Luxembourg parliament approves terrace reopening
MPs passed a bill allowing bars, cafés and restaurants to reopen their outdoor seating areas, from 7 April to 25 April, between the hours of 6am and 6pm. Only two people are allowed at each table, unless they are from the same household. Tables must be 1.5m apart or separated by plastic shielding. Other rules apply, but customers will not have to leave their contact details with the establishment. Sources: Delano, Paperjam and 100,7.
WHO blasts European jab campaigns
The head of the World Health Organization in Europe said the region’s covid-19 vaccination programmes were “unacceptably slow” and would probably prolong the pandemic. Sources: BBC, DW, RTE and Sky News.
Italy mandates jabs for health workers
Rome will require all Italian health sector workers to be vaccinated against covid-19 or face suspension, the first European country to implement such rules. Sources: Financial Times, New York Times, Politico and Reuters.
Pfizer/Biotech says vax works against South Africa strain
Pfizer and Biontech released more trial data on their coronavirus vaccine. In a small study of 800 people in South Africa, zero participants who got the jab contracted covid-19. A separate study with 46,307 participants found the vaccine was 91% effective six months after receiving the second dose. Sources: CNBC (video), Financial Times, NBC News and Reuters.
Latest Luxembourg covid-19 figures
Out of 12,486 PCR tests conducted on 31 March, 238 Luxembourg residents were positive. That is a rate of 38.01 per 100,000 inhabitants (compared to 61.81 recorded on 30 March and 47.60 recorded on 24 March). There were 146 covid-19 patients in hospital, counting 1 patient transferred from France (compared to 143 and 124), including 30 in intensive care (compared to 25 and 20). The reproduction rate was 1.05, above the target threshold of 1.00 (compared to 1.02 and 1.09). Three people died on Wednesday, bringing the national total to 749. A cumulative 95,657 vaccine doses have been administered, including 22,505 people who have received their second jab. Sources: Delano and health ministry.
RBC & unions agree on Luxembourg redundancy plan
Up to 241 employees at RBC Investor & Treasury Services, in Belval, will lose their jobs. The bank employs around 1,100 people in the grand duchy; 411 staff have been made redundant in two previous rounds of layoffs. Sources: Delano and Paperjam.
Pictet shifting some operations to Germany
The Swiss financial group Pictet is moving its EU bank HQ, which employs about 40 people, from Luxembourg to Frankfurt. Its EU funds HQ, which has roughly 650 staff, will stay put in the grand duchy. Sources: Paperjam and RTL.
S&P 500 closes above 4,000 for first time
The benchmark S&P 500 stock index ended Thursday trading at a record-high 4,019.87 points, driven by optimism about the global economy, led by stronger technology and energy shares. The index is up by about 7% so far this year. Sources: AFP, Bloomberg, Financial Times and Reuters.
Opec+ to gradually increase production
The Opec+ group of oil producing nations agreed to reverse output cuts in several steps over the next few months, to keep energy prices from spiking as the global economy ticks up. Sources: Bloomberg, CNBC, Financial Times and NPR.
IMF calls for higher taxes on the rich
The International Monetary Fund said wealthy countries should increase inheritance, property and corporate taxes to close the income gap magnified by the covid pandemic. Sources: The Guardian, Irish Times and Reuters.
Taiwan’s TSMC to expand chip plants
TSMC, the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturer, said it would invest $100bn over three years to increase capacity (as the world currently faces a chip shortage) and compete with Intel’s recently announced chipmaking plans. Sources: BBC, CNN, Seeking Alpha and Wall Street Journal.
Space firm MDA lists on Toronto exchange
Canadian spacetech outfit MDA raised US$300m in its IPO on Thursday, 20% less than expected. Sources: Bloomberg and Private Capital Journal.
Tensions rise on Russia/Ukraine border
Kyiv and Washington expressed alarm over a buildup of Russian troops along Russia’s border with Ukraine. The Kremlin said it had the right to move its military forces anywhere within its own territory. Sources: CNBC, DW, Foreign Policy and Reuters.
Netherlands marks 20 years of marriage equality
One lesbian and three gay couples got married in Amsterdam on 1 April 2001, starting a shift on marriage laws around the world. Sources: Associated Press, Pink News, Reuters and Thomson Reuters Foundation.
HK newspaper tycoon among convicted for march
Seven pro-democracy advocates were convicted for leading an illegal rally in Hong Kong, including Jimmy Lai, who owns the Apple Daily tabloid. They have called the prosecution political. Sources: ABC News, CNN, The Guardian and Hong Kong Free Press.
Seoul proposes joint Olympics
South Korea submitted a bid to co-host the 2032 Olympics with North Korea. Sources: CNN, DW, NBC Sports and Reuters.
Agenda
Friday 2 April, 10am-11am: Luxinnovation webinar to present the “Meet the zebras” campaign, which promotes the creative services industry. Friday 2 April, 12noon-1:15pm: The Luxembourg House of Financial Technology continues its artificial intelligence series with “The rise of AI in asset & wealth management” panel. Saturday 3 April, 10am-10:45am: Free guided tour of Mudam in English for 6-12 year olds (adults pay regular museum entry). Monday 5 April: The annual 10km Ouschterlaf (Easter run), usually held in Grevenmacher, will be run virtually. Tuesday 6 April, 10am-12noon: House of Entrepreneurship online workshop on the administrative processes of starting your own business.
‘Winged restaurant’ for diners who miss travelling
All Nippon Airways is offering dinner for about €460 in first class or €230 in business class onboard a plane parked at a Tokyo airport. Sources: BBC, The Guardian and Nikkei Business.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Aaron Grunwald