WEATHER WARNING - A Meteolux Red Alert is in effect for the whole country from 6am until 2pm with freezing rain, heavy snow, and difficult travelling conditions expected. All schools across the Grand Duchy remain closed today after the national crisis unit also declared a red alert, late yesterday. The latest information regarding traffic and the current weather and travel conditions can be found over at the Today website.
FRIEDEN IN DAVOS - Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Reflecting on their discussion, Frieden stated: “The first thing I said to President Zelensky was that, given the principles at stake in his country and our own understanding in Luxembourg of what it means when a country is invaded by a large neighbour, Luxembourg will continue to stand by Ukraine in the future — politically, militarily, and economically.”
In addition to the situation in Ukraine, the forum in Davos will address various geopolitical issues, including the current conflict in the Middle East.
GARE ALERT - Police were called to the central railway station in Luxembourg City on Tuesday afternoon after they received a “suspicious message”. A person called the police at around 3.30 p.m., threatening to carry out a shooting at the train station.
The incident led to brief disruptions to train traffic as police intervened and carried out a thorough search. Shortly after 5 p.m., however, trains were running normally again, and the police operation ended at around 5.30 p.m. An investigation is under way into the person who made the threat.
TRUMP ROLLS ON - Donald Trump steamrolled into New Hampshire on Tuesday after his crushing win in Iowa cemented him as the likely Republican presidential nominee. The twice-impeached former president romped home in the first contest of the drawn-out 2024 race for the White House, scoring 51 percent of Republican voters as he trounced rivals Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley for the biggest Iowa caucus victory in modern history. Victory in next Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary would mean Trump could all but seal the Republican nomination.
A FAIRER FRANCE - French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday sought to breathe new life into his final term with a promise for a “stronger and fairer” France, at a rare news conference peppered with a string of announcements aimed at forging greater civic responsibility and security. With over three years of his second and final term to run, Macron has been on the back foot in recent weeks after a series of crises and a growing challenge from the far right.
Analysts say the Elysee is genuinely concerned that the far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen and her youthful protege Jordan Bardella, could defeat pro-Macron forces not just in the European elections in June but also in the 2027 presidential vote.
DUST DOWN THAT DENIM - Pharrell Williams brought the American West to Paris on Tuesday as he presented a collection full of cowboy hats and rhinestones for his latest show as creative director at Louis Vuitton.
Williams, known for hit singles such as “Happy” and singing on Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky”, joined the French brand last year in a sign of the increasingly lucrative cross-pollination between fashion, music and celebrity. He was the headline act on the first day of Paris Fashion Week, with a collection full of denim, tassels, Native American-inspired ponchos, pearl and sequin floral embroideries, and enough varieties of cowboy boots and hats to fill a country music festival.
TENNIS - Sixth seed Ons Jabeur and former champion Caroline Wozniacki fell victim to exciting young Russians in the Australian Open second round on Wednesday as Novak Djokovic prepared to resume his quest for a 25th Grand Slam title. The veteran pair were no match for Mirra Andreeva and Maria Timofeeva, who emphatically stamped their mark on the opening Grand Slam of the year, which was marred by rain on day four. Djokovic today headlines the night session on centre court against home hope Alexei Popyrin, while fellow defending champion Aryna Sabalenka faces her second consecutive qualifier.
FOOTBALL - In the group stages of the African Cup of Nations, Burkina Faso beat Mauritania 1-0, Tunisia fell 1-0 to Namibian, and tournament dark horses Mali recorded a 2-0 victory over South Africa.
Keep up to date with the latest developments here.
After freezing temperatures overnight, heavy snowfall will hit the north of the country all day. In the south, the morning is likely to see freezing rain, which will make driving conditions extremely dangerous. By the evening, the freezing rain is likely to turn into snow.
Morning’s temperatures will start off at around -6 to -3°C, rising to a peak of 1°C in the afternoon, and dropping back to -3 to -1°C in the evening.
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