DIESEL PRICES – Diesel prices in Luxembourg have surged nearly 40 cents per litre since the Israeli-US offensive on Iran began, with a full tank now costing almost 93 euros, the highest level in over three years. In an emergency debate in parliament yesterday, all parties, except for the ADR, agreed that renewable energy is the key solution. Left Party MP David Wagner argued it was not acceptable to force ordinary people to swallow rising energy bills. The LSAP called for an energy roundtable with social partners to identify support for the most vulnerable. Energy Minister Lex Delles pledged that if prices keep rising, the government will step in with targeted social measures.
FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS – Four Luxair flights between Luxembourg and Berlin have been cancelled today after German union Verdi called a full-day warning strike at Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Luxair is contacting passengers to offer alternative arrangements.
MOTORIST FLIGHT – A motorist fled a police check in Roeser last night, shortly after 6.30pm, but was stopped near the border at a petrol station. The reason for the flight is still under investigation. Early reports of a petrol station robbery were denied by police.
DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION – Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel is presenting Luxembourg’s development cooperation strategy in parliament this morning. The country is committing 1% of gross national income to development aid until 2030, with Cape Verde, Senegal and Laos as key long-term partners. Cooperation with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger has been suspended. This afternoon, MPs will also debate PFAS,so-called forever chemicals,in everyday life.
MIDDLE EAST WAR – In the latest developments, Israel has struck central Beirut, killing at least six people, and has killed Iran’s top security chief Ali Larijani, prompting Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to launch retaliatory missiles at central Israel, killing two people near Tel Aviv. Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar have all intercepted missile and drone attacks. President Trump has said NATO allies were making a ‘foolish mistake’ after they refused to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the US never needed their help anyway. A senior US counterterrorism official has resigned in protest at the war.
NEW PARTICLE – And the Large Hadron Collider has discovered a new particle, the 80th identified so far by the world’s most powerful particle smasher. Europe’s CERN physics laboratory has called the new particle “Xi-cc-plus”. Scientists hope the particle – which is similar to a proton but four times heavier – will reveal more about the strange behaviour of quantum mechanics.
MERCOSUR AGREEMENT – Paraguay has become the last Mercosur member to ratify the bloc’s trade deal with the EU. The agreement is provisionally in force, though a European Court of Justice opinion, requested by the European Parliament, is still months away.
FLORIDA EXECUTION – A 54-year-old man has been executed by lethal injection in Florida, convicted of murder and rape in 2008. It’s the seventh execution in the US this year. The death penalty remains in force in 23 states.
FOOTBALL – In last night’s Champions League games, Arsenal beat Leverkusen 2-0, through 3-1 on aggregate. PSG crushed Chelsea 3-0, Real Madrid beat Man City 2-1, winning 5-1 on aggregate. And Sporting Lisbon beat Bodø/Glimt 5-0 after extra time. Tonight Liverpool host Galatasaray, Bayern Munich face Atalanta Bergamo and Spurs take on Atletico. And Barcelona are playing their return match against Newcastle.
Morocco have been awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title, two months after the final. Senegal were stripped of the trophy after leaving the pitch in protest over a controversial penalty decision. It’s Morocco’s first African title since 1976.
CRICKET – Ollie Pope believes the idea England “weren’t fussed” during their woeful Ashes tour of Australia was unfair on the squad but understands why the “misperception” became lodged in the minds of many fans and pundits.
Warmer weather and clear skies are back. We should be in for a beautiful sunny spring day with temperatures rising to highs of around 11–13 degrees.
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