CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS – A new health report is warning that Luxembourg’s children’s hospitals urgently need expansion due to limited capacity for young patients. The report from the Health Observatory and Ministry of Health recommends treating minor surgical cases as outpatients to ease pressure on beds. It also calls for systematic vaccination to reduce respiratory infections and better management of chronic illnesses to prevent severe asthma cases.
RAILWAY CONTRACT – Luxembourg’s government and CFL have signed a new 15-year contract, reaffirming their joint commitment to modernising and maintaining the country’s rail network. The latest agreement will run from the first of January to the end of 2040 and allocates €4.7 billion to the management and development of rail infrastructure, including the network at the Mertert River Port and 68 stations, including two in France.
NEW PETITIONS – Nine new petitions are now live on the Chamber of Deputies’ website, each needing 5,500 signatures by 23 January for public debate. Proposals include creating a sovereign fund for pension reforms, a new motorway link to divert traffic from Ettelbruck, and lower VAT on Luxembourg-made products.
WW2 COMMEMORATION – A ceremony at Schumann’s Eck today marks the Battle of the Bulge, the last major World War Two battle fought between December 1944 and January 1945, mainly in Luxembourg and Belgium. Ministers Yuriko Backes, Martine Hansen, and Eric Thill are attending the commemoration.
UKRAINE WAR – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says a ceasefire in Ukraine is now conceivable, calling recent diplomatic efforts the greatest momentum since the war began in February 2022. Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Zelensky in Berlin, Merz said there is now a real chance for peace, though still small. European leaders are proposing a multinational force supported by the US to ensure security after any peace deal, help rebuild Ukraine, and support a Ukrainian army of 800,000 soldiers for long-term defence.
SYDNEY SHOOTING – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says a father and son who killed 15 people at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday were driven by Islamic State ideology. Sajid and Naveed Akram opened fire on Jewish crowds celebrating Hanukkah, wounding dozens more in one of Australia’s deadliest mass shootings. Police found improvised bombs and homemade ISIS flags in a car linked to the attackers.
REINER MURDERS – The son of film director Rob Reiner has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the director and his wife Michele were found dead in their Los Angeles home. Police say 32-year-old Nick Reiner is being held without bail. The couple’s daughter discovered them with multiple stab wounds on Sunday, according to reports.
US UNIVERSITY SHOOTING – After the deadly shooting at Brown University in the US state of Rhode Island, the search for the perpetrator continues. A first suspect has been released. In the attack on Saturday, two students died and seven were injured.
FOOTBALL – Scotland manager Steve Clarke is warning fans not to go into debt following the team to next year’s World Cup. Ticket prices have sparked global outrage, with Scotland’s group games costing between $180 and $700, while final tickets start at over $4,000
The Best FIFA Football Awards are taking place tonight in Doha, Qatar. Among others, the world’s best footballers and coaches in men’s and women’s categories will be honoured.
CRICKET – England’s Harry Brook admits he’s played some “shocking shots” and needs to improve as the team fights to stay alive in the Ashes. The third Test starts in Adelaide today, with Australia 2-0 up and close to retaining the urn. Brook has managed just 98 runs across four innings so far.
WINTER OLYMPICS – Hundreds of athletes at Italy’s Winter Olympics in February will stay in mobile homes at a high-altitude Olympic Village. The 377 cabins have been installed at Cortina d’Ampezzo’s old airport, 1,300 metres up, offering luxury camping on the edge of a forest, just ten minutes from the town centre. Meanwhile it has been confirmed that US pop star Mariah Carey will sing at the opening ceremony of the winter Olympics on 6 February.
Expect a dry, chilly day under grey skies – par for the course at this point in December. It is a relatively chilly day, with cloudy skies, but at least there is no rain on the forecast. Wrap up warm as it’s 3–5°C in the morning, rising to highs of just 8°C in the afternoon.
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