The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Thursday, 30 October.

Luxembourg 

FOREIGN POLICY ADDRESS – Opposition MPs have criticised Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel's foreign policy declaration, accusing the government of lacking clarity and hiding behind other countries on key issues. Deputies questioned Luxembourg's "zigzag" approach on Palestine recognition and called for more courage in addressing global instability, right-wing populism, and relations with the United States.

STUDENT FAIR – The Student Fair returns to the University campus at Belval today and tomorrow with over 150 exhibitors, including student organisations, colleges, and universities, and potential employers. Entry is free, and the fair is open today from 9am to 6pm, and tomorrow from 9am to 4pm.

AIRPORT EXPANSION – The Minister of Mobility Yuriko Backes has explained that Luxembourg Airport will reach full capacity within the next three decades, due to the current site being severely limited in how it can structurally and physically expand, adding that a second runway will never be possible. Any relocation process would involve extensive administrative procedures and public consultations before any decisions are made.

BIRD FLU – Luxembourg's veterinary authority has banned all poultry exhibitions and markets after detecting bird flu in nine geese and one heron. Birds must remain indoors or under protective netting. Officials have also stressed there is no risk to public health from consuming eggs or poultry.

LUXEMBOURG SONG CONTEST – Eight finalists have been selected for the Luxembourg Song Contest following weekend auditions at RTL. An international jury reviewed 83 song submissions and 58 live performances, featuring both established Luxembourgish artists and newcomers. The winner will be decided on 24 January at the Rockhal, with the winner heading to Vienna for Eurovision.

World

NETHERLANDS ELECTION – The Netherlands' snap election remains too close to call, with the pro-European centrist D66 party and Geert Wilders' far-right Freedom Party, the PVV, both projected to take 26 seats. With 95% of the votes counted, this represents a major loss for Wilders' party, down 11 seats from 2023. D66 leader Rob Jetten is likely to form the next government, as all parties have ruled out a coalition with Wilders.

TRUMP CHINA – The United States will resume nuclear weapons testing. Donald Trump made this announcement today, shortly before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Trump says he has struck a deal to reduce tariffs on China in exchange for Beijing resuming US soybean purchases, keeping rare earths exports flowing and cracking down on the illicit trade of fentanyl. 
 
HURRICANE MELISSA – Hurricane Melissa has claimed at least 30 lives on its path through the Caribbean. In Jamaica, clean-up efforts have started, but the reconstruction will take a long time due to massive damage. Cuba also suffered significant damage. The storm is currently heading toward the Bahamas with wind speeds still exceeding 150 km/h, with continued heavy rain and flooding expected.

SOUTH SUDAN ATROCITIES – UN chief Antonio Guterres has demanded an immediate end to military escalation in Sudan after paramilitary RSF forces reportedly killed over 460 people at a maternity hospital in el-Fasher. The RSF now controls the strategic Darfur city after an 18-month siege, with reports of systematic ethnic killings and mass displacement.

Sport

FOOTBALL – Starting with the national football league and Differdange is back on top of the league table. The champions won 5-1 against Racing yesterday evening and now have a 3-point lead over Strassen, with one game in hand.

In the German Cup yesterday, Bayern beat Cologne 4-1 and Stuttgart won 2-0 against Mainz. In the French Ligue 1, Metz beat Lens 2-0, celebrating their first victory of the season in their 10th match. PSG drew 1-1 in Lorient, and Marseille 2-2 against Angers.

TENNIS – Jannik Sinner cruised past Zizou Bergs 6-4, 6-2 at the Paris Masters, keeping alive his bid to reclaim the world number one ranking. With Carlos Alcaraz out, a tournament win would return the Italian to the top spot. Defending champion Alexander Zverev survived a three-set thriller to advance.

Weather

Today starts fairly brightly with solid sunshine predicted mid-morning. The cloud cover will return around midday, and settle for the rest of the day but we should still some peaks of sunshine throughout the afternoon. Temperatures are getting cooler, starting off at around 8 degrees and only rising to 11-12 degrees in the afternoon.
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