BAD WATER – While Luxembourg benefits from a steady water supply, the country faces significant challenges in maintaining water quality, particularly in its rivers, streams, and groundwater reserves. According to Marc Hans, director of the Water Management Administration, Luxembourg’s rivers and streams are in poor shape, with none of the country’s 106 designated surface water bodies meeting good status under European standards.
WEALTHY DUCHY – An article by British tabloid Hello Magazine has revealed that Luxembourg’s Grand Ducal family holds the highest wealth among European royal families, with assets valued at €3.7 billion. Unlike the British monarchy, which receives substantial state subsidies, the Grand Duke’s wealth primarily stems from private holdings, including real estate, land, jewellery, and other valuable assets.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – Luxembourg’s first national centre for victims of violence will open in Belair next month to support children and adults. Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity Yuriko Backes highlighted the centre’s comprehensive approach. Official statistics indicate that over 1,000 people fall victim to domestic violence in Luxembourg each year, though the real figure is likely higher. Initially launched as a pilot project, the centre aims to offer round-the-clock care by next year.
CRUMBLING FACADE – A piece of facade fell from a building in central Esch-sur-Alzette last week, prompting promises of swift action from local authorities, who remain cautious as safety checks continue. The incident occurred on Rue de l’Alzette on Friday afternoon when a roughly 30-centimetre stone block detached from the building and crashed to the ground. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
CLASSIFIED TEXTS – The White House has confirmed that a US journalist was inadvertently included in a group chat in which Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and other top officials discussed upcoming strikes against Yemen’s Huthi rebels. President Donald Trump announced the strikes on 15 March, but in a shocking security breach, The Atlantic magazine’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg had hours of advance notice via the group chat on Signal.
RUSSIAN STRIKE – Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said the number of wounded in a Russian strike on the city of Sumy yesterday has risen rose to almost 90 people, including 17 children. The strike hit the same day Russia was holding talks with the US in Saudi Arabia on a potential ceasefire.
GAZA – An Israeli air strike killed a journalist working with Al Jazeera on Monday and the military issued fresh calls to evacuate parts of Gaza’s north as Israel pressed its renewed bombardment and ground operations in the Palestinian territory. In a statement, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said that more than 206 journalists and media workers had been killed since the start of the war.
FRANCE TRIAL – A French-Algerian man has gone on trial in France for burning his wife to death in 2021, a case that shocked the public and sparked heavy criticism of police for failing to take adequate measures to protect her. Mounir Boutaa attacked his wife and the mother of his three children in the street, shot her in both legs, poured petrol on her, and set her on fire.
OLYMPICS – Australia has announced a new 63,000 seat stadium and a plush indoor swimming pool for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane. Officials also announced a series of upgrades to smaller venues such as the Queensland Tennis Centre and Gold Coast Hockey Centre.
BASKETBALL – The Los Angeles Lakers suffered another setback in their NBA playoff last night, falling 118-106 to the Orlando Magic, who notched their first home victory since February. Despite 32 points from Luka Doncic and 24 from LeBron James, the Lakers dropped their third straight game and at 43-28 are now tied with the Memphis Grizzlies in the battle for fourth place in the Western Conference.
TENNIS – Australia’s Alex de Minaur put an end to Brazilian talent Joao Fonseca’s challenge at the Miami Open, outlasting the 18-year-old 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 in an enthralling contest. Fonseca brought his energetic brand of ultra-attacking tennis, but De Minaur was up to the challenge, coping with both the blistering forehands and the partisan crowd.
The morning has started off foggy with temperatures of between 4 and 6°C. The fog is due to lift but unfortunately the skies will remain cloudy and grey and by the afternoon we can expect some light rain showers. The forecast high of the day is 13°C.
---
Be sure to catch our full bulletin on the hour, every hour, and headlines at half past the hour on Today Radio. You can also access the news via Alexa and on RTL Play.
