EU SUMMIT – Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden is in Brussels today for an emergency European Council summit. Leaders are expected to focus on the escalating military crisis in the Middle East and its impact on energy prices, alongside discussions on EU competitiveness, Ukraine, and migration. Ukrainian President Zelensky and UN Secretary-General António Guterres are also attending.
CHAMBER DEBATE – Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies meets this afternoon for a full sitting, beginning with a debate on development cooperation policy. Yesterday, Xavier Bettel announced that Luxembourg intends to bolster its development cooperation efforts. MPs will also question the Finance Minister on cash payments, as people increasingly report that businesses are refusing to accept notes and coins.
ENERGY SUBSIDY – Just as the government is promoting electromobility and energy independence due to the conflict in Iran, the subsidy for home charging points has lapsed, leaving prospective buyers unable to claim financial support.
CUSTOMISED LICENCE PLATES – Personalised licence plates are on the rise in Luxembourg, with growing numbers of drivers paying around 200 euros to choose their own letter and number combinations. While the system is more restrictive than in neighbouring Belgium, where names and words can be registered freely, the lower cost has driven a sharp increase in demand in recent years.
MIDDLE EAST WAR – In the latest developments in the Middle East, Iran has struck Qatar’s main gas hub at Ras Laffan, causing extensive damage to LNG facilities, after Israel hit Iran’s South Pars gas field. US President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy the Iranian site entirely if further attacks follow. France is urging an immediate moratorium on strikes targeting civilian energy infrastructure.
INTEREST RATES – Oil prices have surged past 110 dollars a barrel as energy infrastructure becomes an increasing target in the Middle East conflict. The US Federal Reserve has held interest rates steady, and the European Central Bank is also expected to announce its latest interest rate decision at midday today.
AUSTRALIA STORM – Emergency services in northeast Australia are bracing for Cyclone Narelle, upgraded to a Category 5 storm with winds exceeding 250 km/h. It is expected to make landfall near Cairns tomorrow morning, the most powerful storm to hit the region in over a century. Residents have been urged to move to safety.
NORWAY TRIAL – Closing arguments are underway in the trial of Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit. He faces charges of rape, drug offences, and domestic violence at Oslo District Court, in a case that has gripped the country.
FOOTBALL – Liverpool are through to the Champions League quarter-finals after a 4-0 victory over Galatasaray. The Reds will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the last eight. Barcelona produced a 7-2 demolition of Newcastle to also advance, setting up a quarter-final against Atlético Madrid. Bayern Munich also progressed last night, beating Atalanta Bergamo 4-1. Bayern faces Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon play Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
Luxembourg’s Sports Minister Martine Hansen has welcomed the swift dismissal of women’s national football coach Dan Santos, following allegations he sent inappropriate messages to players. Hansen has outlined a series of measures aimed at strengthening athlete protection and preventing future abuse in sport.
It’s a bright and sunny Thursday across Luxembourg, with temperatures starting at around 3 °C this morning and climbing to a pleasant 15 °C this afternoon. Light winds and no rain, spring, it seems, is finally on its way.
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