EU: the European political and eonomic Union, a powehouse of 27 countries celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2023

The European Union’s single market celebrates its 30th birthday in 2023. 

An economic milestone, it changed lives for businesses and for people right across the continent and is continuing to do so today.

Goods, services and money can easily move around one of the world's largest economies. 

And so can we. You can go abroad and live, study or retire there.

We can buy things online without geographical restrictions and return or cancel them, no questions asked.

Phone calls are cheaper and so are airfares. There are no customs, tariffs or taxes for businesses buying and selling in the EU. Products have the same safety and environmental standards.

The EU has greater clout to negotiate trade agreements with the rest of the world.

Read more at: https://www.euronws.com

China-Russia ties turn icy in a sweet way as Vladimir Putin gifts Xi Jinping his favourite treat - by Liu Zhen Liu Zhen |

Chinese President Xi Jinping celebrated his 66th birthday on Saturday with a gift of his favourite Russian ice cream from Vladimir Putin, state media reported.

The two leaders got together for the second time in just over a week in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, where they were attending the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.

A confessed fan of the frozen treat, Xi thanked Putin for the gift and reciprocated with some Chinese tea, China National Radio reported. The two leaders were later photographed drinking champagne together and toasting their countries’ strong ties.

Read more at: China-Russia ties turn icy in a sweet way as Vladimir Putin gifts Xi Jinping his favourite treat | South China Morning Post

EU: Personal Privacy Day

Today the EU celebrates "Privacy Data Day". All residents and visitors to the EU should be aware that the EU observes strict personal privacy laws. If you are on the territory of the EU you are not required to agree to any cookies, which many, if not all websites request, when checking out a website. In case your access is denied, as a result of you not accepting the cookie request, you can report that to: https://edps.europa.eu/.../our-role-supervisor/complaints_en Please pass this on to friends and family members. Foreign tourists to the EU, also enjoy the same personal privacy privileges as local residents.

Read more at: EU-Digest

The Netherlands - Almere, one of Europe's newest and most modern Cities celebrates it's 40th anniversary

Almere - Europe most modern city celebrates its 40th anniversary

From the moment of its establishment in 1976, Almere has been one of the fastest growing cities in Europe.

It was initially developed as a suburban area in the east of Amsterdam, however, it has grown into the status of being Holland’s most exemplary new town.

In just 40 years it has attracted over 200,000 residents and approximately 17,000 businesses.

Almere is the largest city in the province of Flevoland and now also the seventh largest city in the Netherlands.

This November Almere celebrates it's 40th anniversary.

Almere-Digest congratulates the Municipality and Citizen's of Almere!

Almere-Digest

Christianity: What Is Easter and Why Do Christians Celebrate?

On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is typically the most well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christian churches.

Christians believe, according to Scripture, that Jesus came back to life, or was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross.

As part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, always the Friday just before Easter. Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus.

(For a more detailed explanation about his death and resurrection, see Why Did Jesus Have to Die? and Timeline of Jesus' Final Hours.)

In Western Christianity, Easter marks the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline in preparation for Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent or Great Lent, during the 6 weeks or 40 days preceding Palm Sunday with fasting continuing during the Holy Week of Easter. Lent for Eastern Orthodox churches begins on Monday and Ash Wednesday is not observed.

Because of Easter's pagan origins, and also because of the commercialization of Easter, many Christian churches choose to refer to the holiday as Resurrection Day.

Read more: What Is Easter and Why Do Christians Celebrate?