The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Friday, 4 October.

Luxembourg

SAFETY CAMPAIGN – The police stepped up its road safety campaign around schools to mark the beginning of the new term last month. 662 fines were issued to drivers for parking incorrectly, while 238 drivers were fined for speeding.Six drivers were also found to be travelling with children without the correct car seats installed in the vehicle.

ENVIRONMENT REFORM – The Government Council has approved a legislative proposal to amend key environmental laws, aiming to streamline administrative procedures and accelerate housing construction while balancing urban development with nature conservation.

MISSING PERSONS – Police have issued several missing person alerts this week:  Luka Nicola Lua, who has not been seen since 1pm on Tuesday, 17-year-old Maximilian Streveler has not been seen since 6:30am on Monday and 18-year-old Kornelia Miriam Wojcik, who was last seen in Luxembourg City on Wednesday.

CARITAS UKRAINE – And while Caritas Luxembourg activities are currently being phased out, some of their international projects are still ongoing, including one in Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine. Here, children and families displaced by the war are currently receiving humanitarian aid, as well as psychosocial support. Fränz Jacobs, who is currently representing Caritas Luxembourg in Ukraine is unsure whether a solution will be found to continue the project.

World

MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT – Israeli bombing caused huge explosions outside Beirut’s international airport during a further night of air strikes targeting Hezbollah in the city. The air raids targeted Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine, the rumoured successor to its assassinated leader Hassan Nasrallah. While the United States, the EU and other allies have called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire in the Israel-Lebanon conflict, President Biden said the US was discussing with Israel its options for responding to Tehran’s assault, which included Israel striking Iran’s oil facilities.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is set to lead Friday prayers and deliver a public sermon that could shed light on the Islamic republic's plans after a massive missile attack on enemy Israel. Khamenei's rare Friday sermon – a first in almost five years – comes three days before the one-year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

NATO KYIV – In a major show of support for Kyiv, the new NATO chief Mark Rutte went to the Ukrainian capital for his maiden trip as secretary general of the alliance. In a joint media appearance, Zelensky blasted Western delays over supplying long-range weapons he says are critical to fighting off the Russian invasion, and called on NATO members to shoot down Russian missiles and drones fired on Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia confirmed it had captured the eastern town of Vugledar.

EU ELECTRIC CARS – EU countries are today expected to confirm hefty tariffs on electric cars made in China, a move dividing the bloc as some states led by Germany fear sparking a trade war with Beijing. China has slammed the new tariffs of up to 35.3 percent – on top of existing duties of 10 percent – as "protectionist" and warned they would trigger a trade war. Brussels says it aims to protect European carmakers in a critical industry that provides jobs to around 14 million people across the EU.

MELANIA ABORTION – In a surprising revelation ahead of the 2024 election, Melania Trump has expressed strong support for abortion rights in her upcoming memoir, a stance that stands in stark contrast to her husband Donald Trump's anti-abortion views. According to book extracts, Melania Trump wrote that it is "imperative to guarantee that women have autonomy in deciding their preference of having children, based on their own convictions, free from any intervention or pressure from the government."

Sport

FOOTBALL – Some results from the 2nd matchday in the Europa League: 
Union St Gilloise drew 0-0 at home with Bodo-Glimt. Porto and Manchester United drew 3-3 and Eintracht Frankfurt beat Beskitas Istanbul 3-1.

World football's governing body FIFA has given no verdict either way on a Palestinian request to suspend Israel, but instead launched an investigation into allegations of discrimination. The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) believes Israel’s federation has committed “violations of Fifa regulations” and called for sanctions against the country’s national teams and clubs.

GOLF – Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley said the home of the Masters suffered damage from Hurricane Helene but vowed the tournament will be played next April as planned. Ridley announced the club's $5 million donation to a fund supporting Augusta-area recovery efforts from the storm, which battered the southeastern United States last week. Ridley said the Masters would begin April 10 as scheduled.

Weather

The morning will be chilly and cloudy, though it should clear as the day goes on. The morning starts off between 3-6°C, but temperatures will rise to a comfortable 12-15°C in the afternoon, with the chance of a few sunny spells. 
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