The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Wednesday, 19 November.

Luxembourg 

AMAZON JOBS – According to RTL information, Amazon is cutting up to 470 jobs in Luxembourg – far more than previously thought.  Negotiations on a social plan begin next Monday. The cuts are part of Amazon's global reduction of 14,000 jobs, mainly in administration, driven by cost-cutting and increased focus on artificial intelligence. Amazon employs nearly 4,500 people in Luxembourg, where it has maintained its European headquarters for over 20 years.

AMAZON RULING – The EU's top court in Luxembourg is ruling today whether Amazon must comply with stricter Digital Services Act regulations. Amazon is challenging its classification as a very large online platform, which would require it to combat misinformation, disclose advertising algorithms, and make its ad archive public – obligations affecting companies with over 45 million monthly EU users.

SNOW WARNING – Meteolux has issued a snow warning for the entire country, effective from 3am to 3pm today. The national weather service predicts up to 5 cm of fresh snow, particularly in areas above 300 meters. Motorists are advised to exercise caution, especially on roads in higher-altitude regions where snowfall is expected to be most significant.

PUBLIC FINANCES – Luxembourg's public finances are set to remain in deficit for the next four years, with the shortfall nearly doubling from 706 million euros this year to 1.3 billion euros by 2029, according to an analysis by the National Council of Public Finances.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS – Robbie Williams is set to return to Luxembourg in 2026. The global pop icon last played here in 2023, when demand was so strong he performed two sold-out nights back-to-back and Luxembourg fans will get the chance to experience it all again next July.

WINTERLIGHTS FESTIVAL – Luxembourg City's Winterlights festival kicks off on November 21st, running through January 4th. Four main Christmas markets will spread across the capital, with a dedicated children's market at Knuedler. The BBC recently named it Europe's standout Christmas city, praising its beautiful landscape and lights, without the overwhelming crowds found elsewhere. Santa Claus arrives November on 30th.

World

TRUMP MBS – The United States is selling F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia and has signed a civilian nuclear power agreement. The announcement follows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's first Washington visit in seven years, amid ongoing controversy over his alleged involvement in journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder. Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo and billionaire Elon Musk attended a White House dinner last night for the Saudi prince. FIFA chief Gianni Infantino also attended ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

EPSTEIN FILES – US lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly to release government files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after President Trump dropped his opposition. The bill compels publication of documents on the investigation into the financier's operations and death. Trump claims the files will expose Democrats' ties to Epstein, but the president also faces scrutiny over his own friendship with him. The bill now heads to the Senate.

UKRAINE WAR – US envoy Steve Witkoff joins talks with Ukraine President Volodymr Zelensky and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara today. Zelensky says ending the war is Ukraine's top priority and wants to intensify peace negotiations and prisoner exchanges. Turkey has maintained ties with both sides, but no Russian representative will attend. The Kremlin confirmed Russia won't be at the meeting.

KLIMT PAINTING – An anonymous buyer has paid over 204 million euros for a Gustav Klimt painting at Sotheby's in New York. The portrait of Elisabeth Lederer is now the second-most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. The record is held by Leonardo da Vinci's "Salvator Mundi."

Sport

FOOTBALL – Luxembourg's U21 football team secured a surprising 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Switzerland in their final European Championship qualifier of the year, with goals from Helmer Tavares and a late own goal moving them to 5th place in the group with 4 points.

In the World Cup qualifiers, Scotland secured a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark to qualify for the 2026 World Cup for the first time since 1998. Also booking their places: Spain drew 2-2 with Turkey, Belgium thrashed Liechtenstein 7-0, Switzerland drew 1-1 with Kosovo, and Austria secured their first World Cup berth in 28 years with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

RUGBY – France try-machine Louis Bielle-Biarrey is up against a trio of Springboks for World Rugby's player of the year award. Forwards Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx, and Ox Nche, who helped the powerful Springboks retain the Rugby Championship in September after inflicting a record 43-10 defeat on New Zealand, make up the other nominees.

Weather

A  yellow weather warning is in place for snow for the whole country from early this morning. Temperatures will remain cold throughout the period. We can expect morning lows of -2°C to 2°C, and a slight rise to 1°C to 4°C in the afternoon. The sky will remain heavily overcast throughout the day.

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