PARIS MEETING / FRIEDEN – French President Macron held a second meeting yesterday on European security against the Russian threat. This time Romania, Luxembourg, as well a NATO states such as Norway, Iceland, and Canada were invited. Speaking to RTL, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden said that this was “Europe’s hour”, adding the EU should help decide what happens on the continent, “if possible with the Americans”, while making the case that “the European pillar of NATO” needs to become stronger for a “credible European defence”.
AUCHAN BRAWL – Numerous police vehicles were despatched to a Cloche d’Or shopping centre yesterday late afternoon after a fight broke out in a supermarket. Police arrived in force: around ten law enforcement vehicles were seen parked in front of the shopping centre. When contacted, police confirmed an altercation involving eight people and emphasised that there were no injuries.
TRAIN DELAYS – Train traffic between Bettembourg and Luxembourg City is disrupted this morning due to a technical problem with the tracks. According to CFL, technical teams have been on duty since early this morning and it is expected that everything will be back to normal by 10am.
UNUSED ELECTRONICS – A new survey shows that seven out of ten Luxembourg residents own one or more electronic devices, such as smartphones, screens, computers, and tablets they no longer use but are still functional. In response to these findings, Ecotrel, a non-profit focusing on e-waste processing, is launching a campaign to raise awareness and provide advice on reducing waste and properly disposing of batteries and accumulators.
TRUMP UKRAINE WAR – President Trump has said he believes Russia has the cards in any negotiation to end the war in Ukraine, after branding Ukrainian President Zelensky a “dictator” who refuses to hold elections. European leaders have reacted strongly to Trump’s verbal attacks. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it was “wrong and dangerous” to call Zelensky a dictator. In Ukraine, Trump’s rhetoric has been greeted by disbelief.
GAZA CEASEFIRE – Hamas will hand over the bodies of four hostages today, including the two youngest people held by the group. The bodies include members of the Bibas family – Shiri and her children, Kfir and Ariel. Hamas claims all three were killed in Israeli bombardments.
GERMAN ELECTIONS – Germany is building up to the country’s federal elections on Sunday. Conservative Friedrich Merz is the strong favourite to become the next chancellor after a bitterly fought campaign. In a final head-to-head TV debate with centre-left Chancellor Olaf Scholz before the election, Merz warned that it is the last chance to halt the surge of the far-right Alternative for Germany party. Scholz said that if re-elected he would continue efforts to deport foreign criminals but also said deadly attacks such as a car-ramming last week in Munich must not be allowed to “divide society”.
POPE HEALTH – Concern for the health of Pope Francis is growing despite the Vatican saying that Francis’ blood tests showed a slight improvement. It was announced yesterday that he is being treated in hospital for pneumonia in both of his lungs.
FOOTBALL – Starting with some football results from last night’s Champions League games for the last 16, PSV Eindhoven beat Juventus 3-1 in extra time, Real Madrid won 3-1 against Manchester City, Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon drew 0-0, and Paris St Germain crushed Brest 7-0.
Liverpool’s Premier League title charge was slowed by Aston Villa after a 2-2 draw left neither side satisfied. Arne Slot’s men open up an eight-point lead at the top of the table over second-placed Arsenal, but the Gunners now have a game in hand over the Reds.
CRICKET – New Zealand rode on brilliant hundreds from Tom Latham and Will Young to beat Pakistan by 60 runs in the Champions Trophy opener yesterday, spoiling the country’s historic return to hosting global events after three decades. President Asif Ali Zardari joined thousands of fans at the National Stadium in Karachi as Pakistan hosted its first International Cricket Council event since 1996.
We will have to deal with some rain today, but it’s getting warmer – and get ready for a wild temperature jump later in the week. For now, it’s going to be dark, foggy and probably rainy today. Temperature-wise we are back in positive territory, starting in the 1–3°C region. The maximum expected will be between 7 and 9°C.
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