LUXEMBOURG TRIPARTITE LAW - In addition to a new Covid law, the Chamber passed a law for implementing a part of the tripartite agreement. The measure to temporarily reduce VAT by one percentage point from New Year’s Day will cost the government €317 million. An extension until the end of next year, to subsidise the price of heating oil to 15 cents per litre was unanimously accepted by parliament.
UK RESIGNATION - The Conservative Party in the UK is facing its second leadership contest in just 4 months after Liz Truss resigned as Prime Minister yesterday, following weeks of chaos. Her replacement is expected to be appointed by next Friday. Likely candidates include the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak. The leaders of the main opposition parties have called for a General Election, saying that after Ms Truss’ time in office, the shortest by any Prime Minister, the nation needs a chance of a fresh start.
UKRAINE MINES - President Zelensky has accused Russia of planting mines at a hydro-electric dam, in the southern Kherson region which is under control by Moscow’s forces. The president said that if the power plant was destroyed it would cause a catastrophe on a grand scale.
EU ENERGY - EU leaders have signed up to what they are calling a roadmap to shield European consumers from soaring energy prices, prompted by Russian restrictions on gas supplies. But after 11 hours of wrangling, there has been no decision on whether to declare a cap on the price that the European Union is prepared to pay for gas. 15 EU governments support a cap, but Germany remains opposed.
SPACEY CLEARED - A New York court on Thursday dismissed a $40 million sexual misconduct lawsuit brought against the actor Kevin Spacey. The case was brought by Anthony Rapp, who says the actor inappropriately touched him at a party in 1986 when he was 14.
TENNIS LADIES MASTERS - Kim Clijsters and Agneszka Radwanska are in the semifinals of the Luxembourg Ladies Masters in the Coque. Clijsters won in 2 sets against Mandy Minella, and Radwanska was also able to prevail in 2 sets against the German Julia Görges. Today at 6pm Martina Hingis plays against Kiki Bertens, followed by Jelena Jankovic against Daniela Hantuchova.
CHESS CHEATING - American grandmaster Hans Niemann, in the latest move in a scandal that has rocked the world of chess, has filed a lawsuit against Magnus Carlsen after the Norwegian world champion accused him of cheating. Niemann is seeking 100 million dollars in damages.
This morning starts off stormy, with local showers. This afternoon, the chance of rain should turn into clouds letting in some sunshine. Morning temperatures will start off at 13-16°C, rising to 16-19°C in the afternoon. For more on weather and traffic, see here.
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