MOBILITY SURVEY – The government has launched the Luxmobil survey to update its understanding of mobility needs. With the country investing €4 billion annually in mobility, Mobility Minister Yuriko Backes has emphasised the need to align supply with demand by understanding the population’s needs and habits. The last such survey was conducted eight years ago and served as the foundation for the re-organisation of the bus network and the development of the tram network.
GARE CRIME – Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer has requested an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Luc Frieden to address the ongoing challenges in the Gare neighbourhood. While she acknowledges improvements brought by the local police, she also says nothing has changed and more measures are needed to restore safety and order in the area.
DIESEL PRICE – If you are going to fill up the tank in Luxembourg this week, you might come across an unwelcome surprise: a sizeable increase to the price of diesel, which leaves the litre at €1,55. SP95 and SP98 petrol prices remain unchanged for now. This increase follows a New Year’s price hike that saw all fuel prices become more expensive.
UK AMBASSADOR – The UK Government has announced the new Ambassador to Luxembourg. Joanne Olivier will succeed Fleur Thomas when she takes up her new post in April. Ms Olivier has experience in various capacities across the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and in diplomatic roles abroad.
ROSE OF TRALEE – And, for those of Irish heritage, the world-famous Rose of Tralee International Festival is looking for its Luxembourg rose. The 2025 Luxembourg Rose selection process will take place at Parc Alvisse Hotel in Dommeldange on 17 May.
SOUTH KOREA – South Korea’s suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol has been arrested for insurrection and abuse of power after he tried to impose martial law in December. Yoon said he gave himself up to avoid bloodshed.
LA FIRES – Forecasters in Los Angeles say high winds could once again cause wildfires to spread. In recent days, emergency services have been able to make some progress in containing the fires, which have been burning for over a week. At least 25 people have died and large areas of the city have been destroyed.
GAZA WAR – All sides involved in reaching a ceasefire deal in Gaza suggest a deal is closer than ever. Negotiations on pausing hostilities between Israel and Hamas and the release of hostages held in Gaza have been continuing. An official involved in the talks told AFP that an agreement could be reached “very soon”.
US TIKTOK – And TikTok has denied reports of a potential sale of its US operations to Elon Musk’s X. TikTok faces an uncertain future in the United States as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on a law that could force its shutdown by Sunday, escalating tensions over the app’s Chinese ownership and national security concerns.
TENNIS – Carlos Alcaraz is in top form at the Australian Open. The Spanish third seed showed no mercy to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, who was beaten in three straight sets in just 81 minutes. Novak Djokovic has also made it to the third round, with a victory in four sets against Jaime Faria. Meanwhile last year’s runner-up Zheng Qinwen was knocked out in the biggest shock so far, but defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and two-time winner Naomi Osaka have battled into the third round.
FOOTBALL – In the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen scored a 1-0 home win over Mainz, closing the gap with league leaders Bayern Munich to one point. Borussia Dortmund’s struggles in the league continued with a 4-2 loss at Holstein Kiel while Wolfsburg beat Gladbach 5-1 and Frankfurt won against Freiburg 4-1.
In England, Liverpool’s charge towards the Premier League title was halted by Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 draw between the top two last night while Manchester City’s resurgence came undone in a 2-2 draw at Brentford. Meanwhile, Chelsea drew 2-2 at home to Bournemouth and West Ham United beat Fulham 3-2.
SAILING – French mariner Charlie Dalin has won the round-the-world Vendee Globe race, crossing the finish line off the coast of Brittany in a record time. His time of 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes, and 49 seconds beat by more than nine days the record set by Armel Le Cleac’h in 2017.
It’s going to be a mostly grey and cloudy day, but we’re not expecting any rain, snow, sleet or hail to fall from the sky. Temperature-wise, it’s still cold, with minimum temperatures hovering between 1 and 2°C degrees this morning, going up to highs of around 5°C around lunchtime.
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