Investigation at Goodyear, Government announces housing measures and watch Euros live on the Glacis

Luxembourg 

GOODYEAR INVESTIGATION - In the ongoing investigation on the tyre manufacturer Goodyear, the French prosecutor announced that a large amount of data had been seized during surprise searches at Goodyear factories in Colmar-Berg, Belgium and France earlier this week. The investigation was triggered following a series of incidents involving faulty Goodyear tyres, which caused hundreds of accidents between 2011 and 2016. The lorry tyres, manufactured in Colmar-Berg, were said to have burst on all these occasions.

HOUSING MEASURE - The government has launched a package to boost housing construction and increase financial aid for families, including a hike in subsidies for single parents and broadened eligibility for financial assistance to purchase or build homes. The government announced an initial package of measures to boost housing construction at the end of January, which was approved this week in Parliament

LUXTRAM EXTENSION - Luxtram is set to launch traffic tests on the newly-constructed section to Cloche d'Or and the national stadium today. The new section includes the Howald interchange as well as the Lycée Vauban. The official launch of the Lycée Bonnevoie - Stadium section is scheduled for this summer.

CITY PLANS - Luxembourg City council have announced plans to invest in cycling infrastructure, with more safe bike spaces, as well as a number of spring and summer events. There will be a spring festival at Place de la Constitution, offering games, a small stage, and the City Skyliner, offering views of the city from a 70-metre-high platform. In the summer, the capital plans to open a mini-beach there. In addition the Glacis car park will host a 50-square-metre screen for the European Football Championship, displaying all matches from the quarter-finals onwards, starting on 29 June.

World

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR - The United Nations Humanitarian Aid chief Martin Griffiths has warned that famine is an immediate, clear and present danger in Gaza. He said the start of Israel’s offensive in the city of Rafah made planning and distributing aid almost impossible. His comments echoed the US State Department’s warning that no aid was currently able to get to Gaza through the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border.

SLOVAKIA PM SHOT - After the attack on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, his health condition continues to be very serious. He continues to be in intensive care, following a five hour surgery. The alleged perpetrator who shot him the on Wednesday has been arrested and is on trial for attempted murder. Slovakia’s Interior Minister confirmed yesterday evening that it was a politically motivated act by a single perpetrator.

EU SOCIAL MEDIA - The EU has opened a formal investigation into Facebook and Instagram on suspicion the platforms are causing addictive behaviour in children. Another issue the commission raised is the so-called "rabbit hole" effect -- which occurs when users are fed related content based on an algorithm, in some cases leading to more dangerous content.

GTA VI - Rockstar Games parent Take-Two Interactive has said the eagerly awaited video game "Grand Theft Auto VI" will be released in autumn 2025. The trailer shows GTA VI will be set in fictional Vice City, reminiscent of Miami, and appears to feature the first playable female character in the franchise.

Sport

CYCLING - Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe got back winning after an injury-plagued two years with a commanding victory in the 12th stage of the Giro d'Italia yesterday. The 31-year-old former double world champion crossed the line alone after a 126km breakaway, as Slovenian Tadej Pogacar kept the race leader's pink jersey.

FOOTBALL - Champions Bayer Leverkusen are chasing "immortality" in the shape of an undefeated Bundesliga season on Saturday as they face Union Berlin. Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen can become the first team in Bundesliga history to go through a campaign unbeaten by avoiding defeat against Augsburg. Not even the greatest Bayern Munich sides have managed an invincible season.

Jurgen Klopp will leave Anfield on Sunday as a living legend, having restored Liverpool to the elite of English and European football. The manager announced in January that he would be stepping down at the end of the season.

FORMULA 1 - Max Verstappen will aim to recover and put Lando Norris back in his place among the chasing pack this weekend as Formula One returns to Europe for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The first two free practice sessions take place this afternoon, as well as the third and qualifying session tomorrow, and the race on Sunday.

Weather

MeteoLux has issued an orange alert for the whole country today, warning of partially heavy rain between 7am and 10pm. Amounts between 20 and 30l/m² are expected during the warning period. In the east of the country, accumulations up to 40l/m² are possible. The weather is still on watch, and the alert may be adapted later in the day.
This Friday should also be slightly cooler than yesterday, with morning temperatures starting around 8-10°C and reaching up to 14-16°C in the afternoon.

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