SPUERKEESS WARNING – Luxembourgish bank Spuerkeess has issued a warning about tampered ATMs in the run-up to the bank holiday and extended weekend. Five cash machines across the network were reported to have been manipulated by fraudsters, who mounted a device designed to trap customers’ cards – a scam known as card trapping.
BAUMBUSCH TALLEST TREE FELLED – At the start of the week, the tallest spruce tree in the Bambësch forest lying north-west of Luxembourg City had to be cut down due to a bark beetle infestation. The wood from the tree – which was over 40m tall – will still be used by the Forestry Department of the City once it has dried.
COQUE INFASTRUCTURE – In response to a parliamentary question, Sport Minister Georges Mischo stated that the Coque’s infrastructure is reaching its limits and that a feasibility study will be commissioned to assess the potential for expansion. In a brief response, he stated that the Coque’s current infrastructure reaches its limits on a daily basis due to its popularity and the wide variety of services it offers. A feasibility study, to determine whether an expansion is possible, is planned.
CANADIAN PM UNDER FIRE – Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney faced sustained attacks from his Conservative rival Pierre Poilievre at an election debate Thursday, but the Liberal leader sought to focus attention on what he calls Canada’s top threat, President Donald Trump. Trump’s trade war and annexation threats have caused broad outrage across Canada and the Conservative leader Poiliever has faced criticism for directing his ire entirely at the Liberals instead of attacking Washington.
UKRAINE PEACE TALKS – France hosted talks on the Ukraine war between top US and European officials on Thursday, during which US Secretary of State Marco Rubio again pressed a US peace plan. President Emmanuel Macron’s office said the talks launched a “positive process” as Europe seeks to be included in efforts to end the three-year-old war. The talks took place as US President Donald Trump’s push to end the war stumbles, with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin rebuffing a complete truce.
TRUMP MEETS ITALY PM MELONI – He said he does not hold Volodymyr Zelensky “responsible” for Russia’s invasion of his country but continued to criticize the pro-Western Ukrainian leader. “I don’t hold Zelensky responsible but I’m not exactly thrilled with the fact that that war started”, Trump said at the White House alongside Prime Minister Meloni. Meloni told reporters that “we’ve been defending freedom of Ukraine together, together we can build a just and lasting peace. We support your efforts.”
FOOTBALL – In the Europa League, Manchester United’s season appeared over with just six minutes of extra-time left at Old Trafford as they trailed 4-2 despite Lyon being reduced to 10 men at 2-2. A Bruno Fernandes penalty kickstarted the comeback before Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire struck to spark wild scenes of celebration. “In this stadium, in this club, you always have that feeling that anything can happen and today was another day like that,” said United coach Ruben Amorim.
Tottenham managed to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0, advancing 2-1 on aggregate, through a Dominic Solanke penalty. While the surprise package of the competition Bodo/Glimt, from Norway, beat Lazio 3-2 on penalties, to progress to the semi finals. Finally, Athletic Bilbao beat Rangers 2-0 to progress to the last four.
FORMULA 1 – Spain’s Formula One ‘golden oldie’ Fernando Alonso set a date on his retirement on Thursday, saying he won’t be behind the wheel “at 50". The 43-year-old leads Aston Martin into their 100th F1 race on Sunday at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with the verve and enthusiasm of a driver half his years.
A grey and wet Friday, with cloud and rain forecast for the morning and lunch time but it should dry up later in the day. Temperatures starting at 4-5, raising to a maximum of 13 by the end of the day.
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