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Covid update

Luxembourg recorded 242 new covid-19 infections on Sunday, out of 8,618 tests bringing the incidence rate to 38.65. In total, health ministry figures show that over 2,000 people have tested positive, a new record for the country. No new deaths were recorded (current figure at 133) and there were 51 people in hospital, of which 4 were in ICU.

Schools are the second most common place for spreading infections (12%), with 83 pupils and 50 teachers in the latest count. National teachers union the SNE is calling for the education minister to ramp up mitigation measures in schools.

Bucking the trend to strengthen mitigation measures, Luxembourg prime minister Xavier Bettel announced no new restrictions for the grand duchy. Already infrastructure for the elderly have introduced protection measures such as visit bans. Opposition party the CSV criticised the pm for his laid back approach to mitigation measures.

On Sunday, Belgian foreign affairs minister Sophie Wilmès tested positive for the virus as did her Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg.

Starting Monday, the wearing of masks in all public places will be compulsory across Switzerland while private gatherings will be capped at 15 people.

Politico rated European leaders on their coronavirus response in this opinion piece.

Commission jobs backlog

Hands on recruitment by Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, pictured above, and her team is being blamed for a bottleneck of over 70 high top job vacancies and 80 mid-level positions. Politico.

€3.5m bank theft

A bank worker goes on trial this week for the theft of €3.5m from the bank Caixa Geral de Depositos. Reporter.lu explains the trial sheds light on an amateur money laundering network between Asia and Luxembourg.

New Zealand elections

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s centre-left Labour Party made a landslide election win at the weekend. Pundits are saying it gives her the mandate for the transformation change she has been promising but covid-19 may prove a barrier. Reuters.  

Chile demo ends in rioting

A peaceful gathering to mark the one-year anniversary of mass protests that left over 30 dead escalated into riots and looting in Santiago, Chile, on Sunday. Many protestors carried banners calling for a “yes” vote in next Sunday’s referendum over ending the country’s dictatorship-era constitution. Reuters.

Teacher beheading protests

Thousands gathered across France on Sunday in support of teachers and freedom of expression after a teacher was beheaded by a suspected Islamist on Friday. History teacher Samuel Paty, 47, was killed outside his school in a Paris suburb by an 18-year-old attacker. Reuters and FT.

Food labelling vote

MEPs are to decide on Wednesday whether vegan burgers and sausages should be called “discs” and “fingers” to differentiate from their meat equivalents. Plant-based product sales have jumped 73% in Europe over the past five years, according to Euromonitor, to the detriment of meat processors. FT.

Dutch royals holiday condemnation

The Netherlands royal couple King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima abandoned their Greek holiday one day in on Saturday, after a public backlash. The couple left for holiday as the Dutch government discouraged unnecessary travel as part of a new partial lockdown. BBC news.

Carlsberg develops soft drinks

Beer giant Carlsberg is developing new fermented products in a bid to keep up with growing demand for non-alcoholic beverages. FT.

Instagram child privacy

Ireland’s data protection commissioner is investigating Instagram’s handling of children’s personal data. Platform owner Facebook could be fined if it is found to have broken privacy laws. BBC news.

Ant IPO

Chinese financial technology group Ant Group IPO-ANTG.HK has received approval from the Chinese securities regulator to be listed on the Hong Kong and Shanghai START market for a dual $35b listing. It has been touted as the world’s largest IPO. Reuters.

China recovery

China reported 4.9% economic growth from July to September, 2020, leading the recovery charge from the initial shock of the pandemic. The growth remains lower than the 5.2% forecast by economists. BBC news.

Agenda

On Monday, parliament will debate the right to work remotely, after a public petition exceeded the threshold for signature.

On Tuesday afternoon, there will be a discussion on the latest humanitarian aid projects and on Wednesday afternoon, MPs will be able to put forward questions about the new affordable housing project Elmen.

On Wednesday, MPs will discuss the protection of Luxembourg’s architectural heritage, also prompted by a petition.

All parliamentary agenda items can be found here.

On Wednesday, don’t miss the Delano US elections debate.

And on Friday, Tango and Telindus roll out 5G to customers in Luxembourg.

 

Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Jess Bauldry