Historic Middle East deal
In what is being hailed by US president Donald Trump as “an incredible day for the world”, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on Tuesday signed agreements to establish formal relations. The deals will see the signatories exchange embassies and ambassadors, as well as start direct commercial flights between countries. The Gulf states are just the third and fourth Arab countries to recognise Israel since its founding in 1948. However, Trump on Tuesday claimed that “five or six” other countries were close to making similar deals with Israel. The Guardian, the BBC and The Washington Post have details.
WTO rules against US on China tariffs
The World Trade Organization has ruled that tariffs imposed by the United States on China in 2018 violated international trading rules. Tuesday’s ruling is seen by CNBC as “a blow to the Trump administration’s trade war against the world’s second-largest economy.” Cited by Reuters, US trade representative Robert Lighthizer said in response to the ruling that the White House considers the WTO to be “completely inadequate to stop China’s harmful technology practices.”
ArcelorMittal lay-off details revealed
Details of how ArcelorMittal plans to reduce its workforce in Luxemburg by 578 employees were unveiled on Tuesday. The steel giant says that 87 staff will take early retirement, a further 30 will take planned retirement. Other staff can take advantage of an adjusted retirement scheme, used to avoid redundancies. That still leaves 274 staff whose fate is undetermined, says our sister publication Paperjam (in French).
Place de l’Etoile plans unveiled
The City of Luxembourg and the government on Tuesday afternoon unveiled plans for the redevelopment of the Stäreplaz (Place de l’Etoile). The square, which is an entry way to the city centre and a future tram hub, will undergo a vast transformation. Car and bus traffic will be diverted to allow more space for pedestrians and new building complexes will be home to housing, offices, shops, and even a 5-screen cinema. Read and see more from Delano and Paperjam (in French).
Breonna Taylor death: historic settlement
The city of Louisville, Kentucky, has settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the family of Breonna Taylor, who was shot dead in her home by police officers in March. The deal sees the family received $12 million and the city agree to institute sweeping police reforms. CNN and NPR report, and The New York Times has good background to the case.
Wildfires continue to rage
Firefighters in California and Oregon are still battling dozens of wildfires that have caused destruction and killed at least 36 people in the west coast states. Reuters reports that the Mount Wilson Observatory is under threat from the flames. CBC says that smoke from the fires has spread to 5 Canadian provinces, as far east as Toronto and Ottawa. The BBC has an explainer video on the health risks of smoke pollution.
Bolton under investigation over book disclosures
The US Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into allegations that he disclosed classified information on his book “The Room Where It Happened”. The memoir, published in June, was a searing attack on the competence of Donald Trump as president. The BBC and New York Times have more.
Agenda
Wednesday 16 September. 9.15am: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will deliver a State of the Union speech at the European Parliament in Brussels, streamed here. The Skoda Tour de Luxembourg continues with the second stage from Remich to Hesperange--watch out for road closures, particularly the route de Thionville in Hesperange. 12pm: Journalist Simon Gray joins Duncan Roberts for a Delano Live Chat on the state of Luxembourg politics. Thursday 17 September. 6am: Sam Steen’s marathon Ara City Radio crowdfunding broadcast. Friday 18 September. 6pm: Delano’s Jess Bauldry is the guest journalist on the brand-new English-language show, “Connecting”, hosted by Natasha Ehrman on 100,7 radio. The annual British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg opens today and runs until Saturday 26 September.
Apple launches new service, iPad and Watch updates
Tech giant Apple on Tuesday announced a range of new services and product updates. They include the launch of an “Apple One” subscription that bundles many of the company’s services. There is also a new iPad Air and a range of Apple Watches that will allow users to access services via a “Family Setup” feature, meaning the wearer does not need their own iPhone. The Verge has a roundup, CNBC focuses on the watches and The Guardian also has details.
Americans sweep Booker short list
The Booker Prize for literature will be awarded to an American author as the six-person shortlist unveiled on Tuesday features writers who are from the US or hold joint US citizenship. With four writers of colour and four women in the running, the short list is also the most diverse ever. It also includes four debut novelists. The Guardian, The New York Times and the BBC have details.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts