The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Thursday, 17 July.

Luxembourg 

GOVERNMENT CRITICISM – Luxembourg lawmakers, including members of the governing parties, say they have been left in the dark following the second round of social dialogue between the government, unions, and employers. Details of the talks – especially those concerning pension reform – are being withheld until the next scheduled meeting on 3 September, a delay that is now drawing criticism from both the opposition and coalition MPs. The government argues that sharing details now could jeopardise progress on delicate issues. MP Sam Tanson of the Green Party yesterday criticised Prime Minister Luc Frieden's communication style, suggesting his political isolation is growing, with speculation that Finance Minister Gilles Roth may be positioning himself as a potential successor.

PARLIAMENT BROADCAST – Luxembourg’s parliament has approved the live-streaming of 18 committee sessions beginning this autumn, in a move to strengthen governmental transparency. Key committees including defence, foreign affairs, finance, economic affairs, and petitions will remain exempt from the new broadcasting rules.

CAR RAMMING SENTENCE – A 24-year prison sentence has been handed down to a man who drove into a group of people outside a Schlammestee nightclub in 2022, leaving two with life-threatening injuries.
 
CONSTRUCTION COSTS – Prospective homeowners and renovators are facing higher costs as Luxembourg's residential construction sector records across-the-board price increases, with roofing costs soaring 45.5% since 2020.

World

MERZ IN THE UK – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is travelling to London today to sign a "friendship treaty" with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as Britain seeks to improve post-Brexit ties with its neighbours. They will also discuss continued support for Ukraine, with both London and Berlin expected to play a role in US President Donald Trump's plan to send weapons to Kyiv with financing from other NATO countries.

ISRAEL STRIKES SYRIA – Syria has announced that its army has begun to withdraw from violence-hit Sweida, following a wave of Israeli strikes on the capital and a US call for government forces to leave the southern city. More than 350 people are reported to have been killed since Sunday, when clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes erupted in Sweida. The Druze faith is one of the major religious groups in Syria.

FESTIVAL FIRE – A huge fire at Belgium's Tomorrowland music festival site has "severely damaged" the main stage two days before the event is due to start. Noone was injured in the incident. Images shared on local news sites and social media showed flames and plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland. Organisers have in the meantime confirmed that the festival will still be held. The annual festival, which is due to start tomorrow, draws tens of thousands of visitors from around Europe.

IVF TRIAL – Eight healthy babies have been born in the UK using a new IVF technique that successfully reduced their risk of inheriting genetic diseases from their mothers. The findings have been hailed as a breakthrough. One out of every 5,000 births is affected by mitochondrial diseases, which cannot be treated, and include symptoms such as impaired vision, diabetes, and muscle wasting.

Sport

FOOTBALL – Cristiana Girelli shot Italy into the semi-finals of Women's Euros last night in a 2-1 triumph over Norway. Italy will play one of holders England or Sweden in the last four next Tuesday. As a reminder, you can watch every quarter-final, semi-final, and final match live on a large outdoor screen at the Glacis carpark. Admission is free, with entrance controls in place. Entertainment and DJ sets will take place before and after the matches, as well as during half-time breaks.

Young Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has inherited the club's iconic number 10 shirt, previously worn by all-time great Lionel Messi. Yamal has scored 25 goals for the club in over 100 appearances, making his debut in 2023 at the age of 15 wearing the number 41 shirt.

ATHLETICS – The Luxembourgish sprinter Patrizia Van der Weken won the 100 meters at the International Athletics Meeting in Liège with a time of 11.20 seconds.

CYCLING – Norway's Jonas Abrahamsen won stage 11 of the Tour de France at Toulouse yesterday while defending champion Tadej Pogacar crashed 4km from the line, though maintaining his general position. You can watch the 12th stage of the Tour de France today, a 180.6km mountain run from Auch to Hautacam, at 3pm on RTL Télé, RTL Today, the RTL app, and RTL Play.

Weather

The day should start off with clear skies and temperatures of between 14–15 °C. Cloud cover will increase over the course of the afternoon but the weather is due to remain dry. High temperatures are forecast to be between 22 and 24 °C.

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