The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Tuesday, 7 May
Luxembourg
FRAUD ARRESTS - Following a six-month investigation that began in late 2023, two people were arrested last Monday for operating unlicensed handiwork services through multiple websites. Both had launched a series of websites to enlist their services, and authorities have now placed them in pre-trial detention. One of the perpetrators had already been sentenced for fraud in the past. The investigation was originally launched at the end of 2023 and lasted six months in total.
WILTZ PILGRIMAGE - The 56th Our Lady of Fatima Pilgrimage will takes place in Wiltz this Ascension Thursday. However, for this year's pilgrimage, there are some new rules to follow: Wild camping and barbecues in nature will be prohibited. As a solution, the Wiltz scouts are offering alternative camping spots at the Toutschemillen scout campsite for €6.30 per person per night. Traffic restrictions are also expected, especially from 9am to 8pm in the lower town, where several streets will be closed.
EDUCATOR TRAINING - The Minister of Education, Claude Meisch, has announced that new programmes tailored for future educators will be offered in Esch-Belval. Until now, these studies were only available in Mersch or in Luxembourg City. Additionally, the Minister announced that starting from the 2025/26 academic year, there will be an opportunity to enrol in a fully French-language educator training programme.
World
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR - Israel says a proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, which Hamas has agreed to, does not meet its key demands. The country’s government says it will continue with negotiations as well as with a military offensive on the Gazan city of Rafah. Overnight strikes in Rafah are reported to have killed at least 5 Palestinians but Israel is sending a delegation to talks in Cairo to try to reach an agreement.
Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel is currently at a conference in Los Angeles, and a few hours ago he reacted to the announcement that Hamas would accept a ceasefire, saying it is important to find at least a temporary solution. He said an Israeli offensive on the city of Rafah would be the worst option.
RUSSIA NUCLEAR - Russia has threatened to strike British military facilities and said it would hold drills simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons, amid sharply rising tensions over comments by senior Western officials about possibly deeper involvement in the war in Ukraine. Following a meeting in Paris with President Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she hoped President Xi would help de-escalate Russia’s “irresponsible” nuclear threats. Russia’s sabre-rattling came on the eve of President Putin’s inauguration to a fifth term in office.
STARLINER LAUNCH - A safety issue has prevented the launch of Boeing’s Starliner spaceship just hours before it was due to blast off to the International Space Station. The mission has been delayed for years. It was due to be the second privately operated craft to send NASA astronauts to the space station after Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST - And finally, the big night is here. The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest opens in the Swedish city of Malmo today, overshadowed by the war in Gaza. Looming over the festivities is Israel's participation in the almost 70-year-old contest, which this year brings together 37 countries, concluding with the final on May 11. Thousands are expected to attend pro-Palestinian rallies throughout the week in the city, but all eyes in Luxembourg will be on tonight’s semi-final with Tali representing the country for the first time in 31 years, with her song “Fighter”.
Watch it tonight on RTL Today, with English commentary by our very own Meredith Moss and Sarah Tapp from 9pm onwards.
Sport
FOOTBALL - The first return match in the Champions league semi finals is taking place tonight. Borussia Dortmund has a 1-0 advantage over Paris St Germain. Real Madrid will play against Bayern tomorrow. Both games are at 9 pm.
CYCLING - Tim Merlier won the third stage of the Giro d'Italia yesterday, pipping Jonathan Milan to the line in a bunch sprint. Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar remains the overall leader.
SNOOKER - Kyren Wilson held his nerve on Monday as he overcame an impressive fightback from qualifier Zak Jones to win snooker's World Championship title for the first time. A clearly emotional Wilson eventually triumphed 18-14 in the final at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in northern England but only after Jones, who lost the first seven frames of the best of 35 contest, had won three frames in a row from 17-11 down.
Weather
Today should stay mostly dry but some showers are scheduled for the afternoon. We might even get the odd glimpse of sun in the morning and later in the evening. Temperatures will be enjoyable as the morning is cooler with lows of around 5°C but it will heat up as the day progresses, eventually reaching 19°C in some parts of the country.
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