The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Monday, 15 September.
Luxembourg
BACK TO SCHOOL – It's back to school for 63,000 of Luxembourg's students today and the police have launched their annual safety campaign aimed at drivers. Police presence is increasing around schools, with more checks on drivers, and fluorescent vests will be distributed to the youngest schoolchildren. Officers will be monitoring speed and parking in particular in zones around school buildings.
Meanwhile, the Luxembourg teachers' union SEW has outlined critical demands for the coming school year, highlighting tensions over resource allocation, the rollout of the French literacy programme, and systemic challenges in supporting vulnerable students.
RYANAIR CUTS – According to media information, Ryanair is cutting flights to Spain from Luxembourg. 26 flights will be affected to both Madrid and Barcelona, as part of a number of cuts announced by the budget airline Ryanair. The cuts are part of a broader initiative by the Irish low-cost airline, which announced earlier this month that it plans to serve significantly fewer Spanish airports during the winter season.
SUICIDE RATES – Latest data from Eurostat shows that more than one in six deaths among people aged 15–29 in the EU were the result of suicide. Just over 5,000 young people aged 15–29 died as a result of intentional self-harm in 2022. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death for young Europeans, after accidents. For the general population, the share is far smaller, with suicide accounting for about one in 100 deaths.
LABUBU CRAZE – Labubus, the fluffy monsters seen dangling from fashionistas' handbags, have taken the world by storm – but getting the right one is not as easy as you might think. Demand for the plush toys has even reached the Grand Duchy with one store saying they sell a few hundred every 24 hours. Customers have to spend between 60 and 90 euros per toy, significantly more than on the official website, but they are difficult to obtain from the manufacturer and take a long time to ship from China otherwise.
World
GERMANY STATE ELECTION – In the state elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, early estimates show that while the CDU is set for victory, the far-right AfD has tripled its share of voters. The conservative CDU is set to take 34% of the vote, followed by center-left SPD with the AfD taking 16.5% of the vote. Sunday's polls were the first local elections since Chancellor Friedrich Merz took office in May.
SPAIN PROTESTS – The final stage of the Vuelta a España was abandoned on Sunday because of huge pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid. Thousands of protestors gathered in the Spanish capital, invading the course where the race was due to pass in the centre of Madrid. Riders, around 56 kilometres from the finish of the race, came to a halt before the Vuelta was abandoned, with two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard crowned champion for the first time.
ROMANIA DRONE – Romania has protested the entry of a Russian drone into its airspace during an attack on neighbouring Ukraine, summoning Moscow's ambassador to the foreign ministry over the incident. The intrusion comes days after fellow NATO member Poland said it had shot down Russian drones that had violated its airspace as Moscow launched a barrage against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Kremlin of "testing" Romania and wanting to "bring the war" to Poland and the Baltic with the intrusions.
EMMY AWARDS – The British series "Adolescence" was the big winner at Sunday's Emmy Awards, claiming eight prizes including best limited series, best actor, supporting actress, and best supporting actor for 15-year-old Owen Cooper – the youngest ever male actor to win an Emmy. Its examination of toxic masculinity among young boys, and the horrific messages they are exposed to via smartphones and social media, prompted debate around the world.
Sport
ATHLETICS – Patrizia van der Weken missed out on a place in the 100-metre semi-final at the World Athletics Championships on Saturday with a time of 11.29 seconds. Luxembourg's 2024 Sportswoman of the Year said she knew she was capable of running much faster than she managed in the heats, but admitted that the past few months had not gone to plan.
Today sees the finals in the men's pole vault, women's hammer throw, the women's 100-metre hurdles. Hopes are resting on Luxembourg's Ruben Querinjean, who is taking part in the men's 3000-meter steeplechase just before 3pm our time.
Tanzania's Alphonce Felix Simbu has produced a savage dip at the line to snatch world marathon gold from Germany's Amanal Petros in Tokyo earlier today. Simbu and Eritrea-born Petros were both clocked at 2hr 09min 48sec in the most dramatic of endings in Tokyo. Simbu was judged to have finished three-hundredths ahead.
BASKETBALL – NBA star Dennis Schroeder came good when it mattered most as Germany edged out Turkey 88-83 to win the EuroBasket title, two years after lifting the World Cup.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL – The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles have held off the Kansas City Chiefs 20-17 on Sunday in a scrappy rematch of last season's NFL championship game. Meanwhile In Dallas, the Cowboys secured a 40-37 victory over the New York Giants.
Weather
Cloud, showers, and gusts of wind will dominate the morning, but by the afternoon the weather should clear up and we can enjoy some sunny spells lasting through to mid-week.The morning will be a little warmer than yesterday, 14-16°C, rising to 19-21°C in the afternoon.
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