The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Thursday, 2 May.

Luxembourg

BARN FIRE – Firefighters had to intervene at a burnt-barn in Leudelange yesterday evening, because it started to smoke again. The fire, which engulfed the barn on Sunday afternoon, was made all the more tragic by the discovery of a lifeless body amidst the rubble.

RS IMMUNISATION – The first vaccination campaign to immunise infants with antibodies against the RS virus has been successful, according to doctors at the children's clinic. Until 1 March children were vaccinated at birth with their parents' consent. So far, the drug has been well accepted and the result has also been seen in the figures. The clinic has registered 70 percent fewer hospitalisations in infants up to six months of age. The campaign is due to continue next autumn, by which time a new vaccination will be available.

BAZAAR PROFIT – 48 charities are set to benefit from the profits made at last November's three-day Bazar International event, which took place at LuxExpo. A sum of €505,000 was divided out between the organisations, which are spread between Luxembourg, wider Europe, Africa and Asia.

HAALAND IN THE CITY – Norwegian football star Erling Haaland was spotted in Luxembourg City on Tuesday. Some fans surely had to pinch themselves to believe it, but Haaland, considered one of the best football strikers in the world, was strolling down Rue Philippe II. A passerby reported to RTL that he had encountered the Manchester City player and asked to take a selfie. Haaland was accompanied by bodyguards and was carrying several bags from a luxury boutique in the city.

World

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR – Negotiations for a possible ceasefire continue. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has hiked up pressure on Hamas to accept the latest proposal for a ceasefire with Israel, saying the "time is now" for an agreement. But a key sticking point appears to remain – whether the deal would completely end Israel's offensive as Hamas has demanded. Throughout months of talks, Hamas has said the freeing of all hostages it holds must bring a permanent halt to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeated his vow to send Israeli ground forces into Gaza's city of Rafah, despite major concerns over the fate of some 1.5 million civilians sheltering there.

US CAMPUS PROTESTS – Clashes broke out on Wednesday at pro-Palestinian demonstrations on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles, as dozens of universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests. TV footage showed protesters and counter-protesters clashing with sticks and tearing down metal barricades. The LA police department donned riot gear, as they ordered the dispersal of over a thousand people.

OECD MEETING – Today and tomorrow, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel and the Minister of Finance Gilles Roth are in Paris, at the meeting of the Ministerial Council of the OECD. Discussions will include issues ranging from climate change and digitalisation, to the economic and social impacts of population ageing, to challenges to the rule of law.

GEORGIA PROTESTS – The European Union has led condemnation against Georgia  after police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at thousands of demonstrators protesting against a controversial "foreign influence" bill. The clashes were the most violent yet in three weeks of rallies against the planned law -- which critics say is modelled on Russian legislation used to stifle dissent and the EU says undermines Georgian ambitions to join the EU.

Sport

FOOTBALL – Starting with national football, Hesperange vs Niederkorn  - this will be the final match in the Luxembourg Cup final. It comes after Progres Niederkorn beat Mondorf-les-Bains 2-0 in the semi-final yesterday. And Swift Hesperange had previously beaten Strassen 2-0. The final match will take place at the Stade de Luxembourg on the 9th May.

In the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund beat Paris St Germain 1-0 in the first leg of the second semi-final against PSG. The return match is next Tuesday. Meanwhile Bayern and Madrid drew 2-2 all on Tuesday,  the return match is on 8 May.

BADMINTON – The Luxembourg Open starts today and runs until the 5 May at the Coque in Kirchberg. According to organisers top players from around the world are competing in the tournament, including players taking part in the "international challenge" – a top tournament on the Badminton Europe Circuit. Today sees qualifications and the finals take place on Sunday, starting at 1pm.

Weather

Well, the sun was nice while it lasted... unfortunately, today promises to be wet. Rain showers are likely from late morning, all the way through until the evening. There is even a risk of thunderstorms in the latter part of the day, with up to 10 litres of rainfall per square metre in selected areas.

Temperatures start off at 14–16ºC in the morning, rising to 17–19ºC in the afternoon.

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