Von der Leyen calls for action
In her maiden State of the European Union address, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen issued what Politico says was a “clarion call” for action. The president called upon EU leaders to set aside the unanimity requirement for foreign-policy decisions in key areas. She said the Commission was determined to “build the world we want to live in” as she addressed some of the major challenges facing the EU--climate change, digital innovation, fighting racism and discrimination and ensuring decent minimum wages. Euronews focuses on her pledge to set a new 2030 CO2 reduction target of 55%. The Irish Times has a story on Suaad Alshleh, the 18-year old Syrian refugee and medical student cited by von der Leyen in her speech. And The Guardian highlighted von der Leyen’s attack on Poland’s “LGBT free zones”.
Trump argues with health officials
US president Donald Trump has contradicted Dr. Robert Redfield and said the man he appointed as director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be “confused”. During testimony to congress on Wednesday, Redfield said he “might even go so far as to say that this face mask is more guaranteed to protect me against Covid than when I take a Covid vaccine.” The president responded by saying “I think he made a mistake when he said that…I hope that the vaccine is going to be a lot more beneficial than the masks.” CNN, The Guardian and Reuters have details.
Caputo takes leave of absence
Meanwhile, Michael Caputo, assistant secretary for public affairs at the US department of health and human services, has announced he will take a medical leave of absence for two months. In a Facebook Live session on Sunday, Caputo claimed that CDC scientists were being seditious and did “not want America to get well, not until after Joe Biden is president.” CBS and The Washington Post have more.
Hurricane Sally wreaks havoc
Hurricane Sally brought “historic and catastrophic” flooding to the Gulf coast of the United States on Wednesday. The storm left more than 500,000 homes and businesses across the area without power as some communities experienced up to 1.5 metres of flooding and winds lashed at up to 169 km/h. Reuters and the BBC have more.
Covid isolation cut to 10 days
A change in Luxembourg’s Covid-19 law will see the period for which infected persons have to isolate reduced from 14 to 10 days. The change is based on recommendations from the WHO following new scientific evidence about the transmission of the Sars-CoV-2 virus. People who have to quarantine after coming into contact with an infected patient will now be required to take a test for Covid-19 on the sixth day of their quarantine rather than the 5th day. Paperjam (in French) has more.
Covid-19: 110 new cases
Ministry of health figures from Wednesday evening show that of a total of 10,143 tests for Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours, 110 people tested positive. There are now 677 active infections in the grand duchy. 22 people remain hospitalised, though none are in intensive care and there were no new fatalities.
Trump amazed US can’t cash in on TikTok deal
Us president Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he was amazed that the US government cannot accept a “big payment” for brokering a deal that would make Oracle a technology provider for video-sharing app TikTok. Chinese company ByteDance is seeking to make an arrangement with the US company to appease security concerns. CNBC cites Trump as saying of the legal block to a payment: “How foolish can we be?”
Belarus: Kolesnikova charged
Belarusian protest organiser Maria Kolesnikova has been charged with incitement to undermine national security. Kolesnikova has refused to leave the country despite being targeted by the authorities, and last week reportedly ripped up her passport at the border when security forces tried to expel her. The BBC and Euronews report.
Something for the weekend
Friday 17-Sunday 20 September: The international contemporary art fair takes place at Luxexpo The Box. Friday 18 September: Noir thriller “Strange But True” is screening at the British & Irish Film Festival at Ciné Utopia at 9.30pm. Saturday 19 September: Esch-sur-Alzette hosts its culture night featuring cycle tours, kite workshops, concerts and theatre performances.
Football: Niederkorn suffer heavy defeat
Progrès Niederkorn are out of the Europa League, a competition in which they have enjoyed some famous exploits over the last few years. On Wednesday they suffered a 0-5 home defeat to Dutch side Willem II Tilburg in the second round of qualifying. Luxembourg’s other representative in the Europa League, Fola Esch, plays away at Ararat Armenia on Thursday afternoon.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts