The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Tuesday, 21 October.
Luxembourg
UNEMPLOYMENT RISE – According to STATEC, unemployment is on the rise, with skilled workers being particularly affected. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stands at 6.1%. The professions most affected are accounting, secretarial work, IT, and road transport.
EU GAS – EU countries have agreed to phase out remaining gas imports from Russia by the end of 2027, breaking a dependency the bloc has struggled to end despite Moscow's war on Ukraine. Energy ministers meeting in Luxembourg approved a plan by the European Commission to phase out both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas imports from Russia, subject to approval by the bloc's parliament. The plan is part of a broader EU strategy to wean the bloc off Russian energy supplies
ROYAL TRIPS – The new Grand Ducal couple will make their first official foreign trips later this month, visiting two of Luxembourg's neighbouring countries. The couple will meet Belgium's King and Queen in Brussels on October 24, before traveling to Berlin three days later to meet German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife. Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel will join both visits, which aim to strengthen ties with Luxembourg's closest neighbours.
ACCESSION COSTS – Luxembourg City has confirmed it spent nearly €5 million on the two-day throne accession festivities, with the state contributing an additional €3.6 million. City Mayor Lydie Polfer told the municipal council on Monday that the biggest expense was the 360° stage for Saturday's concert on Glacis square.
World
FRANCE TORNADO – At least one person has been killed and eight others injured, four of them critically, after powerful winds swept through towns north of Paris yesterday afternoon. The storm hit the municipality of Ermont and surrounding towns, tearing off roofs and toppling cranes. Social media videos captured the destruction as emergency crews deployed 80 firefighters and 50 police officers to the affected areas. Local authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel. Emergency crews are still on the scene.
SARKOZY PRISON – Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy begins a five-year jail sentence today for illegally accepting Libyan campaign funding in 2007. Sarkozy, convicted of criminal conspiracy involving the late dictator Muammar Gaddafi, will be held at La Santé prison in Paris. Sarkozy has appealed, calling the verdict an injustice.
GAZA CEASEFIRE – The top US envoys to the Middle East met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday after weekend violence threatened to wreck a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. Both sides insist they remain committed to the ceasefire and US President Donald Trump, who helped broker the deal, told reporters in Washington that as far as he was concerned, it was still in effect. US Vice President JD Vance and his wife are expected to arrive in Israel today for further talks.
JAPAN PM – Sanae Takaichi is expected to become Japan's first woman prime minister today, but analysts say her rise does not necessarily signal a feminist victory. Instead, the 64-year-old, who won the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership this month, has positioned herself as a hardliner focused on defence and economic security.
Sport
FOOTBALL – We have several Champions League matches today. The early kickoffs at 6.45pm see Barcelona host Olympiacos and Kairat take on Pafos. Then at 9pm, it's a busy evening with Newcastle welcoming Benfica, PSV facing Napoli, Union Saint Gilloise playing Inter, and Bayer Leverkusen hosting PSG in what promises to be the standout clash of the night.
Here in Luxembourg, FC Differdange have moved top of the table with a dominant 3-0 win over Swift Hesper on Sunday. The only unbeaten team in the league, they now lead F91 Dudelange with two games in hand, putting them on course for a third straight title.
BASEBALL – George Springer's three-run home run has sent the Toronto Blue Jays to the World Series for the first time in 32 years. Springer's blast lifted Toronto to a 4-3 game seven victory over Seattle yesterday. The Blue Jays will now face defending champions the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic, with game one in Toronto on Friday.
Weather
Today promises to be overcast with mostly cloudy skies and localised rain showers throughout the day. In the morning, w can also expect some strong windugsts of 41-42 km/hour to really make us aware we have entered autumn now. Temperatures start off at 9–11°C in the morning, rising to 12-14°C later on.
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