ELECTION POLL - After 10 years of a three-party coalition between the DP, LSAP and The Greens, most Luxembourgish voters envision a new coalition for the upcoming legislative period. The Politmonitor poll conducted for RTL and the Luxemburger Wort shows that with three months to go before the general elections, voters have a desire for change - to the benefit of the CSV, the conservative Christian Social People’s Party. Voters’ wishes seem to indicate the emergence of a potential LSAP-CSV-DP trio. Xavier Bettel’s personal backing seems as solid as ever: 32% of voters would like to see him extend his term as Prime Minister. This figure is much higher than his rivals Luc Frieden (CSV, 23%) and the popular Paulette Lenert (LSAP, 22%).
VELODROME BILL - MPs are meeting in the chamber this afternoon, where amongst things, they are expected to vote on a bill regarding the national velodrome, which is due to be built in Mondorf-les-Bains. It will include a cycling track, a swimming pool, a climbing wall and several sports fields linked to the future International School of Mondorf. It is due to be completed by 2027 or 2028.
VIDEO CAMPAIGN - Spreading violent videos is now punishable. The Ministry of Education, the public prosecutor’s office and the police want to raise awareness by launching a campaign “not sharing is caring”. The main message is that the distribution of violent videos is illegal and punishable. At the same time, an appeal to parents is made to be aware of their role and observe their child. According to education minister, Claude Meisch a delegate for the safety of children will be created from the start of the year for schools.
MILITARY CHALLENGE - The annual military challenge in Insenborn and Lultzhausen will see 41 teams go head-to-head on an obstacle course around the reservoir. Members of the Luxembourg Army, the Grand Ducal Police, customs authorities, and the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) as well as teams from Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands are expected to take part in the obstacle race.
World
UKRAINE ATTACK - A missile attack on an apartment block in western Ukraine’s Lviv has killed four people, in what its mayor said was the biggest attack on civilian infrastructure in the city since Russia’s invasion of the country began. Ukraine’s interior minister Ihor Klymenko said nine people were injured and rescuers are working to reach those trapped under the rubble.
THREADS LAUNCH - Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram has launched a new app, which is widely seen as a potential rival to Twitter. The social media giant describes the platform, called “Threads” as a text-based conversation app. It will not be available in the EU because of regulatory concerns. https://today.rtl.lu/news/business-and-tech/a/2082618.html
MEXICO ACCIDENT - At least 29 people were killed in Mexico when a passenger bus careened off a mountain road and plummeted into a ravine in the southern state of Oaxaca. The first official report set the number of fatalities at 27 and the number of wounded at 17. An investigation has been launched into the cause of the accident, with early indications suggesting mechanical failure.
WHITE HOUSE COCAINE - Cocaine discovered at the White House was left in an area frequently used by visitors on tours -- and not while President Joe Biden and his family were on the premises. Initially there were fears the white powder could be a potential chemical attack, prompting a brief evacuation. But technicians from the city’s fire department determined the substance was actually cocaine.
ADELE WARNING - The popstar Adele has warned her audience in Las Vegas not to throw things onstage, addressing the spate of recent incidents that saw fans chuck items at artists including Bebe Rexha. Rexha suffered an injury to the eye after a fan threw a phone at her as she performed in New York, while a concertgoer tossed a bag containing their mother’s ashes onstage where Pink was performing. Adele won’t be having it, the artist declared in a warning that’s spread on social media.
TENNIS - Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek were in cruise control at Wimbledon yesterday, but confetti-throwing climate protesters and rain delays caused more headaches at the All England Club. Djokovic, bidding for a record equalling eighth Wimbledon men’s title and 24th Grand Slam crown, defeated Australia’s Jordan Thompson 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5. Swiatek has gone into the third round, after beating Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2, 6-0 on Centre Court.
CYCLING - Australian Jai Hindley crossed the line alone to win stage five of the Tour de France yesterday. to take the overall leader’s yellow jersey as defending champion Jonas Vingegaard won a tactical battle with key rival Tadej Pogacar. Today, the tour climbs Col d’Aspin and Col du Tourmalet, making stage six the toughest test so far. But those two ascents make only 30km and are only part of the story with a 16km slog to a summit finish coming after an epic descent from the 2,115-metre altitude Tourmalet.
HANDBALL - Yesterday saw the draw for the qualifying matches for the European and World Handball Championships. In the first round of the World Cup qualification, Luxembourg will play two matches against Israel at the beginning of November. In the European Championship qualification, the national men’s team will face Latvia in the first round.
Today should hopefully have seen the last of the rain for now, as skies are set to be overcast with a hint of sun peeking through. The mercury is creeping up slowly in anticipation of hotter temperatures this weekend. Temperatures start off a little cooler at 8-10°C in the morning, rising to highs of around 22-24°C in the afternoon.
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.
