DISABILITY PLAN – Luxembourg has unveiled its third national action plan on the rights of people with disabilities. Around 94,000 people, nearly 15% of the population, live with a disability. The plan sets out 119 measures across areas including work, education, health and justice. Family Minister Max Hahn says the aim is for society to adapt to people, not the other way round.
POVERTY ACTION PLAN – The European Parliament debates new measures to combat poverty today. Eurostat figures show 18% of people in Luxembourg are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. That is just below the EU average, where the figure is one in five.
BELGIUM MOTORWAY VIGNETTE – Wallonia has rejected Luxembourg's request for an exemption from Belgium's planned motorway vignette. The Walloon government says a carve-out for border areas "is not an option", so drivers in border municipalities will pay like everyone else. The vignette is expected to start on 1 May 2027 and to raise €327 million a year for road and bridge works.
FRANCE PROTESTS – President Macron has condemned the violence that swept France over the weekend, calling it unjustifiable. In an address to the nation on television last night, he said those responsible would be held to account, but drew a distinction between looters and people with legitimate grievances. Town halls and tourist offices were stormed in Limoges, Lyon, and Marseille, and set alight in the first two, during protests over the cost of living and education. More than 2,400 people have been arrested, and about 1,000 police officers injured.
BRAZIL ELECTION – Brazil votes in the second round of its presidential election in a week's time. President Lula faces Flavio Bolsonaro, son of the former president, Jair Bolsonaro. The two clashed in a heated TV debate last night, trading insults and accusations. A close race is expected. In the first round, Bolsonaro finished ahead with 47%. Lula took 45%.
BULGARIA EMERGENCY LANDING – An Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna has made an emergency landing in Sofia, Bulgaria, after a bomb threat. The plane, carrying 51 passengers and six crew, was escorted by a military aircraft through Bulgarian airspace. It landed safely and nobody was hurt. The aircraft was searched and an investigation is under way.
CANADA FIRE – Four soldiers have been killed and dozens seriously injured in a fire at a military base in western Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney said it was one of the worst peacetime tragedies the Canadian Armed Forces have experienced at home. The cause is not yet known.
HANDBALL – Luxembourg's women's handball team face Great Britain in two World Championship qualifiers, on 21 and 25 October. The first leg is in England, with the return at the Coque in Kirchberg. New coach Nina Kanto, who took over in June, will be hoping to guide the team into the next round.
RUGBY – And Luxembourg's rugby team have started their Rugby Europe Conference season with a record-sized win, beating Estonia 106-5 in Tallinn on Saturday. The Red Lions scored 16 tries and now lead Group A on points difference. They are back at home on 24 October, when they face Norway at the Stade de Luxembourg.
FOOTBALL – Some football scores from the weekend: In England, Arsenal won 1-0 at Nottingham Forest to stay close to leaders Manchester City. Manchester United's winless run in the Premier League is now five games. Brighton thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0 and are third in the table.
In France, ten-man Lyon came from behind to beat Nice 2-1 and go top of Ligue 1. Monaco lost for the first time this season.
In Spain, Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-1, with two goals from Kylian Mbappé, and move up to third in La Liga. Barcelona beat Real Betis on Saturday.
In Italy, Lazio won 3-0 at Juventus and are level on points with Inter Milan at the top of Serie A.
While the dawn will be accompanied by fog, the mists should clear up by lunchtime, giving way to dry and occasionally sunny conditions in the afternoon. Temperatures will start at 6-8°C in the morning, with highs of up to 15°C in the afternoon.
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