The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Tuesday, 2 September.
Luxembourg
DEADLY ACCIDENT – Five people have died in a traffic accident between Heiderscheid and Feulen. According to initial police reports, the crash last night was a head-on collision. Both vehicles were completely destroyed. Authorities have not yet provided details on the cause of the accident. We will bring you more details as they are released.
ISRAEL BONDS – Luxembourg's Financial Sector Supervisory Commission (CSSF) has approved a new prospectus allowing Israel to offer government bonds on European financial markets, following the expiry of a similar authorisation previously granted by the Central Bank of Ireland. The previous authorisation had drawn widespread criticism in Ireland and it remains unclear whether the Luxembourg government was consulted in advance about the CSSF's decision to take over from Ireland.
SUCCESSION PLANS – In just over a month, the country will witness a historic moment as Grand Duke Henri formally passes the crown to his eldest son, with the promise of a long weekend of celebrations. The programme will begin with Grand Duke Henri's abdication at 10am, followed an hour later by Prince Guillaume's swearing-in before the Chamber of Deputies. Soon after, the entire family will step onto the palace balcony. The official ceremonies will be followed by a walkabout by the new Grand Duke in front of Luxembourg City Hall, visits to four municipalities, an orchestral concert with a tram ballet, and a dazzling nighttime drone show. RTL will provide live coverage throughout the weekend, including Friday's ceremonies, Saturday's inauguration tour, and Sunday's religious service.
WINE HARVEST – An exceptionally fruitful harvest is underway across the country, as winemakers celebrate one of the earliest and most promising picking seasons in recent memory. Thanks to ideal climate conditions throughout the growing season, vineyards are seeing early ripening and high-quality yields. Harvesting of early-ripening grape varieties has already begun at several wineries, or is set to start in the coming days.
World
AFGHANISTAN QUAKE – The Taliban has called for international aid as the death toll in Sunday's earthquake in Afghanistan has risen to more than 800 people dead and around 2,500 people injured. A massive rescue operation is underway but rescuers are struggling to reach remote areas, especially in Kunar province, which was hardest hit.
GAZA FLOTILLA – Fierce Mediterranean winds have forced a Gaza-bound flotilla carrying humanitarian aid and hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists to return to Barcelona. The flotilla is expected to arrive in Gaza in mid-September and comes after Israel blocked two activist attempts to deliver aid to the devastated Palestinian territory by ship in June and July. A Luxembourgish delegation is preparing to depart from the port of Tunis on Thursday to join the flotilla. Beyond its humanitarian mission, the Luxembourgish group also seeks to send a political message both to Israel and to their own government.
CHINA SUMMIT – Russian President Vladimir Putin has told his Chinese counterpart that their countries' ties are at an "unprecedented level" during talks in Beijing ahead of a massive military parade. World leaders including North Korea's Kim Jong Un are gathering in China's capital for the showcase of Beijing's might on Wednesday, where a military parade will mark 80 years since the end of World War II.
EU PLANE JAMMING – A plane carrying EU chief Ursula von der Leyen was hit by GPS jamming as it readied to land in Bulgaria. According to the European Commission, Russia is suspected to be behind the incident on Sunday but it is not clear whether the aircraft was deliberately targeted as such attacks are common in the region.
Sport
TENNIS – Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic can set up a heavyweight clash at the US Open later today. Spanish second seed Alcaraz is the only man yet to concede a set at the tournament as he goes in search of a second US Open title and sixth Grand Slam. The 22-year-old takes on Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka, who is in the quarter-finals of a major for only the second time. Djokovic is playing against Taylor Fritz, last year's US Open runner-up and only American man left in the draw.
BOXING – Taiwanese Olympic boxing gold medallist Lin Yu-ting will not compete at the world championships starting this week, despite reportedly submitting her sex test results. Lin and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif were at the centre of a major gender row at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they won titles in separate weight classes. World Boxing said last month that women wanting to compete at the championships in Liverpool later this week would have to undergo mandatory sex testing under its new policy.
Weather
Today will be mostly overcast, with a good a possibility of showers in the afternoon and evening. It will feel slightly cooler than it did yesterday, and considerably more overcast, with a chance of a little sunshine in the afternoon before submitting to further cloud and showers. Morning temperatures will start around 11–13°C, and rise between 19-21°C
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