Your Daily BriefToday's most important news in one place

Trade unions criticise businesses opening on Saturday despite public holiday

In a joint press release, the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) and the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) recalled that 9 May became a public holiday in Luxembourg in 2019 to mark Europe Day, in reference to Robert Schuman's declaration of 9 May 1950. At the time, they said, the new holiday had been presented as a measure of social progress, intended to give workers more time for their private and family lives.

However, the unions said the government, municipalities, and businesses now appear to be disregarding that original purpose. Although the new law liberalising shop opening hours will only enter into force on 18 June 2026, the government has already allowed all municipalities to grant derogations so that shops can open on 9 May.

The OGBL and LCGB described this as a further blow to retail workers, who they said already face precarious working conditions, low wages, imposed part-time work, and maximum flexibility. They accused the authorities and businesses concerned of treating retail staff like second-class employees and of undermining the very meaning of a public holiday.

Also today

• A judicial investigation has been opened for suspected involuntary manslaughter after a 48-year-old woman lost her life in an accident during the European Hillrace in Eschdorf last Sunday.
• Xavier Bettel has distanced himself from MEP Fernand Kartheiser over a planned trip to Russia.
• Romanian police officers have joined Luxembourg patrols for a six-month cooperation mission focused on gathering information linked to human trafficking and organised begging.
• US employment rose more than expected in April, alleviating some concerns about the health of the world's largest economy.
• A US warplane disabled two Iranian tankers to enforce a port blockade on Friday, after Washington's top diplomat said he was awaiting Tehran's response to the latest proposed deal to end the Gulf conflict.
• Poland has became the first country to sign a loan agreement with the European Commission to fund the modernisation of its military and arms industry.
• A hostage situation at a bank in Sinzig, Germany ended with two people freed unharmed, but police believe the suspect or suspects escaped after locking them inside the vault.

On air

Tom is super excited to be going to see Way Dynamic, who is playing at the Rotonde tomorrow. He'll be the one in the false moustache and glasses, incognito!

Figure of the day

240 students from St George's school hosted an Ocean Symposium in honour of Sir David Attenborough

• The event, held in honour of broadcaster and environmentalist Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday, brought together students from St George's International School and the International School of Luxembourg, as well as educators, NGOs, and environmental organisations.
• According to the press release, the symposium aimed to help students better understand the links between ocean health, biodiversity, climate, and human wellbeing. Through workshops and an exhibition, participants were encouraged to see themselves as future guardians of the planet's oceans.

Stay connected: Tune in to RTL Today Radio, now on 93.3 FM and DAB+, and be sure to catch our full bulletin on the hour, every hour, and headlines at half past the hour.