The RTL Today Radio News team brings you the latest news headlines for Thursday, 2nd February.

Luxembourg

CSV CANDIDATE - Luc Frieden has been nominated as the top candidate for the CSV party in the parliamentary elections in October. This means that the question of the lead candidate has now also been settled in the largest party in the country. Now only the Congress has to vote on the candidacy, which will happen on 25 March. Frieden is resigning today as president of the Chamber of Commerce.

FOOD/ALCOHOL SPENDING - Luxembourg ranks among the countries that spend the lowest shares on food and non-alcoholic drinks. However when it comes to alcohol, the Grand Duchy finds itself in a much higher spot. Eurostat published new data yesterday, showing that Luxembourg households only spend 9% of household spending on food and non-alcoholic drinks, but 2.7% on alcoholic drinks, compared to 1% as an EU average.

World

ECB INTEREST RATES - The European Central Bank is set to hike interest rates again today. Currently, the interest rate in the euro area is 2.5%. The Federal Reserve also lifted rates again yesterday, a 0.25 percentage point increase as inflation cools in the United States. The Bank of England is also expected to increase borrowing costs again today. In the eurozone, recent data have raised hopes the worst of the economic shock may have passed.

EU RAIL - The European Commission has unveiled plans to establish or improve ten long-distance train routes across Europe. The plans call for the expansion of both standard long-distance rail routes and night trains, for instance from Brussels to Barcelona or Paris to Venice. However, Luxembourg is not featured on the map of planned projects.

RUSSIA STALINGRAD - In the shadow of the Ukrainian war, the Battle of Stalingrad is being remembered in Russia today. Exactly 80 years ago, German troops surrendered, after a battle which lasted more than six months and killed more than a million people. Critics fear that Russian President Putin will use the festivities for his propaganda.

In the Ukraine, rescue work continues in Kramatorsk, where 3 people died and 21 were injured in a missile attack on an appartment building. Ahead of tomorrow’s meeting in Kyiv, the EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrel has said he would not rule out that Ukraine could receive combat aircrafts.

BEYONCE AND OSBOURNE - Pop megastar Beyonce has announced plans to tour Europe and North America later this year, following the release of her latest album "Renaissance". The concerts - set for May and June in Europe - mark the singer's first solo tour in over six years. Meanwhile heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne has announced he is cancelling tour dates in the UK and Europe, saying his body was "still physically weak" after a spinal injury.

Sports

RUGBY - The Six Nations gets under way on Saturday, with players hoping to impress ahead of the World Cup which starts in September. The opening match of this year's championship will see Wales host Ireland on Saturday. On the same day, England face Scotland. The first weekend will be completed with Italy playing France on Sunday.

FOOTBALL - In the German football cup, new Bayern Munich signing Joao Cancelo set up a goal to help his side secure a first win of 2023 with a 4-0 triumph against Mainz last night. And Leipzig beat Hoffenheim 3-1.

Weather

It's going to be wet and rainy for the whole day. But temperatures have climbed their way back into the positives, so at least it won't be quite as cold and rainy as it could have been. Morning temperatures start off at 4-6°C, rising to 5-7°C in the afternoon.

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