The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Wednesday, 17 July.

Luxembourg 

AYMAN SAFADI VISIT – During his visit to Luxembourg on Tuesday, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi expressed gratitude to the Grand Duchy for its "steadfast stance" on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Xavier Bettel, reiterated criticism against the Israeli government, highlighting the humanitarian impact of the Israeli military operations in Gaza and the expansion of settlements on Palestinian territory whilst also criticising the Israeli government for ignoring international law. In response, Ayman Safadi called for the UN Security Council to adopt a "Chapter 7" resolution, which would initiate actions to put an end to the war.

STORM COST – Luxembourg's insurers have reported significant financial losses due to the aftermath of storms that struck on 29 June, causing widespread damage across the country. The violent storms resulted in extensive destruction: cars were damaged, homes flooded, and trees and buildings uprooted. On Tuesday, the Association of Insurance Companies disclosed that over 3,750 claims had been filed in response to the storm. The estimated cost of damages to homes and businesses amounts to approximately €22.5 million.

PARLIAMENT MODERNISATION – Claude Wiseler, President of the Chamber of Deputies, discussed the ongoing efforts to modernise Luxembourg's parliament during an interview with RTL Radio on Tuesday morning. Despite Luxembourg's "very strong" parliamentary framework on paper, Wiseler noted that MPs do not always fully exercise their rights. He emphasised the importance of restoring the Chamber of Deputies to a central role in the political landscape. To increase accessibility and transparency, speaking times in the Chamber of Deputies have been reduced, and sessions of five parliamentary committees are now streamed live online.

MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS – Tuesday afternoon saw a series of accidents across Luxembourg, resulting in injuries to seven individuals. At 1.12pm, emergency services were called to Route de Luxembourg in Imbringen, where a collision between a car and a motorcyclist left two people injured. Shortly after, at 1.34pm, a cyclist was struck by a car on the N1 between Wecker and Berg, resulting in one injury. In Luxembourg City, at 2.10pm, a child was hit by a vehicle and injured at Place de la Gare. Another incident occurred at 2.34pm near the Dudelange-Hettange (F) border on the A31, where two cars collided, causing injuries to two individuals. Later, at 4.07pm, a motorcyclist sustained injuries after a crash on Rue Benedikt Zender in Echternach.

World

DISASTER ANNIVERSARY – Australia vowed on Wednesday to hold Russia to account for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 ten years ago that killed nearly 300 people. On 17 July 2014, the Boeing 777 – en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur – was shot down by a Russian-made BUK surface-to-air missile over eastern Ukraine. All 298 people Aboard were killed, including 38 Australians. A Dutch court has sentenced in absentia three men to life imprisonment for their roles in downing the plane over separatist-held pro-Russian territory during the early stages of a war that saw Moscow seize the Crimean peninsula. Russia has denied any involvement in the incident.

LEBANON STRIKES – Lebanese official media said separate Israeli strikes on Tuesday in south Lebanon killed five people including three Syrian children. Hezbollah said it launched rounds of Katyusha rockets at northern Israel in response to the Israeli strikes. Hezbollah has traded almost daily fire with Israeli forces in support of ally Hamas since the Palestinian militant group's October 7th attack on Israel triggered war in the Gaza Strip.

UK PARLIAMENT RETURNS – King Charles III will read out Labour's first programme for government in a decade and half on Wednesday when the UK parliament formally reopens following the 4 July election. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will put turbocharging economic growth at the heart of his legislative plans as Labour runs the UK for the first time in 14 years. The speech is expected to include more than 35 bills, including measures to enforce public spending rules and others to prevent a repeat of the utility bill price hikes that triggered the UK's recent cost-of-living crisis.

POOR TASTE COSTS TOUR – Tenacious D have abruptly cancelled their tour of Australia and New Zealand after guitarist Kyle Gass's favourable comment about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, prompting frontman Jack Black to halt all future creative plans. Guitarist Kyle Gass said "don't miss Trump next time" when asked to make a birthday wish while playing a packed gig in Sydney over the weekend, part of the band's "Spicy Meatball" tour. While the jibe drew laughter and applause from the crowd, it swiftly sparked controversy when posted online.

Sport

FOOTBALL – The French Football Federation (FFF) said on Tuesday it plans to lodge a complaint with FIFA and take legal action after racist chants from members of Argentina's Copa America winning team. The chants were heard during a live video posted on social media from the team bus in the wake of the Copa victory over Colombia in Miami on Sunday. The song targets France's star striker Kylian Mbappe and includes homophobic insults.

TENNIS – Four-time champion Rafael Nadal was among those on the main draw entry lists revealed on Tuesday for the 2024 US Open after missing the event three of the past four years. The 38-year-old Spanish left-hander has a protected ranking of ninth to put himself into the field for the Flushing Meadows fortnight, which begins on 26 August.

Weather

It was just for a few days, but this Grand Duchy summer rain seemed to last forever. But lo and behold, the heavenly waters shall not fall today!

Well, the day will actually still be a bit cloudy, especially in the morning, but rain is, indeed, not expected today.

Temperatures will start around 13–15°C, reaching up to 21–23°C in the afternoon. As always, expect a drop by a couple degrees as the evening progresses.

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