POLITICS ENERGY - Minister for Energy Claude Turmes commented on his ministry’s achievements the last legislative period, especially in the field for green energy. Turmes, a member of the Green party said that 76% of the wind turbines on Luxembourgish soil were built during this period, with plans for further investments in the sector. He also commended the unity within the EU during the energy crisis triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine to reduce gas consumption by 15%. In Luxembourg, consumption was down by 26.3%.
FLOOD AGREEMENT - An agreement between the German Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate and Luxembourg is set to introduce a harmonised approach to flood forecasting for the border rivers Our, Sûre, and the Moselle. Until now, flood data, water levels, and high-water forecasts in these river sections were independently prepared and disseminated by both administrations.
DP ELECTION PROGRAMME - The Democratic Party (DP) has unveiled new parts of their election programme, focusing on education, childcare and family life. One of their central aims is to expand childcare facilities and increase work flexibility to improve the everyday lives of families. Minister of Education, Children and Youth Claude Meisch argued that financial relief for parents through partially free access to nurseries, day cares, and school books have brought about a paradigm shift in the past couple of years.
POPULATION GROWTH - And Luxembourg’s population has grown by 2.4% in 2023. On 1 January 2023, the country recorded a population of 660,809 people. Men comprise just over half the population, compared to just under 50% of women. This surplus of men is primarily attributed to a higher proportion of men among migrants. Since 1981, the population of Luxembourg has grown by 81%.
NAGORNO-KARABAKH - The UN Security Council has scheduled an urgent meeting as France and the United States lead calls for fighting in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh to stop. On Tuesday Azerbaijan launched what it called anti-terror operations, promising not to cease until ethnic Armenians separatists surrendered. 25 people are said to have been killed.
UKRAINE GENOCIDE - In his speech before the UN General Assembly, Ukrainian President Zelensky sharply attacked Russia and spoke of a genocide. Around 19,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted to Russia since the beginning of the war. Those children will then be taught to hate Ukraine and all ties with their families are broken. According to Zelenksky, this would be unequivocal genocide.
LIBYA FLOODS - In the Libyan coastal city of Derna, which was almost completely destroyed by severe floods, all telephone and internet connections have now been disrupted. The responsible telecommunications company says it is a possible act of sabotage. Experts assume that the government in eastern Libya is responsible. It follows protests against the authorities, which are blamed for failing to maintain the dams or to provide early warning of the disaster. In Derna alone over 11,000 people have died and almost 10,000 are still missing.
CYCLING - Today is the start of the 83rd edition of the Tour de Luxembourg. 709 kilometers over 5 days are on the programme. The start is in the Abbey de Neimünster, with the arrival in Kirchberg. Among the cyclists are the Luxembourg champions Alex Kirsch, Bob Jungels and Kevin Geniets. But there is also international competition. Richard Carapaz, who won a gold medal in the 2020 Olympics, two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe and the winner of the King stage of the Tour de France, Felix Gall.
FOOTBALL - some results of last night’s Champions League games: Milan and Newcastle drew 0-0, Feyenoord won 2-0 against Celtic and Lazio scored in the last minute with a goal kick to draw 1-1 with Atletico. Leipzig and Manchester City started with 3-1 victories over Bern and Belgrade. Barcelona had no problems with 5-0 against Antwerp and Donetsk lost 1-3 against Porto. Today’s highlights include Real Madrid hosing Union Berlin, and Bayern Munich with Harry Kane welcoming Manchester United.
Staying with football, most of the Spanish national players who have been on strike since the kiss affair with the ex-president of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, have now accepted to be part of the official Spanish selection again. The world champions will play in the Nations League against Sweden and Switzerland. The announcement was made earlier this morning. Only 2 of the total of 23 female players have announced that they no longer want to play.
RUGBY - Italy takes on Uruguay today in the World Cup. The Italians kicked off their campaign with a 52-8 victory over Namibia, while Uruguay were combative against a second-string France before going down 27-12.
The sun will be playing hide and seek again: expect a cloudy day with some bursts of sunlight. Quite a bit of wind still, with possible sudden gusts of up to 45 km/h. Temperatures will start at around 12-14°C and will steadily rise up to 23-24ºC in the afternoon.
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