EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - Prime Minister Xavier Bettel is in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today, leading a debate with MEPs on Europe’s future and challenges. He will also take part in a press conference with the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola this morning.
Meanwhile the Luxembourgish MEP Monica Semeda has been sanctioned for a second time, once again for bullying. Semedo will have to pay a fine for ten days’ compensation of over 3,000 euros.
TRIPARTITE INDUSTRY - A tripartite meeting devoted to industry will take place this afternoon, in the context of recently announced layoffs in several companies across Luxembourg. The meeting is set to focus on the short-term development of industrial companies that are cutting jobs and on the longer-term industrial policy. Minister of the Economy, Franz Fayot told RTL in an interview yesterday that this was not a crisis consultation.
CAR PETITION - Today, a petition about cars is being debated in the Chamber. The petition argues for only taking your car to the technical inspection every two years. And not every year like now.
FUEL PRICES - The price of diesel and unleaded 95 has dropped. From today, a litre of diesel will cost €1.455 (-2.6 cents). The price of petrol has also fallen to €1.607 per litre throughout Luxembourg. This represents a saving of €1.30 for 50 litres of petrol.
UNIQLO OPENING -Japanese global retailer UNIQLO has announced future plans to open the first store of its kind in Luxembourg. The ready-wear brand will open shop in fall of 2023, in the boutique previously occupied by Zara on the Grand Rue in the city centre.
ZELENSKY TROOPS - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met troops in a frontline town, a day after Russian leader Vladimir Putin visited occupied zones. Zelensky went to Avdiivka, located close to Russian-controlled city of Donetsk, and thanked troops for their service, in particular the medical staff. Germany meanwhile, has as agreed delivered the “Patriot” anti aircraft system to Ukraine.
GERMANY ATTACK - According to the German police, at least four people have been seriously injured in a knife attack in a gym in Duisburg, three of them have life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been announced and police said they were searching for a suspect. So far, there is no known motive for the attack.
POLAND ANNIVERSARY - Poland is marking 80 years since the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising today, when hundreds of Jews launched a doomed attack against the Nazis. The presidents of Germany and Israel will join their Polish counterpart for the anniversary of the month-long revolt, which was the largest single act of Jewish resistance against the Germans during World War II. Just like in previous years, volunteers across the city will hand out paper daffodils for residents to pin to their jackets.
T-REX AUCTION - And a composite Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton called Trinity sold for 5.5 million Swiss francs in a rare auction yesterday. The 3.9-metre high skeleton, made up of bones from three different T-rexes estimated at 65 to 67 million years old, was sold in Zurich after being shipped from the United States in nine giant crates. It was bought by a private European collector.
ICE HOCKEY - The Luxembourg national ice hockey team is currently playing in the World Championship of the 3rd division in South Africa. Yesterday there was a 2-10 defeat against Thailand. The second match today is against Turkmenistan.
FOOTBALL - Real Madrid and AC Milan are in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Real beat Chelsea 2-0 yesterday and a 1-1 draw in Naples was enough for AC Milan. Tonight, Inter Milan has a 2-0 advantage at home against Benfica. And Bayern Munich are playing Manchester City, hoping to overturn a three-goal deficit to reach the semi-finals.
CYCLING - Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard has signed a fresh deal with Jumbo-Visma that runs until 2027. The 26-year-old Dane edged to the Tour de France title in 2022 after an epic struggle, and was runner-up the season before. He joined in 2019 and has since played a key part in Jumbo becoming cycling’s most powerful team, alongside riders including Primoz Roglic and Wout van Aert.
Today starts off with a bit of cloud cover in the morning, with some moments of sunshine peeking through. As we move into the afternoon, things will start to brighten up a bit, but there might be a chance of some little showers popping up here and there. For the most part, though, it should stay dry.The wind will be picking up from the northeast, gusting up to 40 to 45 km/h. Morning temperatures will start off at 5-8°C, rising to highs of around 13°C in the afternoon.
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