Zaporizhzhia and the Black Sea port of Odessa are also reported to have been targeted. The strikes come a day after Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone attack on the Kremlin.
ZELENSKY NETHERLANDS - Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at Amsterdam’s airport late last night for an unannounced visit to the Netherlands, with a trip to the International Criminal Court on his agenda. According to the public broadcaster NOS, Zelensky will deliver a speech in the Hague, followed by a meeting with Dutch MPs as well as talks with the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
MAFIA RAIDS - Police across Europe staged a vast, coordinated operation on Wednesday against the ‘Ndrangheta, Italy’s most powerful and wealthy mafia that controls the bulk of cocaine flowing into Europe. Some 132 people were taken into custody in early morning raids as part of a blitz involving eight European countries plus Brazil and Panama, according to EU law enforcement agency Europol. According to Eric van Duyse, the spokesman for Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office it is likely the biggest operation ever carried out in Europe against the Calabrese mafia.
SERBIA SCHOOL SHOOTING - Eight students and a security guard were killed during a school shooting in Belgrade on Wednesday, with police accusing the detained 13-year-old suspect of plotting the attack for a month and making a kill list.The incident has rocked the Balkan nation, which has not seen a school shooting of this magnitude for decades and where one cabinet minister called it the “biggest tragedy” to occur in the Serbian school system in recent history.
ALZHEIMER DRUG - Results have shown that a remarkable Alzheimer drug reduces cognitive decline. The US drugmaker Eli Lilly has announced that in a trial of nearly 1,200 people with early forms of the disease, donanemab slowed the progression of symptoms by 35 percent over a period of 18 months. Lilly said it would rapidly submit its results to the US Food and Drug Administration as well as other global regulators.
INTEREST RATES - The European Central Bank is expected to hike interest rates again today to fight inflation but at a slower pace, as higher borrowing costs take their toll and banking sector fears resurface.The institution has lifted rates at an unprecedented pace since last year to combat spiralling energy and food costs, and there is little doubt it will deliver its seventh-straight increase. Most analysts are now leaning towards the 26-member governing council opting for a smaller hike at its six-weekly meeting.
BADMINTON - From today until Sunday, the second edition Luxembourg Open in Badminton is being held in the Coque. Alex Lanier from France and Kalle Koljonen Finland are first and second seeded respectively, while Luxembourg’s Jerome Pauquet will be getting started in the main draw, having received a wild card entry. Likewise, another home player has been given a wild card entry. Luxembourg’s Kim Schmidt will be playing her first match against second seeded Léonice Huet from France.
FOOTBALL - In football, in the German cup, this year’s final is Leipzig against Frankfurt after a 3-2 win over Stuttgart last night. The final takes place on June 3 in Berlin.
In England, Manchester City took over the top of the table again, with a 3-0 win against WestHam. The Norwegian player Erling Haaland scored his 35th goal for this season in the Premier League – a which no player had done before him.
May has arrived with a bang! With temperatures passing 20°C and sunshine throughout the day, it’s another gorgeous day to start the month.Morning temperatures of 5-7°C will soar towards possible highs of 23°C in the afternoon.
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