The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Firday, 21 November.

Luxembourg 

CHRISTMAS MARKET – In Esch, the Christmas market opened a week ago, and today it's Luxembourg City's turn. The city's Christmas markets open today and the Christmas lights are switched on. The 'Luxembourg Christmas Market', as it's officially called, is on the Place d'Armes. The 'Winter Market' is at the Gëlle Fra, both have around 40 chalets and games for children and a Ferris wheel at the Gëlle Fra. The 'Niklosmaart' is on the Place de Paris at the station, and you can go ice skating in the park at 'Kinnekswiss'. The Christmas markets in the city are open from today until 4 January. The large 12m Christmas tree on the Place d'Armes comes from Schifflange this year, and around 1.3 million lights will illuminate Luxembourg City festively into the new year.

UNEMPLOYMENT – Labour Minister Georges Mischo told the Chamber yesterday that construction and manufacturing have been hit hardest by unemployment since 2020. Construction jobs have fallen by 3%, while manufacturing has dropped by 2%. Mischo blamed reduced housing demand but said the government is tackling the problem through increased training courses, business partnerships, and modernising the labour market. Meanwhile, ADEM has reported that the unemployment rate hit 5.9% at the end of October, meaning 18,720 people are registered with the National Employment Agency.

PLANT A TREE – A viral tree-planting challenge has taken Luxembourg by storm. The #BamChallenge invites people to plant a tree, share a photo online and nominate others to do the same. Everyone from children and scouts to Grand Duke Guillaume and his father have taken part, planting trees at Fischbach Castle on Wednesday. The campaign aims to raise awareness of environmental benefits like cleaner air and reduced heat.

World

UKRAINE WAR – Ukraine has received a US-drafted peace plan to end the war with Russia. President Zelensky met American delegates in Kyiv and hopes to discuss the plan's main points with the US president soon. No details have been released, though media reports suggest it contains conditions Kyiv would find unacceptable.

COP 30 – Final negotiations are taking place today at the COP30 climate summit in Belem after yesterday's disruption when a fire broke out at the venue. A few thousand people, including ministers, evacuated safely and the blaze was controlled within six minutes. Important questions remain unresolved as the summit is due to end today.

SOUTH AFRICA G20 – The G20 summit opens in Johannesburg today, the first to be held on African soil. The White House has confirmed the US will not send representatives, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying no American officials will take part in talks. This contradicts South African President Ramaphosa's earlier claim of a US change of heart. Argentina has also announced it will not attend the summit.

AUCTION FRIDA KAHLO – A painting by artist Frida Kahlo has broken a record. The self-portrait showing the artist in bed fetched nearly €55 million at an auction in New York. It's a new record for a painting by a woman.

Sport

FORMULA 1 – The Las Vegas Grand Prix takes place this weekend. Max Verstappen is the favourite to win for the second time, with Lando Norris nextand Goerge Russel close behind. You can watch all the practice sessions qualifiers and race itself live on RTL.

CRICKET – England and Australia cricket teams face off in the first test of the Ashes series today.

Weather

The last of the morning showers will clear by early afternoon, with light snow above 200 to 300 metres. Skies will brighten through the day with fairly sunny spells developing this afternoon. It will stay cold though, with temperatures reaching just 0 to 3 degrees. A north-easterly wind will gust to 20 to 30 kilometres per hour, strengthening later, making it feel colder still.

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