The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Wednesday, 24 July.

Luxembourg 

CARITAS FRAUD – Prime Minister Luc Frieden will inform the press today on the investigation at Caritas, following a Government Council meeting. Negotiations are underway with banks and the government to save Caritas from collapse and to secure funding for employee salaries. The charity fell victim to a major embezzlement scandal involving €61 million.

LGBTQ PETITION – A petition calling for the removal of LGBTQIA+ topics from school curricula for minors has surpassed the 4,500-signature threshold required for debate in the Chamber of Deputies. The petitioner expressed concern that introducing these topics at a young age could "disturb the psycho-pedagogical development of children". No date has been set for the debate yet.

PIRATE PARTY FINANCES – The Chamber of Deputies has announced a probe into the Pirate Party's finances. This move follows a series of allegations regarding the private use of operating funds provided by the Chamber of Deputies. The Luxembourg parliament has requested that the Pirate Party political group provide a copy of all financial documents tracing its expenditures from the beginning of the 2018 parliamentary term to the present. Sven Clement, an MP of the Pirate Party and one its founders, said the party had no problem collaborating and making everything available for this legislative period.

BERG CASTLE EXTENSION – Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume has announced plans for a privately funded annexe to Berg Castle, aiming to provide an intimate home for his family as he prepares to assume the role of Grand Duke. Speaking to RTL, Colmar-Berg Mayor Mandy Arendt explained that the general and particular building plans still have to pass through all the necessary channels, but conveyed that the municipal council already unanimously approved initial steps last week. Colmar-Berg residents now have 30 days to voice concerns about the project.

World

NETANYAHU US – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will deliver a landmark speech to the US Congress this evening, seeking to rally support at a time of tensions between his country and its main military backer over the war in Gaza. He is expected to announce news of a possible new deal with Hamas, according to the hostages who remain in their custody. President Biden will meet Netanyahu on Thursday, while Kamala Harris will hold separate talks with the Israeli leader. She will not, however, attend his speech due to previously scheduled travel. Netanyahu will also meet with Trump in Florida on Friday.

GAZA POLIO – In Gaza, the concern about a polio outbreak is growing, after the virus was found in wastewater. A spokesperson for the World Health Organization said yesterday that the lack of clean and fresh water and the breakdown of water and sanitation services could massively increase the risk of an epidemic. Israel wants to vaccinate its soldiers now and has also announced a vaccination programme for the Palestinian population.

US ELECTION – An exuberant Kamala Harris whipped up a rapturous crowd at her first rally since effectively clinching the Democratic presidential nomination, as she launched fresh attacks on Donald Trump for trying to "take the country backward". In a stark contrast to outgoing President Joe Biden's often stumbling and low-energy speeches, Vice President Harris gave a punchy and enthusiastic address that was greeted with cheers at the event in the battleground state of Wisconsin.

FRANCE PM – French President Emmanuel Macron has dismissed a left-wing alliance's push to name a new prime minister after snap elections, saying parties in a fractured parliament must come together to build a broad coalition after the Paris Olympic Games. Macron surprised the nation by dissolving parliament and calling snap elections, with the second round of voting on 7 July producing a lower-house National Assembly with no clear majority.

RECORD HEAT – Europe's Copernicus climate monitoring service says last Sunday was the hottest day that it has ever been recorded on earth, with temperatures averaging just over 17°C. The agency’s head said records would be broken with increasing frequency because of climate change.

Sport

OLYMPICS 2024 – Today the Summer Olympics begin in Paris. The opening ceremony is not until Friday, but the men's football action already starts today. 16 countries have qualified and matches will be played in Paris, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux, Nantes, and Saint-Etienne. Among today’s games France will play against the US and Argentina take on Morocco. The women's tournament starts tomorrow.

The rugby sevens also kick off today. The first match sees Australia playing Samoa. Among the highlights Ireland will take on South Africa this afternoon and New Zealand play Japan.

FOOTBALL – Celtic have edged Manchester City 4-3 in a pre-season friendly. The match was a tuneup for next month's start of the 2024–25 campaigns for Celtic, winner of the past three Scottish Premiership crowns, and four-time defending English Premier League champion Manchester City, which began a US tour.

And FC Differdange have had a successful start in the 2nd round of the qualification for the Football Conference League. The national champions beat Odabasy from Kazakhstan 1-0 with a goal after 37 minutes by Jorginho. The return match takes place next week.

Weather

Clouds from dawn until dusk, with the slight chance of sunshine peeking through mid-morning and in the evening. It's generally a cloudy but dry day. Temperatures start off at 13–15°C in the morning, rising to highs of 24°C in the afternoon.

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