The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Thursday, 3 October.

Luxembourg

CARITAS SCANDAL – MPs in the Chamber of Deputies were briefed by key ministers about the ongoing Caritas scandal yesterday, as the government faces increased pressure to find solutions for affected projects. In an interview on RTL last night, Prime Minister Luc Frieden said he accepted the criticism that he should have communicated more about the Caritas affair. He explained that the government has offered a "small transition loan", intended to ensure the organisation can pay its remaining employees.

WAGE INDEXATION – A recent Eurostat report on inflation rates across the Eurozone indicates that Luxembourg is unlikely to see any additional wage indexation before the end of the year. The next possible adjustment would not occur until spring 2025. Recent calculations published by Eurostat estimate Luxembourg's inflation rate for September at 1.3%, which would be the lowest level in over three years.

CAR BREAK IN – A teenager who recently escaped from the Dreiborn youth detention centre was apprehended on Tuesday night while attempting to break into a car in Wasserbillig with one other person. Eyewitnesses intervened, managing to confine one of the suspects inside the vehicle until law enforcement arrived. The second suspect fled the scene. Following the incident, the public prosecutor's office decided to return the adolescent to UniSec.

CIGARETTE BUTTS – Luxembourg authorities have launched a new campaign to remind the public that throwing cigarette butts on the ground or into drains is illegal and subject to a €145 fine. The initiative aims to combat the disposal of cigarette butts on the ground or in drains.

DUDELANGE STEELWORKS – After decades of industrial activity and years of abandonment, the Dudelange steelworks site is now set to become a vibrant new neighbourhood, with a mix of housing, businesses, and preserved heritage buildings. The new neighbourhood is set to accommodate up to 3,500 residents in nearly 1,600 housing units. Additional facilities such as a skate park, youth centre, and crèches are also planned.

World

MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT – Israel has bombed central Beirut in the early hours today, killing at least six people and wounding seven, according to Lebanese health officials. Three missiles also hit the southern suburb of Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed last week. US President Joe Biden said he would not support any Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear sites, in response to its ballistic missile attack and urged Israel to act "proportionally". Biden joined a call with G7 leaders to coordinate a response, including new sanctions against Tehran.

US ELECTION – Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are entering the final one-month sprint to the most dramatic US presidential election in modern history with both candidates neck-and-neck in the polls. The world is waiting with bated breath to see who ends up in the Oval Office, at a time when the Middle East slips ever closer to all-out war and Ukraine's fight for survival against Russia hinges on the US support that Trump has previously criticised.

MATTHEW PERRY DEATH – A doctor implicated in the drug overdose that led to the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry has entered a guilty plea, as details of the case continue to emerge. Mark Chavez faces up to 10 years in prison after admitting to conspiring to distribute ketamine in the weeks before the actor was found dead in the pool of his Los Angeles home.

Sport

FOOTBALL – Starting with football, there were a few surprises in last night's Champions League games. Real Madrid suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Lille, while Aston Villa defeated Bayern Munich 1-0. Benfica beat Atletico Madrid 4-0 and Juventus won 3-2 against RB Leipzig. Liverpool won 2-0 in their game against Bologna.
In the Europa League, the Luxembourg national goalkeeper Anthony Moris and Union St Gilloise will take on Norwegian team Bodo-Glimt at 9pm today. In other matches Porto is playing Manchester United, Besiktas meets Frankfurt, and Glasgow Rangers are taking on Lyon.

TENNIS – Carlos Alcaraz roared back from a set down to beat world number one Jannik Sinner in a thriller and win his first China Open title yesterday. The four-time Grand Slam champion edged a captivating final 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) for his fourth ATP crown of the year and 16th overall.

Weather

It's a cloudy start, but with a little bit of sun once it gets light. We are then in for a cloudy and misty day with a chance of some rain showers until late evening. Temperatures will reach a high of 12–15°C with a southwestern breeze at 10–20 km/h.

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