GAS CONSUMPTION - Luxembourgers have cut their gas consumption by 18% in December compared to the same month of 2021, well above the 15% target set by EU countries. Minister for Energy Claude Turmes specified that December 2022 was a relatively cold month compared to November, when Luxembourg’s residents consumed 30% less than the year before. The industrial sector did particularly well, cutting 45% of gas consumption compared to the last five Decembers.
CAR ACCIDENT - Two cars were involved in an accident on Wednesday afternoon on the N11, close to the Junglinster bypass. Both cars collided head-on around 5.30pm. The force of the impact was strong enough to eject the engine of one of the vehicles several metres away from the accident. Several ambulances were on site and three people were reportedly injured.
CITY PEDESTRIAN - Luxembourg City will welcome a new pedestrian-zone on January 9th on rue de la Boucherie and rue du Marché-aux-herbes. In an effort to increase the attractiveness of the city centre, the Ville de Luxembourg wants to limit motorised traffic and encourage soft mobility. Residents and those will rights to access and parking will be granted access to the zones along with authorized deliveries between 6.00am and 10.00am.
FRANCE TANKS TO UKRAINE - France is set to become the first Western country to deliver tanks to Ukraine, after talks between President Macron and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. The move to supply the French-made tanks to Ukraine represents a significant shift in French military support for Ukraine. Paris has already delivered artillery, armoured personnel carriers, anti-aircraft missiles and air-defence systems, but Macron has long been wary of antagonising Russia and breaking off diplomatic contact with Vladimir Putin.
US CONGRESS - The US House of Representatives has adjourned for a second day, without electing a speaker. Conservative hardliners have been blocking establishment pick Kevin McCarthy in a humiliating standoff that has paralyzed the lower chamber of Congress since it flipped to narrow Republican control after the new year.
POPE FUNERAL - Pope Francis will preside over the funeral of his predecessor, Benedict XVI at the Vatican today. Tens of thousands of people will fill St Peter’s Square for a requiem mass. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg, will attend the funeral. There will also be a memorial mass in honour of the former pope in the cathedral next Sunday, the 15th January.
AMAZON LAYOFFS - Amazon has announced it will cut more than 18,000 jobs from its workforce, citing “the uncertain economy” and the fact that the online retail giant had “hired rapidly” during the pandemic. Some of the layoffs would be in Europe, CEO Andy Jassy said, adding that the impacted workers would be informed starting on January 18. The company announced 10,000 layoffs in November.
ROYAL FIGHT - The British newspaper, the Guardian has reported that Prince Harry was physically “attacked” by his older brother Prince William during an argument in 2019. According to the newspaper, the story of the incident appears in Harry’s new memoir “Spare,” which is due to be released later this month. Harry writes that during a disagreement in the kitchen of his London home, William called his wife Meghan Markle “difficult,” “rude” and “abrasive,” before tackling him to the ground as the pair continued to argue.
SKIING SLALOM – Mikaela Shiffrin has won the slalom race in Zagreb. For the American skier, it was the 81st success of her career. She only needs one more to break the all-time women’s record of her compatriot Lindsey Vonn. Shiffrin was in control from the off, laying down the fastest opening run in 48.93 seconds in the slalom. She will go again today in the second of the Zagreb slaloms with a massive opportunity to draw level with Vonn.
And Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen has comfortably won the World Cup men’s slalom at Garmisch-Partenkirchen to move into third spot in the overall standings.
FOOTBALL RESULTS - Yesterday was the restart after the winter break in the Italian championship. In the top match, Inter Milan beat Napoli 1-0 at home. AC Milan remains 2nd, after a 2-1 victory against Salernitana and Juvenuts managed to hold on 1-0 in the last minute against Cremonese. In the English Premier League, Tottenham won 4-0 in the London duel against Crystal Palace and it was a 2-2 draw between Leeds and West Ham.Chelsea face Manchester City tonight.
Another rainy day in store, with only a slight chance for showers to cease for a brief period in the afternoon. Morning temperatures start off at 7-9°C, rising to a comfortable 8-11°C in the afternoon.
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