The Today Radio news team brings you the latest headlines for Monday, 19 May.

Luxembourg & Greater Region

FINAL EXAMS – Luxembourg's summer exam session for secondary school students begins this morning, with a total of 3,778 candidates preparing to sit their final written papers. The examinations mark the conclusion of studies for pupils in both classical (Classique) and general (Général) secondary education, and determine access to higher education or the professional world.

TAXI PROTEST – Authorities are warning French cross-border commuters travelling to Luxembourg and motorists travelling to France from Luxembourg that traffic on the A31 will be ‘severely disrupted’ from 6am this Monday in both directions. Taxi drivers are demonstrating across France to protest against a proposed new pricing system imposed by the French health insurance scheme for the transport of patients by licensed drivers.

CARITAS SCANDAL – Today sees another meeting of the Special Parliamentary Committee on the Caritas Affair. Prime Minister Luc Frieden, Minister of Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel, and Minister of Justice Elisabeth Margue are expected to speak on the issue and answer MPs' questions.

World

BIDEN CANCER – Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. A statement from the former US President’s office said he had an aggressive form of the disease. Leading Democrats and Republicans across the United States have expressed their support for President Biden. Donald Trump has wished the 82-year-old a fast recovery.

GAZA WAR – Israel is ending its 10-week blockade of Gaza. It says it will allow a basic amount of food into the territory to ensure a starvation crisis does not affect its renewed offensive against Hamas. There have been growing international calls to let in aid.

ROMANIA ELECTION – A liberal politician, Nicusor Dan has won Romania’s presidential election. The nationalist candidate George Simion has admitted defeat.

UK/EU TALKS – Talks between the UK and the European Union have been continuing late into the night, as Britain’s Prime Minister pushes for what he called a “reset” in relations. Discussions for a new post-Brexit deal are thought to involve defence, trade and fishing rights.

TRUMP/PUTIN TALKS – President Donald Trump will hold a phone call with Russia's Vladimir Putin today as part of his long-running effort to end the war set off by Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Delegations from Russia and Ukraine held direct negotiations in Istanbul last week for the first time in almost three years, but the talks ended without a commitment to a ceasefire.

Sport

GOLF – The American Scottie Scheffler has won the PGA Championship for the first time. It’s the third major title of his career. Scheffler is currently the world’s number 1. 

FORMULA 1 – Defending four-time champion Max Verstappen has won the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The 27-year-old Dutchman came home 6.1 seconds clear of Lando Norris, who was second, ahead of McLaren team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri. It was Verstappen’s second win this year, delivered in Red Bull's 400th Grand Prix.

CYCLING – Wout van Aert has won stage nine of the Giro d'Italia, as Mexican rookie Isaac del Toro took the overall race lead after coming second. Today is a rest day while stage 10 on Tuesday is an almost flat 28.6km individual time trial.

Weather

Things are heating up around here, with the temperature in the next couple of days getting close to the mid-twenties.
Today is going to be generally pleasant and sunny, with just a few scattered clouds. Temperature-wise, things are heating back up: the minimum starts around 9–11°C, with a maximum of around 23°C.

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