POLICE BODYCAMS – Luxembourg police will begin wearing body cameras starting 1 June, Minister for Home Affairs Léon Gloden has confirmed. Bodycams for police officers were originally approved by MPs in July 2023. Meanwhile, an increase in car thefts, a rise in assault and battery cases, but fewer muggings and burglaries were among the key findings unveiled in the Luxembourg Police’s 2024 activity report.
DEFENCE SPENDING – New Eurostat data shows that Luxembourg spent just 0.6% of its GDP on defence in 2023, placing it among the EU’s lowest military spenders. Across the European Union, general government expenditure on defence reached €227 billion in 2023, making up 2.7% of total government spending.
ARMY KOSOVO FORCE – Luxembourg’s military held a departure ceremony for seven soldiers joining NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) as part of a historic Benelux detachment yesterday. This deployment marks the first time Luxembourg has assumed leadership of a joint Benelux operation. The detachment’s primary responsibilities will oversee airspace monitoring, including drone operations.
SUNNY MARCH – According to Meteolux, Luxembourg’s public weather service, Luxembourg saw its sunniest March since records began at Findel Airport in 1947, with 222.8 hours of sunshine and very little rainfall.
TRUMP TARIFFS – The White House says President Trump is putting the final touches on his plans for sweeping new tariffs that is feared could trigger a global trade war. The announcement is expected this evening and could affect trillions of dollars of US imports. Major economies, including the European Union and Canada, have vowed retaliation.
US MARATHON SPEECH – A Democratic party politician has broken the record for the longest-ever speech in the US senate. Cory Booker delivered a fierce denunciation of Donald Trump’s presidency for more than 25 hours. The previous record was held by Strom Thurmond, who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act in 1957.
UK ENTRY PERMITS – Starting today, European visitors to the UK will need a new entry permit, as the British government shakes up longstanding travel rules. Travellers from Europe will now need a digital Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA, which UK officials say will boost security and streamline entry processes.
VAL KILMER RIP – The actor Val Kilmer, best-known for his roles in Tombstone and Top Gun, has died in Los Angeles at the age of 65. According to his daughter, he died of pneumonia. Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and later recovered.
FOOTBALL – German Cup holders Bayer Leverkusen suffered a shock 2-1 elimination at Arminia Bielefeld in the semi-finals of the competition last night. Bielefeld, who have never made a German Cup final, will face either RB Leipzig or Stuttgart in the final.
In the French Cup, holders Paris Saint-Germain survived a major scare by coming from two goals down to beat second-tier outsiders Dunkerque 4-2 in the semi-finals, sealing their place in next month’s final.
And in the English Premier League, Arsenal won 2-1 against Fulham yesterday and Nottingham Forest moved a step closer to qualifying for the Champions League as they beat Manchester United 1-0. Tonight, Liverpool are playing Everton.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will go on trial today for allegedly failing to declare income to Spain’s tax office, the latest in a string of such cases targeting sports figures in the country. Prosecutors are seeking a jail term of four years and nine months for the 65-year-old Italian.
It’s going to be one of those days, alternating between sunny and cloudy, with a chilly wind that could reach up to 50km/h. Temperature-wise, we are starting at around 5°C this morning with a maximum in the afternoon expected between 15–16%. And by the way, this last month of March counts as one the driest and sunniest March months on record.
---
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.
