Twitter flags Trump tweet

Twitter flagged a tweet from US President Donald Trump for violating its rules on spreading misleading and harmful information about covid-19. In the tweet, issued on Sunday, Trump said he had fully recovered from covid-19 and was immune. The president received a positive covid-19 test on 2 October. But, evidence is not conclusive about how long people who recover from covid-19 have antibodies to protect from further infection. Trump was, meanwhile, called out by US government scientist Anthony Fauci for using a “misleading” edited clip of him in a Trump campaign. The clip shows him saying he “can’t imagine anyone doing more” to fight covid-19. Fauci was talking about the medical officers but the edited version makes it appear he is endorsing Trump. Reuters, BBC news.

Covid rates

208 people tested positive for covid-19 in Luxembourg on Sunday, bringing the national infection rate to 33,22 per 100,000 inhabitants. Luxembourg tested 5,275 people and the death rate crept up to 132. Globally, cases reached 37.5 million and deaths were at 1.07 million. Health ministry, John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center.

And elsewhere

In Germany where new infections reached 4,000 on Thursday, 11 cities have agreed to adopt stricter measures if cases exceed 50 per 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, UK prime minister Boris Johnson was on Monday expected to unveil new measures working closely with local leaders, particularly in the north which has been hard hit by a new surge in infections. To appreciate the impact on the global economy, the FT offers a recovery snapshot this tracker.

Covid on surfaces

The virus causing covid-19 can survive on bank notes, glass and stainless steel for up to 28 days, researchers at Australia’s national science agency Csiro have found. Published by the journal Virology, the study found that survival time declined as the temperature increased. Experts suggest transmission most often occurs through sneezing, coughing and talking and through particles hanging in the air. Reuters and BBC news.

“No couples, students or pets”

Luxembourg entrepreneur Carole Caspari could face charges of discrimination over a rentals post specifiying “no couples, students or pets”, Reporter.lu writes of Furnished.lu. Caspari founded Altea Group, which manages furnished rooms and is in a dispute with the tax administration over her income from rentals.

Housing march

Thousands of people added their weight to a peaceful demonstration in Luxembourg City on Saturday in support of affordable housing for all. The demonstration came as property prices grow further out of step with average earnings in Luxembourg. The demonstration was organised by Mieterschutz, a recently founded association to protect tenant rights.

Tech hit list

EU regulators want to curb the market power of large internet companies, after drawing up a “hit list” of 20 firms that will be subject to stricter rules. Under the rules, tech giants will have to comply with tougher regulation than smaller competitors, share data with rivals and be more transparent on how they gather information. FT.

Vatican risky investments

The Vatican has sold charitable assets to pay a €242m loan used to fund a luxury London property development. Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, who oversaw this and other investments, was asked to resign by Pope Francis due to unrelated “embezzlement” claims, the FT reports. He denies wrongdoing.

Branson seeks funding

Billionaire Richard Branson’s satellite-launch business Virgin Orbit is seeking to raise $200m in a funding round that could value it at $1b. The firm wants to send smaller satellites into lower orbits from moving aircraft rather than from the ground, which is cheaper and more flexible but still involves technical issues. The Wall Street Journal.

EU tariff ultimatum

The EU’s new trade commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, has told the US to withdraw $7b in tariffs on EU products or face additional duties on exports to Europe, urging a settlement on a 15-year dispute over Airbus and Boeing. Formally appointed on Wednesday, Dombrovskis said repairing the transatlantic relationship was his priority. FT.

Azerbaijan-Armenia airstrikes

A ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia appears to have offered brief respite at the weekend after Azerbaijan launched an airstrike on what it said was an ethnic Armenian regiment. Azerbaijan accused Armenia of heavily shelling a residential area in its second-largest city, Ganja. The Armenia defence ministry denied the claim. The fighting is the worst since a 1991-94 war that killed about 30,000 people. Reuters.

Tourist returns artefacts

A Canadian tourist who stole fragments from the ancient city of Pompeii 15 years ago has returned the artefacts, claiming they were “cursed”. Nicole blamed the theft for a run of misfortune that she had suffered in the years since, including having breast cancer twice and experiencing financial hardship. “Please, take them back, they bring bad luck,” she wrote. The Guardian.

Nadal’s Grand Slam record

Spain’s Rafael Nadal won the French Open at Roland Garros on Sunday, beating top seed Novak Djokovic. It was his thirteenth title at the competition and twentieth Grand Slam title, bringing him on a par with Roger Federer’s record for men’s titles. BBC news, euronews. 

Agenda

Parliament resumes on Tuesday with the State of the Nation speech by Luxembourg prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP) at 2:30pm. On Wednesday, finance minister Pierre Gramegna (DP) will submit the 2021 budget. On Thursday, MPs will examine the European and foreign political situation, including the new pact on migration and asylum. Parliamentary committees will on Monday discuss the budget, Luxeosys and the constitution reform. Chd.lu

Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Jess Bauldry