The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Tuesday, 18 November.

Luxembourg 

GOOGLE DATA CENTRE – Luxembourg's government remains optimistic about Google's data centre project in Bissen, despite eight years of delays. The tech giant recently announced massive European investments: €5.5 billion in Germany, €5 billion in Belgium, and €5.6 billion in the UK. Google submitted a building permit for Bissen in August. Mayor David Viaggi has confirmed the project is not dead, with environmental studies complete. Infrastructure upgrades to the nearby N7 road are still needed before construction can begin.

COP30 – Luxembourg Environment Minister Serge Wilmes heads to COP30 in Brazil today for the UN climate summit. He is joined by ministry experts, a finance representative, and two young Luxembourgish climate delegates. For the first time, Luxembourg will have its own pavilion at a UN climate conference – previously the Grand Duchy shared space with Belgium, the Netherlands, and the European Investment Bank.

BACKES BERLIN – Luxembourg's Defence Minister and Mobility Yuriko Backes is in Berlin today and tomorrow for high-level talks. She is meeting German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius at the Berlin Security Conference to discuss NATO, European defence, and continued support for Ukraine. Tomorrow she sits down with Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder to talk about cross-border transport links and autonomous driving technology.

World

GAZA PEACE PLAN – The UN Security Council has adopted President Trump's Gaza peace plan. The proposal calls for international military forces to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and establishes a transitional administration for the Palestinian territories. Russia and China abstained from the vote in New York.

TRUMP MBS – President Donald Trump is hosting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House today, his first US visit since the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi, which US intelligence said he approved. 

UKRAINE WAR – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Felipe VI today as he tries to rally fresh support against Russia's invasion. Yesterday, France's President Macron and Zelensky signed an accord for Kyiv to acquire up to 100 fighter jets and other hardware, including drones, in a boost for Ukraine as it fights Russia's invasion.

EPSTEIN FILES – The US House of Representatives votes today on a bill requiring the Trump administration to release all Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein. President Trump has reversed course and is now urging Republicans to back the release, saying he has "nothing to hide".

EU ECONOMY – The EU has downgraded its economic outlook for 2026. The European Commission now expects eurozone growth of 1.2%, down from its May forecast of 1.4%. Trade disputes and tariffs are the main factors slowing European growth.

AI MUSIC – Paul McCartney is joining over a thousand artists in a protest against proposed changes to UK copyright law. The Beatles legend will release a silent music track next month, nearly three minutes of studio clicks, as part of the album Is This What We Want?. Kate Bush, Hans Zimmer, and Annie Lennox are also involved. They say that UK government proposals would give tech firms unfair exemptions and threaten musicians' livelihoods in the age of AI.

Sport

FOOTBALL – Northern Ireland edged Luxembourg 1-0 with a penalty before halftime in last night's World Cup qualifier. It's six straight defeats in six games for Luxembourg, who will look to bounce back against Malta in March. Northern Ireland advance to the World Cup playoffs.

Elsewhere: Germany thrashed Slovakia 6-0, Poland beat Malta 3-2, the Netherlands dominated Lithuania 4-0, Czech Republic hammered Gibraltar 6-0, and Croatia came from behind to beat Montenegro 3-2.

RUGBY – Rugby is getting a major shake-up. Officials have launched the Nations Championship – a new biennial tournament featuring the world's top 12 teams, starting in July 2026. The Six Nations will face off against southern hemisphere sides including New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Japan, and Fiji. Each team plays six matches before a finals weekend at Twickenham in November 2026, crowning both a champion nation and winning hemisphere.

Weather

It's that time again - temperatures have dropped below zero! Today promises to be dry, overcast, and pretty cold, with the chance of a little sunshine in the afternoon. Temperatures start off low between -2 and 0°C in the morning, only rising to highs of 4-6°C in the afternoon.

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