The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Friday, 13 December.
Luxembourg
SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE - The discovery of a suspicious package triggered a police operation in Bonnevoie yesterday afternoon. Authorities confirmed that the operation was in response to the threat. According to RTL sources, the alert was issued in the course of the afternoon by a company after it had received a suspicious package from Poland that could have been a bomb. At around 4.55pm, the police announced that the security perimeter had been lifted and that they were reopening the streets that had been closed.
MINIMUM WAGE - On 1 January 2025, Luxembourg will implement a 2.6% increase in the social minimum wage. As a result, the minimum wage for non-skilled full-time employees will rise to approximately €2,638, while skilled workers will see their minimum wage increase to €3,165. According to Charel Weiler, MP of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) and rapporteur of the bill, around 70,600 employees will benefit from the wage increase.
TAX RELIEF - Chamber MPs have voted in favor of a comprehensive relief tax package aimed at providing financial benefits to both individuals and businesses. The package includes adjustments to the tax scale for two and a half index brackets, relief for tax class 1A, increased tax credits for single parents, an exemption for the unqualified minimum wage, bonuses for young employees, reduced taxes for high-earning foreign workers relocating to Luxembourg, and lower corporate tax rates for businesses. The changes will come into effect on 1 January 2025.
GERMANY BORDER CONTROLS - Germany has confirmed its border checks with neighbouring countries will continue, drawing criticism from Luxembourg for undermining Schengen's ideals. At a meeting of EU justice and interior ministers on Thursday, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser reiterated that Germany would extend border checks with its neighbouring countries for another six months. Luxembourg has expressed opposition to these checks, with Minister for Home Affairs Léon Gloden criticising them as contrary to the spirit of the Schengen Agreement.
FUEL PRICES - The price of diesel has risen by 2.7 cents to 1.45 euros per liter, and heating fuel is increasing by 3.1 cents to 0.90 euros per liter.
World
NATO WARNING - The head of NATO has said it is time to shift to a war-time mindset, warning that the military alliance’s members are not spending enough to prepare for the threat of a conflict with Russia. In his first major speech since becoming Secretary-General in October, Mark Rutte said Moscow was preparing for long term confrontation with Ukraine and with NATO.
Luxembourg's Minister of Defence, Yuriko Backes, visited the NATO military base in Rukla, Lithuania, on Wednesday to meet Luxembourg soldiers stationed there. During her visit, Backes emphasised the importance of collective defence, noting that Luxembourg is "in a war situation not far from home."
UKRAINE WAR - Meanwhile, French President Macron met Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw yesterday, where the possibility of stationing foreign troops in Ukraine in case of a ceasefire was discussed.
GAZA WAR - Gaza's civil defence agency said a series of Israeli air strikes have killed at least 58 people, including 12 guards securing aid trucks, while the military said it targeted militants planning to hijack the vehicles. The latest bloodshed came despite growing optimism that negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal might finally succeed.
FRANCE POLITICS - French President Macron is set to name a new prime minister today, after days of political deadlock over finding a candidate to replace Michel Barnier, who was ousted in a historic no-confidence vote.
Sport
FOOTBALL – It was a busy schedule in the Europa League, with the group stages edging nearer. Rasmus Hojlund fired Manchester United to a late 2-1 win at Viktoria Plzen. Elsewhere in the Europa League, Spurs drew 1-1 with Rangers in Glasgow. Lazio top the standings with 16 points -- joint with Athletic Bilbao -- after beating Ajax 3-1 to book their spot in the knock-out stages and Lyon beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 to move up to fourth place. Anderlecht overcame Slavia Prague 2-1 to jump to third in the standings.
Chelsea side beat Astana 3-1 Conference League to guarantee a top-eight finish in the league phase.
And last season's defeated finalists Fiorentina won 7-0 at home to Austria's LASK Linz as they ensured progression to the knockout stages.
Real Madrid have confirmed that Kylian Mbappe has suffered a thigh injury in this week's Champions League match at Atalanta, without giving details on his absence. Meanwhile Swedish prosecutors have closed an investigation into alleged rape and sexual assault at a Stockholm hotel, which Swedish media had linked to Kylian Mbappe, citing insufficient evidence.
CHESS - India has hailed chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju after the 18-year-old became the youngest world champion with a thrilling final win over China's Ding Liren. Gukesh has surpassed a record held by Russia's Garry Kasparov, who won the title at age 22, after clinching a dramatic endgame in Singapore to be crowned champion.
Weather
It’s a cold start to the day, but don’t worry – there’s some sunshine on the horizon to brighten things up!
Expect mostly overcast skies, with the sun making regular appearances throughout the day. Morning temperatures will be icy, between -4°C and -2°C, before warming up to a chilly high of 4°C in the afternoon.
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