Participants arrive at the venue of the COP28 United Nations climate summit in Dubai on November 29, 2023. The central focus of the November 30 to December 12 COP28 talks will be a damning stocktaking of the world's limited progress on cutting greenhouse gas emissions / © Giuseppe CACACE / AFP
The Today Radio News team brings you the latest news headlines for Thursday, 30 November.
Luxembourg
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS - Claude Meisch, the Minister of Education has confirmed the opening of three new international schools in Luxembourg. The schools are planned to open in Schifflange, Dudelange, and Luxembourg City. No dates have been given. In addition, Meisch spoke about proposed changes in the Luxembourgish school system, specifically a discussion on language teaching methods with a possibility of offering subjects in both German and French.
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR - Luxembourg's construction industry is grappling with an unprecedented crisis, driven by a downturn in property market demand, according to alarming figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (STATEC). The construction sector has been witnessing a prolonged decline, not seen since the financial crisis of 2009. According to STATEC the decline in Luxembourg's construction sector is more pronounced than in the broader eurozone.
CANNABIS FIRE - Police responding to a house fire in Waldbillig were met with an unexpected turn of events that resulted in the arrest of the two inhabitants. Upon arriving at the scene, the police uncovered more than just the aftermath of a fire — they stumbled upon an illegal cannabis plantation within the premises. Officers at the scene ended up seizing over 10 kg of cannabis. The two residents were arrested.
World
KISSINGER DIES - The former US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger has died at the age of 100. Serving under Presidents Nixon and Ford, he led America’s re-engagement with communist China and saw a thawing of relations with the Soviet Union. But he faced criticism for the US bombing of Cambodia, which killed hundreds of thousands of people.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR - A temporary truce between Israel and Hamas has been extended to a seventh day, according to Israel Defense Forces this morning. This is the second extension of the initial four-day truce that began on Friday. The truce has resulted in the return of 70 Israeli hostages. Follow our live ticker for the latest developments on this story.
COP28 - World leaders are preparing to meet at a UN summit in Dubai, to discuss climate change. COP28 follows a year of extreme weather events, in which many climate records have been broken. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told AFP that the climate conference should aim for a complete "phaseout" of fossil fuels, warning of "total disaster" on humanity's current trajectory. The new minister Serge Wilmes is representing Luxembourg.
Sport
WINTER OLYMPICS - The French Alps and Salt Lake City in the United States have been confirmed as the sole candidates to host the 2030 and 2034 Winter Olympics. The International Olympic Committee said targeted dialogue would now begin.
FOOTBALL - In the Champions League, more teams have gone forward to the next stage. Arsenal beat Lens 6-0 at home and becomes the group leader in Group B, where PSV Eindhoven will be 2nd, after yesterday's 3-2 success against Sevilla. Bayern drew 0-0 with Copenhagen. Real Madrid won 4-2 against Napoli. It was a 3-3 draw between Benfica and Inter, just like Galatasaray Istanbul and Manchester United.
RUGBY - England captain Owen Farrell will not be available for the 2024 Six Nations after deciding to take a break from international rugby "to prioritise his and his family's mental wellbeing". In a statement on Wednesday, English Premiership club Saracens said the 32-year-old would continue to captain and play for them. England head coach Steve Borthwick hailed Farrell's courage for opening up about his mental health.
Weather
Meteolux has issued a yellow alert from 3pm until 9pm with up to 4cm of snow predicted to fall in parts of Luxembourg today. The day starts off with freezing fog, giving way to overcast skies, before the snow rolls in once again. Although most areas are likely to get between 1 and 2 centimetres of snow, others could see double that amount, with the possibility of heavier wintry showers later on. Morning temperatures start off at -1 to 1°C and are unlikely to climb above 2°C by the afternoon.
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