FUEL PRICE INCREASE – Fuel prices have risen again: 95 went up 8.7 cents to €1.654, Diesel rose by 5.6 cents to €1.828 per litre, heating oil climbed 5.4 cents to €1.278 per litre, and LPG increased by 7.8 cents to €0.882 per litre.
MORTGAGE RATES – New data from the Central Bank of Luxembourg shows that variable mortgage rates have fallen to around 3.01% while fixed rates remain stable at about 3.77%, affecting monthly payments for prospective property buyers.
MOSELLE OIL SPILL – The port of Mertert reopened yesterday afternoon after a three-day closure caused by oil contamination in the Moselle River. Authorities deployed absorbent cloths to clear the remaining slick, and the Water Management Authority is still investigating the source of the spill.
MIDDLE EAST WAR – In the latest developments in the conflict in the Middle East, Iran has launched fresh missile and drone strikes against Israeli cities, American military installations, and oil facilities across the region. The Israeli military has responded with further strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, the heartland of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group. American forces have meanwhile stepped up their presence in the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping lane south of Iran, where the US military is reported to have sunk Iranian vessels and cleared sea mines.
OIL PRICES – The conflict has sent oil prices sharply higher. Energy security and its economic consequences are at the top of the agenda today at a G7 video conference called by French President Emmanuel Macron. The International Energy Agency is also said to be considering releasing substantial strategic oil reserves in a bid to bring prices down.
UKRAINE WAR – Ukraine says its forces have struck a weapons manufacturing plant in Bryansk in western Russia. Moscow reports six people were killed in the attack. Meanwhile, a United Nations investigation has concluded that Russia’s removal of Ukrainian children from occupied areas and their continued absence from their families constitutes a crime against humanity.
SWITZERLAND BUS FIRE – At least six people have been killed and five injured after a bus caught fire in the Swiss town of Kerzers, near Bern. Police say the fire may have been deliberately set.
FORBES BILLIONAIRES – According to American business magazine Forbes, there are now around 3,400 billionaires worldwide, a record high. Elon Musk tops the list for the second consecutive year, having doubled his fortune over the past 12 months to the equivalent of €725 billion. He is followed by the chief executives of Google, Amazon, and Meta.
FOOTBALL – In Champions League games last night, Bayern Munich beat Atalanta 6-1, Atlético Madrid defeated Tottenham Hotspur 5-2, Newcastle United and Barcelona drew 1-1, and Galatasaray beat Liverpool 1-0. Tonight, you can watch Real Madrid face Manchester City on RTL at 8pm.
BASKETBALL – Luxembourg face Ireland in a European Championship qualifier this evening. RTL will stream the match live from 5–7pm.
CYCLING – The 4th stage of Paris-Nice takes place today, with 195km from Bourges to Uchon. Britain’s Ineos team, led by Kevin Vauquelin and Oscar Onley, won yesterday’s team time trial, and Spain’s Juan Ayuso pulled on the leader’s yellow jersey after the third stage.
We’re expecting significant cloud cover, with several periods of rainfall up until the evening – with a few cheeky peeks from the sun. The wind is also picking up, reaching a very noticeable maximum of 50km/h. Minimum temperature starts between 5 and 7°C, going up to 12°C in the afternoon.
Be sure to catch our full bulletin on the hour, every hour, and headlines at half past the hour on RTL Today Radio. You can also access the news via Alexa, and on RTL Play.
