GAS CONSUMPTION - The joint effort to reduce Luxembourg’s gas consumption as part of a Europe-wide campaign over the past winter was largely successful. Overall, Luxembourg achieved a 26% reduction in gas - significantly more than the 15% reduction the EU demanded from member states over the last winter period.
MEDICINE SHORTAGE - From antibiotics, to generic medication - medicine shortages continue to affect the Grand Duchy. The medicine shortage is still yet to be solved, with drastic bottlenecks continuing to affect supplies of children’s medication. Cold and damp weather conditions are still affecting illnesses. Children especially have been suffering from a number of colds, flu and cough viruses.
A1 CLOSURE - This weekend, the bridge that will connect the tram to Findel Airport will be installed over the A1 motorway. This means that the motorway will be closed off in both directions between the Hamm exit and Grunewald junction. Traffic will be diverted from tonight around 10pm until Tuesday 2 May at 4am.
SWIMMING SAFE - The water management office has completed quality checks on Luxembourg’s lakes ahead of the official swimming season opening on 1 May. The two lakes in Weiswampach, the Upper Sûre Lake, the lake in Rëmerschen and the lake in Echternach have all been checked and verified not only safe for swimming but excellent.
UKRAINE ATTACKS - Russia has attacked cities across Ukraine early this morning, extending from the capital, Kyiv, through central and southern regions. Pictures on social media showed an apartment building ablaze in the central town of Uman. There are no details on what has been struck in Kyiv or of any damage and casualties. The city’s military administration said anti-aircraft units were in operation. Explosions were also reported after midnight in Dnipro, Kremenchuk and Poltava in central Ukraine and in Mykolaiv in the south.
SUDAN CEASEFIRE - Sudanese fighter jets pounded paramilitary positions in Khartoum on Thursday while deadly fighting and looting flared in Darfur, despite the army and a rival force agreeing to extend a ceasefire deal. Rival factions have agreed to a renew the ceasefire, shortly before it was due to expire at midnight. The 72-hour extension follows pressure from neighbouring countries, as well as the US, UK and UN.
POPE HUNGARY - Weeks after a health scare, Pope Francis is heading to Hungary today to meet Ukrainian refugees and nationalist leader Viktor Orban. Francis is scheduled to speak six times and lead an open-air mass on Sunday before heading home. He will meet refugees from Ukraine and other countries, as well as young people and representatives from the academic and cultural sectors.
Formula 1 - The Grand Prix of Azerbaijan is taking place in Baku this weekend. Baku will stage the first of 2023’s six sprint races. Max Verstappen has the best sprint record, winning three of the six held since they were introduced in 2021.
CYCLING - British rider Ethan Hayter has won the 2nd stage of the Tour de Romandie in Switzerland yesterday. Bob Jungels came in 68th place and is the best Luxembourgish participant. The race continues today.
FOOTBALL - In international football, it’s the start of the 30th matchday in the German Bundesliga.The leader Dortmund is playing Bochum. In France, Strasbourg will play against Lyon. And in the English Premier League last night, Tottenham drew 2-2 with Manchester United. On the subject of Manchester United . Its future could be decided today when the deadline passes for a third round of bidding to buy the Premier League giants. United’s owners, the Glazer family, reportedly want a world record $7.3 billion fee for the sports club before they agree to sell the Old Trafford outfit.
It looks like today’s weather will be slightly warmer than yesterday, but don’t put away your umbrellas just yet. Expect overcast skies with moderate rainfall. The good news is that the rain should become lighter as the day goes on. The morning’s temperatures will start off at 9-11°C, jumping up to around 17-19°C in the afternoon.
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