The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Wednesday, 29 October.

Luxembourg 

FOREIGN POLICY ADDRESS – Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel has announced Luxembourg will ban goods from illegally occupied Palestinian territories and create a legal framework for entry bans against extremist Israeli ministers. In his foreign policy address yesterday, Bettel also called for UN Security Council reform, criticising veto powers that allow one country to block the entire world. He confirmed Grand Duke Guillaume will deliver Luxembourg's address at the next UN General Assembly.

In the Chamber this afternoon at 2pm, there will be a debate on Bettel's foreign policy statement from yesterday. Also this morning, there's a Chamber plenary session including a current affairs hour on the upcoming World Climate Summit in Brazil in November and the positions Luxembourg will be taking there.

CARPOOL FINES – Automated cameras are now in place on the A3 motorway to enforce the carpool lane between Croix de Gasperich and the Berchem service area. The system will fine solo drivers €74 for using the lane reserved for vehicles with two or more occupants. The cameras will enter a test phase shortly, with full enforcement and automated fines starting in spring 2026.

AMAZON JOBS – Amazon is cutting 14,000 jobs globally in a cost-saving push targeting administrative functions. The move is intended not only to reduce expenses but also to address the company’s overexpansion during the Covid pandemic, when hiring surged to meet increased demand for online shopping. In Luxembourg, around 100 of the 4000 Amazon employees are affected.

WORKING TIME REFORM – The government held separate meetings yesterday evening with trade unions and employers' organisations to discuss working time arrangements. Further meetings are scheduled for the 19 November, with results expected between March and April next year. All three social partners expressed satisfaction that dialogue has resumed.

WORLD STROKE DAY – Today is World Stroke Day. Strokes remain the most common cause of serious disability in adults and one of the leading causes of death. Four people suffer a stroke every day in Luxembourg, and often they wait too long to seek help. Prevention is also important. The charity Blëtz works on this and supports those affected. Details are available at here.

World

HURRICANE MELISSA – Jamaica has been declared a disaster zone following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane struck the island nation yesterday evening as a category 5 storm before weakening slightly. The damage is reported to be enormous. Aerial footage shows entire villages have been completely destroyed. There are no details yet on potential casualties. The storm is now heading towards Cuba with sustained winds of over 200km/h.

GAZA CEASEFIRE – Israel conducted fresh air strikes on the Gaza Strip yesterday evening. At least 50 people were killed and several injured, according to Palestinian civil defence officials. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement, claiming shots were fired at Israeli soldiers and there have been deliberate delays in returning dead hostages. The United States maintains the truce agreement remains in place. President Trump told journalists today that nothing calls it into question, though Israel has the right to respond if its soldiers are attacked.
 
NETHERLANDS ELECTIONS – In the Netherlands, parliamentary elections are taking place today after the right-wing coalition government led by Dick Schoof collapsed over the summer in a dispute about immigration policy. 27 parties are now competing for 150 parliamentary seats. Opinion polls favour the right-wing populist PVV party led by Geert Wilders, though they have little chance of forming a government as no other party is willing to work with them. Alongside migration, housing, healthcare, security, and the cost of living have been key campaign issues.

US INTEREST RATES – The US Federal Reserve is almost certain to cut interest rates again today. Analysts and traders expect a quarter percentage-point cut, which would lower the bank's benchmark lending rate to between 3.75% and 4% percent.

ENGLAND MORNING-AFTER PILL – The morning-after pill is now available free of charge in England from today, without prescription, at over 10,000 pharmacies. The emergency contraceptive has been available free and without prescription here in Luxembourg since April 2023, though many other EU countries still require one.

Sport

FOOTBALL – In the German Cup, Borussia Dortmund knocked out Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties after a 1-1 draw, winning the shootout 4-2. RB Leipzig thrashed Cottbus 4-1, Moenchengladbach beat Karlsruhe 3-1, Hertha Berlin won 3-0 against Elversberg, whilst Bochum, Hamburg, and Holstein Kiel all recorded 1-0 away victories. Tonight, 20-time winners Bayern Munich visit Cologne, and holders Stuttgart travel to Mainz.

TENNIS – World number one Carlos Alcaraz was stunned in his opening match at the Paris Masters yesterday as he went down to 31st-ranked Briton Cameron Norrie 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. The six-time Grand Slam champion has never won the Paris Masters in five attempts and now faces losing his place atop the rankings should rival Jannik Sinner win the tournament in the French capital.  

Weather

We have a drier day in-store today, with no rain forecast until the evening but you can expect plenty of cloud cover all day long, making it a grey and overcast day – not untypical for a late October. In terms of temperatures, these are very similar to yesterday with the morning starting off at 6–9°C, rising to a max of 14°C in the afternoon.

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