The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Thursday, 20 March.

Luxembourg

PENSION REFORM – As Luxembourg's pension system edges closer to a projected deficit, MPs debated reform options yesterday. The two governing parties proposed measures to address the system's financial challenges without increasing contributions or raising the legal retirement age. While the opposition advocated for greater equity and revenue increases, the parties also firmly rejected increasing the legal retirement age.

AMAZON FINE – Amazon's appeal against a €746 million fine for data protection violations has been dismissed by Luxembourg's Administrative Court, which found the company failed to address the breaches. Amazon now has the option to appeal the verdict. The fine will only be enforced once all legal proceedings have been concluded.

KFC EXPANSION – Fast food chains continue to grow their presence in Luxembourg, with KFC announcing plans to open two new restaurants in 2025. The US fried chicken chain will establish a drive-through and restaurant in Capellen, followed by an outlet in the Gare neighbourhood, set to open in November. The two new locations are expected to create nearly 100 direct jobs.

World

UKRAINE CEASEFIRE – Donald Trump insists that talks on a ceasefire in Ukraine are on track, after he held an hour-long phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. President Trump suggested the US could take control of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants as a way to protect them. Writing on X, Zelensky said he had a positive talk with the US President. While speaking to reporters he confirmed he had discussions over nuclear plants but only the Zaporizhzhia facility was considered.

EU DEFENCE & GAZA WAR – European Union leaders will meet in Brussels later for a summit. They will discuss boosting defences as well as ways of making the bloc more competitive. PM Luc Frieden is attending, who said how the war in Ukraine ends will be decisive for Europe. The 27 heads of state and government will also discuss Gaza, where the ceasefire agreement has collapsed since the start of the week. After massive air attacks, Israel has launched another ground offensive, causing thousands of Palestinians to flee again. During the ceasefire, many returned to their villages in the north of the enclave. Meanwhile, in Jerusalem last night there were large protests against the Israeli government and against a new start to the war in Gaza.

TURKEY ARREST – Turkey’s main opposition party has described the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as a coup. Imamoglu is widely seen as the main rival to President Erdogan.

HAPPINESS REPORT – A strong welfare system and access to nature may have been factors in making Finland the world’s happiest country for the 8th year in a row. Denmark came second while Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top ten in the UN’s sponsored Happiness Report. Luxembourg lost one place but remains in the top 10 in ninth.

Sport

OLYMPICS – The International Olympic Committee will elect a new president today. There are seven candidates to succeed Thomas Bach, with Kirsty Coventry, the current sports minister in Zimbabwe and a former Olympic gold medalist in swimming a firm favourite, as is Sebastion Coe, the British head of the World Association of Athletics.

CYCLING – Organisers of the 2027 Tour de France have announced that the race will start in Edinburgh with the first three stages taking place in Scotland, England and Wales.The women's Tour de France will also start from Britain in 2027, from a location yet to be revealed.

FOOTBALL – The UEFA Nations League is set for the first leg of the quarter final matches today. France will face Croatia, Denmark is playing Portugal, the Netherlands take on reigning Nations League and European champions Spain, and Italy is playing Germany. The second leg will be played on Sunday, 23 March and winners will advance to the Nations League Final Four to be played in June.

Weather

Spring has arrived, and the temperatures are starting to prove it. While the day may begin on a chilly note, the sun will steadily warm things up as the hours go by. Temperatures will start off at 1–3°C but will climb to an amazing 15–17°C by the afternoon.

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