FRIEDEN FINLAND – Prime Minister Luc Frieden is on a working visit to Finland today and tomorrow. In addition to meetings with his counterpart Petteri Orpo and President Alexander Stubb, he will also meet various business representatives and representatives from the technology sector. Orpo and Frieden will discuss topical EU and international issues such as European security, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the relationship between Europe and the United States. They will also focus on deepening economic relations in areas such as innovation, digitalisation, health, education, and the space industry.
SPAIN VISIT – Three Luxembourg ministers are on an official economic mission to Spain. The Minister of Health Martine Deprez, Minister for Digitalisation Stephanie Obertin and Economy Minister Lex Delles are visiting the country with a delegation of representatives from 36 Luxembourg companies and organisations from the fields of health technologies, space, and IT.
EMERGENCY LANDING – On Saturday evening a flight from Birmingham to Dalaman, Turkey, carrying 183 passengers was forced into an emergency landing at Findel due to the concerning development of smoke in the cockpit and cabin. All people on board were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. A replacement aircraft took passengers to their final destination in Dalaman on Saturday evening, while the emergency aircraft returned to Birmingham.
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST – Laura Thorn and the Luxembourg delegation have departed for Basel, where they will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest. In just 11 days, Thorn will stand on the Eurovision stage in the second semi-final on Thursday, 15 May, where she will compete against 15 other countries for a spot in the final on 17 May. The journey began on Sunday morning, with a group of fans gathering in front of RTL City to wish Thorn good luck.
ROMANIA ELECTIONS – In a rerun election clouded by controversy and foreign interference claims, Romania’s far-right candidate George Simion has taken a comfortable lead in Sunday’s first round of presidential elections. With 99 percent of ballots counted, Simion – a fan of US President Donald Trump – was leading with 40.5% of the vote. He will face off against pro-EU Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan in the 18 May run-off.
MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT – According to Israeli media, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet has approved a gradual expansion of the offensive against Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli military has already begun issuing tens of thousands of call-up orders for its reserve forces. Meanwhile, flights were briefly suspended at Ben Gurion airport yesterday after a missile struck near Terminal 3, in an unprecedented escalation by Yemen’s Huthi rebels. Six people were wounded.
LADY GAGA BRAZIL – Brazilian police said on Sunday that they had thwarted a bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga’s historic concert that drew over 2 million people to Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. According to the Rio’s civilian police, working in coordination with the ministry of justice, the plot was orchestrated by a group promoting hate speech and the radicalisation of teenagers, including self-harm and violent content as a form of social belonging.
TRUMP ALCATRAZ – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he was directing the Federal Bureau of Prisons to rebuild and reopen the infamous Alcatraz prison in the San Francisco Bay to “house America’s most ruthless and violent offenders.” Trump has also announced a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the country, saying the American movie industry was dying a “very fast death” due to the incentives that other countries were offering to lure filmmakers.
UK WW2 – A military parade, street parties and a balcony appearance by the royal family will start UK celebrations of 80 years since the end of World War II today. Alongside working royals, the 76-year-old king is due to appear at the balcony of Buckingham Palace early in the afternoon.
FOOTBALL – Bayern Munich were crowned German champions for the 34th time on Sunday, after second-placed Bayer Leverkusen drew 2-2 at Freiburg. Bayern’s 3-3 draw at RB Leipzig on Saturday meant defending Bundesliga champions Leverkusen needed to win at Freiburg to delay the title party. Bayern will be presented with the Bundesliga shield after their match against Borussia Moenchengladbach this Saturday.
In the English Premier League, Chelsea have bolstered their bid to qualify for the Champions League with a 3-1 win against Liverpool on Sunday.
Marseille climbed back into second place in the French Ligue on Sunday despite being held to a 1-1 draw at fellow Champions League chasers Lille. Runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain are 19 points clear and already assured of the title.
FORMULA 1 – Oscar Piastri has won the Miami Grand Prix as McLaren enjoyed a one-two on the podium to continue their dominant Formula One season. Piastri finished 4.6 seconds ahead of team-mate Lando Norris with George Russell of Mercedes finishing third but 37.6 seconds behind. The victory was the third in a row for Piastri after his wins in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and his fourth in the six races so far this season.
It’s a solid spring day but not with much of the sunshine we have been used to. Overall it’s mild with a few clouds and no rain with the sun making an appearance mid-morning. We can expect temperatures to start at around 5–7 °C, steadily rising to a maximum of 15 °C in the afternoon.
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