WAGE INDEXATION – According to the latest data recorded by National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (STATEC), the next indexation of wages, pensions, and salaries will “very likely” take effect in May. STATEC found that prices slightly declined between February and March, notably due to falling petrol product prices. Over the year, the inflation rate stands at 1.3%.
TARIFFS BETTEL – Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel has called on EU member states to stay united as they consider countermeasures to US tariffs, saying Trump should be made to understand that escalating trade tensions is not in his best interest. Bettel also suggested that if Trump refuses to negotiate, the EU must consider actions that impact the US. He also warned that future taxes on services could particularly affect Luxembourg. The EU is set to vote on a list of countermeasures this Wednesday.
MUNSBACH STABBING – Police are appealing for witnesses after a fight broke out between three people on Monday afternoon in Munsbach. The incident took place around 3pm in the parking area near the train station, with one person hospitalised after sustaining a stab wound. The suspect was arrested on the orders of the public prosecutor.
DRUG FIND – A 35-year-old lorry driver has been arrested following a customs check by the Customs and Excise Agency of Luxembourg, after finding large amounts of hashish and marijuana in his truck cargo. Authorities confiscated over a tonne of hashish and 126kg of marijuana. Pictures disclosed by Customs show that a scanner was used to examine the truck cargo, which led to the swift discovery of the illegal goods.
US TARIFFS – China has vowed to “fight to the end” against fresh tariffs of 50% threatened by US President Trump, further aggravating a trade war that has already wiped trillions off global markets. Beijing announced its own 34% duties on US goods to come into effect on Thursday, in a showdown between the world’s two biggest economies.
STOCK MARKETS – Meanwhile, stock markets and oil prices slumped further on a black Monday for markets as US President Donald Trump stood firm over his tariffs despite recession fears. Both the Dow and S&P 500 finished volatile sessions lower while the Nasdaq mustered a modest gain. Much worse hit was Hong Kong, which collapsed by 13.2% in its worst day in nearly three decades. Taipei stocks suffered their worst fall on record Monday, tanking 9.7%. Tokyo closed down by almost eight percent. Frankfurt fell as much as 10%in early trading before paring back losses to end the day down 4.1%.
BELGIUM RAILSTRIKE – Due to a train strike at Belgium’s National Railway Company (SNCB) today, delays and cancellations are expected to affect all trains operating between Luxembourg and Belgium. The strike is in effect until 10pm tonight. CFL advises that all passengers hoping to travel check the information on CFL’s website or app before setting off.
PARIS FIRE – A massive fire has torn through one of Paris’ largest recycling plants, sending thick smoke over the city and prompting authorities to urge the public to stay away from the zone. A thick black cloud could be seen across the French capital as firefighters battled the blaze. The fire brigade said there were no victims.
HEAT RECORDS – Europe’s climate monitor says that global temperatures hovered at historic highs in March, prolonging an extraordinary heat streak that has tested scientific expectations. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, it was the hottest March ever recorded in Europe by a significant margin, driving rainfall extremes across a continent warming faster than any other.
FOOTBALL – Starting off with football, the quarter finals of the Champion’s League are starting. Tonight’s games include Arsenal vs Real Madrid and Bayern vs Inter Milan. Tomorrow, Barcelona are taking on Dortmund and PSG are playing Aston Villa.
Former Germany forward Jurgen Klinsmann said Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane should be considered among the favourites for the next Ballon d’Or. Kane’s Bayern face Inter Milan on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in Munich. Michael Owen was the last English player to win the Ballon d’Or, collecting the award in 2001.
GOLF – Top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler and world number two Rory McIlroy will take a swing at golf history in this week’s 89th Masters. Scheffler, the 2022 and 2024 Masters green jacket winner, seeks his third major title while McIlroy, a four-time major winner seeking his first major triumph since 2014, comes to the Masters with two titles already won.
It’s another sunny day throughout the country. After another chilly start with minus temperatures, the mercury will quickly rise to 11°C by mid-morning and a balmy 15–16°C by the afternoon.
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