The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Wednesday, 20 August.

Luxembourg 

FORGED DOCUMENTS ON INBOUND ATHENS FLIGHT – Two separate checks on flights from Athens to Findel earlier this month uncovered several passengers carrying false documents. On Tuesday, 5 August, officers from the Airport Police Unit, working with Customs and Excise officials, arrested eight out of the 35 people checked. Two days later, on Thursday, 7 August, another Athens flight was inspected. Out of 50 passengers checked, seven were found with forged documents, while one third-country national was travelling without a visa.The Public Prosecutor's Office was informed after both inspections, ordered the seizure of the documents, and initiated reports.

DOCLER HOLDING LAYS OFF 115 EMPLOYEES DUE TO AI – While layoffs had already been announced in August, on Tuesday, news website Virgule reported that a social plan has now been signed, confirming that 115 staff will be made redundant. According to Docler, a "significant reorganisation process" has been underway for several months and is expected to be completed by the end of the summer. The restructuring is linked to the integration of AI, which reduces the need for manual processes.

TRAIN SERVICES SUSPENDED – Train services between Kautenbach and Wiltz have been suspended in both directions after a passenger train broke down near the 'Paradiso' stop, CFL has confirmed. A CFL update on Tuesday afternoon revealed that repair works will be necessary, going on through the night of 19 to 20 August. The disruption is tentatively expected to be over by the time the first Wednesday trains roll out. Replacement buses are in operation, and CFL advises passengers to check their app or website for the latest updates.

World

KNEECAP ON TRIAL FOR TERROR OFFENCES – A member of Irish rap band Kneecap is due to appear in court on Wednesday charged with a terror offence for allegedly supporting Hezbollah. Liam O'Hanna, 27, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May after being accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert in November. The hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London is expected to hear legal arguments on whether the charge falls outside a six-month time limit, a court official confirmed. Since Hezbollah was banned in the UK in 2019, it has been an offence to show support for the Iran-backed Lebanese force.

NEW ZEALAND SENTENCES SOLDIER – A military court sentenced a New Zealand soldier on Wednesday to two years' detention for attempted espionage for a foreign power. The soldier, whose name has been suppressed, admitted to attempted espionage, accessing a computer system for a dishonest purpose and knowingly possessing an objectionable publication. The soldier became a person of interest in the aftermath of the Christchurch attack as police cracked down on right-wing extremist groups, of which he was a member, the court heard.

FRANCE AND ISRAEL ROW OVER PALESTINIAN STATE – A row between Israel and France over Paris's plan to recognise a Palestinian state next month escalated to crisis level on Tuesday when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused President Emmanuel Macron of fomenting "antisemitism". The Elysee hit back, calling Netanyahu's allegation "abject" and "erroneous". "This is a time for seriousness and responsibility, not for conflation and manipulation," the French presidency added.

ISRAEL DEMANDS HOSTAGE RELEASE – A senior Israeli official on Tuesday said the government stood firm on its call for the release of all hostages in any future Gaza ceasefire deal, after Hamas accepted a new truce proposal. Mediators are awaiting an official Israeli response to the plan, a day after Hamas signalled its readiness for a fresh round of talks aimed at ending nearly two years of war. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior Israeli official told AFP the government's stance had not changed and demanded the release of all hostages in any deal.

Sport

FOOTBALL – Kylian Mbappé struck from the penalty spot as Real Madrid beat a dogged Osasuna 1-0 on Tuesday to make a winning start in La Liga under new coach Xabi Alonso. The France striker, last season's European Golden Shoe winner, scored early in the second half after he was fouled in the area by Osasuna defender Juan Cruz. It was enough to seal the points in Alonso's first game in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Madrid now unbeaten in their opening fixture of a league campaign since 2008."You can see that Kylian wants to do even more after this first year where he did great things," said Alonso.

Alexander Isak believes his departure from Newcastle is "in the best interests of everyone" after breaking his silence on the saga of the Premier League transfer window amid speculation over a move to Liverpool. Liverpool have reportedly had a £110 million bid ($149 million) rejected for the 25-year-old, with Newcastle holding out for a British transfer record fee of up to £150 million. "When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself."

TENNIS – Iga Swiatek shrugged off lingering weariness when partnering with partner Casper Ruud for back-to-back victories in the revamped mixed doubles competition at the US Open on Tuesday. Swiatek – who on Monday had battled through a two-hour tussle with Jasmine Paolini to win the Cincinnati Open – looked full of energy as she and Ruud powered into Wednesday's semi-finals. Swiatek and Ruud needed just 39 minutes to dispatch the US pairing of Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe 4-1, 4-2 in their opening game at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and then reappeared roughly 20 minutes later to defeat Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti 5-3, 4-2 in their quarter-final clash.

Weather

Unlike yesterdays bright and sunny weather, it's going to be cloudy and rainy today – especially in the south of the country. The temperature is starting to take a dip – a scenario to be repeated in the following days – but it's still not too bad: 16–18°C for the minimum, up to 24°C at the higher end.

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