REPCO

Today on Local Matters, we explore the challenges parents face in finding family-friendly cafés in Luxembourg. Hear from Cecile, who created a new label certifying child-welcoming spaces, and visit Florence Café in the Gare area, one of the certified spots hosting an event for new moms this afternoon.

Local Artists have donated their work to a Tombola organised by Gudde Wellen and LUkraine in order to raise money for 'Ukraine is calling'. This project is aiming to save human lives by funding emergency vehicles for Ukraine. The goal is 112 vehicles! All money raised will go directly to the cause. To help you can participate in the Tombola which has over 40 unique prizes to be won. The prizes were donated by Luxembourgish artists and entrepreneurs. 1 ticket costs 10 euros. You can find out more on the website: https://deguddewellen.lu/Agenda/TOMBOLA-SOLIDAIRE

Belgium has become the first country to offer maternity leave and pensions for sex workers, marking a major step in labor rights. A new law, effective Sunday, grants sex workers formal employment contracts with benefits similar to other professions. These include health insurance, paid leave, maternity benefits, and pensions. Passed in May, the law aims to combat abuse by providing sex workers the right to refuse clients, choose practices, and work under safer conditions. Employers must meet strict safety standards, such as conducting background checks and providing hygiene products. Independent sex workers remain permitted, but unregulated hiring or non-compliance with legal safety protocols is now punishable by law. While the law offers significant protections, critics argue it falls short in addressing issues like stigma, human trafficking, and the exploitation of undocumented workers. They believe more efforts are needed to tackle the deeper societal challenges surrounding sex work.

The UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) is adopting a new measure, Gross Inclusive Income (GII), to redefine economic growth beyond GDP. Unlike GDP, which measures only monetary transactions and often misrepresents harmful activities as economic progress, GII includes non-monetary factors like renewable energy benefits and voluntary care. GDP, originally a wartime tool, fails to account for wellbeing, sustainability, and social value, ignoring crucial aspects of life such as peace, environmental health, and relationships. Alternative metrics like the Human Development Index, Better Life Index, Positive Peace Index, and Genuine Progress Indicator offer broader views of societal progress by emphasizing health, education, environmental costs, and community wellbeing. Advocates suggest combining such measures for a comprehensive understanding of progress. The ONS is integrating these ideas, using data from 2005 to develop GII. During the COVID-19 pandemic, GII grew faster than GDP, driven by renewable energy’s positive impact on emissions and pollution. Economist Diane Coyle lauds this as "pioneering work," hoping other nations follow suit.

Australia has passed a controversial law banning social media access for children under 16, requiring tech giants like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to enforce the restriction or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million). A trial to implement age-verification methods, potentially involving biometrics or government ID, will begin in January, with the ban set to take effect in one year. While the law has faced opposition from privacy advocates and some child rights groups, 77% of Australians support it, according to recent polls. The parliamentary inquiry that led to the legislation heard testimonies from parents of children who self-harmed due to social media bullying. Domestic media outlets, including Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, have backed the ban with campaigns like "Let Them Be Kids." Australia’s move is part of a broader global trend, with other countries considering similar restrictions. The bill is seen as a test case for governments grappling with the mental health impacts of social media on young people. However, critics warn that the ban could isolate vulnerable youth, including LGBTQIA and migrant teenagers, from important support networks. There are also concerns about privacy, with fears that the law could lead to increased personal data collection and state surveillance. In response, a last-minute amendment to the bill ensures platforms offer alternatives to uploading identification documents. Despite these concerns, many see the ban as a necessary step to protect youth from the harmful effects of social media.

Researchers at Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet have developed groundbreaking cancer-fighting nanobots that could transform cancer treatment. These tiny robots are designed to deliver more targeted and less harmful therapies than traditional treatments like chemotherapy. Equipped with a hidden “weapon” of hexagonal peptides, the nanobots remain dormant until they encounter the acidic environment typical of solid tumors. Once activated, they precisely target and destroy cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed, thus reducing the side effects of conventional treatments. The success of these nanobots lies in their ability to detect pH differences between healthy and cancerous tissues. In pre-clinical trials, the nanobots were injected into mice with breast cancer, resulting in a 70% reduction in tumor growth compared to a control group. This promising result sets the stage for further studies on their effectiveness in more advanced cancer models and their potential side effects. Though still in the early stages, the technology represents a major step forward in personalized cancer treatment. Future research aims to improve the targeting of these nanobots by attaching proteins or peptides that can bind to specific cancer cells, making treatment even more precise. Researchers are optimistic that this innovation could pave the way for a new, more effective approach to cancer care.

Researchers in the UK are launching the country's first major trials to determine whether giving homeless people cash is a more effective way to reduce poverty than traditional forms of assistance. King's College London (KCL), in collaboration with the homelessness charity Greater Change, will recruit 360 participants across England and Wales. Half will receive help from frontline charities, while the other half will benefit from additional support provided by Greater Change, which will cover specific costs like rent deposits, debts, work equipment, and clothing. The study aims to explore when and for whom cash transfers are most effective, as well as the optimal amounts needed to make a meaningful impact. This trial builds on the concept of cash transfers, which started in Mexico in 1997 and has since been used globally. While most evidence comes from low- and middle-income countries, studies in places like Canada have shown promising results. For example, a 2023 study in Vancouver found that giving CA$7,500 to 50 homeless individuals was more effective than sheltering them, saving CA$777 per person. While small-scale studies have been conducted in the UK, including one in 2012 with 12 homeless participants, this new research is believed to be the first large-scale effort to test cash transfers for homelessness in the country.

De Gudde Wëllen is turning 10 in style with a weekend of club nights and concerts! For 10 years the venue, located in Rue du Saint Esprit, has been a venue for alternative culture and clubbing. Which is why the birthday celebrations are in this vain. Starting with a club night on the 6th December with local and international DJs and then following with a night of live music on Saturday the 7th. The mini festival boasts artists such as Napoleon Gold, Ice In My Eyes and Miki. Nicole from Gudde Wëllen joined Erin on the Breakfast Show and tells stories of her 8 years working at the venue. She says over that time her role has greatly changed, and that is reflective of how much the venue has grown and now includes so much in addition to the club nights and concerts, like board game and quiz nights. You can find out more here: https://deguddewellen.lu/

CELL- Reconnecting People and Nature for a Better Tomorrow by

IMS- Leading the Sustainability Movement in Luxembourg by