PETROL PRICES – Petrol prices in Luxembourg have risen sharply overnight. 95 octane is up 10.5 cents to €1.90 a litre, while 98 has climbed 14.7 cents, passing €2 to €2.13. It is part of a wider surge across the region. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says the government plans support for drivers, after prices there hit a record €2.29 a litre on Monday. Luxembourg households remain shielded by Resilience Package discounts, in place until the end of the year.
MISSING PERSON – Police are appealing for help to find a 13-year-old boy missing since last Friday. Abdou Seck Diaw is between 1.50 and 1.60 metres tall, with short black hair. Anyone with information is asked to contact Diekirch Vianden police.
BACK TO SCHOOL – Secondary school starts today, beginning with 5,923 seventh grade students. This year, 17 schools offer a seventh grade class taught entirely in French, up from 10 last year, with three schools piloting an all-German class next year.
CAR POOLING – Since March last year, the A3 motorway has had a lane reserved for car sharing. Ministers Yuriko Backes and Leon Gloden say police have since caught 448 drivers using it alone, though the radars there remain in a test phase. The new CITA system is expected on the motorways from this autumn.
RTL PHOTOGRAPHER – A photo taken by RTL photojournalist Domingos Oliveira is now on a Luxembourg postage stamp. POST Luxembourg released the new set yesterday, featuring the Adolphe Bridge alongside landmarks including the National Archives in Esch-Belval and the Wäinhaus in Ehnen, as part of a wider European stamp series.
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament today, setting out priorities for the year ahead. Expected measures include greater protection for children and young people on social media, as well as concrete steps on migration policy and defence. You can follow the speech live on RTL Today from 9am.
FRANCE MILITARY – France's new voluntary military service came into force yesterday, with the first intake sworn in at a ceremony in Orange led by President Macron. Numbers are set to rise to 10,000 over four years, aimed at 18 to 25 year olds who commit for at least 10 months. Foreign deployments are excluded.
GAZA ATTACK – Israel has again stepped up air strikes on Gaza, reportedly killing Palestinian civilians overnight after a tent camp was hit in the south of the enclave. Israel confirms the strikes but says Hamas members were targeted, including a senior commander.
US INTEREST RATES – Markets are watching Washington today, with the US Federal Reserve due to announce its interest rate decision this evening. It could be the first rise since summer 2023, as the Fed looks to tackle persistent inflation.
CYCLING – Expect road closures and bus diversions in Luxembourg City today. Top cyclists including including Mathieu Van Der Poel, Jan Christen, and the full Tour du Luxembourg peloton set off from rue du Fossé this afternoon, with the historic centre closed from 8am to 11pm. 16 bus lines face diversions or timetable changes. Riders start at 2.45, arriving back at Rue Sigefroi around three hours later.
FOOTBALL – In European football, the Europa League League phase kicks off today. Luxembourg international Leandro Barreiro and Benfica travel to Italy to face AC Milan. Elsewhere tonight, Leverkusen host Slovenia's Celje, and Anderlecht face Lyon.
A mixed start to the day, with a few showers this morning before the cold front clears through and the cloud breaks up. This afternoon should bring a nicer mix of sunshine and fair-weather cloud, with just the odd short shower possible here and there. Temperatures start around 13 to 15°C degrees, warming up to a top of 21°C this afternoon.
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