The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Thursday 19 December.

Luxembourg 

BUDGET DEBATE – Following yesterday's debate in parliament, MPs will vote on the budget today. Yesterday, Minister of Finance Gilles Roth told the Chamber of Deputies that the general government's budget could potentially end with a "positive" balance in 2024. Roth attributed the improvement to rising revenues, particularly from income tax and corporate tax. In a sharp rebuttal to the Finance Minister, LSAP parliamentary leader Taina Bofferding and Green Party MP Sam Tanson disputed claims that the government was responsible for the recent rise in state tax revenues.

OPENING HOURS – The Government Council has decided to move ahead with a draft bill that seeks to extend opening hours for retail and craft businesses. Under the proposed legislation, businesses would be permitted to open between 5am and 10pm from Monday to Friday and between 5am and 7pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Trade unions have condemned the proposed changes describing the bill as "an all-out attack" on social rights.

FREIGHT TRAFFIC – As numerous ships remain stranded after an accident at a lock on the Moselle River, the Government Council has decided to temporarily allow lorries to travel on Luxembourg roads on Sundays. Following the accident several million tonnes of goods have to be now transported by lorry. The German authorities have already taken the same decision. Repair work on the lock is scheduled to last until the end of March 2025.

UNIVERSITY FEES – The University of Luxembourg has announced an increase in tuition fees for 2025. As of the 2025/2026 winter semester, students will have to pay twice as much to study at Uni.lu. The new fees will rise from €200 to €400 for all years of study. Minister for Higher Education Stephanie Obertin justified the announced doubling of tuition fees, saying the new fees "bring [Luxembourg] more into line with the tuition fees charged in neighbouring countries".

LUXEMBOURG SONG CONTEST – Starting this morning, RTL Today and Today Radio are presenting the songs of the finalists for the Luxembourg Song Contest, all competing for the chance to represent Luxembourg at next year's Eurovision. The seven finalists will all perform at Rockhal on 25 January, where one performer will win to go to the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel.

World

FRANCE RAPE TRIAL – The mass rape trial that has sent shock waves through France and horrified the world is expected to end today with the conviction of Dominique Pelicot, who has admitted drugging his ex-wife, Gisele, and inviting strangers to their bedroom to rape her. Pelicot is expected to be given the maximum 20-year-jail term. Fifty other men accused alongside him face sentences ranging from 10–18 years. The trial  has turned the victim, Gisele Pelicot into a feminist hero for refusing to be ashamed, waiving her right to a closed trial and standing up to her aggressors in court.

US RATE CUT – The US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates by a quarter point today, but also signalled a slower pace of cuts ahead. According to a Fed statement, policymakers voted to lower the US central bank's key lending rate to between 4.25 and 4.5%.

EU SUMMIT – EU leaders are meeting in Brussels today to discuss the Ukraine war and the situation in Syria and what should happen to Syrian refugees in Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky is also in Brussels to discuss further aid for Ukraine and a good positioning in view of possible peace negotiations with Russia. Luxembourg is represented by Prime Minister Frieden.

MAYOTTE CYCLONE – French President Emmanuel Macron is expected in Mayotte today to get a picture of the devastation brought by Cyclone Chido on the Indian Ocean archipelago. Official figures say 31 people have been confirmed killed, five seriously wounded, and over 1,370 suffering lighter injuries. But officials say the toll could still rise significantly.

Sport

FORMULA 1 – Sergio Perez will no longer drive for Red Bull next season. It has been agreed for him to leave the team two years before the end of his contract. The move comes after a weak season for Perez, who failed to win a race and finished on the podium only four times as team-mate Max Verstappen won his fourth world title. 
 
FOOTBALL – Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to extend their unbeaten start to the Ligue 1 season with a 4-2 win away to Monaco yesterday.
And in England's League Cup, Liverpool has moved into semi-finals as the holders won 2-1 against Southampton, while Gabriel Jesus ended his goal drought with a hat-trick in Arsenal's 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace. Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1. The last quarter-final sees Tottenham host Manchester United tonight.

SKIING – US ski superstar Mikaela Shiffrin, who injured herself in a heavy fall during the Killington giant slalom at the end of November, has hinted that she may not race again this season.

Weather

The day kicks off on a dreary note with overcast skies and rain showers expected to linger until early afternoon. To top it off, snow is predicted above 600m in the evening – mostly impacting the northern parts of the country. And yes, strong winds will also make their presence known, which can go up to 65 km/h. Temperatures will be on the milder side, starting around 9–11°C, before dropping down to 7–9°C in the afternoon.
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