The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Monday, 9 September.

Luxembourg

ARMENIA VISIT - Foreign Minister Bettel is on an official working visit to Armenia today and tomorrow. He will meet Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan, followed by a joint press conference.

PETANGE LIBERATION - The Grand Duke and Prime Minister Luc Frieden are both attending a commemorative ceremony for the liberation of Pétange today. 80 years ago, on September 9, 1944, American troops entered Pétange, which became the first Luxembourg town to be liberated by Allied forces. It was also in Pétange that the first American soldier was killed on Luxembourgish soil, Hyman Josefson.

LITERACY CAMPAIGN - The Ministry of Education has launched a new campaign aimed at adults wishing to acquire essential skills such as reading, writing, basic arithmetic and digital literacy. An estimated 10 to 12 percent of adults in Luxembourg lack such skills. The campaign, run by the Adult Education Service (SFA), is designed to encourage those affected by illiteracy to enrol in free courses, offered in French, German and Portuguese. At the same time, a dedicated helpline has been set up at 80 02 99 99, where interested callers will receive confidential guidance from specialists.

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL - At the 81st Venice Film Festival, two Luxembourgish productions won prestigious awards. Oto’s Planet by Gwenael François, a predominately Luxembourgish production by Skill Lab (Julien Becker) in association with Quebec and France, won the Venice Immersive Special Jury Prize. And Ito Meikyu by Boris Labbé, a Les Films Fauves (Gilles Chanial and Govinda Van Maele) co-production with France, won the Venice Immersive Grand Prize.

World

VENEZUELA OPPOSITION - Venezuela’s opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzales has promised to continue to fight for the restoration of democracy. He fled the country after his party disputed July’s election result, which saw Nicolas Maduro handed a third term. Gonzales is now in Spain, after being granted political asylum.

MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT - Seven people have been killed and more than a dozen injured in a suspected Israeli attack on Syria. The country’s state news agency said 5 sites were targeted, including an Iran-linked research centre. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a TV interview that no ceasefire agreement was in sight. The EU's chief diplomat Josep Borrell is travelling to the Middle East today to advocate for a ceasefire.

SUDAN KILLING - At least 21 people are reported to have been killed by shelling at a crowded market in southeast Sudan on Sunday. The Sudan Doctor’s Network said the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were behind the attack. The situation in Sudan is also a topic in Geneva today, where the Human Rights Council of the United Nations is meeting. Other issues are the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

EAST TIMOR POPE - Pope Francis is expected in East Timor today, where he will hold a huge mass. The country has only been independent since 2002 and is one of the few countries in southeast Asia with a Catholic majority.

APPLE RELEASE - Apple is releasing its latest line of iPhones at 7pm our time this evening. The new phone is expected to feature generative AI capabilities. The latest version of the Apple Watch is also expected to be revealed.

US SUPERBOWL SHOW - Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar will headline next year's Super Bowl half-time show in New Orleans. Next year's Super Bowl will take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9. A list of past Super Bowl half-time performers includes the likes of the Rolling Stones, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, U2, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Beyonce.

Sport

PARALYMPICS 2024 - The Paralympics closed last night with a giant music-fuelled party. The Paralympic flame and cauldron were extinguished before a concert featuring the best of French electronic music capped off proceedings at a packed Stade de France. More than 4,400 athletes from 168 Paralympic delegations partied despite persistent rain, including the two Luxembourgers Kathrin Kohl and Tom Habscheid, who won bronze in the shot put on Saturday.

FOOTBALL - In the Nations League, Luxembourg lost 1-0 to Belarus yesterday at the Stade de Luxembourg, following their defeat to Northern Ireland on Thursday. Bulgaria won 1-0 against Northern Ireland in the Luxembourg group and is now the table leader. The Red Lions will play Bulgaria on October 12th.

TENNIS - Jannik Sinner has won the US Open, his second tennis Grand Slam title of this year. The world’s Number 1 defeated Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5, shattering American hopes of the first male champion of the major in 21 years. Sinner is the first Italian man to win the US Open singles title in New York.

CYCLING - Primoz Roglic has won the Vuelta a Espana for a record-equalling fourth time. In the end, the Slovenian had 2 min 36 seconds up on the Australian Ben O'Connor.

Weather

We're starting the week off with for rain showers all day today. Expect cloudy skies and perhaps the odd ray of sunshine breaking through from time to time. Morning temperatures start off at 13-15°C, rising to highs of a meagre 17-19°C.

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