ARDENNES OFFENSIVE - 78 years ago today, the Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive in World War II began. It was the Wehrmacht’s last attempt to push back the Allied troops in Western Europe and recapture the strategically important port of Antwerp. It was not to succeed in the end, but there were tens of thousands of casualties on both sides, also in the north of Luxembourg. A memorial ceremony with Minister Claude Turmes will take place at the National Liberation Memorial, Schumann’s Eck near Wiltz, this morning.
LUXEMBOURG EUROVISION - The government is considering Luxembourg’s participation in the Eurovision song contest in 2024. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, who is also Minister for Communications and Media, has addressed the subject in the council and RTL has been contacted as a potential media partner. Luxembourg’s last participation was in 1993 with the group “Modern Times”.
UKRAINE WAR - The Ukrainian government says it believes Russia is planning to launch a large ground offensive early in the New Year. President Volodymr Zelensky and senior officials have warned against complacency despite recent Russian military setbacks. In Brussels, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would provide more support to Ukraine, for as long as it takes.
EU SUMMIT - The heads of EU states and governments have given the green light that €18 billion can be unblocked, with which mainly the energy infrastructure, but also hospitals and schools in Ukraine should be rebuilt. Ministers also approved further sanctions against Russia. In addition, Bosnia-Herzegovina was approved as an official EU accession candidate.
EU CORRUPTION - There are further accusations against the ousted Vice-President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili. New accusations that she may have embezzled EU budget money are emerging while the EU prosecutor, with headquarters here in Luxembourg, has asked that immunity for the MEP is lifted. At the same time, EU lawmakers voted for representatives of Qatar to be temporarily barred from parliamentary premises in Strasbourg and Brussels.
FOOTBALL SUPERLEAGUE - The European Court of Justice’s top legal advisor has said that football governing bodies UEFA and FIFA acted within the law when they threatened to expel clubs or players who joined a proposed Super League. The opinion of Advocate General Athanasios Rantos is not binding, but it will be influential and taken as a sign of the direction the case is taking. The court’s final decision is not expected until early next year.
FOOTBALL PORTUGAL - Fernando Santos has quit as coach of Portugal, following the team’s shock World Cup quarter-final loss to Morocco with Jose Mourinho named as a leading candidate to take over.
WORLD CUP FINAL - And for football fans, there is a big weekend coming up. In the World Cup, Croatia will take on Morocco for a third place play off tomorrow at 4pm and the final between Argentina and France takes place on Sunday, also at 4pm our time.
Let’s take a look at the weather today: It’s another dry and cold day. Starting off with light clouds that will increase during the afternoon. But no rain or snow in sight! Morning temperatures will start off cold at a fresh -9 to -3°C, rising to highs of 1°C in the afternoon, before dropping back to the negatives with -4 to -2°C in the evening.
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