UKRAINE CONFERENCE - Prime Minister Bettel confirmed a further €4 million in aid at an international conference in support of Ukrainian resilience, held in Paris yesterday. At the conference, chaired by French President Macron, ministers decided to donate one billion euros in emergency winter aid, mainly to keep the Ukrainian electricity network running and to better protect the country against Russian attacks. Luxembourg's Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) will also hand over eight fully equipped ambulances to their Ukrainian counterparts this week.
Fighting continues to be intense in the east of Ukraine, especially in the areas occupied by Russia. The Ukrainian military is also expecting a new Russian offensive in the next two months.
EU SUMMIT - Tomorrow an EU summit of the heads of state and government is taking place in Brussels. Here, too, the Ukrainian war will dominate. Prime Minister Bettel is already in the Belgian capital today, taking part in the EU-ASEAN summit. The meeting, between the EU member states and 10 Asian countries concerns, among other things, a joint action plan on sustainable and humane working conditions. And European investments of 10 billion euros.
SAKHAROV PRIZE - In the European Parliament in Strasbourg today, the Ukrainian people will receive the Sakharov Prize for human rights and freedom of expression. Three Ukrainians who are committed to civil society will receive the award on behalf of the people and Ukrainian President Zelensky will make a statement by videolink.
EU PARLIAMENT CORRUPTION - Staying with the European Parliament, it will be decided today whether the EU politician Eva Kaili will remain in custody. Kaili and 3 other people are in prison in Brussels on corruption charges. Kaili was already deposed as the vice-president of the EU Parliament yesterday. It is suspected that Qatar tried to influence the decisions in the EU Parliament with bribes.
NUCLEAR FUSION- A breakthrough in nuclear fusion energy has been announced by US scientists. Researchers confirmed they have overcome a major barrier - producing more energy from a fusion experiment than was put in. The US department for energy announced it was a historic breakthrough, with what some consider to be the energy of the future but experts say there is still some way to go before fusion can power homes. Nuclear fusion produces no greenhouse gases and leaves little waste.
WORLD CUP - Argentina is the first team in the final, following a 3-0 win against Croatia last night. The second finalist will be decided today in the semi-final between France and Morocco. Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi scored the opener from the penalty spot and then had a hand in two goals scored by Julian Alvarez. He is now the joint-top scorer at the tournament with five goals as he looks to win the World Cup for the first time in his glittering career at the age of 35.
RUGBY FRANCE - French rugby is reeling after federation president Bernard Laporte received a two-year suspended prison sentence on corruption charges just nine months before France hosts the sport's World Cup. Laporte was convicted after a French court ruled he showed favouritism in awarding a shirt sponsorship contract for the national side to Mohed Altrad, the billionaire owner of the Montpellier club.
There is a chance of some snow today, in most areas it could start falling this morning, before turning back into a cloudy and cold afternoon. Morning temperatures will start off at around -4 to -2°C, rising to HIGHS of -1°C in the afternoon.
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