The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Thursday, 27 June.

Luxembourg 

EU COMMISSIONER – The question of who will represent Luxembourg in the Commission will be addressed today. The spotlight is on Christophe Hansen from the Christian Social People's Party (CSV), nominated by the government as a potential commissioner, and Nicolas Schmit, who could remain as commissioner. Prime Minister Luc Frieden said yesterday that the Luxembourg government is sticking to the nomination of Christophe Hansen.

HOUSE PRICES – A new report by the Housing Observatory shows that Luxembourg property prices have dropped 10.9% over the past year.  Activity in the real estate and land market remained significantly weaker at the beginning of this year, compared to pre-crisis levels from late 2022. Interestingly, prices for flats under construction have decreased the least.

CASH USE – Luxembourg's Finance Minister Gilles Roth reaffirmed the irreplaceable role of cash following the European Central Bank's digital euro debut, highlighting the balance between innovation and tradition in the financial sector. The finance minister also mentioned that since June last year, an EU regulation protects the right to use cash for payments.

EDUCATION REFORM – The Chamber of Deputies has approved a draft bill introducing new specialised courses in upper secondary education, sparking debate over its alignment with the government's broader educational reform plans. The new specialisations include a section for entrepreneurship, finance and marketing, one for cognitive studies and humanities, and one for politics and sustainable development.
 
ASTEROID DAY FESTIVAL – Join space enthusiasts from around the globe this Friday and Saturday at Luxembourg's annual Asteroid Day Festival, a free two-day event at Cercle Cité featuring renowned speakers, astronauts, and interactive programmes for all ages. Registration is not mandatory, but highly recommended.

World

US DEBATE – Joe Biden and Donald Trump are going head-to-head in the first debate ahead of November’s hotly contested election today. The presumptive Democratic and Republican party nominees will take the debate stage in Atlanta, Georgia, this evening. Opinion polls show President Biden and ex-president Trump remain locked in a tight race that experts say could come down to a handful of key swing states.

BOLIVIA COUP – The Bolivian army chief has been arrested after a coup attempt. Vowing to “restore democracy”, armored vehicles rammed the doors of Bolivia’s government palace, then quickly retreated – the latest crisis in the South American country facing a political battle and economic crisis.

EU SUMMIT – The first EU summit after the elections is starting in Brussels this afternoon. One of the priorities for the 27 heads of state and government is to elect the President of the European Commisssion and appoint the High Representative for Foreign Affairs. Negotiators from the major parties in the EU Parliament already agreed on the posts yesterday.  that Ursula Von der Leyen should remain Commission President. The former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costas is to become the new council president, succeeding Charles Michel and the Prime Minister from Estonia, Kaja Kallas, will take over the post of Foreign Affairs.

HARRY POTTER – The original watercolour illustration for the first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, painted by Thomas Taylor, shattered expectations by selling for $1.9 million at Sotheby's, setting a new record as the most valuable Harry Potter item ever sold at auction.

Sport

FOOTBALL –  The group stage of the Euros has ended. Georgia has achieved a historic milestone by reaching the knockout stages of Euro 2024 for the first time with a stunning 2-0 victory over Portugal. Turkey, Belgium, Romania, and Slovakia have also advanced to the last 16. Today and tomorrow is a break, before matches return in the round of 16 starting Saturday.

CRICKET – South Africa have demolished Afghanistan's T20 World Cup dream, thrashing the minnows by nine wickets with more than 11 overs to spare, to reach the final of the cricket showpiece for the first time. South Africa will meet England or India in Saturday’s final.

OLYMPIC FLAME – Today will be the first time in more than 75 years that the Olympic torch will pass through Luxembourg. The torch is travelling to the Luxembourgish border and then hop over the Moselle to Schengen. There, it will be carried by Anne Kremer, a former tennis player and three-time Olympian, for around 20 minutes. During the torch's time in Luxembourg, there will be a ceremony with the Grand Duke, members of the Luxembourg Olympic and Sports Committee, and many others. Once the ceremony concludes, the torch will travel back to France, to the town of Yutz, and then to Thionville, before ending Thursday's journey in Metz in the evening.

Weather

Temperatures could soar as high as 31°C today, with stormy weather in the afternoon, with localised rain showers of 5–10 litres per square metre in some areas. The wind will pick up as well, with gusts of up to 50km/h.
Temperatures start at 21–23°C in the morning, rising as high as 31°C in the afternoon.

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