In the beginning of this week, lawmakers in France voted in favor of making abortion rights constitutional. The planning familial Asbl has been advocating to take the same step in Luxembourg as well. In our interview on Local Matters, Ainhoa Achutegui, president of Planning Familial, explains why this is so important and how accessible abortion is in Luxembourg nowadays.
That's why we still need women's rights day
Why do we still need a women’s rights day in Luxembourg? What are the political demands for more gender equality? On the brink of this year’s International Women’s Day, we’ve invited Gabrielle Antar and Amandine Gorse from the platform Journée Internationale des Femmes (JIF) to answer these questions.
What's right: Ban microplastics from drinking water
Scientists have found a surprisingly simple way to remove nano plastics and microplastics (NMP's) from drinking water. By boiling water, the nmp's are 'encrusted' with limescale - or calcium carbonate - the chalky substance commonly seen in kitchen kettles. Sieving the boiled water can then eliminate up to 90% of NMP's.
LM on tour: A visit to the reopened National Resistance Museum
The National museum of Resistance and Human Rights in Esch was reopened last week, after almost 6 years of renovation works. On Local Matters, we've had a visit.
Support the ecological transition
Transition Minett, based in Esch-sur-Alzette, is a collective for raising awareness, exchanges, sharing, and actions for the Transition in the Minett. They bring together citizens for an ecological, inclusive, and united transition. Also, their mission is one of awareness, information, and mobilization aimed at the emergence and support of initiatives. Discover their projects by listening to interview.
What's right: a ground-breaking cure for alcoholism?
Using gene therapy, scientists have discovered that managing the level of the protein GDNF is key to the the correct transmission of dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter, in the brain. GDNF levels plummet when alcoholics abstain from drinking, leading to a dopamine shortage and feeling of discomfort, which makes alcoholics resort to drinking. Gene therapy is now thought to 'fix' GDNF levels, which could be a solution for those suffering from alcoholism.
Tetkine Radosti (Balkan Express 150)
The wonderfully weird thing about Tetkine Radosti, a Slovenian DJ collective, is that they actually raid long-forgotten stashes of vinyl, singles, LPs and EPs, usually laying in some dusty corner of a non-descript antiques shop. In there, they will find musical rarities from former Yugoslavia and mix them all together into their signature sound.
What's right: adapt to climate change by depaving
Depaving means getting rid of asphalt, cement and such and allows water to soak into the ground which reduces flooding in times of heavy rain. Once depaved, planting trees and plants helps wildlife cling on in urban spaces and trees protect residents from heatwaves. Greenery in cities is also said to improve people's mental health.
Fresh and Not-So-Fresh Cuts (Top of the EU Pops 04-03-24)
Seventeen new tracks atop at least as many European music charts, and it has only been a week since our last show. Top of the EU Pops on Ara City Radio brings you the latest (if not necessarily the greatest) in Europan music tastes. Check out who is challenging Beyoncé for continental domination.
What's right: France makes the right to abortion constitutional
This afternoon, lawmakers in France vote to enshrine abortion rights in the constitution. France is the first country to do so. Get all the details on today's What's right with the world.
What's right: flying is safer than ever before.
According to new research by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), flying in Europe is safer than ever before. Globally, for every 1.26 million flights, there was one accident. The European accident rate is even lower, with a fatality rate of zero since 2018.
Send your questions for the smartwielen tool
The tool smartwielen helps voters decide whom to vote for. To develop the smartwielen questionnaire for the European Parliament election, the organisations call on the public to participate. Political scientist Raphaël Kies of the Luxembourg University joined us on the Breakfast show to talk about this call.
What's right: AI will make the four-day workweek inevitable
According to research in the US and trials currently taking place in business across Europe, the use of AI in the workplace increases the possibility of actually having a four-day workweek, with AI taking over simple tasks, such as data input, planning and software development.
Discover the diversity of opera with Opera GO!
Anne Simon from Volleksbühn joined Simon to talk about Opera GO - an operatic scavenger-hunt which takes the audience on a journey through Luxembourg City.
Integrate as an artist
Casting Lux is that nonprofit platform that gives actors, dancers, voiceovers, or simple amateurs a chance to be in the spotlight. Their goal is to improve the quality of castings in the entertainment industry in Luxembourg while making it easier to connect everyday people, upcoming talents & current professionals with Luxembourg's thriving movie, TV, event & creative industries.
What's right: Spain will ban some domestic flights to reduce carbon emissions
As part of a plan to reduce carbon emissions, Spain will ban domestic flights in case a destination is reachable by train in under two-and-a-half hours.
Psihomodo Pop (Balkan Express 149)
Croatian pop punk band Psihomodo Pop are an institution unto themselves and as such deserve a place in the pantheon of Balkan rock and roll.
What's right: The Hungarian Parliament has ratified Sweden's membership to NATO.
The Hungarian Parliament has finally ratified Sweden's membership to NATO, allowing for an approval stamp for the Scandinavian country 18 months after it made its first bid to join.
For Your Listening Pleasure (Top of the EU Pops 26-02-24)
Thirteen new tracks atop various European music charts provide for a whole lot of freshly cut listening pleasure on this week’s Top of the EU Pops on Ara City Radio. Newcomers include, but are not limited to Beyoncé, Pierre Garnier and Francis of Delirium
New Music Monday - 26-02-2024
Huzzah! Another Monday can only mean one thing… A fresh dollop of Simon's awesome audio selections, wrenched from the new music released within the last week.