WEATHER WARNINGS - A yellow Meteolux warning for snow and difficult travel conditions is currently in effect for the whole country for snow. The alert is in place until at least noon, today. Because of the conditions, all commuters and pedestrians are advised to exercise caution when out and about.
SUPPORT OPERATIONS - The Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps reported a notable increase in the scale of their operations which took place yesterday, with 52 ambulances operational from 6 am — a significant surge compared to the typical 30 ambulances in service on a regular day. The commitment extended further with the mobilisation of 626 volunteer and professional firefighters to provide assistance during the inclement weather. Although the preventative measures put in place by the government helped to limit the number of interventions, the CGDIS said they had carried out 210 operations since midnight on Wednesday, including 92 falls, and 2 traffic incidents. However, no major intervention was required.
BANKRUPTCIES DROP - In 2023, Luxembourg saw a total of 935 bankruptcies, marking a 7% decrease compared to the previous year when nearly 1,000 companies failed, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies and the Ministry of Justice. The reduction in bankruptcies is primarily attributed to companies without employees, experiencing a 14% decrease, as well as holding companies and investment funds, witnessing a significant 26% drop. However, a closer examination reveals a contrasting picture for businesses with employees, where bankruptcies registered an 11% increase.
BIDEN WARNING - President Joe Biden warned Republicans on Wednesday that blocking vital US military aid for Ukraine threatened the “free world” as talks with congressional leaders at the White House failed to produce a breakthrough. US assistance for Ukraine has dried up with Republicans refusing to approve Biden’s request for $60 billion for Kyiv until the Democrat bows to their demands for measures to curb migration over the Mexican border. The bitter partisan battle has been intensified by the looming US presidential election in November, and has raised deep concerns among Western allies who fear it could harm Kyiv’s fight against Russia’s invasion.
INVESTIGATOR KILLED - The prosecutor investigating a dramatic armed assault by gangsters live on Ecuadorian television was shot dead Wednesday, officials said, in a bloody escalation of an ongoing “war” between the government and criminal groups.. A prosecution source told AFP Cesar Suarez had been in charge of finding the gang responsible for the terror-inspiring attack on state-owned TC Television last week in the port city of Guayaquil. The murder came amid a surge in violence in the once-peaceful South American country, which has become a hub for the global export of cocaine from neighbors Colombia and Peru.
SUNAK SURVIVES - UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak survived a key test of his leadership on Wednesday, fending off right-wing rebels to win a crunch parliamentary vote on his contentious plan to send migrants to Rwanda. Sunak, in power since October 2022, has staked his political future on the scheme, as Britain gears up for its next general election later this year. The result means Sunak avoids a serious weakening of his authority, as his faction-ridden party desperately needs to claw back support from the main opposition Labour party before the nationwide vote.
FOOTBALL - In last night’s FA Cup replays, Nottingham Forest beat Blackburn Rovers 3-2, Norwich City defeated Bristol Rovers 3-1, Everton inched past Crystal Palace with a 1-0 victory. And in the African Cup of Nations, Morocco recorded an emphatic 3-0 win over Tanzania, whilst DR Congo and Zambia played out a 1-1 draw.
TENNIS - Former Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins revealed Thursday she plans to quit tennis this year, saying having children is on her agenda. The 30-year-old pushed world number one Iga Swiatek in a tough three-set match in the second round on Rod Laver Arena and said afterwards it would be her last time at the tournament. “This is going to be my last season, actually, competing,” she said following the 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 defeat. “I don’t really know exactly when, but this will be my last season and I’m really looking forward to that. You know, I feel like I’ve had a pretty good career,” she added.
So what can we expect after yesterday’s peculiar weather? While the cold still remains, things are looking less intense.
No more red alerts (so school’s back in session, kiddos!), but the country does have a yellow alert warning of snow accumulations up to 10cm in the north and up to 5 cm in the south until noon.
So while there will be some snow, there will also be plenty of clouds and a bit of breeze. Although on the thermometer you’ll see 1°, it will feel colder at -4°.
Around noon, the precipitation will clear up in the south and the weather will become dry - but still cloudy - with little sneak peeks of sun throughout the day.
By nighttime, expect a cold night at -8° with low clouds and mist.
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