The Today Radio News team brings you the latest news headlines for Friday, 1 March
Luxembourg
CZECH PRESIDENT - It is the 2nd day of the state visit by Czech President Petr Pavel in Luxembourg. Today’s programme includes a visit to the NATO support agency in Capellen as well as the European school in Mamer. Pavel and Prime Minister Luc Frieden are also holding a press conference in the early afternoon, where they are expected to discuss a plan to jointly buy ammunition for Ukraine. TRAM EXTENSION - Mobility minister Yuriko Backes has confirmed that extension of the Tram line between Bonnevoie and Cloche d’or will open on 7 July. There will be 5 stops on the 3.7km long route. The section between Kirchberg and the airport should open in the spring of next year.
PETROL PRICE - Starting today, unleaded (95) petrol will cost 1.4 cents more per litre. Unleaded petrol has gone up to €1.57/litre. All other fuel prices remain unchanged.
FILM FESTIVAL - Last night saw the opening of the Luxembourg City Film Festival. Described by Movie Maker magazine as one of the 25 coolest festivals in the world, the 11-day event offers a selection of feature films and documentaries, special screenings, national productions and a programme tailored to a younger audience. The opening film was “The Outrun”, starring Saoirse Ronan, Saskia Reeves and Stephen Dillane.
World
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR - International criticism of Israel is mounting over the deaths of more than a hundred starving Palestinians seeking aid from a convoy in Gaza city. France’s President has accused Israel of targeting civilians. Israel admits its soldiers had opened fire, but said most of the deaths happened in the ensuing crush.
WHO OBESITY - The World Health organisation says more than a billion people worldwide are now classed as obese. Researchers were surprised how quickly the number had grown. Worldwide adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990, and adolescent obesity has quadrupled.
NAVALNY FUNERAL - The funeral of the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is due to take place in Moscow later today. He died in an Arctic prison nearly 2 weeks ago, at the age of 47. Allies of Mr Navalny’s say the authorities have been creating numerous difficulties ahead of the service and that police is out in force.
Sport
FOOTBALL - France star Paul Pogba said he was "shocked and heartbroken" after being banned from football for four years for a doping offence. He was provisionally suspended in September afte a drugs test found elevated levels of testosterone in his system. Pogba says he will appeal the ruling, which risks bringing a premature end to his career.
TENNIS - Daniil Medvedev has raced to victory over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to reach the Dubai semi-finals. The world number four wasted little time in wrapping up a 6-2, 6-3 win and will face Ugo Humbert in the last four. https://today.rtl.lu/sport/international/a/2173586.html
FORMULA 1 - Lewis Hamilton warned his Mercedes team not to "get ahead of ourselves" after unexpectedly topping the times ahead of team-mate George Russell in practice for this weekend's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. Verstappen, who complained throughout a windy day, wound up sixth behind Carlos Sainz, whose Ferrari seat will be taken by Hamilton next year, and McLaren's Oscar Piastri.
Weather
A new month brings us... familiar weather, but we might have a bit more sun today! The day will still be rather cloudy, with a slight chance of short periods of rain, especially in the morning. The afternoon should be a little brighter, with the occasional clearing in the sky bringing us that sweet sunshine. Temperatures start off around 3-5°C, getting up to around 9°C in the afternoon.
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