BETTEL ON TRUMP – Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel is in Brussels today for the EU General Affairs Council. In Brussels yesterday, he hit back at President Trump’s call for NATO to secure the Strait of Hormuz, saying that it is in the interest of the United States to keep NATO and not to bury it.
FUEL PRICES – Oil are on the up, meaning that in Luxembourg fuel prices rose again at midnight: Diesel up by 7.6 cents to €1.856 per litre, SP95 petrol to €1.702, and heating oil to €1.303 per litre, the highest levels seen this year.
BIRD FLU – Luxembourg has lifted its main bird flu containment measures, allowing poultry fairs and outdoor keeping of birds to resume. Authorities are still advising to limit contact with wild birds.
PRISON SMUGGLING – A prison officer at Sanem prison has been arrested for allegedly smuggling drugs and mobile phones into the prison. A remand prisoner and a supplier are also in custody. The scheme is said to have been running since December.
MICHELIN STARS – The new Michelin Guide has added two starred restaurants in the Moselle region, with chefs in Languimberg, Metz, and the Vosges all recognised, bringing the total of starred restaurants along the French Moselle to seven.
MIDDLE EAST WAR – In the latest developments in the war in the Middle East, drones and rockets have been fired at the US embassy in Baghdad, in what’s been described as the most intense assault since attacks began.
The United Arab Emirates has reportedly reopened its airspace after closing it over missile and drone threats from Iran. President Trump has demanded allies help secure the Strait of Hormuz, but European powers have pushed back, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying the conflict is not a matter for Nato.
The leaders of the UK, Canada, France, Germany and Italy have issued a joint statement warning that a significant Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon would have devastating humanitarian consequences.
Earlier, the Israeli military said it had launched a wide-scale wave of strikes on the Iranian cities of Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz.
EU IRAN WAR – EU Foreign and Energy Ministers met in Brussels yesterday, with Ukraine, Middle East tensions and energy prices topping the agenda. Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas was clear on two points. Ukraine remains the EU’s top security priority, and on securing the Strait of Hormuz, she said simply: it is not our war.
ST PATRICK’S DAY – It’s Saint Patrick’s Day, celebrated worldwide with parades from Dublin to New York, Chicago, and Sydney. Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Washington, where he will meet President Trump for the traditional shamrock ceremony. You can find out how to celebrate in Luxembourg here.
PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN – Pakistan and Afghanistan are effectively at war, with the Taliban accusing Pakistani forces of a deadly airstrike on a hospital that killed 400 people, mostly drug addicts in withdrawal, with nearly 300 injured. Pakistan denies it, saying only military targets were hit. Neither account can be independently verified.
FRANCE ELECTIONS – Left-wing parties are forming alliances ahead of Sunday’s second round of municipal elections in France, aiming to limit gains by the Rassemblement National. In Paris, a centre-right partnership is taking shape to challenge left-wing frontrunner Emmanuel Grégoire, who is best placed to become the new Mayor of Paris.
FOOTBALL – In the Champions League tonight, Manchester City face Real Madrid. PSG take a 5-2 lead to Chelsea, Bodø/Glimt travel to Lisbon with a 3-0 advantage, and Arsenal host Leverkusen after a 1-1 first leg.
In national football, the draw for the men’s football cup quarter-finals sees title holders Differdange face Racing, Fola meet Rodange, and Bissen take on Niederkorn — all on 22 April.
FORMULA 1 – Kimi Antonelli has said he is eyeing further Formula One success after the teenage Italian announced himself on the world stage with victory in the Chinese Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old won his maiden GP from pole position on Sunday and was greeted by media and enthusiastic fans as he touched down in his native Bologna.
BASKETBALL – Luxembourg’s women’s basketball team play their final group qualifier tonight at 8pm in Bosnia-Herzegovina, already through to the next round.
While sunrise might bring fog in low-lying areas, and cloudy skies in others, as the day goes on the we might see a little sun from time to time. Temperatures start at around 5°C this morning, rising to highs of around 111-12°C in the afternoon.
The good news is that the sun is set to make a welcome return this week, with temperatures expected to rise to around 18°C on Wednesday and Thursday. However, mornings will remain notably chilly.
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