Ara City Radio

Turn the sophites on!

Ireland will vote today to replace old-fashioned and sexist references in the constitution on the importance of women's life within the home as part of updating the conservative document stemming from 1937.

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.

This year’s International Women’s Day takes place tomorrow. The platform Journée Internationale des Femmes (JIF) organises a march through the city. Everyone who wants to join the fight for women's rights is invited to join. In our interview on the breakfast show, two representatives of JIF Gabrielle Antar and Amandine Gorse, talk about JIF's political demand and about why we still need a women's rights day.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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. Photo: Matt Hrkac via flickr

All aboard! Luxembourg Station, the crown jewel of the railway world in the pint-sized land of Luxembourg! This little hub of locomotion glory sits a mere stone's throw (well, two kilometers, but who's counting?) from the center of Luxembourg City. It's so important, they decided to name one of the city's districts after it! Not just any district, mind you – it's operated by the Société nationale des chemins de fer luxembourgeois (CFL), which is a fancy way of saying they've got their act together when it comes to trains. Find out more at www.bourgmeisterin.com!

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.

To help voters decide whom to vote for, the Centre for political education (ZPB) elaborates the tool smartwielen - together with the University of Luxembourg and the platform for participatory democracy (PLDP). 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 told us more about this call.

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.

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 to playfully discover the diversity of opera through Augmented Reality. This quirky, playful, walkabout experience mixing live performance and Augmented Reality starts off as a joyful celebration of creativity with live music loosely based on Ambroise Thomas’ Le songe d’une nuit d’été and Mozart’s Zauberflöte at De Gudde Wëllen. The first outing is this Friday 1st March 2024 at 3pm, followed by another two journeys of musical exploration on Saturday 2nd at 3pm and 5pm. Further dates: 23rd, 24th March (3pm & 5pm) & 10th, 11th & 12th April (6.30pm). More details and booking information can be found at www.volleksbuehn.lu

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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.

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.

The European Court of Human Rights has condemned Switzerland for racial profiling. A Swiss national of Kenyan origin filed a complaint in Switzerland in 2015. He was stopped and searched by police at the train station in Zurich. The ruling is a huge step forward and sets an example for future court decisions across the EU.

The Pétrusse Casemates were closed to the general public for a while before they reopened at the end of spring '23. Oh the tales they tell! These ancient fortifications have a history that takes us back to the time when the Spanish decided to modernise the medieval fortifications. Because who needs old and boring walls when you can have fancy bastions, right? Find out more at www.bourgmeisterin.com!