Brussels warns UK ahead of Brexit deal vote
The European Parliament on Tuesday evening voted on the Brexit deal, with Luxembourg’s six MEPs--Charles Goerens, Monica Semedo, Christophe Hansen, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Tilly Metz and Marc Angel--saying ahead of time they would support it. The agreement was reached at the last minute on Christmas Eve last year ahead of a 31 December deadline of the UK leaving the EU. Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the vote told MEPs that the deal includes “real teeth” to punish the UK should it fail to adhere to the terms agreed. “We do not want to have to use these tools, but we will not hesitate to use them if necessary,” she said. The result of the vote is expected on Wednesday. Sources: The Guardian, RTL, BBC, Reuters, FT.
Google parent’s earnings soar
Alphabet, which owns Google, saw total revenue reach $55.3bn during the first quarter of 2021, a 34% increase compared to the same time last year. The company exceeded analyst expectations. Its YouTube platform is among Google’s fastest-growing entities, with add revenue growing 49% from last year to $6bn. Sources: BBC, AP, The Guardian.
Samsung family’s $10.8bn inheritance tax bill
The family of Samsung patriarch Lee Kun-hee, who died in October 2020, is set to pay 12trn won ($10.8bn) in inheritance tax on his fortune. Lee’s estate is valued at 26trn won ($23.4 bn). The Lee family has up to five years to make the payment. As part of plans to settle the bill the family is donating 23,000 pieces from Lee’s personal art collection, including Picassos and Dalis, as it doesn’t have to pay taxes on donated items. Settling the bill will be crucial for the family to maintain control over Samsung. Sources: AP, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, FT.
EU to charge Apple in antitrust case
The EU’s competition chief, Margrethe Vestager, is set to hit iPhone maker Apple with antitrust charges this week, the first against the company at EU level, which could result in a fine of up to 10% of global revenue. Brussels opened a competition investigation in June following a complaint by Spotify two years ago over the company taking a commission on apps in its store but forbidding users from paying for subscriptions elsewhere. Sources: FT, Reuters, DW.
China’s population shrinks
For the first time in six decades, China is set to report that its population has shrunk. Census results from last year, which are yet to be made public, show the population at less than 1.4bn, a threshold it first exceeded in 2019. The fall in population comes despite a relaxation of strict family planning policies and as the country is preparing to raise retirement ages for workers. Sources: FT, South China Morning Post, New York Times.
Spanish journalists killed in Burkina Faso
Two Spanish journalists and an Irish citizen who were part of an anti-poaching patrol in Burkina Faso have been killed, government officials confirmed on Tuesday. The patrol included soldiers, rangers and foreign reporters. Soldiers wounded in the attack on Monday said it was carried out by jihadists. Spain’s foreign ministry confirmed the victims as David Beriain, a seasoned reporter, and Roberto Fraile, a cameraman who previously covered conflicts, such as the war in Syria. Irish national Rory Young, co-founder of anti-poaching group Chengeta Wildlife, was also among the victims, the charity confirmed. Sources: BBC, DW, France 24.
Israel accused of crimes of apartheid
Human Rights Watch on Tuesday accused Israel of pursuing policies of apartheid against Palestinians and its Arab minority amounting to crimes against humanity. The international rights watchdog published a comprehensive report, advocating an international commission of inquiry and sanctions. Israel’s foreign ministry called the report a “propaganda pamphlet”, saying the claims are “both preposterous and false.” Sources: NPR, Reuters, France 24, The Guardian.
Brazil opens pandemic probe
With more than 14m reported coronavirus cases and 391,000 deaths, Brazil has launched an inquiry into the government’s handling of the pandemic. The country’s lawmakers on Tuesday started proceedings that could lead to the impeachment of president Jair Bolsonaro, who has frequently spoken out against lockdowns, mask mandates and vaccinations. Sources: BBC, CNN, The Guardian.
JP Morgan Chase expects US staff back at the office
US-based staff of financial outfit JP Morgan Chase in an internal memo have been told they should make arrangements to be able to return to the office on a regular basis from July. Employees will return on a consistent rotational schedule so as not to exceed 50% occupancy of buildings. Vaccines aren’t mandatory for staff, but the company recommended employees to get inoculated. Sources: FT, CNBC.
Final vaccination phase kicks off
Luxembourg this week will begin sending invitations to people aged 54 to 16 to get vaccinated against the coronavirus--the sixth and final phase of the vaccination strategy. Prime minister Xavier Bettel said all adults should receive an invitation by mid-July, provided vaccine deliveries arrive as scheduled. The sixth group is the largest of the vaccination drive so far, with more than 350,000 people in this age bracket. Sources: Delano, ministry of state.
Latest Luxembourg covid-19 update
Out of 9,788 tests carried out on Monday, 219 were positive (2.24%), the health ministry said on Tuesday. The number of active infections was at 2,814 with the reproductive number at 0.99. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, 791 people have died after testing positive for Sars-CoV-2. 54 people were being treated in hospital for complications caused by a coronavirus infection, with another 37 patients in intensive care. Source: Health ministry.
Police issue 190 fines
Luxembourg police over the course of last week issued 190 fines for violations of the country’s covid-19 laws. Around 70% of fines were issued for people breaking the 11pm to 6am curfew. In 30 cases, police reported individuals and businesses to authorities, for example for exceeding limits on private and public gatherings and breaking other rules. Source: Police.
Archaeologists make medieval find
Excavation works at a former hotel in Echternach have revealed early medieval ruins dating back to the 7th century. The site showed impressions of foundations and a grave. The dig uncovered walls believed to belong to the old Echternach abbey, which was destroyed in a 15th century fire. Archaeologists also found coins and a gold ring. A monument protection committee is analysing the site. Sources: RTL, Wort.
No man is an island
Known as Italy’s Robinson Crusoe, Mauro Morandi has been forced to leave the uninhabited Isle of Budelli, located off the coast of Sardinia, after 32 years. Morandi assumed a caretaker role after landing on the private island in 1989. The role became defunct in 2016 after a national park took ownership of Budelli. Morandi has received several eviction notices and on his Facebook page announced he would be leaving the island, which is set to be turned into an environmental observatory. Sources: CNN, The Guardian.
I’d catch a grenade for you
What do a WW2 grenade and a sex toy have in common? More than you’d think, apparently. A police bomb squad in Passau, Germany, was called in after a woman reported having found a bag containing a hand grenade while jogging in a forest. Remnants of WW2 arms are frequently found across the country, but police quickly gave the all clear, saying the contents of the bag included condoms, lubricant and a grenade-shaped sex toy. Sources: The Guardian, Süddeutsche, DW.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Cordula Schnuer