A400M arrives at Findel
Luxembourg’s first military aircraft, an A400M it will share with Belgium as part of an 8 strong bi-national fleet, finally landed in the grand duchy on Wednesday evening for an official welcome. The plane cost Luxembourg close to €200 million all in, and operational costs come to some €12 million a year. Luxembourg crew were trained partly at RAF Brize Norton in the UK.
Golden Dawn leaders guilty
A Greek court on Wednesday found seven members of Golden Dawn’s leadership, including Nikos Michaloliakos, guilty of directing the criminal organisation. They face sentences of up to 15 years in prison. A total of 68 defendants stood trial, but it was the entire leadership, including former MPs, who were accused of murder, weapons possession and operating a criminal gang while also masquerading as a political group. Golden Dawn was temporarily the third most popular party in the Greek parliament during the debt crisis. Thousands of ant-fascist supporters outside the court cheered upon hearing the verdict, but there were also clashes with police. The Guardian and the BBC have more.
Luxair agreement saves jobs
An agreement in principle has been struck between unions, Luxair and the government to avoid redundancies at the national airline. The deal will see some 600 staff either take early retirement or be placed in a restructuring programme that could cost the state some €50 million, Radio 100,7 reports. Luxair is currently suffering a decline of up to 35% of its turnover due to covid restrictions around Europe. More details later today from Delano.
Pence and Harris hold civil VP debate
In what Reuters called a “policy-heavy debate”, US vice-president Mike Pence and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris clashed over the country’s response to the Covid pandemic, the economy, the Supreme Court, climate change, crime and voting among other topics. Fox News called it a “closely fought” debate and, like The Washington Post, made a headline out of the fact the candidates were on stage with plexiglass barriers. But all agreed the debate was calm and more civil than last week’s presidential candidate debate.
140 positive tests
140 of the 6,601 people tested for coronavirus in Luxembourg in the 24 hours up to Wednesday afternoon were positive, the health ministry reports. Two of the 33 hospitalised patients are now in intensive care, but there were no new fatalities.
Covid curfews
Berlin nightlife will be under curfew as of Saturday when bars, clubs and restaurants will have to close at 11pm says The Guardian. Scotland is introducing a full shutdown for all licensed premises in five health board areas, while in others they will be prohibited from serving indoors according to the BBC.
New Zealand ranks best for Covid response
Bloomberg’s market crisis management index, which polls business leaders around the world, has ranked New Zealand as the country that provides the most confidence for future investment. Japan placed second and Taiwan was third. Jacinda Ardern’s government scored particularly well for political stability, the economic recovery, virus control and social resilience. The Guardian and Scoop have more details.
Trump says getting Covid was a “blessing from God”
US president Donald Trump has said that his experience with coronavirus was a “blessing from God” because it allowed him to be treated with an experimental “cure”. In a video message broadcast on Wednesday he said the treatment would be made free for all Americans. “I want to get for you what I got,” the president said. “And I’m going to make it free.” Reuters and The New York Times report.
EU launches SURE bond programme
In what has been called a “game changer” for investors from United States and Asia, the European Commission on Wednesday unveiled the framework of its €100 billion SURE bond programme. Aimed at mitigating the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, the bond sale will begin later this month and hopes to raise about €30 billion by the end of the year, according to budget commissioner Johannes Hahn. Full details from The Wall Street Journal and trade publication Pensions&Investments.
Trump loses tax returns appeal
A federal appeals court on Wednesday rejected Donald Trump’s effort to block Manhattan’s district attorney from obtaining eight years of his tax returns for a criminal probe into the president and his businesses, Reuters and Forbes report.
EP votes for 60% emissions target
The European Parliament has voted in favour of an EU target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The legally binding target, which will have to be negotiated with member states, exceeds the current goal of a 40% reduction. Reuters and The Independent report.
Women share Nobel chemistry prize
Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna have become the first two women to share the Nobel Prize in chemistry. They were recognised for their discovery of "genetic scissors" that can make specific and precise changes to the DNA contained in living cells. The discovery could be used to treat, or even cure, inherited illnesses, according to the BBC.
Samsung profits soar
Korean electronics giant Samsung says its operating profit for the three months to September is estimated to be about $10.6 billion, an impressive 58% up from a year ago. Analysts says the firm’s uptick came from increased sales in mobile phones, which benefitted from US sanctions on Huawei, and home appliances. CNBC and the FT have more.
Thousands shelter from storm in Mexico
Hurricane Delta made landfall on the coast of north-eastern Mexico, forcing thousands of residents and tourists to seek shelter. The category 2 storm is now headed for the US Gulf Coast. More from CNN and The Guardian.
Something for the weekend
Friday 9 October: tune in to radio 100,7 at 6pm for the “Connecting” show to hear Delano’s 7-day roundup. Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 October: head to Rotondes for the Food Truck Festival, with outlets serving up vegan, flexitarian and carnivore options. Booking a pre-registered timeslot is required. Sunday 11 October: Male Portuguese fado star Camané performs at the Philharmonie at 7pm.
747 wins Fat Bear Week
A brown bear nicknamed “747” after the jumbo jet has been crowned the 2020 Fat Bear Week champion. The online contest saw viewers vote in a series of play-offs for their favourite bear, from among the 2,200 that live in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, to have out on weight during a seven-day period. The bears need to eat huge amounts as they store up for winter hibernation in what the park has called “survival of the fattest”. The Guardian and The Verge have tournament reports.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts