The RTL Today Radio News team brings you the latest news headlines for Wednesday, 26 October
PARLIAMENT REPORT: The Chamber of Deputies has published its annual report on the previous parliamentary session, covering the period from autumn 2021 to summer 2022. The report shows that MPs spent almost 300 hours debating during plenary sessions, passing a total of 137 new bills. The longest public debate in the Chamber lasted a good 7 and a half hours.
LUXEMBOURG AIR QUALITY – According to the latest Eurobarometer survey published this week, air quality remains a major concern for Luxembourgers. They are worried about the effects of air pollution on their health. A large majority of residents – 66% – think that EU air quality standards should be tightened and that large industrial plants and fossil fuel energy producers are not doing enough to promote good air quality.56% of residents feel that households are doing enough.
ACL FEES – The Luxembourg Motoring Association (ACL) is putting up its membership fees for the first time in thirteen years. ACL say they have been impacted by the rise in fuel prices and inflation. For coverage in Luxembourg, fees will rise to 69€, and to €119 per year for European coverage.
UKRAINE AID – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked the international community to cover an expected budget deficit of $38 billion next year for his war-torn country, with Moscow’s invasion badly hitting the economy. The Ukrainian army is meanwhile making further advances in the occupied area of Kherson.
GERMAN-FRENCH COOPERATION – German Chancellor Scholz and French President Macron will meet in Paris today. Discussions will be on European and bilateral issues. German-French relations are currently strained, due to differences in the subjects of defence and energy. During a lunch at the Elysée Palace, the two leaders aim to “strengthen Franco-German cooperation” and respond to common challenges in a “united and supportive manner”.
ADIDAS KANYE WEST – Adidas says it will lose more than € 250 million euro by cutting its ties with Kanye West but that it will not tolerate anti antisemitism or hate speech. The American rapper who is now known as Ye was removed from social media after recently posting offensive comments.
RUSSIA GRINER – A Russian court has dismissed American basketball star Brittney Griner’s appeal against a nine-year sentence for possessing and smuggling vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. The White House reacted by calling it a “sham trial” and called for her immediate release. Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, was arrested a week before Russia invaded Ukraine.
IRAN PROTESTS – Despite the violent crackdown by Iranian security forces, students in Iran continued their protests across the country on Tuesday. Today, marks 40 days since Mahsa Amini’s death and the end of the traditional mourning period. According to activists, security services have warned Amini’s family not to hold a ceremony or ask people to visit their daughter’s grave.
FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Dortmund, Manchester City, Paris St. Germain and Benfica Lisbon have all qualified for the knockout stage. There are still 7 spots for the taking. This evening, among others, Barcelona will play against Bayern Munich.
OLYMPICS 2024 – And Paris expects a crowd of 600,000 at the 2024 summer Olympics‘ opening ceremony which is to take place on the river Seine. Rather than in an athletics stadium, France plans to celebrate the ceremony with a flotilla of some 200 boats down the river Seine. The banks of the river can accomodate 100,000 people who will have to buy tickets, while another 500,000 will be able to watch for free from the street level above. French interior minister Gerald Darmanin said 35,000 security forces would be deployed for the ambitious opening ceremony.
This morning may come with a few showers before turning into a classic, overcast autumn afternoon. Morning temperatures start off at 11-13°C, rising to a pleasant 16-19°C in the afternoon
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