RECESSION WARNING – Luxembourg's national statistics office is warning of a recession this year, and three cost-of-living index increases by next September if the Iran conflict continues to disrupt oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The warning came at the first preparatory meeting for Tripartite talks yesterday. Prime Minister Luc Frieden insists the wage index mechanism is untouchable, but union leaders say the government still hasn't grasped the scale of the crisis, and are threatening protests.
HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK – A Luxembourg virologist says there is no cause for public alarm over the current hantavirus outbreak. Professor Muller of the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) says infected patients across Europe are fully isolated and under control, and that the virus is far too low in infectivity to trigger a pandemic. The WHO has issued no travel restrictions, and no special precautions are recommended for the general public.
FINAL EXAMS – Luxembourg's secondary school final exams get underway next Monday, with nearly 4,000 candidates sitting written papers across classical and general streams. The Ministry of Education says women make up just over half of all registered students. Education Minister Claude Meisch has wished all candidates good luck as they prepare for exams that will shape their path into higher education or working life.
FUEL PRICES – Drivers in Luxembourg using SP98 will pay more at the pump from today. The premium petrol is rising by 3.5 cents to 1.92 euros a litre. SP95 and diesel prices remain unchanged.
UK POLITICS – King Charles opens the new session of Parliament in London today, but attention is likely to focus less on his speech and more on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He survived a cabinet crisis meeting yesterday, but faces growing pressure from within his own party, with at least 80 Labour MPs now openly demanding his resignation after the party suffered its worst local election results in years.
US ECONOMY – The war in Iran has already cost the United States 29 billion dollars, according to a new Pentagon report, a figure expected to rise sharply. American households are already feeling the strain, with oil prices forecast to stay above a $100 a barrel. President Trump, heading to China, says his only concern in the Iran negotiations is preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST – Ten countries have secured their places in Saturday's Eurovision final in Vienna, after last night's first semi-final. Greece, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Moldova, Serbia, Israel, Croatia, Lithuania and Poland all made it through. Portugal was among those eliminated. Luxembourg's entry, Eva Marija, competes in the second semi-final tomorrow evening.
CANNES FILM FESTIVAL – The Cannes Film Festival moves into full swing today, a day after its opening ceremony on the French Riviera. 22 films are in the running for the Palme d'Or, the opening film is French drama "The Electric Kiss", and John Travolta will also be on the Croisette to unveil his directorial debut.
BASKETBALL – The national men's championship final resumes tonight. Sparta host Etzella at 8pm, looking to level the series after Sunday's defeat in Ettelbruck. It's a best-of-five contest , first to three wins takes the title, with the next game, if needed, on Sunday.
FOOTBALL – The Luxembourg Cup semi-finals take place tonight, also kicking off at 8pm. Differdange face Rodange, while Niederkorn take on Roeser. The winners meet in the final at the Stade de Luxembourg on Friday 29 May.
CYCLING – In the Giro d'Italia, Ecuador's Jonathan Narvaez took yesterday's 4th stage in Cosenza, with Italian Giulio Ciccone finishing joint third, enough to move him into the overall lead. Today's fifth stage is a demanding 203 km from Praia a Mare to Potenza.
Sun sightings will be rare today, as the clouds gather in force. Expect some rain throughout the day, especially in the afternoon. Maybe even a little thunderstorm?
Temperatures will only range from about 7–10 °C today.
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