The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Tuesday, 15 July.

Luxembourg 

BORDER CONTROLS – Minister for Home Affairs Léon Gloden and his German counterpart from Saarland, Robert Jost, have confirmed that German border controls will cease on the Schengen motorway, starting this August. The goal is to make traffic more fluid again, as around 55,000 people travel across that border every day to work in Luxembourg.

LABOUR AND PENSION TALKS – The government, trade unions, and employers' representatives met yesterday afternoon for a second round of discussions aimed at resolving ongoing disputes. The meeting ended at 10pm last night, after eight hours of discussions.  According to Prime Minister Luc Frieden, a good deal of progress was made on the subjects of pensions, opening hours, and Sunday work. However, no details were given last night. The talks are due to resume on 3 September.

IS SENTENCE – Judges at the State Court have handed down a life sentence to Steve Duarte, an IS fighter, Portuguese national, and former Luxembourg resident. Duarte was one of four men tried in absentia in Luxembourg. Three other suspects are presumed dead, while Duarte remains the only known survivor. The prosecution brought charges including terrorism, incitement, recruitment, and murder.

RIP PASCAL ALFF – Luxembourg musician and politician Pascal Alff – better known as De Pascal vu Wooltz – passed away after a car accident on Sunday night. Born and raised in Wiltz, Alff played over 100 shows across Luxembourg and musical hubs of neighbouring countries such as Arlon and Berlin. During the Covid-19 lockdown, Alff partnered with RTL Today to bring a live-streamed concert from his living room to audiences stuck at home.

World

EU GAZA – EU foreign ministers are debating possible sanctions and restrictions on Israel over its war in Gaza today. But despite growing anger over the devastation in Gaza, EU states remain divided over how to tackle Israel and diplomats say the block is not likely to take any concrete actions for now. The tone of discussions will be shaped strongly by how Israel is implementing a promise to the EU to improve humanitarian access to Gaza. The block's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said yesterday she had struck a deal with her Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, to open more entry points and allow in more food.

UKRAINE WAR – US President Donald Trump has told Russia to end its Ukraine war within 50 days or face massive new economic sanctions. At a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump also unveiled a deal under which the NATO military alliance will buy billions of dollars of arms from the United States – including Patriot anti-missile batteries –and then send them to Ukraine. According to Rutte, Germany, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Britain are among the buyers helping Ukraine.

TARANTULA TRAFFICKING – German customs officers have discovered a massive haul of about 1,500 tarantulas hidden inside a shipment disguised as cookies. According to custom officials, the seven-kilogramme shipment from Vietnam was intercepted at Cologne-Bonn airport and emitted a strange smell when opened, leaving even the most experienced officers speechless. Many of the animals were dead or in distress.

Sport

FOOTBALL – The first round of Champions League qualification games start today and Differdange is playing the return match at home against FC Drita from Kosovo. The Luxembourgers lost 1-0 in the first match. Kick-off is at 8pm.

Meanwhile, Croatia captain Luka Modric has signed a one-year deal with AC Milan at the age of 39. According to Italian media, he will start training with his team-mates in August.

Spain have lived up to their billing as the team to beat at Women's Euro 2025 as the world champions prepare to take on hosts Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Friday, with a potential final with England on the horizon.

CYCLING – Ben Healy has become the first Irishman since Stephen Roche in 1987 to take the overall lead on the Tour de France, with a relentless attack across eight gruelling hills in the Massif Central yesterday. Today is a rest day.

Weather

The day may start off with some light rain showers, particularly in the North, but the rest of the day should be dry and partly cloudy. Morning temperatures will range from 15 to 17°C, with a forecast afternoon high of 22°C.
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