Luxembourg disaster support, S Korea plane crash, and New Year's Honours

Luxembourg

NEW YEAR'S EVE – Police urge respect and vigilance on New Year's Eve, highlighting safety tips and increased patrols to ensure celebrations remain secure and incident-free.

DISASTER SUPPORT – After the devastating cyclone on the French island, two satellite communication systems from Luxembourg will be deployed in Mayotte to help restore communication. The satellite communication systems from 'emergency.lu' were sent to the island in the Indian Ocean at the request of the French government through the European Union's civil protection, to restore communication after the devastating cyclone.

RIP – The world of culture is in mourning after reports surfaced of the death of Arthur Unger, a celebrated Luxembourg artist, on Sunday, 29 December.

AT THE PUMP – The price of 98 petrol rises by 1.5 cents to 1.593 euros per litre. In contrast, the prices for 95 petrol and diesel remain stable at 1.489 and 1.468 euros per litre, respectively.

World

S KOREA – South Korean authorities began releasing the bodies of plane crash victims to families Tuesday, as investigators raced to determine why the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash landed and burst into flames. US investigators, including from Boeing, arrived at the crash site in southwestern Muan, officials said, as South Korean authorities began assessing two black boxes retrieved from the burned-out wreckage of the aircraft. The plane was carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea when it made a mayday call and belly-landed before crashing into a barrier and bursting into flames.

A South Korean court has also issued an arrest warrant for impeached, suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, investigators said Tuesday, over his short-lived bid to impose martial law on the country. Yoon briefly suspended civilian rule this month, plunging South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades.

PANDEMIC REPORT – The World Health Organization on Monday implored China to share data and access to help understand how Covid-19 began, five years on from the start of the pandemic that upended the planet. Covid-19 killed millions of people, shredded economies and crippled health systems. "We continue to call on China to share data and access so we can understand the origins of Covid-19. This is a moral and scientific imperative", the WHO said in a statement.

TIKTOK – Venezuela's highest court on Monday fined TikTok $10 million in connection with viral challenges that authorities say left three adolescents dead from intoxication by chemical substances. Supreme Tribunal of Justice Judge Tania D'Amelio said that the popular video-sharing app had been negligent in failing to implement "necessary and adequate measures" to stop the spread of content encouraging the challenges.

NEW YEAR'S HONOURS – King Charles III announced awards for actors Stephen Fry and Carey Mulligan, as well as victims of Britain's Post Office scandal in the country's traditional New Year's Honours on Tuesday. London Mayor Sadiq Khan joined UK television icon and writer Fry, 67, and former England football manager Gareth Southgate in being knighted in the latest list.

Sport

FOOTBALL – Retiring Spanish football legend Jesus Navas tearfully bid farewell to his playing career on Monday with songs, chants and other tributes at a ceremony at Sevilla's packed Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim said the English giants are in a battle for Premier League survival after Newcastle cruised to a 2-0 win at Old Trafford to inflict a fourth consecutive defeat on the hosts.

Chelsea, meanwhile, suffered a blow to their title hopes with a shock defeat against Ipswich, while Aston Villa were held to a draw by Brighton.

TENNIS – Aryna Sabalenka overcame a sluggish start to open her season with a straight-sets victory Tuesday and kickstart her bid to win the Australian Open for a third consecutive time.

A red-hot Jasmine Paolini led Italy into the quarter-finals of the mixed-team United Cup on Tuesday, with the world number four in sizzling form. The 28-year-old demolished France's Chloe Paquet, who broke into the top 100 for the first time last year, 6-0, 6-2 at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney.

Weather

Expect yet another foggy day full of cloudy skies, though the forecast promises dry conditions.
Temperatures are set to range from -3°C to -1°C in the morning, -1°C to 1°C in the afternoon, and more of the same in the evening.