Israel eases virus rules, Aleba trade union receives blow, and Harry and Meghan level charges of racism in Oprah interview.
Dassault dead after crash
The French MP and billionaire Olivier Dassault and his pilot died in a helicopter crash in Normandy on Sunday evening. He was the father of three. French president Emmanuel Macron tweeted: “His sudden death is a great loss.” Dassault, aged 69, was first elected to the National Assembly in 2002, after stepping back from his family’s business. The family controls Dassault Aviation, which builds Rafale fighter jets, and owns one of France’s largest newspapers, Le Figaro. Dassault’s net worth was estimated to be more than €6bn. An inquiry will be opened into the accident, which took place in Touques, about 200km northwest of Paris.
Oil jumps after Saudi attacks
The price of crude oil rose above $70 a barrel for the first time in more than a year following a drone attack on one of Saudi Arabia’s largest export facilities.
Israel reopening hospitality sector
Bars, cafes and restaurants were authorised to reopen on Sunday, but only customers with a ‘green pass’ proving they have been vaccinated can be served indoors. Sources: AFP, DW, I24news and Reuters.
Luxembourg to prolong present virus rules
The grand duchy’s government will introduce a bill this week that would extend the current set of pandemic restrictions from 14 March to 2 April. PM Xavier Bettel (DP) said, if numbers hold, cafes and restaurants could potentially reopen in April, although possibly only outdoor seating areas will be allowed.
Aleba loses sectoral charter
The Aleba trade union, which represents staff in the banking and insurance industries, lost its designation as sectoral representative after Dan Kersch, Luxembourg’s labour minister (LSAP), accepted a request filed by rival unions LCGB and OGBL.
Swiss pass face covering ban
Voters in Switzerland narrowly approved (51.2% to 48.8%) a ban on wearing full face coverings, such as the burka or niqab worn by Muslim women, in public places.
Lord Frost says Europe still holds Brexit ‘ill will’
David Frost, Britain’s minister of state for the cabinet office and the UK’s former chief Brexit negotiator, told the EU to “shake off any remaining ill will” over Britain’s decision to leave the bloc. The comments came amid escalating tensions over London’s decision to unilaterally extend a Northern Ireland trade grace period.
Zaghari-Ratcliffe freed, but receives summons
British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been released from house arrest after 5 years of detention, but faces a fresh charge in Tehran.
Davy CEO steps down
Brian McKiernan, chief executive of Davy, Ireland’s largest securities firm, and two other executives resigned after Davy was fined by regulators for breaking market rules in a bond deal.
