FLOOD ALERT - There is a severe weather warning in place for heavy rain for the entire country from midnight today to midnight on Wednesday. Due to the rain, river levels will rise quickly. The flood control centre in Luxembourg is warning of possible floods across the country. Rivers in the south of Luxembourg will be particularly affected, excluding the Moselle. A more precise assessment of the danger of localised floods is only possible later in the day. People who live where there is a risk of flooding are asked to take the necessary measures to protect themselves.
FRIEDEN INTERVIEW - The main priority of Luc Frieden is an economic recovery for Luxembourg. Yesterday evening, the Prime Minister gave a long interview on RTL Television on a wide range of topics, from state aid, tax and pension reforms as well as addressing the housing crisis.
NYE POLICE - The final night of 2023 kept the Grand Ducal police busy, with a number of disturbances and brawls reported around the country. The Grand Ducal police were deployed around 55 times on New Year’s Eve to deal with extreme noise disturbances, and a further 45 times to break up arguments.
JAPAN EARTHQUAKE - At least 20 people have been killed in a powerful earthquake which struck Japan on Monday. The 7.6 magnitude quake struck in mid-afternoon Japan time, causing residents in coastal areas to flee to higher ground as tsunami warnings were issued. Thousands of army personnel, firefighters and rescuers from Japan are being sent to the worst-hit area in the Noto peninsula. Rescue efforts are being hampered by damaged and blocked roads.
SOUTH KOREA STABBING - South Korean opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung has been stabbed at a news conference in the port city of Busan. Lee, who narrowly lost the presidential elections in 2022 was walking in a crowd of journalists after visiting the site of a new airport, when a man in front of him lunged and struck him in the neck. The attacker was arrested at the scene.
KOSOVO EU - A long-awaited EU visa liberalisation scheme allowing Kosovo nationals to travel to Europe’s borderless zone without a visa came into force on Monday. The new regime enables Kosovars into the passport-free Schengen zone without a visa for periods of up to 90 days. The reform is seen as another step towards full recognition and a boost towards joining the European Union.
NETHERLANDS SWIM - Tens of thousands of swimmers across the Netherlands braved the chilly winter weather yesterday to take a traditional New Year’s plunge in the North Sea’s icy waters. The New Year’s Dive has become an annual tradition, with swimmers receiving a coveted orange beanie hat and a tin of Dutch pea soup as a reward from the event’s sponsors.
FOOTBALL - The future of Kylian Mbappe and his protracted courtship by Real Madrid is expected to be the key theme of the transfer window that opens in Europe on Monday. Mbappe’s contract at PSG ends in June and meanwhile Endrick, the latest Brazilian star, will join the club from Palmeiras when he turns 18 in July for a fee reported to be 72 million euros. In England, Arsenal’s search for a proven goalscorer to spearhead their challenge for a first Premier League title since 2004 could loom large. And Manchester City are widely expected to let Kalvin Phillips leave the club.
In the Premier League, Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool stretched Newcastle’s miserable run with a 4-2 victory at Anfield to open up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League. Liverpool now head into the Premier League’s winter break five points clear of title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, with Aston Villa posing an unexpected challenge in second place.
ATHLETICS - Kenyan police have arrested two people in connection with the weekend stabbing to death of Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat. The two men were arrested on the outskirts of the Rift Valley town of Eldoret. The Kenyan-born Kiplagat had represented Uganda internationally in the 3,000m steeplechase, including at several Olympic Games and World Championships.The 34-year-old’s body was found in a car on Saturday night with a deep knife wound to his neck.
Weather
Meteolux has issued a yellow weather alert, with up to 35 litres of rain predicted to fall per square metre. The bad weather will be accompanied by strong winds, reaching up to 75 km/h. Temperature-wise, the day will kick off with morning temperatures between 6 to 8°C, coming up to 9°C in the afternoon.
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