LUXEMBOURG NATIONALITY - Luxembourgish citizenship was granted to 10,499 people in 2022. The majority of applicants hailed from Brazil, Portugal, and France, with 3,275 Brazilians acquiring a Luxembourg passport. The Ministry of Justice clarified that all applicants undergo the same process, regardless of their origins. As a result, some 175 Russian nationals were able to acquire a Luxembourg passport in 2022.
PURCHASING POWER - The latest report by Eurostat confirms that Luxembourg remains unrivalled in terms of purchasing power. According to the report, there is a significant purchasing power disparity between Luxembourg and the rest of the Greater Region.While prices are substantially higher in Luxembourg, the same is true for incomes. As a result, Eurostat estimates that purchasing power in Luxembourg is approximately 37 to 60% higher than in its neighbouring countries.
WORK FROM HOME - A survey conducted by the Luxembourg Employers’ Association has found that many employers are in favour of staff working from home. According to a study of over 1000 companies, a majority of employers would like to offer more remote work to their employees. Employers are therefore calling upon the government to take proactive steps in negotiating new tax agreements with neighbouring countries.
UKRAINE MEETING - The United States has given details of its latest package of military aid to Ukraine, worth about $2.5 billion. The announcement comes as dozens of Ukraine’s allies prepare to meet and coordinate arms supplies. The Pentagon said the assistance includes of armoured vehicles and support air defence. It does not include tanks, requested by Kyiv. President Zelensky said he expects strong decisions to be made at today’s gathering at the US base Ramstein, in Germany. American Minister of Defense Lloyd Austin, the new German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and the Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksij Resnikov will be present. Luxembourg is represented by Chief of Staff Steve Thull.
FRANCE STRIKES - More than a million people protested yesterday against the controversial pension reform in France. Another national day of protest is planned for January 31. Yesterday, apart from occasional scuffles in Paris, Lyon and Rennes, passed quietly.
EU CORRUPTION - Eva Kaili, the deposed vice-president of the European Parliament, must remain in pre-trial detention because of the corruption charges against her. Lawyers for the Greek politician now have 24 hours to appeal against the decision. Eva Kaili, along with others, is suspected of having received large sums of money from Qatar and Morocco to stand for both countries in the European Parliament. The Luxembourg politician Marc Angel was elected this week as her successor.
BALDWIN SHOOTING - Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the accidental shooting of a cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was killed on a film set when he fired a prop gun. Baldwin had been rehearsing a scene for the Western film “Rust” when the shooting happened in October 2021.The film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for the weapon, will also be charged with the same crime.
CORSAGE BAFTAS - The film Corsage is currently in the news because of paedophilia charges against the main actor Florian Teichtmeister. Yesterday it was announced that the film starring Luxembourgish actress Vicky Krieps as Empress Sisi has been nominated for the best non-English language film at the British Bafta Film Awards. Corsage is also shortlisted for the Oscars in the same category. The final nominations will be announced next week.
FOOTBALL - The winter break for the Bundesliga is over. Tonight is the top match between RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich. Kick off is at 8.30. In the English Premier League, Manchester City won 4-2 against Tottenham yesterday. Man City is now only 5 points behind the leader Arsenal, with one more match. Arsenal will face Manchester United on Sunday.
SKIING - It is the most famous ski race in the world. The Kitzbühel Streif is legendary, considered the most challenging run of the World Cup. The downhills are scheduled for today, starting at 1130 and Saturday, followed by the slalom on Sunday.
TENNIS - Andy Murray roared back in a five-set epic which ended past 4:00am to reach the Australian Open third round with a remarkable victory over home hope Thanasi Kokkinakis early on Friday. At five hours and 45 minutes it was the longest match in Murray’s storied career. The 35-year-old former world number one will play 24th seed Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain in round three.
The weekend is starting off white with snow forecast for the afternoon and evening. While we can’t say when or where exactly the snow will fall, we can assure you that a light blanket of snow will cover the Grand Duchy sometime during the day. Morning temperatures of -3 to 0°C will rise slightly to -1-2°C in the afternoon.
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