STORM WARNING – A severe winter storm is sweeping across northwest Europe, bringing winds of up to 90 km/h and heavy rain to Luxembourg. Meteolux has issued a rain warning that remains in effect until midnight. Rainfall totals of between 30-40 litres per square metre are expected, with eastern parts of the country likely to be worst affected. In addition to the heavy rain, strong to gale-force winds are causing concern. For the north of the country there is also yellow alert for snowfall between 6pm today until 7am on Saturday. Schools across several German states remain closed and France’s Channel coast is under red alert with gusts reaching 160 km/h expected. Rail services in northern France have been suspended, and authorities are urging people to stay indoors where possible.
MANSLAUGHTER TRIAL – A lorry driver goes on trial today over a fatal motorway crash in September 2022. His raised loading bed struck an overhead sign near Sandweiler, causing debris to fall and kill one person. Five others were injured. The driver is accused of involuntary manslaughter.
SPORTS LICENCING – Luxembourg’s sports medical licensing service closes next week for relocation from the National Sports Institute (INS) to Strassen. It reopens on January 19th. Appointments remain available via myguichet or phone.
HOUSING PRICES – Market analysis published yesterday by atHome confirms the trends observed by the Housing Observatory at the end of 2025. Real estate prices are dropping. New apartments are down 3.6% while existing houses and apartments are 0.9% lower: And it is far from negligible, as these figures reflect price trends over just three months, with the end of the housing incentive package cited as being a contributing factor.
OZEMPIC AVAILABILITY – Ozempic, the type 2 diabetes medication which has become better known for its weight-loss effects, has now been cleared to be sold for weight loss purposes. The World Health Organisation has backed this use, although in an interview with RTL, Dr Anna Chioti, head of the pharmacies and medicines division at the Health Directorate, suggested that it was not recommended, that there are alternatives already available on the market and there are serious side effects related to its use.
MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL – President Macron says France will vote against the EU-South America trade deal today, calling it outdated. Ireland also opposes the agreement, which would create the world’s largest free trade zone covering 720 million people.
UKRAINE WAR – At least four people have been killed in a Russian strike on Kyiv that set apartment buildings ablaze. The attack follows Moscow’s rejection of the latest peacekeeping proposal, as Ukraine and Western allies discuss deploying European troops after any ceasefire.
SWITZERLAND FIRE – Switzerland observes a national day of mourning for 40 people killed in the Crans-Montana New Year’s Eve bar fire. Church bells will ring at 2pm as survivors and world leaders including Presidents Macron, Italian President Mattarella and Grand Duke Henri attend a memorial service.
IRAN PROTESTS – Anti-government protests have intensified across Iran with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets nationwide. The police and army have deployed tear gas in places but appear to have lost control in some areas. Internet and phone services are also largely down. Protesters blame the regime for the country’s economic crisis.
FOOTBALL – No goals were scored in the match between Arsenal and Liverpool in yesterday’s Premier League clash. PSG beat Marseille on penalties to win the French Super Cup. And the Bundesliga returns tonight with Frankfurt hosting Dortmund.
WINTER OLYMPICS – Luxembourg is set to compete at next month’s Winter Olympics in Milan, with alpine skiers Matthieu Osch and Gwyneth ten Raa expected to represent the Grand Duchy. The final team announcement is due later this month.
We’re getting not one, but three yellow alerts today: It’s going to rain most of the morning, and some periods of it could be rather heavy. In the afternoon, snow could make a return, especially in the north where a yellow alert has been issued. At the same time, the wind will be howling at 90 km/h at its strongest. The temperature does climb a bit today: the minimum starts around 1-3°C, before moving towards 6°C.
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