Daily roundupWednesday's key coronavirus developments from Luxembourg and abroad

Starting with Luxembourg

• The latest figures from Luxembourg show that 711 new cases of coronavirus were discovered over the last 24 hours.

• According to BioneXt, the free Large Scale Testing campaign last summer, gave an unfair advantage to Laboratoires Réunis, which had already bagged the contract for Large Scale Testing, worth over 100 million Euros.

• Luxembourgish hospitals are entering phase 3, meaning less urgent interventions may be rescheduled.

• Budget reporter Dan Biancalena’s introductory speech on Tuesday laid out his priorities for the budget, putting a particular focus on security.

• The Sainte-Sophie private school proposes parents the option of not sending their children to school anymore due to the current Covid-19 situation.

• The rise in cases has led to a number of event cancellations throughout the country. You can check our up to date article of cancelled events here.

And abroad

• EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday warned the Omicron variant of Covid-19 could become dominant in Europe next month.

• Experienced Argentinawinger Juan Imhoff says he is unlikely to feature for his country any time soon after withdrawing from this season’s November internationals due to coronavirus restrictions.

• Several European nations start vaccinating children aged five to 11 against Covid-19 on Wednesday in an effort to contain a raging pandemic and keep schools open, while others are still deciding their approach.

• The World Health Organization warned Tuesday Omicron was spreading at an unprecedented rate and urged countries to act, as drug maker Pfizer said its coronavirus pill was effective against the variant.

• Professional sports leagues across North America were on alert Tuesday as a surge of Covid-19 cases left dozens of players sidelined, prompted teams to shutter facilities and forced the postponement of more fixtures.

• China’s economy bounced back quickly from the pandemic after authorities contained Covid-19 with strict border controls and targeted lockdowns, but the recovery has been losing steam this year.

• Manchester City powered four points clear at the top of the Premier League as Kevin De Bruyne inspired a 7-0 rout of Leeds just hours after clubs were given strict new measures to curb the threat of the coronavirus on Tuesday.

• German police and special forces on Wednesday launched an operation in the eastern city of Dresden after death threats were issued against a top politician who backed coronavirus vaccines, authorities said.

• Asian markets mostly fell Wednesday as investors nervously awaited the outcome of the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting, where it is expected to announce a speedier withdrawal of its massive financial support just as the Omicron variant fans concerns about the economic recovery.

• France on Wednesday begins implementing a new tightening of rules in the fight against Covid-19, meaning people aged 65 and over will lose the validity of their health pass unless they have had a third booster shot.

• Italy will tighten restrictions for arrivals from the rest of the EU from Thursday, requiring coronavirus tests of everyone and a five-day quarantine for those who are not vaccinated.

• British inflation has rocketed to its highest level for more than 10 years on broad-based price gains, data showed on Wednesday, sparking fears that wages will fail to keep pace on the eve of a Bank of England interest rate decision.

• Zara fast-fashion chain owner Inditex posted a record third-quarter profit as in-store sales rose above pre-pandemic levels, the Spanish retail giant said on Wednesday.

• The Turkish lira Wednesday extended its historic slide on the eve of a meeting at which the central bank was expected to lower interest rates for the fourth month in a row.

• When Valentine Colasante was called up to replace an injured dancer in the Paris Opera’s “Don Quixote”, a three-hour ballet that she had performed exactly once before, she didn’t even have time to be nervous.