Bettel isolating after testing positive
Xavier Bettel (DP) has tested positive for coronavirus, the government press agency revealed on Sunday. The prime minister had carried out a self-test that indicated he was positive and immediately self-isolated. A subsequent PCR test confirmed the positive result. The press agency says Bettel was displaying mild symptoms of the virus, including a fever and headache, but that he would continue to work and perform his duties by teleworking during his ten-day isolation. He had received his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in May, and during an interview with RTL on Saturday had said he was expecting to get his second jab in July. Back in December 2020 Bettel also tested positive for coronavirus.
French back traditional parties
A low turnout in the second round of regional elections in France on Sunday saw the traditional parties of both left and right make gains at the expense of president Emmanuel Macron’s La République en marche and Marie Le Pen’s National Rally. In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, which Le Pen had targeted for a first regional victory following a good showing in the first round, the decision by other parties to form what she called “unnatural alliances” left the National Rally falling well short. But Macron’s party did even worse amid record levels of abstention. It all bodes for an interesting presidential elections campaign in 2022. France24, The New York Times and Reuters have more.
Delta variants raise alarms
The highly contagious Delta and Delta Plus variants of the coronavirus are causing fresh alarm across the world. On Monday Australia's Covid-19 response committee is due to hold an emergency meeting as outbreaks have forced authorities to impose some sort of lockdown restrictions on around 70% of the population. On Friday the World Health Organization’s assistant director-general, Dr Mariangela Simao, urged fully vaccinated people to continue to wear masks and social distance. “Vaccine alone won’t stop community transmission,” she said. Forbes, Reuters, CNBC and the BBC have more.
JP Morgan invests in Paris
JP Morgan has announced an investment of over €4.3 million to upskill young and long-term unemployed people in vulnerable communities across Paris. The news comes ahead of Tuesday’s inauguration of the bank’s new hub in the French capital, which will house some 440 employees. Global CEO Jamie Dimon will attend the official opening with French president Emmanuel Macron, who is hosting his annual Choose France summit on Monday. Business Wire and Reuters have more.
Voters give green light to Grosbous-Wahl fusion
A referendum in Grosbous and Wahl, in the east of the grand duchy, resulted in voters overwhelmingly showing approval of a planned fusion of the two communes. 70.52% of voters in Grosbous and 62.75% in Wahl voted for the fusion.
US strikes against militia in Iraq and Syria
The United States on Sunday carried out air strikes against what it says are Iran-backed militia targets in Iraq and Syria. The attacks, following an order from president Joe Biden, targeted operational and weapons storage facilities that had been used in drone strikes against US military personnel in Iraq. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby described the attacks as “defensive” but added that they “send a clear and unambiguous deterrent message.” The Guardian, Reuters and NBC News report.
Sajid Javid replaces Matt Hancock
Sajid Javid on Sunday said his aim is to bring the covid pandemic “to an end as soon as possible” as he stepped in to the role as the UK’s minister of health. Javid, a former chancellor of the exchequer, replaces Matt Hancock, who resigned on Saturday following revelations of an extra-marital affair that broke his own covid safety rules. The BBC, The Telegraph and The Mirror have analysis.
Miami death toll rises
The official death toll from the collapse of an apartment building in Florida rose to nine on Sunday. Rescue workers continue to search for possible survivors, but 150 people who were reportedly in the high-rise complex at the time it partially collapsed last Thursday are still unaccounted for. Reuters, NBC News and Sky News have more.
Apple Daily journalist arrested at Hong Kong airport
Fung Wai-kong, a senior journalist with Apple Daily, was arrested at Hong Kong airport on Sunday night as he prepared to travel to the UK. Hong Kong authorities say they arrested a 57-year old man for “conspiring to collude with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security”. He is the seventh figure to be arrested in connection with the pro-democracy newspaper, which ceased publication last week. The Guardian and Deutsche Welle have details.
MWC to welcome 30,000
Some 30,000 attendees from 143 countries are expected to pass through the doors of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which opens on Monday and lasts three days. They will all be required to have proof of a negative covid test, with some 10,000 people already tested on Saturday at the Fira exhibition halls. Reuters and The Indian Express have details.
Secret documents left at bus stop
Classified documents containing details about the Russian reaction to HMS Defender passing through Ukrainian waters last week and plans for the UK military presence in Afghanistan were found at a bus stop in Kent. The BBC and Politico report.
Sports roundup
Football: Belgium and the Czech Republic are both through to the quarter finals of Euro2020 after beating Portugal and the Netherlands in their respective last 16 matches on Sunday. They join Italy and Denmark, who beat Austria and Wales on Saturday. The Guardian and BBC have reports. Formula 1: Max Verstappen of Red Bull won the Styrian Grand Prix on Sunday to take an 18-point lead in the F1 drivers’ championship. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes placed second and third on the podium. The BBC has a report. Cycling: Mathieu van der Poel has taken the yellow jersey in the Tour de France after winning the second stage to Mûr-de-Bretagne. The race had been marred by a massive pile-up on Saturday caused by a fan holding a sign which hit German rider Tony Martin. The Guardian and CNN have more. Golf: Nelly Korda won the Women’s PGA Championship-- her first major championship--on Sunday and subsequently rose to become the world No. 1. Sports Illustrated has details.
Skull find prompts rethink on human evolution
The discovery of a large well-preserved fossilised human skull in a well in China has led scientists to rethink their take on human evolution. Chinese researchers have named the new human species, which is more closely related to modern humans than the Neanderthals, Homo longi or “Dragon man”. The Guardian reports.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts