Paperjam.lu

Italy has recorded the highest daily number of covid-19 recoveries since the pandemic began. Pictured: Italian police check the self-declaration required to leave home. Photo credit: Polizia di Stato 

Italian contagion slows

The rate of coronavirus transmission slowed for the first time in Italy and officials said the crisis could peak as early as next week. The national lockdown, set to expire this Friday, was extended until at least 12 April. Sources: AFP, Ansa, BBC, DPA and Euronews.

Crisis expands in France

Deathtoll: France became the fourth country (after China, Italy and Spain) to record more than 3,000 covid-19 deaths. Sources: DPA, France 24 and the Independent. Epidemiology: Reuters explained how an international church convention made Alsace one of Europe’s biggest covid-19 clusters. 

Swedish take different approach

Sweden is one of the few European countries that has not introduced a shutdown and social distancing measures. Sources: BBC, CNBC, The Guardian, Independent and Politico.

Orbán can rule by decree

Hungary’s parliament gave Viktor Orbán’s government emergency powers with no expiration date, suspended itself and coming elections, and voted to make spreading ‘fake news’ punishable by 5 years in prison. Sources: BBC, Deutsche Welle, Euractiv, Financial Times and Politico.

German state minister death linked to crisis

Thomas Schäfer, finance minister of the German state of Hesse, where Frankfurt is located, was found dead, apparently of suicide. He reportedly became “deeply worried” about the economic fallout from the covid-19 crisis. Sources: Associated Press, Deutsche Welle and New Europe.

Economic sentiment slumps

Business confidence: A key index in the euro zone tumbled to its lowest level since September 2013. Sources: Bloomberg, Financial Times and RTE. Consumer confidence: Luxembourg households’ outlook “recorded a record drop”. Source: Delano.

Easyjet grounds fleet

One of Britain’s largest airlines, Easyjet, suspended all flights due to the coronavirus outbreak. Sources: BBC, The Guardian and Independent.

Amazon warehouse workers strike

Some employees at Amazon and Instacart distribution facilities in the US walked off the job to protest what they say are inadequate safeguards against coronavirus transmission. Amazon said it has put “extreme measures” in place. Instacart said “health and safety... is our first priority.” Amazon fired one of the protest organisers. The company said he did not observe social distancing guidelines. Sources: Associated Press, CNBC and Reuters.

Zoom: good news and bad news

Rising numbers: Usage and shares of the videoconferencing outfit Zoom continue to rise with increased remote working. Sources: Marketwatch, Seeking Alpha and TheStreet.com. Data privacy: New York’s state attorney general’s office is examining Zoom’s privacy practices; Zoom said it will cooperate with the inquiry. Sources: Business Insider, Marketwatch and New York Times.

Van Gogh painting stolen

Thieves took Vincent van Gogh’s “Parsonage Garden at Neunen in Spring” from the Singer Laren museum near Amsterdam, which had been closed due to covid-19. Sources: BBC, Deutsche Welle, The Guardian, NPR and Reuters.

New dates for Tokyo games

The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will take place from 23 July 2021 to 8 August 2021. Sources: ABC News, Associated Press and BBC.

Agenda

Tuesday 31 March, 6:30pm: This Digital Privacy Salon session will address the growing number of hoaxes and malware attacks related to the covid-19 outbreak (and if you haven’t listened yet, check out our recent podcast on coronavirus misinformation). Tuesday 31 March, 8:05pm: Ara City Radio hosts “The Big Fat Lux Pub Quiz” via Facebook. Wednesday 1 April, 12pm-12:45pm: Lucoda - Lëtzebuerg Danz Kollectiv hosts an online dance session with Aifric Ní Chaoimh. Thursday 2 April, 6:30pm-8:30pm: Connect with your neighbours at a safe distance during the Apero Window Luxembourg, including applause for medical professionals, supermarket staff and other essential workers at 8pm.

“Greetings from Germany to the seaman who found this bottle!”

A message in a bottle from Germany has been found in County Cork, Ireland, after it was sent 19 years ago, per the Cork Beo and UPI. The sender included his email address, but it’s a bit tricky to make out.

“They must pay!”

Prince Harry and Meghan have moved from British Colombia to California, per the BBC, NBC News and People.com. Despite the couple never having asked for publicly funded security resources, Donald Trump tweeted: “The US will not pay for their security protection. They must pay!”

“Oh dear, I just caught fire”

A vicar in Plymouth was delivering an online sermon when he accidently set his arm on fire, per the Independent and ITV News.

“Oh no, I ain’t messin’ with you”

Deion Broxton, a TV reporter for NBC Montana, was reporting on the closure of Yellowstone National Park when a herd of bison started “walking right toward me,” he tweeted. Broxton says (speaking to the animals) in video footage he shared: “Oh my god, oh my god, oh, no, I ain’t messin’ with you.” He then starts packing up his kit. Here’s a video clip of the herd that Broxton posted a bit later. The park said it was: “A perfect example of what to do when approached by wildlife!”

Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Aaron Grunwald