GOOGLE LUXEMBOURG – Google has announced plans to establish a presence in Luxembourg, including the opening of an office building on Boulevard Royal in the City. During a presentation at the Philharmonie yesterday, company representatives did not disclose the number of employees who will work there. Furthermore, no updates were shared regarding the proposed data centre project in Bissen.
FLU EPIDEMIC – The latest figures released by the National Health Directorate indicate that Luxembourg has passed the peak of the flu epidemic. In the week leading up to the 23 February, the number of cases reported by laboratories dropped by 28% compared to the previous week.
MANSLAUGHTER SENTENCE – The Luxembourg City Court has sentenced a 36-year-old man to 30 years in prison for the manslaughter of his 71-year-old father. The incident occurred in December 2022, when the defendant fatally strangled his father in Esch-sur-Alzette. During the trial, the defendant consistently maintained that he had not intended to kill his father, claiming he only wanted to place him in a “headlock” to calm him down.
TRAM EXTENSION – From Sunday onward, all tram passengers will be able to access the route linking Kirchberg to Findel Airport. The two new stops being introduced are “Senningerberg, Héienhaff” and “Findel-Luxembourg Airport”.
GERMAN ELECTIONS – Germany’s conservatives, who won elections last weekend, are set to start exploratory talks with the Social Democrats today towards forming a coalition government. The head of the centre-right CDU/CSU alliance, Friedrich Merz, who is expected to become Germany’s next chancellor, has urged speedy talks towards forging a ruling alliance, arguing Europe’s biggest economy must soon be ready to act at a time of geopolitical turbulence.
TRUMP UKRAINE – President Trump has said a minerals deal with Ukraine is the security guarantee Kyiv needs against Russia, brushing aside a plea from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for a commitment of US military support.
Meanwhile the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas, on a visit to Washington said that NATO offered the best security guarantee for Ukraine, accusing President Donald Trump of falling for a Russian narrative by closing the door.
BIODIVERSITY SUMMIT – The world is cheering a last-gasp deal to map out funding to protect nature. Rich and developing countries hammered out a delicate compromise on raising and delivering the billions of dollars needed to protect species, overcoming stark divisions that had scuttled their previous meeting in Cali, Colombia, last year.
MOTOGP – Six-time world champion Marc Marquez has fired a warning heading into the first race weekend of the MotoGP season by going fastest in opening practice at Buriram in Thailand earlier today. The Spanish great, who has joined double world champion Francesco Bagnaia at the Ducati factory team, clocked a leading time of one minute, 29.423 seconds in fierce temperatures.
FOOTBALL – Paris Saint-Germain face Lille on Saturday in a clash of France’s remaining Champions League hopefuls before a potentially season-defining showdown with Liverpool in the last 16. Paris host Liverpool next Wednesday and then travel to Anfield for the second leg six days later, in a tie described by Luis Enrique as “extremely attractive”.
In Spain, Real Betis face Real Madrid on Saturday with playmaker Isco returning to his best ahead of the reunion with his former team in La Liga, while explosive winger Antony has been cleared to play after his red card was overturned.
And Manchester City‘s hopes of a trophy this season now rest solely on the FA Cup ahead of Saturday’s visit of second-tier Plymouth, while holders Manchester United also desperately need silverware to rescue a miserable campaign. Brighton, Newcastle and Crystal Palace are among the other clubs who are dreaming of glory come Wembley on May 17.
The weather today will be rather typical for us: mostly cloudy, with a few periods of rain throughout the day, especially in the afternoon. Now for the temperatures: 3 to 5°C in the morning, going up to the 5 – 7°C in the afternoon.
___
Be sure to catch our full bulletin on the hour, every hour, and headlines at half past the hour on Today Radio. You can also access the news via Alexa and on RTL Play.
