The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Tuesday, 17 December.

Luxembourg

US AMBASSADOR - Stacey Feinberg, a businesswoman with a background in sports and entertainment, has been named the next US ambassador to Luxembourg by President-elect Donald Trump. Feinberg is  set to take over the role of US Ambassador Thomas M Barrett.

MOSELLE TRAFFIC - The Minister for Mobility Yuriko Backes and the Minister of Economy Lex Delles are travelling to the port Mertert this afternoon to get an idea of ​​the situation. After the accident at Müden lock a week ago, shipping traffic on the Moselle is blocked. Yesterday, however, a first cargo ship was brought through the lock with a crane and diver. The operation took over 4 hours. 73 more ships are still blocked.

VIOLENCE PETITION - Another petition has received the necessary signatures to be discussed in the Chamber. It calls for more protection for victims of sexual, physical, and psychological violence. According to Statec, in 2020, 20% of women and 17% of men were victims of violence.

LUXEMBOURG DEFENCE - Luxembourg was urged to take more responsibility and invest in its own defence during a visit by a delegation from the US House of Representatives to the Chamber of Deputies in commemoration of the Battle of the Bulge. While Luxembourg is struggling to reach a NATO contribution of 2 percent of GDP, various American MPs have not hesitated to demand 3, even up to 5 percent for the defence of NATO member states.

ARCHEOLOGY FIND - Hidden for decades beneath layers of sand, the archaeological crypt under Luxembourg City’s justice quarter is set to welcome visitors for the first time in spring 2025, with a permanent opening planned for 2026. This historic site promises to be a significant addition to the city’s UNESCO World Heritage treasures.

World

VANATU EARTHQUAKE - A powerful earthquake has hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. The 7.3-magnitude quake struck at a depth of 57 kilometres, some 30 kilometres off the coast of Efate, Vanuatu's main island, at 12:47 pm (0147 GMT), according to the US Geological Survey.

FRANCE POLITICS - The newly appointed French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is holding talks with political leaders today, in the hope of bringing together France’s divided political forces and form a new government.  The 2025 budget is set to be a key topic in discussions, as it was a major factor in the downfall of Michel Barnier’s government earlier this month.

MAYOTTE CYCLONE - President Macron has said he would soon visit Mayotte in the aftermath of a cyclone that ripped through the French Indian Ocean territory, with hundreds feared dead. Macron has declared the most destructive cyclone to hit Mayotte in 90 years a national catastrophe.

US SHOOTING - After the deadly shooting at a school in the US state of Wisconsin yesterday, the police have announced that a 15-year-old student was the perpetrator. The girl shot a fellow student and a teacher and wounded six others before killing herself with the handgun. Nothing is known about the motive. Monday’s rampage was a rarity in that it was carried out by a girl. Only about 3% of all US mass shootings are perpetrated by females.

EU TURKEY - EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is travelling to Turkey today for talks with Turkish President Recep Erdogan. They are expected to discuss the situation in Syria. Turkey is considered the most influential foreign actor in Syria, since the toppling of the Assad regime.

Sport

FOOTBALL – Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman has been named 2024 African men's player of the year at a ceremony in Marrakesh, while Zambia's Barbra Banda picked up the women's award. The Atalanta Bergamo player is the first African to score a hat-trick in a European Cup final, which was against Leverkusen. Banda was recognised for her many goals for American club Orlando Pride and her country. She scored four goals for Zambia at the 2024 Paris Olympics, including a hat-trick in a group-stage loss to Australia.

World Cup winners Spain will play Italy, Belgium and Portugal at Women's Euro 2025, while England face a tough path to defending their title at the tournament in Switzerland.Reigning European champions and 2023 World Cup runners-up England were drawn alongside France, the Netherlands and debutants Wales in a challenging Group D of the tournament, which runs from July 2-27.
 
MOTO GP - MotoGP rider Aleix Espargaro will join cycling outfit Lidl-Trek next year having only retired from motorcycling last month. Spaniard Espargaro clinched three MotoGP race wins during a 15-year career on the motorbike and will join the side as an ambassador for unspecified "prestigious" cycling races.

Weather

Today, the sky will remain overcast, with a thick blanket of grey clouds stretching overhead. There is no rain forecast and  temperatures will be similar to yesterday: the minimum will sit around 4°C to 6°C, climbing to 7°C to 9°C range in the afternoon.

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