The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Friday, 20 September.

Luxembourg 

JOB MARKET – The outlook for Luxembourg's construction sector does not look optimistic with activity continuing to decline, according to Statec. The national statistics office has also said that medium-term economic growth and developments in the labour market are looking less promising than a few months ago. Statec predicts a 1.5 percent GDP increase for 2024, with the three percent mark not being achieved until 2028.

COMMUTER FRUSTRATIONS – An increasing number of cross-border workers are voicing frustration over prolonged delays caused by new German border checks on the A64, spurring the LCGB to call for action from Luxembourg's government. Despite earlier assurances, the border checks in Germany, specifically on the A64 motorway toward Trier, are leading to major traffic disruptions. In response, the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) on Thursday urged Minister for Home Affairs Léon Gloden to address the issue with German authorities.

SOCIAL SECURITY – The annual report of the CCSS, Luxembourg's National Insurance Centre, has revealed that employee contributions stood at €8.1 billion last year. This figure is up from €7.4 billion with the report attributing the increase to wage indexation. Luxembourg has nearly half a million employees and just under 30,000 self-employed workers.

World

MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT – The leader of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah has described the deadly attacks across Lebanon as a "massacre" and as a possible "act of war". In a televised address on Thursday he blamed Israel for the explosions targeting communications systems,  that have left 32 people dead and nearly 3,000 wounded. 
Nasrallah warned that Israel would face "tough retribution" for the unprecedented attacks. 
 
COMMEMORATIONS – Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Britain's Princess Anne will join a handful of World War 2 veterans to mark the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden at Oosterbeek war cemetery tomorrow. The ill-fated plan to enter Germany through the Netherlands in a surprise advance to end the war in 1944 was one of the greatest Allied debacles.  On Saturday, hundreds of parachutists will re-enact the September 1944 airborne assault by jumping from a number of planes similar to those used in the actual operation. 
 
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA – The Vatican has moved to recognise the shrine of Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In a 17-page document approved by Pope Francis, the Vatican said it was giving "the official green light to devotion and spiritual experience" for the faithful in Medjugorje, a village of 2,300 residents that has become a popular place of pilgrimage, after six young people reported seeing the Virgin there in 1981.

US PRESIDENT – Joe Biden will host the leaders of Australia, Japan and India at his Delaware home this weekend to bid farewell to the so-called "Quad" group that he has pushed as a counterweight to China. Biden chose his hometown of Wilmington for the summit of the four-nation group -- the last of his presidency after he dropped out of the 2024 election against Donald Trump and handed the Democratic reins to Kamala Harris.
He will hold one-on-one meetings at his beloved Wilmington home, starting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday night and continuing Saturday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Sport

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP – French club Monaco upset 10-man Barcelona by grinding out a 2-1 victory on Thursday in the Champions League, while a stunning David Raya double-save ensured Arsenal a goalless draw away to Europa League winners Atalanta. Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen convincingly beat Feyenoord 0-4, Luxembourg international Leandro Barreiro made his Champions League debut as Benfica beat Red Star Belgrade 1-2. Atletico Madrid scored a goal in the dying moments to beat RB Leipzig and Brest won their first game in the elite division as they defeated Sturm Graz.
 
GOLF – LIV Golf players will be eligible for the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship. The PGA of America made the announcement in a move to ensure access to top talent. 
Since the early days of the upstart Saudi-backed series, the US PGA Tour has banned LIV players from competing in its events, making it hard for LIV players to earn world ranking points and qualify for majors.

FOLLOWING OLYMPICS – South Korean pistol shooter Kim Ye-ji, whose skill and nonchalance won the internet at the Paris Olympics, has landed her first acting role - as an assassin. The 32-year-old took silver in the women's 10m air pistol in July and her ultra-calm demeanour, combined with her wire-rimmed shooting glasses and baseball cap, turned her into a worldwide online sensation. As videos of her shooting went viral, she drew praise from celebrities such as Elon Musk.

Weather

We are on a roll as another pleasant September day awaits. The morning will start off sunny with temperatures of 12 degrees climbing to 21-23 °C in the afternoon and there is no sign of rain!

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