CHARLEMAGNE PRIZE – EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received the prestigious Charlemagne Prize in Aachen yesterday, as the award marked its 75th anniversary. Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden was in attendance, having delivered a keynote speech earlier in the week highlighting Europe’s need for sovereignty, solidarity, and renewed purpose in the face of global crises. Frieden warned against the reintroduction of national border controls within the Schengen Area, which he said would have serious consequences. He also called for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict and emphasised that Europe must remain vigilant and engaged amid shifting geopolitical realities. The Charlemagne Prize honours individuals and institutions that make exceptional contributions to European unity. Past laureates include Pope Francis, President Macron, former Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker, and, in 1986, the Luxembourg people themselves.
SCHENGEN SHIP – Luxembourg’s historic vessel, the Princess Marie-Astrid, is set to return home ahead of the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement, which was signed on board the ship in 1985. The ship, which has been purchased and restored at a cost of around €10 million, will receive a permanent berth in Schengen, with an exhibition on board. More details on the celebrations are to be unveiled in a press conference next week.
GARDEN OPENING – With panoramic views over the Pétrusse valley, the hidden garden of the British Ambassador’s residence will open its gates for one day only on 5 June as part of the Luxembourg Urban Garden (LUGA) exhibition. Pre-registration is required due to limited capacity, so each guest must register individually via this link.
GAZA WAR – According to the White House, Israel has accepted a new U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas. U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism earlier this week about brokering an agreement to halt the Israel-Hamas war and return more of the hostages captured in the attack that ignited it. Hamas officials have said they want to study the proposal more closely before giving a formal answer. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire despite aid beginning to trickle back into the territory after a more than two-month Israeli blockade. Food security experts say starvation is looming for one in five people.
MUSK DEPARTURE – Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration after helping lead a tumultuous drive to shrink the size of US government that saw thousands of federal jobs axed. His role was temporary, and his exit is not unexpected. Trump and Musk are expected to hold a joint press conference later today.
SWITZERLAND GLACIER – A massive glacier collapse in southern Switzerland has destroyed an entire village, left one man missing, and triggered a state of emergency as authorities monitor the risk of catastrophic flooding. The Birch glacier collapsed on Wednesday, sending a mass of rock, ice, and scree hurtling down the mountain slope and into the valley below, largely destroying the village of Blatten.
FRANCE SMOKING BAN – France will ban smoking in all outdoor places that can be accessed by children, including beaches, parks and bus stops. The new ban, which starts in July, will also extend to schools, to stop students smoking in front of them. Offenders face a fine of up to 135 euros. However, the ban will not extend to France’s iconic cafe terraces and electronic cigarettes, which have boomed in France in recent years, are also not covered.
GSSE – An outstanding performance by the swimming athletes saw them win numerous medals at the Games of the Small States, while athletics, mountain biking, and judo has added further to the tally – Luxembourg currently sit third in the medal table. Luxembourg won gold in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, Finn Kemp triumphed in the 200m breaststroke, while in athletics Vera Bertemes-Hoffmann claimed gold for Luxembourg in the women’s 1500m. For the full medal table and events today, click on the Andorra banner on rtltoday.lu
TENNIS – Jannik Sinner has ended the retiring Richard Gasquet’s career with a one-sided victory at the French Open, while Novak Djokovic successfully continued his Grand Slam record bid. Women’s second seed and former finalist Coco Gauff has booked a place in the last 32, after 18-year-old contender Mirra Andreeva also cruised through. Third seed Zverev is also through, facing Flavio Cobolli on Saturday for a last-16 berth.
CYCLING – Nico Denz escaped from the remnants of a huge breakaway to win stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia yesterday. Saturday’s 166km run includes three first-category climbs. It is first of two ferocious mountain days before the survivors can roll into Rome in triumph on a flat final day when the route passes the Vatican where the new pope is expected to watch.
Today we should have plenty of sunshine, so it’s worth making the best of it, as the weekend forecast looks more unsettled with more rain in the mix. The sun is expected to make an appearance throughout the day but there are still plenty of clouds about. Temperatures are expected to range from 14-16° this morning, to a maximum of 25-26°C in the afternoon. Only very mild winds of up to 10km/h are expected.
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