RTL Today - Your Weekly Recap: Housing prices face upward trajectory, 10 more years for Cattenom reactors, and Iran ends cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog

Your Weekly Recap for 30 June–4 July 2025.

Here are five things you should know at the end of this week:

End of housing support leads to new rise in home prices
Flaws in renovated Findel runway spark safety concerns, possible legal action
Cracks discovered in Schengen border bridge prompt use restrictions
Ten more years for Cattenom reactors as France backs nuclear expansion
Iran ends cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog after Israel, US strikes

1. End of housing support leads to new rise in home prices

Property prices in Luxembourg are rising again, surpassing inflation, as the housing aid package expired on 1 July.
In the second quarter of 2025, prices for existing houses rose by 4%, older apartments by 3.7%, and new apartments by 6.1%, with notable regional variations.

Rental prices are also increasing nationwide, especially for houses (+8.8% since January), despite small declines in some regions.

Upward trajectory – Property prices in Luxembourg are once again on an upward trajectory, with growth rates now outpacing the national inflation rate, largely due to the expiration of the government's housing aid package on 1 July. This state support had previously helped stabilise the real estate market during a period of subdued activity, but its removal has pushed buyers back into the market, boosting demand and driving prices up.

Industry experts expect this trend to continue in the short term, although the full impact will become clearer once transaction data for the second quarter is released.

Striking contrasts – The latest figures from property portal atHome show that price increases have varied across different property types and regions. Between the first and second quarters of 2025, existing house prices jumped by 4%, older apartments by 3.7%, and new apartments by a notable 6.1%.

Over a year, houses and new apartments saw average price rises of around 4–5%, while older apartments only edged up by 0.7%. Regional data shows striking contrasts too: prices for new apartments surged by over 10% in the west but dropped by 6.5% in the east, highlighting how large development projects skew local price trends.

National trend – Rents are following a similar upward path, with advertised house rents climbing sharply by 8.8% since the start of 2025 and apartment rents rising by 4.4%. Over a year, the increases are less dramatic but still notable: +4.3% for houses and +1.4% for apartments.

Although certain regions – like the east and north – have seen slight drops in rents for houses, these declines have not reversed the overall national trend of rising rental costs. According to atHome, the reversal comes after several quarters of falling rents, underlining how regional differences in supply, demand, and local attractiveness can affect the market.

2. Flaws in renovated Findel runway spark safety concerns, possible legal action

Lux-Airport revealed that the newly renovated Findel runway has technical defects and does not meet required standards, raising concerns about long-term safety and performance.
In mid-June, damage to Findel's runway forced an unexpected closure that disrupted flights for over 1,000 passengers, causing delays, cancellations, and diversions to Brussels and Saarbrücken.
Lux-Airport is considering legal action and is working with state authorities to ensure the runway’s operability and safety are guaranteed long term.

Concerns raised – Lux-Airport has disclosed serious concerns about the quality of Findel Airport's newly renovated runway, stating that technical defects have already led to significant issues shortly after its reopening. According to initial assessments, the surface does not meet the mandatory standards required for safe and reliable operations.

The airport operator has informed the relevant state authorities about these deficiencies and stressed that they are now assessing all possible options to address the situation – including taking legal action if necessary – to ensure that the runway’s long-term resilience and safety are guaranteed.

June incident – The technical flaws became evident in mid-June when an unexpected anomaly forced Findel's runway to shut down entirely, resulting in widespread travel chaos. The sudden closure led to multiple flight cancellations and lengthy delays, with over 1,000 passengers directly affected.

Several inbound flights – including from Zurich, Porto, and Milan – had to be diverted to other airports such as Brussels and Saarbrücken, while maintenance teams worked urgently to inspect and repair the damaged section. Although operations were partially restored later that evening, the runway has since only been available at a reduced length, highlighting the urgency of addressing the structural defects.

Safety paramount – In response to the incident and the broader concerns about the quality of the renovation work, Lux-Airport has made it clear that it will pursue every avenue to safeguard the airport's operability and the safety of passengers. The company emphasised in its statement that maintaining the integrity of the infrastructure is paramount and that they will not hesitate to seek legal recourse against any parties responsible for the defects.

Lux-Airport has reassured travellers and partners that it is working with government authorities to find swift and lasting solutions and restore full runway capacity to prevent further disruptions in the busy travel months ahead.

3. Cracks discovered in Schengen border bridge prompt use restrictions

Cracks have been found in the steel structure of the Moselle Bridge on the A8 at the Schengen–Perl border, prompting urgent inspections.
German authorities have imposed new restrictions for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, including overtaking bans, minimum distances, and a ban on heavy goods vehicles over 44 tonnes.
The measures could cause major traffic disruptions, while passenger cars remain unaffected and the cause of the damage is still under investigation.

Routine inspections – Cracks discovered in the steel structure of the Moselle Bridge on the A8 motorway at the Schengen–Perl border have raised serious concerns for German authorities. The bridge, which connects Luxembourg and Germany over the Moselle River, is a key route for cross-border traffic and has been in operation since 2002.

The defects were found during routine inspections, and initial expert assessments indicate that immediate action is required to prevent further damage and ensure safety for all road users.

Restrictions in place – In response to the structural concerns, German authorities have swiftly introduced strict load reduction measures for heavy vehicles. All vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, including buses and lorries, are now banned from overtaking on the bridge and must keep a minimum distance of 50 metres from the vehicle ahead, even in slow-moving traffic.

Additionally, a total ban has been enforced for heavy goods vehicles weighing more than 44 tonnes. These rules are intended to limit stress on the bridge structure while investigations and possible repairs are carried out.

Congestion expected – The new restrictions add to the existing border checks already in place on the German side, meaning drivers could face significant delays and congestion in the coming days. The measures are expected to cause notable disruptions for freight and passenger transport alike, especially for logistics companies that rely on this route for international trade.

For now, cars and lighter passenger vehicles can continue to use the bridge without restrictions, but it remains uncertain how long the load limits will be in force as authorities examine the extent and cause of the cracks.

4. Ten more years for Cattenom reactors as France backs nuclear expansion

France’s nuclear safety authority has approved extending the lifespan of 20 reactors, including Cattenom's four, by ten years.
Electricity provider EDF plans to invest €6 billion to upgrade these reactors’ safety to Evolutionary Power Reactor (EPR) standards, with reviews every ten years.
The extension aligns with France's revived nuclear strategy, which also includes building six new EPR2 reactors by 2038 amid debates over the country’s energy mix.

New lifeline – On Thursday, the French Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) granted energy company EDF permission to keep its 1,300 MW reactors running for an additional decade. This decision affects 20 reactors nationwide, four of which are at the Cattenom plant near Luxembourg, whose oldest reactor has been operating since 1987.

The extension reflects France's commitment to maintaining its current nuclear production capacity at a time when its oldest reactors are approaching 40 years of service. Under French law, reactors are licensed for an unlimited period but must undergo safety reviews every ten years to ensure their continued safe operation.

Energy cornerstone – To meet the safety requirements set by the ASNR for this extension, EDF will spend around €6 billion during the fourth periodic safety review of these plants. The goal is to modernise and reinforce the ageing units to bring their safety levels closer to that of the latest generation of Evolutionary Power Reactor, also known as European Pressurised Reactors (EPR).

The Energy Ministry has emphasised that maintaining these reactors supports the objective of securing France's nuclear electricity output, which remains a cornerstone of the country's energy mix, supplying over 40% of its nuclear-generated power. Any operations beyond the 40-year mark will include a public inquiry and annual inspections to ensure full transparency and ongoing compliance with safety standards.

Ongoing debates – This decision comes as France doubles down on its pro-nuclear stance, reversing its previous plans to gradually close older reactors. In June, the government signed a new nuclear industry roadmap for 2025–2028, confirming the EPR2 programme that aims to construct six new high-capacity reactors.

Initially slated for 2035, the first of these is now expected to come online in 2038. This strategic pivot, spearheaded by President Emmanuel Macron, highlights the renewed push for nuclear as a key pillar of France's carbon-free energy goals – a move that has reignited fierce debate between nuclear advocates and supporters of expanding solar and wind energy.

5. Iran ends cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog after Israel, US strikes

Iran has officially suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) after Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear facilities during the 12-day conflict.
The US and European nations condemned the move as "unacceptable" and a "disastrous signal", while Iran accused the UN nuclear watchdog of enabling the attacks.
US intelligence says the strikes have set Iran's atomic programme back by up to two years, while Tehran vows to protect its nuclear rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Parliamentary response to strikes – Iran's decision to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) comes in the wake of the fierce 12-day conflict with Israel, during which both Israeli and unprecedented US strikes targeted Iran's nuclear facilities. The Iranian parliament voted overwhelmingly for the suspension just a day after a ceasefire took effect, framing the move as essential to defending the country's rights under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), particularly its uranium enrichment activities.

The suspension means IAEA inspectors can no longer access Iran's nuclear sites without special approval.

'Disastrous signal' – The United States sharply criticised Tehran's suspension of inspections as "unacceptable", arguing it closes a window for diplomacy just when negotiations could have resumed. European governments, including Germany, echoed these concerns, calling the move a "disastrous signal" that risks further destabilising the fragile nuclear agreement abandoned by former US President Trump in 2018.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials have accused IAEA chief Rafael Grossi of bias and claimed his "fraudulent reporting" paved the way for the Israeli raids, deepening the mistrust between Tehran and the international nuclear watchdog.

Nuclear knowledge and capacity – Despite Iran's public defiance, the US Pentagon said the combined Israeli and American strikes significantly damaged key nuclear sites at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, setting Iran's atomic programme back by at least one to two years. While Iranian leaders admit the sites suffered "serious" damage, they argue that bombing alone cannot erase their nuclear knowledge and capacity.

The conflict claimed over 900 lives in Iran and killed 28 people in Israel, underlining the human cost of this sharp escalation. As calls grow in Israel to trigger the "snapback" mechanism and reinstate UN sanctions, Iran's future commitment to the NPT itself now hangs in the balance.

The best of... 📚

Business & Tech – France announced Thursday a record €40-million fine against e-commerce giant Shein over "deceptive commercial practices" after a competition inquiry, saying it misled customers on price deals and on its environmental impact.
Science & Environment – A blistering heatwave pushed temperatures towards 40°C across Europe, triggering red alerts, school closures, and fresh warnings about climate-driven extreme weather.
Entertainment – Music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs was found not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking Wednesday but convicted of a less serious prostitution charge after a high-profile marathon trial in New York.
Sport – Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota and his brother died in a car crash in northwestern Spain on Thursday, police said, weeks after the star got married.

And in case you missed it... ⚠️

Heatwave – Urban areas can become particularly exposed to extreme temperatures during heatwaves – a phenomenon clearly observed in the heart of Luxembourg City Wednesday – making green spaces not just desirable but essential.
Pensions – Ahead of a meeting between government and employer and union representatives on 9 July, Health and Social Security Minister Martine Deprez confirmed Wednesday that extending working life remains on the table as part of Luxembourg's ongoing pension reform discussions.
Monarchy – Luxembourg's future Grand Duke Guillaume will officially adopt a new monogram on 3 October, the Grand Ducal Court announced on Tuesday, with the new design featuring mirrored capital 'G' letters.
Diplomacy – The new US ambassador to Luxembourg, Stacey Feinberg, has already made controversial comments during an appearance at the US Senate in June, accusing Luxembourg of being "naive" with regard to China.

Your Weekly Recap is published every Friday at noon. Read earlier versions.