ENERGY TARGETS - Luxembourg met its energy saving targets in January. The Ministry of Energy announced yesterday, that the Grand Duchy saved 25.5% of gas compared to in the period 2017 to 2022. This is far above the European reduction target of 15%. Less savings were made on electricity. Here it was a drop of 9 and a half percent.
INTEREST RATES - Yesterday, the ECB increased the key interest rates by half a percentage point and is allowed to increase by as much again in March. As Gaston Reinesch, governor of the Central Bank of Luxembourg, explained in an RTL interview, global inflation is still far too high. The ECB therefore has no choice but to keep raising interest rates to break the momentum. The European Central Bank aims to achieve price stability of two percent. In January, inflation in the Eurozone was still at 8.5%.
FRIEDEN SUCCESSOR - Luc Frieden, the official lead candidate for the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) has stepped down as president from the Chamber of Commerce to ensure its political neutrality. Fernand Ernster, until now vice-president was unanimously elected as Frieden’s successor.
CHINA SURVEILLANCE - The US is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon flying high over the United States, reviving tensions between the two countries. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and military leaders have decided against shooting it down as it would endanger too many people on the ground. China has not yet commented.
UKRAINE EU - Ukraine is hosting a summit of European leaders in Kyiv today, as it seeks to accelerate its bid to join the EU. President Volodymr Zelensky said his country deserves to start talks on joining the bloc, as closer ties would inspire his forces as they battle Russia.
TRAIN ACCIDENT - A ten-year-old boy has died and a nine-year-old is fighting for his life, after they were hit by a freight train in the German town of Recklinghausen. The victims were allegedly dragged several hundred meters by the train. The state interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia Herbert Reul said it was a horrible accident.
MACRON ISRAEL - French President Emmanuel Macron has hosted Benjamin Netanyahu in Paris as the Israeli leader seeks more European support against Iran’s nuclear programme. The visit comes at a time of heightened tension and violence in the Middle East. Pro-Palestinian activists in France have criticised Mr Macron’s decision to host him. After dinner Macron criticised what he called the headlong rush for Iran’s nuclear programme.
OLDEST DOG - A 30-year-old Portuguese dog has been named as the world’s oldest ever by Guinness World Records: Bobi has beaten a record that stood for a century. Bobi is a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo – also took the crown of the oldest living dog.. he took it from Spike, a 23-year-old Chihuahua, living in the United States.
GRAMMY AWARDS - The brightest stars in pop music will vie for the industry’s top awards at the Grammys in Los Angeles on Sunday, with a Beyonce-Adele rematch set to take centre stage. Kendrick Lamar, Harry Styles and Taylor Swift are also among the frontrunners at the gala primed to be the most star-studded in recent memory.
KYRGIOS ASSAULT - The tennis star Nick Kyrgios has pleaded guilty to assaulting a former girlfriend, but avoided a conviction for what the magistrate called a “single act of stupidity”. The Canberra magistrate dismissed the assault charge against the 27-year-old Australian player. His lawyers appealed to have the charge rejected on mental health grounds. Kyrgios has spoken previously about his battles with depression.
TABLE TENNIS - Last night, the women’s national table tennis team qualified early for the European Championships in September in Malmö, Sweden. The Luxembourg women won 3-1 against Austria.
FOOTBALL BUNDESLIGA - With the start of the 19th matchday in the German Bundesliga Augsburg is playing Leverkusen tonight.
January was way too wet and February must think this is a competition.. The day will start (and end) all cloudy and rainy. There might be some dry moments during the afternoon. Morning temperatures will start at 4-7°C, rising to 6-8°C in the afternoon.
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