CONSTRUCTION IN CRISIS - Luxembourg’s construction industry is officially “in crisis” starting today. While the government’s decision to authorise earthmoving, demolition, and construction firms to implement short-time working for up to 20% of their workforce between today and 31 July offers some relief, the sector is primarily seeking measures to stimulate activity.
HOUSING CRISIS - Prime Minister Luc Frieden has unveiled a set of measures aimed at reinvigorating housing construction and easing housing costs for households. In tandem with these measures, the government is convening a national housing conference, scheduled for 22 February at Senningen Castle. This conference will bring together stakeholders from the state, municipalities, and the construction sector to address long-term projects, including administrative streamlining and procedural enhancements.
EUROVISION TALI - Luxembourg’s TALI, fresh from winning the national song contest, is set to perform in the highly anticipated first semifinal of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö on 7 May, aiming to add a sixth victory to the Grand Duchy’s illustrious ESC history. The draws for the competition, which were announced on Tuesday, revealed that ‘Fighter’ will be heard in the second half of the semifinal.
World
EU SUMMIT - EU leaders will grapple with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban at a crunch summit meeting today to try to overcome his veto on 50 billion euros in financial aid for Ukraine. If they cannot convince Orban to drop his opposition to the financial aid package, EU leaders have pledged to club together as 26 to keep aid flowing for Ukraine’s government to keep paying salaries and services. Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden repeated yesterday that this would be an emergency solution and that everything should be tried to find a solution for all 27 members to agree.
As part of the summit, the farmers’ protests in Europe will also be discussed. It’s urgent, because more than 1000 tractors are expected to block the European quarter in Brussels today. The first vehicles arrived yesterday evening. Police are advising people not to travel to Brussels by car today, but instead take public transport.
GERMANY STRIKES - Strikes will ground more than 1,100 flights at some of Germany’s biggest airports today, including Frankfurt, Berlin and Hamburg in the latest wave of industrial action by transport workers. The labour union Verdi has called for strikes by security staff at airports across Germany as it tries to raise pressure on the government in wage talks. Almost 200,000 passengers will be affected.
BALDWIN MANSLAUGHTER - Alec Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to new manslaughter charges over the shooting death of cinematographer Halynia Hutchins on a New Mexico movie set in 2021. Baldwin has repeatedly denied responsibility, insisting he did not pull the trigger on the gun, which should not have been loaded with a live round.
ADELE MUNICH - Pop superstar Adele has announced four open-air concerts in Munich in August, her first shows in mainland Europe since 2016. The British singer will perform at a specially-created, 80,000-capacity venue in the southern German city in August. The pre-sale starts on 7 February at 10am.
Sport
RUGBY - Ireland, bidding for unprecedented back-to-back Grand Slams expect a “war of attrition” when they kick this season’s Six Nations Championship off against France in Marseille on Friday. Europe’s showpiece competition has tended to throw up some real arm wrestles in recent years and the showdown at the Stade Velodrome between two teams who were disappointed to have been knocked out at the quarter-finals of last year’s Rugby World Cup promises just that.
FOOTBALL - In the English Premier League, Liverpool remain on course to send Jurgen Klopp off as a Premier League winner after Chelsea were thrashed 4-1 at Anfield last night. Victory restores a five-point lead at the top of the table for Klopp’s men over Manchester City, who have a game in hand, and Arsenal. The Gunners face Liverpool on Sunday.
Foggy and wet conditions await us until the afternoon, with scattered rain showers expected. As the day wears on, the skies will gradually clear, giving way to dry and sunny conditions. In the morning, temperatures will range between 5 to 7°C, rising to around 7-9 °C in the afternoon.
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