UKRAINE WAR - Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel will make a foreign policy declaration in the Chamber of Deputies this afternoon, which will certainly include the subject of the war in Ukraine. A debate will follow tomorrow.
LUkraine is organising a demonstration in front of parliament today to mark the 1000th day of the Russian invasion and “remind EU leaders that it is time for Europe to be brave and strong.”
BIDEN VISIT - US President Joe Biden has been invited to Luxembourg to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. The Memorial Day will be organized on 14 December at the American Military Cemetery in Hamm.
RENOVATION PROJECTS - The Luxembourg City municipal council has approved the budgets for major renovations and expansions of the Conservatoire and the Cinémathèque. The Cinémathèque will undergo a comprehensive renovation with a budget of €43.5 million, starting in December next year. The plans include adding a second, larger screening room, a workshop room and a brasserie. The Conservatoire’s auditorium will be refurbished at a cost of €11-million.
STD TESTING - Luxembourg is participating in the European Screening Week this week, a coordinated effort to promote awareness and encourage testing of sexually transmitted diseases. Cases of STDs are on the rise in Luxembourg, mirroring a concerning trend across Europe. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and visit laboratories for a free test.
UKRAINE WAR - It has been 1000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began on the 24 February 2022. The European Parliament is holding an extraordinary plenary session to mark the day, which will include a virtual address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Europe’s Defence ministers and NATO chief Mark Rutte are also meeting today to discuss military support for Ukraine and will hold an informal exchange of views with Ukraine’s Defence minister Rustem Umerov.
MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT - Israel has staged a new bombing raid on central Beirut, killing five people according to the health ministry, as firefighters said a rocket launched from Lebanon killed one woman in Israel. The Hamas-run interior ministry in Gaza said at least 20 people were killed there in an operation against the looting of aid trucks and eight people died in Israeli air strikes. The health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said the overall death toll in more than 13 months of war has reached close to 44,000, the majority civilians. The United Nations considers the figures reliable.
FOOTBALL - Luxembourg drew 2-2 with Northern Ireland in their Nations League game last night. This means that if Sweden wins tonight against Azerbaijan, Luxembourg will be in the play offs in March. But if Azerbaijan wins, Luxembourg will be relegated.In other games last night Portugal and Croatia drew 1-1 draw and Spain beat Switzerland 3-2.
England captain Harry Kane says he is performing at his highest ever level and has dismissed suggestions the 2026 World Cup should be his international swansong. The 31-year-old striker, who is already England’s all-time record goalscorer says he feels as good as he has ever felt.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL - Beyonce will perform during the National Football League’s Christmas programming this year. Her performance during the match-up between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens is anticipated to be the first live show to include songs off her country album, “Cowboy Carter.” Netflix is hosting both NFL Christmas Day games this year, with the second game pitting the Kansas City Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
RUGBY - Three members of South Africa’s World Cup winning team -- Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit – have been shortlisted for World Rugby’s player of the year award. Ireland captain Caelan Doris completes the list of nominees for the top men’s honour. The winners will be announced on Sunday in Monaco.
National weather agency MeteoLux have issued a yellow weather alert for today, warning of heavy rainfall and strong gusts of wind throughout the day. Gusts of up to 85 km/h are expected, accompanied by strong rainfall – up to 15l/m2 can be reached within six hours, the predictions say. To top it all off there is a chance we will see the first snow of the season but if it happens it will be all slushy.
Temperatures are pretty constant, around 8-9 degrees all day.
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