ENERGY SUBSIDIES – Luxembourg’s Prime Minister says it’s too early to trigger energy support measures, despite Diesel topping 2 euros a litre. Luc Frieden told reporters after last night’s EU summit that targeted social measures would follow if the crisis deepens, but for now, the government’ s message is “no panic, it’s too early”. Frieden also said the government already contributes 150 million euros a year towards network costs and that fuel taxes in Luxembourg are lower than in neighbouring countries, leaving less room to manoeuvre.
FUEL PRICES – Fuel prices have increased again: Diesel has risen 15 cents to €2.006 per litre, fuel oil up 15.7 cents to €1.46, and 95 unleaded petrol has increased by 2.5 cents to €1.727.
FOOTBALL COACH – The sacked coach of Luxembourg’s women’s national football team, Dan Santos, is contesting his dismissal, saying he was never given the chance to defend himself before serious allegations were made public. He has appointed lawyers and says legal action is being considered.
A3 ROADWORKS – Major roadworks this weekend on the Dudelange motorway. As part of redevelopment work on the A3 and the Livange interchange, the motorway will be fully closed, from 8pm tonight towards the city, and from 9.30pm towards France, until early Monday morning.
HAPPINESS INDEX – Finland has topped the World Happiness Report for the 9th consecutive year, according to researchers at Oxford University. Luxembourg can also celebrate,the Grand Duchy comes in 9th place this year, just ahead of Switzerland
MIDDLE EAST WAR – In the latest developments in the Middle East, Iran has damaged a US F-35 stealth fighter jet, the first American aircraft hit since the conflict began. The pilot is reported safe after an emergency landing. Iran has also struck a refinery in Israel.
Israel has launched fresh strikes on Tehran. Qatar says attacks on its energy infrastructure will cut LNG (liquified natural gas) export capacity by 17%, with repairs taking up to five years. Gulf states including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are reporting missile and drone attacks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a press conference last night that Iran is being “decimated” and predicts the war will end sooner than expected. President Trump says he has told Israel to halt further strikes on Iranian gas fields and confirmed no US ground troops will be deployed to Iran.
UKRAINE WAR – European leaders have rounded on Hungary’s Viktor Orbán after he blocked a 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine at the Brussels summit. Orbán is demanding guarantees over Russian oil supplies through a damaged pipeline, posting “no oil, no money” on social media. President Macron called the move unprecedented and German Chancellor Merz condemned it as a gross act of disloyalty.
EU SOCIAL MEDIA – At the EU summit in Brussels, leaders also discussed a minimum age for social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok. The closing declaration states that a minimum age for youth protection is essential, while respecting privacy and national competencies. Member states are calling on the European Commission to enforce the Digital Services Act. No specific age was mentioned in the text.
TRUMP JAPAN – Japan and the US have announced plans to jointly build mini nuclear reactors, with Tokyo investing heavily in exchange for lower tariffs. The meeting also produced an awkward moment when Trump compared the Iran war’s element of surprise to Pearl Harbor, directly to the Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
ATHLETICS – The Indoor World Athletics Championships open today in Torun, Poland, with three Luxembourg athletes competing. Vera Bertemes-Hoffmann runs in the 1500 metre heats this evening around 5:50pm, aiming to qualify for Sunday’s final. Tomorrow morning, Patrizia van der Wekend competes in the 60 metre sprint series, with the final possible the same evening. On Sunday, Victoria Rausch runs in the 60 metre hurdles heats.
FOOTBALL – In the Europa League, Porto are through to the quarter-finals after beating Stuttgart 2-0. Freiburg thrashed Genk 5-1, Bologna won 4-3 at Roma. Also through: Braga, Nottingham Forest, Celta Vigo, Aston Villa and Betis Sevilla.
Tonight sees the opening of Bundesliga matchday 27, with fifth-placed RB Leipzig hosting third-placed Hoffenheim.
It’s a cold start to the day, with temperatures around 2°C this morning, before climbing to a milder 14°C this afternoon. While there will be more cloud cover than yesterday, conditions will stay dry and mainly sunny, with only a light breeze.
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