SPEED MARATHON – Luxembourg Police on Wednesday are conducting speed checks across the country as part of the ‘speed marathon’ initiative. It forms part of the wider European ‘Speed’ campaign, held from 7–13 April, targeting excessive speed, which remains the leading cause of severe and fatal accidents in Luxembourg. During the last speed marathon, a total of 2,500 motorists were flashed.
POLICE OPERATION – A suspicious white powder discovered inside the building housing the ‘Grand Frais’ supermarket and ‘Marie Blachère’ bakery in Wickrange triggered a major police and emergency response on Tuesday evening. Authorities confirmed the substance was ultimately harmless, and no injuries were reported. The incident began around 6.30pm when police and firefighters were called to the scene. A person who reportedly came into contact with the powder collapsed and developed a skin reaction, prompting a full-scale operation classified under NRBC protocol – denoting nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical risks.
FUEL PRICE – Fuel price cuts are continuing in Luxembourg: starting today, a litre of SP98 is falling by another 4.2 cents, bringing the price to €1.55 per litre.
GERMANY COALITION – According to the German broadcasters RTL and ntv, Germany’s conservatives under chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz have reached a deal with the Social Democrats (SPD) to form a government. While details remain to be finalised, talks are said to be particularly difficult on the issues of finance, migration, and defence. With a coalition agreement, CDU leader Merz can stick to his schedule – to find an agreement before Easter.
US TARIFFS – New US tariffs on the EU and China come into effect today. For European products, there is a 20% tariff on practically all goods, while 25% on steel and aluminium from Europe have been in effect for some time. The European Union has not yet decided on any counter-tariffs. However, today it will vote on a list of American products that could be targeted by European tariffs. In a first phase, motorcycles and jeans could be affected, followed by steel and agricultural products. Meanwhile, a total of 104% tariffs will be imposed on Chinese imports to the United States. However, both the EU and China have continued to show willingness to engage in dialogue with the United States.
TRUMP AP – A US federal judge has ordered the White House to restore the Associated Press’ access to President Donald Trump’s official events, saying it had no right to bar media for their “viewpoints”. AP journalists and photographers have been barred from the Oval Office and from travelling on Air Force One since mid-February because of the news agency’s decision to continue referring to the “Gulf of Mexico” – and not the “Gulf of America” as decreed by Trump.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC NIGHTCLUB – Rescuers are racing to find survivors among the rubble of a Dominican Republic nightclub where nearly 100 people were killed when the roof collapsed. Renowned Dominican merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was on stage at the popular Jet Set nightclub when the roof caved in, was one of those killed in the disaster, according to his manager. Also among the dead was 51-year-old retired MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who won a World Series in 2011 with the St Louis Cardinals.
FOOTBALL – Starting with some results from last night’s Champions League quarter final matches: Inter Milan beat Bayern 2-1 and Arsenal defied the odds with a 3-0 win against Real Madrid. Declan Rice has inspired one of the greatest results in Arsenal’s history with two free-kicks in the second half of the quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium. Tonight sees Paris St Germain play Aston Villa and Barcelona face Dortmund. You can watch this match live on RTL Today from 9pm.
In women’s football, Spain thumped Portugal 7-1 to move top of their group in the women’s Nations League, while European champions England lost 3-2 in Belgium.
GOLF – Top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler will play alongside Justin Thomas and US Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester when the 89th Masters tees off on Thursday at Augusta National. World number two Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, has been grouped with Sweden’s Ludwig Aberg and American Akshay Bhatia for the first two rounds.
And the sunny days continue – today’s weather report says we can expect 11 full hours of sunshine in Luxembourg. Temperatures in the morning start off cold again, between 1–5°C but by the afternoon, temperatures will be right back to a cosy 14–17°C.
---https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2290798.html
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