With a new year comes a host of law changes, new rules, and regulations to be implemented in the Netherlands. The Dutch government is enforcing dozens of these new laws as of January 1, 2021. Every year, NL Times compiles a roundup of these rule changes for non-Dutch speaking people.
An important basic income tax rate will fall slightly, minimum wage will rise slightly, and people with savings and investments will be able to claim a higher exemption from the income tax on Box 3 assets. All told there are about 15 different changes coming into effect next year, and nearly all of them will affect a person's net earnings and tax payments in 2021.
A 12 percent increase on the tax airline passengers pay when flying from Dutch airports, a change in the tax scheme on car purchases, and a tax discount for those buying an electric car with solar panels are among the seven different changes coming into effect next year. Classic car fans with a love for cars made before 1971 will no longer have to get their vehicles inspected.
Read more at:
60 new laws & rules take effect in the Netherlands from January 1 | NL Times
12/31/20
EU: the Brexit deal: These are the key points of the UK-EU future deal
The EU-UK future relationship deal will be signed today, separately, and without pomp on the two sides of the Channel.
EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Charles Michel will sign two copies of the set of treaties on Wednesday (30 December) morning, in the Europa building in Brussels.
read more at: These are the key points of the UK-EU future deal
EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Charles Michel will sign two copies of the set of treaties on Wednesday (30 December) morning, in the Europa building in Brussels.
read more at: These are the key points of the UK-EU future deal
USA - Economy- Poll:Americans Wary That Stock Market Bubble Will Burst
The stock market has recently hit record highs, but Americans are increasingly worried that the boom won’t last much longer.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 61% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned that the stock market bubble will burst and push the economy back into recession with 23% who are Very Concerned. Twenty-five percent (25%) don't share that fear, but that includes only seven percent (7%) who are Not at All Concerned.
Read more at: Americans Wary That Stock Market Bubble Will Burst - Rasmussen Reports®
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 61% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned that the stock market bubble will burst and push the economy back into recession with 23% who are Very Concerned. Twenty-five percent (25%) don't share that fear, but that includes only seven percent (7%) who are Not at All Concerned.
Read more at: Americans Wary That Stock Market Bubble Will Burst - Rasmussen Reports®
USA:" "Evel Knievel" Donald Trump cuts Florida holiday short, returns to White House earlier-"up to no good" ?
President Donald Trump is cutting short his Florida holiday and returning to Washington on Thursday, one day earlier than expected, for reasons the White House didn't explain.
The White House announced the abrupt change in the president's schedule late Wednesday, hours after Republican Missouri Senator Josh Hawley said he will raise objections next week when Congress meets to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the November election.
Read more at: Donald Trump cuts Florida holiday short, returns to White House earlier - NZ Herald
The White House announced the abrupt change in the president's schedule late Wednesday, hours after Republican Missouri Senator Josh Hawley said he will raise objections next week when Congress meets to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the November election.
Read more at: Donald Trump cuts Florida holiday short, returns to White House earlier - NZ Herald
12/30/20
The Netherlands: UN human rights committee criticises the Netherlands over child with 'nationality unknown'
The UN’s human rights committee says the Netherlands has violated a child’s rights by registering ‘nationality unknown’ in official records because this means he could not be registered as ‘stateless’ under Dutch law and therefore be given international protection as a stateless child.
‘States have the responsibility to ensure that stateless children under their jurisdiction who have no possibility to acquire any other nationality are not left without legal protection,’ said committee member Shuichi Furuya in a statement. ‘The right to nationality ensures concrete protection for individuals, in particular children.
The committee has now asked the Netherlands to review its decisions on Denny’s application to be registered as stateless, and on his application to be recognised as a Dutch citizen, as well as overhauling the relevant legislation. According to national Dutch statistics agency CBS, in September 2016 there were 13,169 children in the Netherlands under the age of 10 registered with ‘unknown nationality’, many of whom had been born in the Netherlands, the UN said.
Read more at: UN human rights committee criticises the Netherlands over child with 'nationality unknown' - DutchNews.nl
‘States have the responsibility to ensure that stateless children under their jurisdiction who have no possibility to acquire any other nationality are not left without legal protection,’ said committee member Shuichi Furuya in a statement. ‘The right to nationality ensures concrete protection for individuals, in particular children.
The committee has now asked the Netherlands to review its decisions on Denny’s application to be registered as stateless, and on his application to be recognised as a Dutch citizen, as well as overhauling the relevant legislation. According to national Dutch statistics agency CBS, in September 2016 there were 13,169 children in the Netherlands under the age of 10 registered with ‘unknown nationality’, many of whom had been born in the Netherlands, the UN said.
Read more at: UN human rights committee criticises the Netherlands over child with 'nationality unknown' - DutchNews.nl
Britain: Covid-19: London paramedic says worst still to come
Ambulances have been seen queuing outside some London hospitals including The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.
A spokesman for Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said: "We are facing significant pressure from high Covid-19 admission rates and non-Covid winter demands.
Read more at: Covid-19: London paramedic says worst still to come - BBC News
A spokesman for Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said: "We are facing significant pressure from high Covid-19 admission rates and non-Covid winter demands.
Read more at: Covid-19: London paramedic says worst still to come - BBC News
Corona Virus Lockdown: Germany to extend lockdown as COVID deaths surge
Germany has said coronavirus restrictions will continue as deaths in the European nation surge.
Read more at: Germany to extend lockdown as COVID deaths surge: Live news | Coronavirus pandemic News | Al Jazeera
Read more at: Germany to extend lockdown as COVID deaths surge: Live news | Coronavirus pandemic News | Al Jazeera
Turkey- US Relations: Turkey, U.S. in talks to form joint working group on S-400s, sanctions -minister
Turkey and the United States have started talks to form a joint working group regarding U.S. sanctions imposed over Ankara's purchase of Russian S-400 missile defence systems, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday.
Read more at: EU-Digest
Read more at: EU-Digest
Arms Sales versus Human Rights: US approves sale of $290m in bombs to Saudi Arabia
Arms deals with Middle East dictatorships are being rushed through by Trump, critics say, despite opposition over human rights records.
The US state department has approved the sale of $290m in bombs to Saudi Arabia as part of a flurry of arms deals with Middle Eastern dictatorships in the last weeks of the Trump administration.
Critics of the sales say they are being rushed through despite broad congressional and public opposition to such military support because of the human rights records of the regimes involved and in the case of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the huge civilian death toll from the war in Yemen.
Read more at: US approves sale of $290m in bombs to Saudi Arabia | US news | The Guardian
The US state department has approved the sale of $290m in bombs to Saudi Arabia as part of a flurry of arms deals with Middle Eastern dictatorships in the last weeks of the Trump administration.
Critics of the sales say they are being rushed through despite broad congressional and public opposition to such military support because of the human rights records of the regimes involved and in the case of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the huge civilian death toll from the war in Yemen.
Read more at: US approves sale of $290m in bombs to Saudi Arabia | US news | The Guardian
12/29/20
California's new 'gig worker' law - why EU must say No
The OECD estimates six percent of European workers have picked up jobs via their smartphones in the gig economy.
Although companies like Uber and Deliveroo provide these individuals with quick cash, they can also bring insecurity and exploitation.
Read more at: California's new 'gig worker' law - why EU must say No
Although companies like Uber and Deliveroo provide these individuals with quick cash, they can also bring insecurity and exploitation.
Read more at: California's new 'gig worker' law - why EU must say No
EU-China Relations: EU edges closer to China investment deal, irking US
The EU and China are edging closer to a long-sought investment deal which would give European firms better access and protection in the Chinese market, but is bound to irk the new US administration.
The EU Commission, on Monday (28 December), briefed the 27 EU ambassadors in Brussels on the latest progress in talks, which have been going on since 2014.
And none of the envoys raised any objections to going ahead, which meant an announcement on the deal could come as early as this week.
Read more at: EU edges closer to China investment deal, irking US
The EU Commission, on Monday (28 December), briefed the 27 EU ambassadors in Brussels on the latest progress in talks, which have been going on since 2014.
And none of the envoys raised any objections to going ahead, which meant an announcement on the deal could come as early as this week.
Read more at: EU edges closer to China investment deal, irking US
Fashion Industry - France: French fashion designer Pierre Cardin dies at 98
The French fashion designer Pierre Cardin died at a hospital in Neuilly, west of Paris, on Tuesday at the age of 98, his family told news agency AFP. "It is a day of great sadness for all our family. Pierre Cardin is no more," the statement said
Read More at: French fashion designer Pierre Cardin dies at 98 | News | DW | 29.12.2020
Read More at: French fashion designer Pierre Cardin dies at 98 | News | DW | 29.12.2020
USA: House votes on $2,000 stimulus checks after Trump signs relief bill
The House voted Monday to increase the second round of federal direct payments to $2,000 as Democrats embrace President Donald Trump’s calls to put more money in Americans’ pockets.
The measure would boost the stimulus checks in the year-end coronavirus relief and government funding package to $2,000 from $600. The vote came a day after Trump signed the more than $2 trillion pandemic aid and full-year government spending bill into law.
Read more at: House votes on $2,000 stimulus checks after Trump signs relief bill
The measure would boost the stimulus checks in the year-end coronavirus relief and government funding package to $2,000 from $600. The vote came a day after Trump signed the more than $2 trillion pandemic aid and full-year government spending bill into law.
Read more at: House votes on $2,000 stimulus checks after Trump signs relief bill
Global Warming: 'Tip of the iceberg': is our destruction of nature responsible for Covid-19?
Only a decade or two ago it was widely thought that tropical forests and intact natural environments teeming with exotic wildlife threatened humans by harbouring the viruses and pathogens that lead to new diseases in humans such as Ebola, HIV and dengue.
But a number of researchers today think that it is actually humanity’s destruction of biodiversity that creates the conditions for new viruses and diseases such as Covid-19, the viral disease that emerged in China in December 2019, to arise – with profound health and economic impacts in rich and poor countries alike. In fact, a new discipline, planetary health, is emerging that focuses on the increasingly visible connections between the wellbeing of humans, other living things and entire ecosystems.
Read more at: 'Tip of the iceberg': is our destruction of nature responsible for Covid-19? | Environment | The Guardian
But a number of researchers today think that it is actually humanity’s destruction of biodiversity that creates the conditions for new viruses and diseases such as Covid-19, the viral disease that emerged in China in December 2019, to arise – with profound health and economic impacts in rich and poor countries alike. In fact, a new discipline, planetary health, is emerging that focuses on the increasingly visible connections between the wellbeing of humans, other living things and entire ecosystems.
Read more at: 'Tip of the iceberg': is our destruction of nature responsible for Covid-19? | Environment | The Guardian
12/28/20
EU-COVID: Special privileges for the vaccinated?
The German government has come out against giving those who have received the coronavirus vaccine special rights and privileges. But the business incentive could take the decision out of their hands.
Just 24 hours into the European Union's continentwide rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine, leading physicians and politicians are arguing over its moral and societal implications.
Read more:COVID: Special privileges for the vaccinated? | Germany| News and in-depth reporting from Berlin and beyond | DW | 28.12.2020
Just 24 hours into the European Union's continentwide rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine, leading physicians and politicians are arguing over its moral and societal implications.
Read more:COVID: Special privileges for the vaccinated? | Germany| News and in-depth reporting from Berlin and beyond | DW | 28.12.2020
EU: France may impose third national lockdown if Covid cases continue to rise
France has not ruled out imposing a third nationwide lockdown if coronavirus cases continue to rise, its health minister said Sunday, as the country braces for a possible post-Christmas spike.
We will never exclude measures that are necessary to protect the public," Olivier Veran told the Journal du Dimanche.
Read more at: France may impose third national lockdown if Covid cases continue to rise
We will never exclude measures that are necessary to protect the public," Olivier Veran told the Journal du Dimanche.
Read more at: France may impose third national lockdown if Covid cases continue to rise
USA: Trump signs COVID-19 relief bill, averts U.S. government shutdown
U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday signed into law a $2.3 trillion US COVID-19 aid and government-funding bill, restoring unemployment benefits to millions and averting a partial federal government shutdown.
Read more at: Trump signs COVID-19 relief bill, averts U.S. government shutdown | CBC News
Read more at: Trump signs COVID-19 relief bill, averts U.S. government shutdown | CBC News
Russia gives Kremlin critic Navalny an ultimatum: Return immediately or face jail
Russia’s prison service on Monday gave Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny a last minute ultimatum: Fly back from Germany at once and report at a Moscow office early on Tuesday morning, or be jailed if you return after that deadline.
Read more at: Russia gives Kremlin critic Navalny an ultimatum: Return immediately or face jail | Reuters
Read more at: Russia gives Kremlin critic Navalny an ultimatum: Return immediately or face jail | Reuters
US - Saudi Relations: Saudi court jails women's rights activist, posing challenge for Biden
A Saudi court on Monday sentenced prominent women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul to nearly six years in prison, her family said, after her conviction in a trial that has drawn international condemnation.
The verdict and sentence pose a challenge to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s relationship with U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, who has criticised Riyadh’s human rights record.
Read more at: Saudi court jails women's rights activist, posing challenge for Biden | Reuters
The verdict and sentence pose a challenge to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s relationship with U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, who has criticised Riyadh’s human rights record.
Read more at: Saudi court jails women's rights activist, posing challenge for Biden | Reuters
12/27/20
Britain: Double-Dip Recession Risk Mounts After U.K.’s Rough Weekend - by Brian Swint and Lucy Meakin
The U.K. is on the verge of its second recession in a year with the mutated coronavirus slamming the economy just as Brexit trade talks near their deadline.
The surge in infections, which has blighted the end of 2020, is now likely to have ramifications into 2021 after a weekend in which the government was forced to tighten restrictions even more, and transport links between Britain and the European Union were temporarily halted because of the virus.
Read more at: Double-Dip Recession Risk Mounts After U.K.’s Rough Weekend - Bloomberg
The surge in infections, which has blighted the end of 2020, is now likely to have ramifications into 2021 after a weekend in which the government was forced to tighten restrictions even more, and transport links between Britain and the European Union were temporarily halted because of the virus.
Read more at: Double-Dip Recession Risk Mounts After U.K.’s Rough Weekend - Bloomberg
Alabanian - Netherlands Relations: Netherlands number one foreign investor in Albania
Dutch Investments into Albania amounted to EURO 184 million or a total; of 27 % of all investments into Albania over the years.
Read more at: a href="https://albaniandailynews.com/news/netherlands-ranks-as-main-foreign-investor">Albanian Daily News
Read more at: a href="https://albaniandailynews.com/news/netherlands-ranks-as-main-foreign-investor">Albanian Daily News
Pets Industry: Pandemic isolation sees booming demand for pets — and for businesses that cater to them
All those new pet photos you've been seeing on social media don't lie. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted booming demand for pets from Canadians feeling isolated after months of social distancing. And that's meant big opportunities for a slew of Canadian companies that cater to that craving for companionship.
Read more at: Pandemic isolation sees booming demand for pets — and for businesses that cater to them | CBC News
Read more at: Pandemic isolation sees booming demand for pets — and for businesses that cater to them | CBC News
China: The roadmap of China’s foreign relations in 2021 - by Mao Xiaoli
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As the volatile 2020 draws to a close, the world looks to the next year for humanity. As the most dynamic and a more confident country during the heyday of the pandemic time, China rolls out its roadmap of foreign relations in 2021 and beyond. It shows the consistence and persistence of China to carry on the mission of “national rejuvenation” by 2050. To that end, the Chinese leadership continues to perceive major powers as the strategic priorities; the neighboring countries as the immediate concerns for the reasons of security and stability; and the developing countries, particularly African countries, remaining the major buttress of China’s foreign relations. This policy agenda started from the Mao-Zhou’s era and has continued for seven decades until nowadays.
Read more at: https://moderndiplomacy.eu/
Read more at: https://moderndiplomacy.eu/
12/26/20
Netherlands: Negative test result mandatory for most travellers to NL
Everyone over the age of 12 arriving in the Netherlands from a high risk area by plane, boat, train or coach will have to be able to show a negative coronavirus test from December 29, the Dutch government has confirmed.
Read more at: (Update) Negative test result mandatory for most travellers to NL - DutchNews.nl
Read more at: (Update) Negative test result mandatory for most travellers to NL - DutchNews.nl
USA: Covid: Biden urges Trump to sign coronavirus bill into law
US President-elect Joe Biden has warned of "devastating consequences" if President Donald Trump continues to delay signing a Covid-19 economic relief bill into law.
Unemployment benefits and a ban on evictions will be affected unless the bill is signed by the end of Saturday.
The package worth $900bn (£665bn) was approved by Congress after months of difficult negotiations and compromises.
Read more at: Covid: Biden urges Trump to sign coronavirus bill into law - BBC News
Unemployment benefits and a ban on evictions will be affected unless the bill is signed by the end of Saturday.
The package worth $900bn (£665bn) was approved by Congress after months of difficult negotiations and compromises.
Read more at: Covid: Biden urges Trump to sign coronavirus bill into law - BBC News
European Union, U.K. unveil post-Brexit trade deal set to take effect on Jan. 1
EU ambassadors and lawmakers on both sides of the English Channel will now pore over the "EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement," which contains 1,246 pages of text. EU envoys are expected to meet on Monday to discuss the document, drawn up over nine intense months of talks.
Most importantly, the deal as it stands ensures that Britain can continue to trade in goods with the world's biggest trading bloc without tariffs or quotas after the U.K. breaks fully free of the EU. It ceased to be an official member on Jan. 31 this year and is days away from the end of an exit transition period.
Read more at: European Union, U.K. unveil post-Brexit trade deal set to take effect on Jan. 1 | CBC News
Most importantly, the deal as it stands ensures that Britain can continue to trade in goods with the world's biggest trading bloc without tariffs or quotas after the U.K. breaks fully free of the EU. It ceased to be an official member on Jan. 31 this year and is days away from the end of an exit transition period.
Read more at: European Union, U.K. unveil post-Brexit trade deal set to take effect on Jan. 1 | CBC News
12/25/20
USA: Trump’s Fierce Criticism of Stimulus Bill Leaves Republicans Torn
His four-minute video on Tuesday night demanding significant changes to the bill and larger direct stimulus checks also threw a wrench into his party’s push to hold the Senate with victories in two runoff races in Georgia next month. The Republican candidates he pledged to support went from campaigning on their triumphant votes for the relief bill to facing questions on Mr. Trump’s view that the measure was a “disgrace.”
Read more at:a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/12/23/us/joe-biden-trump">Transition Highlights: Trump’s Fierce Criticism of Stimulus Bill Leaves Republicans Torn - The New York Times
MERRY CHRISTMAS
As we celebrate Christmas around the world, let us not forget the reasonfor this festive season: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life".Hope you and yours are having a Merry and Blessed Christmas.
EU-Britain Relations: Brexit: EU, UK finally clinch ′historic′ trade deal
The United Kingdom and the European Union have agreed to a post-Brexit free trade deal, sealing the UK's exit from the bloc, the UK government and EU announced on Thursday.
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said at a press conference on Thursday that: "It was a long and winding road, but we have a good deal to show for it."
The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted an image of himself in front of a British flag with his thumbs up. The picture was accompanied by the text: "The deal is done."
Read more at: Brexit: EU, UK finally clinch ′historic′ trade deal | News | DW | 24.12.2020
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said at a press conference on Thursday that: "It was a long and winding road, but we have a good deal to show for it."
The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted an image of himself in front of a British flag with his thumbs up. The picture was accompanied by the text: "The deal is done."
Read more at: Brexit: EU, UK finally clinch ′historic′ trade deal | News | DW | 24.12.2020
12/24/20
USA - Martial Law? Donald Trump's Martial-Law Talk Has Military on Red Alert
entagon and Washington-area military leaders are on red alert, wary of what President Donald Trump might do in his remaining days in office. Though far-fetched, ranking officers have discussed what they would do if the president declared martial law. And military commands responsible for Washington DC are engaged in secret contingency planning in case the armed forces are called upon to maintain or restore civil order during the inauguration and transition period. According to one officer who spoke to Newsweek on condition of anonymity, the planning is being kept out of sight of the White House and Trump loyalists in the Pentagon for fear that it would be shut down.
"I've been associated with the military for over 40 years and I've never seen the discussions that are being had right now, the need for such discussions," says a retired flag officer, currently a defense contractor who has mentored and advised his service's senior leaders. He was granted anonymity in order to speak without fear of reprisal.
Read more at Exclusive: Donald Trump's Martial-Law Talk Has Military on Red Alert
"I've been associated with the military for over 40 years and I've never seen the discussions that are being had right now, the need for such discussions," says a retired flag officer, currently a defense contractor who has mentored and advised his service's senior leaders. He was granted anonymity in order to speak without fear of reprisal.
Read more at Exclusive: Donald Trump's Martial-Law Talk Has Military on Red Alert
12/23/20
EU: New corona-strain already in EU, as UK locked off
A new, more contagious strain of Covid-19 is already in the EU, with Sweden closing its border to Denmark, on top of a UK cordon sanitaire.
"The new mutated virus has also been confirmed in Denmark and some other countries," Swedish home affairs minister Mikael Damberg said on Monday (21 December), announcing the border closure.
Read more at New corona-strain already in EU, as UK locked off
"The new mutated virus has also been confirmed in Denmark and some other countries," Swedish home affairs minister Mikael Damberg said on Monday (21 December), announcing the border closure.
Read more at New corona-strain already in EU, as UK locked off
USA: Trump threatens to scuttle coronavirus aid bill, demands changes -
President Donald Trump late Tuesday threatened to torpedo Congress’ massive pandemic relief package in the midst of a raging pandemic and deep economic uncertainty, suddenly demanding changes fellow Republicans have opposed.
Trump assailed the bipartisan $900 billion package in a video he tweeted out Tuesday night and suggested he may not sign it. He said the bill would deliver too much money to foreign countries, but not enough to Americans.
Read more at: Trump threatens to scuttle coronavirus aid bill, demands changes - MarketWatch
Trump assailed the bipartisan $900 billion package in a video he tweeted out Tuesday night and suggested he may not sign it. He said the bill would deliver too much money to foreign countries, but not enough to Americans.
Read more at: Trump threatens to scuttle coronavirus aid bill, demands changes - MarketWatch
USA - Polluted Drinking Water: Forever chemicals’ pollute water from Alaska to Florida - by Lynne Peeples
Whichever state you are in, there could be harmful PFAS chemicals in water near you
More than 200 million Americans may be drinking PFAS-contaminated water, suggests research by the nonprofit Environmental Working group (EWG), an advocacy group which is collaborating with Ensia on its Troubled Waters reporting project.
Read more at: ‘Forever chemicals’ pollute water from Alaska to Florida | US news | The Guardian
More than 200 million Americans may be drinking PFAS-contaminated water, suggests research by the nonprofit Environmental Working group (EWG), an advocacy group which is collaborating with Ensia on its Troubled Waters reporting project.
Read more at: ‘Forever chemicals’ pollute water from Alaska to Florida | US news | The Guardian
The Netherlands - Brexit: Dutch exporters fear fruit will rot if Brexit deal not done
With the clock running down on negotiations over a Brexit trade deal, Dutch fruit and vegetable exporters fear that a failure to strike an agreement could lead to long customs queues and fresh produce rotting in trucks.
Slideshow ( 5 images )
Read more at: Dutch exporters fear fruit will rot if Brexit deal not done | Reuters
Read more at: Dutch exporters fear fruit will rot if Brexit deal not done | Reuters
12/22/20
Coronavirus: France to lift travel ban to ease lorry log-jam
The European Union has stepped in and ordered EU countries to lift their bans on Britain as chaos developed around the Kent coast. It said flight and train bans should be discontinued given the need to ensure essential travel and avoid supply chain disruptions.
Read more at: https://dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/2020/12/france-may-ease-freight-ban-within-hours-as-crisis-grows/
Read more at: https://dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/2020/12/france-may-ease-freight-ban-within-hours-as-crisis-grows/
12/21/20
The Netherlands: Ferries from UK banned from sailing to Netherlands
Ferry lines which transport passengers from the United Kingdom across the North Sea to the Netherlands will not be permitted from Monday as the Dutch government attempts to prevent a highly-contagious variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus from spreading through the Dutch population. After a considerable rise in infections in the UK, many parts of that country went back into a strict lockdown over the weekend.
At the very start of Sunday, Dutch Health Minister Hugo de Jonge sent a letter to Parliament announcing that the Netherlands banned passenger flights from the UK effective immediately, and for an initial duration of about ten days. Belgium followed suit with a ban that included trains, meaning Eurostar rail service from the UK could no longer reach the Netherlands.
Read more at:Ferries from UK banned from sailing to Netherlands: Reports | NL Times
At the very start of Sunday, Dutch Health Minister Hugo de Jonge sent a letter to Parliament announcing that the Netherlands banned passenger flights from the UK effective immediately, and for an initial duration of about ten days. Belgium followed suit with a ban that included trains, meaning Eurostar rail service from the UK could no longer reach the Netherlands.
Read more at:Ferries from UK banned from sailing to Netherlands: Reports | NL Times
Brexit - British Stupiditry on Steroids: Boris Johnson is facing two hellish weeks. Critics fear his weak leadership could seriously harm the UK - by Luke McGee,
As Brits wind down for the Christmas break and look forward to the end of a horrendous year, the country will live in real time the consequences of policy decisions Johnson has taken in the face of the two greatest post-war crises the UK has faced: coronavirus and Brexit.
Boris Johnson is facing two hellish weeks. Critics fear his weak leadership could seriously harm the UK - CNN
Boris Johnson is facing two hellish weeks. Critics fear his weak leadership could seriously harm the UK - CNN
Brexit Stalemate: Britain, EU tell each other to give way in 'difficult' trade talks
Negotiations are expected to continue on Monday, beyond a Sunday deadline set by the European Parliament, and a senior British government source described them as “difficult” because of the “significant differences” in position.
With less than two weeks before Britain leaves the EU’s orbit, both sides are calling on the other to move to secure a deal and safeguard annual trade in goods from tariffs and quotas. But so far, neither has budged far enough for a breakthrough.
Read more at Britain, EU tell each other to give way in 'difficult' trade talks | Reuters
With less than two weeks before Britain leaves the EU’s orbit, both sides are calling on the other to move to secure a deal and safeguard annual trade in goods from tariffs and quotas. But so far, neither has budged far enough for a breakthrough.
Read more at Britain, EU tell each other to give way in 'difficult' trade talks | Reuters
Economics issues that big thinkers say need the world's attention in 2021 - by Don Pittis
In news, big stories crowd out important but lesser stories. One classic example was that on the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated, two literary lions — C.S.Lewis and Aldous Huxley — died as well, but they were virtually ignored.
This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has stolen the thunder from other important economic issues that deserve greater attention in 2021. Here is a by-no-means exhaustive list.
Read more at: Economics issues that big thinkers say need the world's attention in 2021 | CBC News
This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has stolen the thunder from other important economic issues that deserve greater attention in 2021. Here is a by-no-means exhaustive list.
Read more at: Economics issues that big thinkers say need the world's attention in 2021 | CBC News
US Congress reaches deal on $900 bn Covid-19 stimulus package
The package would be the second-largest economic stimulus in U.S. history, following a $2.3 trillion aid bill passed in March. It comes as the pandemic accelerates, infecting more than 214,000 people in the country each day. More than 317,000 Americans have already died.
Read more at : US Congress reaches deal on $900 bn Covid-19 stimulus package
Read more at : US Congress reaches deal on $900 bn Covid-19 stimulus package
12/20/20
Middle east: Palestinian Authority urges Israel to return to talks focused on 2-state solution
The Palestinian Authority's foreign minister on Saturday urged Israel to return to talks based on a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ahead of the transition to a new U.S. administration.
Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki's comments came in a joint statement with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi of Jordan.
Read more:Palestinian Authority urges Israel to return to talks focused on 2-state solution | CBC News
Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki's comments came in a joint statement with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi of Jordan.
Read more:Palestinian Authority urges Israel to return to talks focused on 2-state solution | CBC News
China-US Relations: Chinese Factories Want to Make Climate-Friendly Air Conditioners. A US Company Is Blocking Them - by Phil McKenna and Feng Hao
Air conditioners sped down the assembly line at the Midea appliance factory on a recent Saturday afternoon, as pop music blared over the din of fans and motors. The workers, mostly 20-somethings in crisp blue uniforms, were working quickly and on track to meet their daily target of 3,300 units.
Stretching the length of a football field, the assembly line in Wuhu was retooled in 2016 to produce hundreds of thousands of climate-friendly air conditioners per year, funded with money from the United Nations. The goal was to help reduce a class of key climate super-pollutants.
Air conditioners now use fluorinated chemical refrigerants. While each air conditioner contains only a small amount of refrigerant, the chemicals eventually make their way into the atmosphere, as the devices slowly leak or are destroyed at the end of their useful life. Those emissions add up and wreak havoc. As greenhouse gases they are hundreds to thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide in warming the planet. Newsletters
Note EU-Digest:Presently China and the US, regardless of their different political ideologies, need each other. China as a producer of products and the US as a major consumer of Chinese products. Unfortunately, because the US has completely neglected their own local production industries and facilities , while China expanded its global sales network of Chinese products, it does not appear the US will be able to hold on much longer to the title of "the number one nation on the block".
Read more at: Chinese Factories Want to Make Climate-Friendly Air Conditioners. A US Company Is Blocking Them - Inside Climate News
Stretching the length of a football field, the assembly line in Wuhu was retooled in 2016 to produce hundreds of thousands of climate-friendly air conditioners per year, funded with money from the United Nations. The goal was to help reduce a class of key climate super-pollutants.
Air conditioners now use fluorinated chemical refrigerants. While each air conditioner contains only a small amount of refrigerant, the chemicals eventually make their way into the atmosphere, as the devices slowly leak or are destroyed at the end of their useful life. Those emissions add up and wreak havoc. As greenhouse gases they are hundreds to thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide in warming the planet. Newsletters
Note EU-Digest:Presently China and the US, regardless of their different political ideologies, need each other. China as a producer of products and the US as a major consumer of Chinese products. Unfortunately, because the US has completely neglected their own local production industries and facilities , while China expanded its global sales network of Chinese products, it does not appear the US will be able to hold on much longer to the title of "the number one nation on the block".
Read more at: Chinese Factories Want to Make Climate-Friendly Air Conditioners. A US Company Is Blocking Them - Inside Climate News
Turkey Coronavirus Infection Numbers: Turkey’s new coronavirus figures confirm experts’ worst fears
Turkey: When Turkey changed the way it reports daily COVID-19 infections, it confirmed what medical groups and opposition parties have long suspected – that the country is faced with an alarming surge of cases that is fast exhausting the Turkish health system.
In an about-face, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government this week resumed reporting all positive coronavirus tests – not just the number of patients being treated for symptoms – pushing the number of daily cases to above 30,000. With the new data, the country jumped from being one of the least-affected countries in Europe to one of the worst-hit.
Read more at: Turkey’s new coronavirus figures confirm experts’ worst fears
In an about-face, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government this week resumed reporting all positive coronavirus tests – not just the number of patients being treated for symptoms – pushing the number of daily cases to above 30,000. With the new data, the country jumped from being one of the least-affected countries in Europe to one of the worst-hit.
Read more at: Turkey’s new coronavirus figures confirm experts’ worst fears
The Netherlands bans flights from UK to keep out new coronavirus strain (update)
The Netherlands has banned flights from Britain from 6am on Sunday, following the spread of a new, possibly more infectious variant of coronavirus in the south of England.
The ban will run until January 1, 2021 ‘unless officials decide to shorten or extend it’, according to the transport ministry regulations published on Saturday night.
The ban follows recommendations by Dutch public health institute RIVM which says movements between the two countries should be limited as much as possible to try to control the spread of the virus. Road, sea and train travel is so far unaffected, but the government is considering ‘additional measures regarding other forms of transport.’
Read more at:The Netherlands bans flights from UK to keep out new coronavirus strain (update) - DutchNews.nl
The ban will run until January 1, 2021 ‘unless officials decide to shorten or extend it’, according to the transport ministry regulations published on Saturday night.
The ban follows recommendations by Dutch public health institute RIVM which says movements between the two countries should be limited as much as possible to try to control the spread of the virus. Road, sea and train travel is so far unaffected, but the government is considering ‘additional measures regarding other forms of transport.’
Read more at:The Netherlands bans flights from UK to keep out new coronavirus strain (update) - DutchNews.nl
US Economy: Nearly 8 million Americans have fallen into poverty since the summer - by Heather Long
The U.S. poverty rate has surged over the past five months, with 7.8 million Americans falling into poverty, the latest indication of how deeply many are struggling after government aid dwindled.
The poverty rate jumped to 11.7 percent in November, up 2.4 percentage points since June, according to new data released Wednesday by researchers at the University of Chicago and the University of Notre Dame.
While overall poverty levels are low by historical standards, the increase in poverty this year has been swift. It is the biggest jump in a single year since the government began tracking poverty 60 years ago. It is nearly double the next-largest rise, which occurred in 1979-1980 during the oil crisis,
read more at: Nearly 8 million Americans have fallen into poverty since the summer - The Washington Post
The poverty rate jumped to 11.7 percent in November, up 2.4 percentage points since June, according to new data released Wednesday by researchers at the University of Chicago and the University of Notre Dame.
While overall poverty levels are low by historical standards, the increase in poverty this year has been swift. It is the biggest jump in a single year since the government began tracking poverty 60 years ago. It is nearly double the next-largest rise, which occurred in 1979-1980 during the oil crisis,
read more at: Nearly 8 million Americans have fallen into poverty since the summer - The Washington Post
12/19/20
US-China Relations: Trump contradicts top U.S. officials, suggests without evidence China behind cyberattack
Contradicting his secretary of state and other top officials, President Donald Trump on Saturday suggested without evidence that China — not Russia — may be behind the grave cyberattack against the United States and tried to minimized its impact.
In his first comments on the breach, Trump scoffed at the focus on the Kremlin and downplayed the intrusions, which the
"The Cyber Hack is far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality. I have been fully briefed and everything is well under control," Trump tweeted. He also claimed the media are "petrified" of "discussing the possibility that it may be China (it may!)."
There is no evidence to suggest that is the case. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said late Friday that Russia was "pretty clearly" behind the cyberattack against the U.S.
Read more at: Trump contradicts top U.S. officials, suggests without evidence China behind cyberattack | CBC News
In his first comments on the breach, Trump scoffed at the focus on the Kremlin and downplayed the intrusions, which the
"The Cyber Hack is far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality. I have been fully briefed and everything is well under control," Trump tweeted. He also claimed the media are "petrified" of "discussing the possibility that it may be China (it may!)."
There is no evidence to suggest that is the case. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said late Friday that Russia was "pretty clearly" behind the cyberattack against the U.S.
Read more at: Trump contradicts top U.S. officials, suggests without evidence China behind cyberattack | CBC News
2020 Music Year in Review: Sheffield on How Fandom Went Underground - by Rob Sheffield
In 2020, being a music fan meant listening by yourself, more than ever, as the coronavirus ravaged the country and our lives. Being a fan in 2020 was crazy in ways that were totally new, because everything about pop life changed overnight. We didn’t get to hear “WAP” in the club or at a party. We didn’t rock out to our favorite new songs live. We didn’t get that shared public experience of music. Isolation became a major fact of life, and the music reflected that. For so many of us, music is key to how we connect to the outside world. But in 2020, music became the outside world, as public spaces were few and far between. It was a shared experience at a time when we really needed that.
Pop music got lustier and hornier all year as a direct response. Ariana Grande made a fantastic album called Positions, basically a grinding-at-the-club thirst trap. It really encapsulated the year in pop fandom — a sex-crazed fantasy lovingly crafted by, for, and about people who aren’t doing any of the wild and crazy things in the songs. Remember the Ariana who sang “Break Up With Your Boyfriend, I’m Bored”? So does she, and there was something heroic about keeping that spirit alive this year.
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion dropped everyone’s favorite summer sex jam, “WAP,” announcing the presence of whores in the house. When “WAP” hit Number One, it replaced Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar” — I love that: two songs about the same thing, as different musically as two songs could be, yet kindred spirits as two of the year’s filthiest hits in the least Hot Girl Summer of all time. Part of why “Watermelon Sugar” felt timely was the video Harry filmed on the beach in January, right before lockdown, with the intro: “This video is dedicated to touching.”
Read more at: 2020 Music Year in Review: Sheffield on How Fandom Went Underground - Rolling Stone
Pop music got lustier and hornier all year as a direct response. Ariana Grande made a fantastic album called Positions, basically a grinding-at-the-club thirst trap. It really encapsulated the year in pop fandom — a sex-crazed fantasy lovingly crafted by, for, and about people who aren’t doing any of the wild and crazy things in the songs. Remember the Ariana who sang “Break Up With Your Boyfriend, I’m Bored”? So does she, and there was something heroic about keeping that spirit alive this year.
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion dropped everyone’s favorite summer sex jam, “WAP,” announcing the presence of whores in the house. When “WAP” hit Number One, it replaced Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar” — I love that: two songs about the same thing, as different musically as two songs could be, yet kindred spirits as two of the year’s filthiest hits in the least Hot Girl Summer of all time. Part of why “Watermelon Sugar” felt timely was the video Harry filmed on the beach in January, right before lockdown, with the intro: “This video is dedicated to touching.”
Read more at: 2020 Music Year in Review: Sheffield on How Fandom Went Underground - Rolling Stone
Middle East: Donald Trump’s Final Act: Snuffing Out the Promise of Democracy in the Middle East - by Vijay Prashad
Ten years ago, a hawker in Tunisia set himself on fire, which spurred on people along the entire Mediterranean Sea—from Morocco to Spain—to rise up in revolt. They took to their squares indignant at the terrible conditions in which they had to make their lives.
Little of their agenda has been advanced in the past decade. Governments of the southern European states have one by one betrayed the aspirations of the people; the most dramatic such failure was of the Syriza government in Greece, which won a mandate against austerity and then surrendered before the troika (the European Central Bank, the European Commission, and the International Monetary Fund) in 2015.
Uprisings in northern Africa ended with the return of the generals (as in Egypt), the destruction of states (as in Libya), and the assertion of the Arab monarchies (from Morocco to Saudi Arabia).
A decade later, U.S. President Donald Trump carved the obituary on the tombstone of that “Arab Spring” rebellion when he used the immensity of U.S. power to strengthen U.S. allies—such as the Arab monarchies and Israel—to the detriment of the people of the region.
What remains of the Arab Spring is a distant memory of the crowds in Cairo’s Tahrir Square; a better image of the present is that of the monarchs of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) kissing up to Israel to please the United States.
Read more at: Donald Trump’s Final Act: Snuffing Out the Promise of Democracy in the Middle East - CounterPunch.org
Little of their agenda has been advanced in the past decade. Governments of the southern European states have one by one betrayed the aspirations of the people; the most dramatic such failure was of the Syriza government in Greece, which won a mandate against austerity and then surrendered before the troika (the European Central Bank, the European Commission, and the International Monetary Fund) in 2015.
Uprisings in northern Africa ended with the return of the generals (as in Egypt), the destruction of states (as in Libya), and the assertion of the Arab monarchies (from Morocco to Saudi Arabia).
A decade later, U.S. President Donald Trump carved the obituary on the tombstone of that “Arab Spring” rebellion when he used the immensity of U.S. power to strengthen U.S. allies—such as the Arab monarchies and Israel—to the detriment of the people of the region.
What remains of the Arab Spring is a distant memory of the crowds in Cairo’s Tahrir Square; a better image of the present is that of the monarchs of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) kissing up to Israel to please the United States.
Read more at: Donald Trump’s Final Act: Snuffing Out the Promise of Democracy in the Middle East - CounterPunch.org
12/18/20
China-Russia Relations focus on Joe Biden's Presidency: Putin's real intention in talking up a Russia-China alliance - by YOHEI ISHIKAWA
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his first-ever public reference to the possibility of a Russia-China military alliance, but Dmitri Trenin, director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, told Nikkei Asia that Moscow's real intention with the suggestion is to check the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden.
Read more at: Putin's real intention in talking up a Russia-China alliance - Nikkei Asia
Read more at: Putin's real intention in talking up a Russia-China alliance - Nikkei Asia
Refugees in the Time of Corona: How We Fail Those Most In Need - by Sofia Cotterill
Refugees, migrants and asylum seekers are routinely the most vulnerable groups within society, yet there are also few groups to whom society and our government displays such intense levels of animosity and indifference. Indeed, it often appears that the sentiments and prejudices underpinning the hostile environment established under the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition have become entangled threads, inseparably woven into the sinews of our political landscape, clouding and obscuring us from truly seeing the suffering of these people.
Read more at: https://cherwell.org/2020/04/25/refugees-in-the-time-of-corona-how-we-fail-those-most-in-need/
USA - Economy: Thousands of cars form lines to collect food in Covid-hit Texas - by Melissa Alonso and Susannah Cullinane
North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) distributed more than 600,000 pounds of food for about 25,000 people on Saturday, according to spokeswoman Anna Kurian. There were 7,280 turkeys distributed to families, Kurian told CNN.
Read more at: Thousands of cars form lines to collect food in Covid-hit Texas - CNN
Read more at: Thousands of cars form lines to collect food in Covid-hit Texas - CNN
EU-Britain Negotiations stuck over fishing righta: Boris Johnson calls on EU to break Brexit deadlock over fishing
Boris Johnson has called on Brussels to make a final offer on access to British fishing waters to break the Brexit deadlock, as the EU’s Michel Barnier said the trade and security talks were entering the final “few hours”.
Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/18/barnier-fishing-row-obstacle-final-hours-brexit-talks
Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/18/barnier-fishing-row-obstacle-final-hours-brexit-talks
12/17/20
Eurozone reform—it’s not just the fiscal rules –by Willi Koll
The Covid-19 pandemic has eclipsed the general overhaul of the economic-policy framework of the European Union and the eurozone initiated in February by the European Commission. Comprehensive reform of economic governance remains nevertheless urgent and indispensable.
Reform of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) and the Regulation on the Prevention and Correction of Macroeconomic Imbalances (MIP), within the framework of the ‘six-pack’ and ‘two-pack’ of the European Semester and other regulations, should again be at the centre of discussions, as soon as—at the latest—the consequences of the pandemic have been dealt with.
Read more at: Eurozone reform—it’s not just the fiscal rules – Willi Koll
Reform of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) and the Regulation on the Prevention and Correction of Macroeconomic Imbalances (MIP), within the framework of the ‘six-pack’ and ‘two-pack’ of the European Semester and other regulations, should again be at the centre of discussions, as soon as—at the latest—the consequences of the pandemic have been dealt with.
Read more at: Eurozone reform—it’s not just the fiscal rules – Willi Koll
12/16/20
EU: Benchmarking Working Europe 2020 - the impact of a pandemic
A virus is haunting Europe. And it could strike again. This year’s 20th anniversary issue of our flagship publication Benchmarking Working Europe brings to a growing audience of trade unionists, industrial relations specialists and policymakers a simple warning: beside SARS-CoV-2, the virus that has caused the Covid-19 pandemic and thrown Europe’s economies into a sudden and profound recession, ‘austerity’ is the other nefarious agent from which workers, and Europe as a whole, need to be protected in the challenging months and years ahead. At this point in time, a new wave of austerity could not only undermine the post-Covid recovery, but it could also fundamentally undermine the European social and economic integration project.
It is essential to note from the outset that there are enough signs to justify some cautious optimism about the future trajectory of the present crisis. Just as the scientific community appears to be on the verge of producing one or more effective and affordable vaccines that could generate widespread immunity against SARS-CoV-2, it is also clear that policymakers, at both national and European levels, are now approaching this challenging juncture in a way that departs from the austerity-driven responses deployed a decade ago, in the aftermath of the previous crisis (Sabato and Mandelli 2021). It is particularly apt for the 20th anniversary issue of Benchmarking, a publication that has allowed the ETUI and the ETUC to contribute to key European debates (Daly et al. 2020) on the basis of fact-based analysis, to set out our case for a socially responsive and ecologically sustainable road out of the Covid-19 crisis. In doing so, we will explore some of the key (mis)steps in the way Europe responded to the previous crisis so as to further emphasise the paradigm change that the response to the current crisis necessitates.
Read more at: Benchmarking Working Europe 2020 | etui
It is essential to note from the outset that there are enough signs to justify some cautious optimism about the future trajectory of the present crisis. Just as the scientific community appears to be on the verge of producing one or more effective and affordable vaccines that could generate widespread immunity against SARS-CoV-2, it is also clear that policymakers, at both national and European levels, are now approaching this challenging juncture in a way that departs from the austerity-driven responses deployed a decade ago, in the aftermath of the previous crisis (Sabato and Mandelli 2021). It is particularly apt for the 20th anniversary issue of Benchmarking, a publication that has allowed the ETUI and the ETUC to contribute to key European debates (Daly et al. 2020) on the basis of fact-based analysis, to set out our case for a socially responsive and ecologically sustainable road out of the Covid-19 crisis. In doing so, we will explore some of the key (mis)steps in the way Europe responded to the previous crisis so as to further emphasise the paradigm change that the response to the current crisis necessitates.
Read more at: Benchmarking Working Europe 2020 | etui
US Economy: How a weaker dollar could help fuel a commodities boom in 2021
Long-suffering commodity markets may have turned a corner after a pandemic-induced collapse in 2020. What happens next may depend on the fate of the U.S. dollar.
“The only way to get commodities moving in an inflationary, buying power way is a weaker dollar,” said Doug King, head of RCMA’s Merchant Commodity Fund and one of the world’s best known commodity traders, in an interview with MarketWatch.
Read more at: How a weaker dollar could help fuel a commodities boom in 2021 - MarketWatch
“The only way to get commodities moving in an inflationary, buying power way is a weaker dollar,” said Doug King, head of RCMA’s Merchant Commodity Fund and one of the world’s best known commodity traders, in an interview with MarketWatch.
Read more at: How a weaker dollar could help fuel a commodities boom in 2021 - MarketWatch
The Netherlands: Reactions to Rutte's 5-week coronavirus lockdown in the Netherlands
Speaking from his official office in The Hague, Prime Minister Mark Rutte addressed the people of the Netherlands and, before announcing the new measures that would place in the country under lockdown, delivered a speech that served to remind the public of the severity of the situation and the importance of following the rules.
Almost 8,4 million people tuned in to listen to what the Prime Minister had to say - the highest number of viewers ever garnered by a coronavirus press conference or speech. Nearly 90 percent of all the people who were watching TV on Monday evening were watching Rutte’s speech.
People may have been eager to hear what Rutte had to say, but how have people responded to the strict lockdown measures that have been introduced just before the Christmas holidays?
Read more at: Reactions to Rutte's 5-week coronavirus lockdown in the Netherlands
Almost 8,4 million people tuned in to listen to what the Prime Minister had to say - the highest number of viewers ever garnered by a coronavirus press conference or speech. Nearly 90 percent of all the people who were watching TV on Monday evening were watching Rutte’s speech.
People may have been eager to hear what Rutte had to say, but how have people responded to the strict lockdown measures that have been introduced just before the Christmas holidays?
Read more at: Reactions to Rutte's 5-week coronavirus lockdown in the Netherlands
Israel -US relations: The zombie election they won’t let die: Trump and allies still deny loss
The 2020 presidential race is turning into the zombie election that Trump just won’t let die. Despite dozens of legal and procedural setbacks, his campaign keeps filing new challenges that have no hope of succeeding and making fresh, unfounded claims of fraud.
But that’s the point. Trump’s strategy wasn’t to change the outcome, but to create a host of phantom claims about the 2020 presidential race that would infect the nation with doubt, even though the winner was clear and there has been no evidence of mass voter fraud.
Read mored at: The zombie election they won’t let die: Trump and allies still deny loss | The Times of Israel
But that’s the point. Trump’s strategy wasn’t to change the outcome, but to create a host of phantom claims about the 2020 presidential race that would infect the nation with doubt, even though the winner was clear and there has been no evidence of mass voter fraud.
Read mored at: The zombie election they won’t let die: Trump and allies still deny loss | The Times of Israel
12/15/20
Pollution By Ocean Energy Exploration Companies: Abandoned oil and gas wells leave the ocean floor spewing methane - by Hannah Seo
Out on the deck of a research boat, Tara Yacovitch looked out to the water. In the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, the seascape is peppered with lights. And every light is part of an offshore oil or gas platform.
Offshore platforms can vary greatly in size—some are as big as multi-storied buildings, while others resemble small but very tall rooms. The boat carrying Yacovitch and her team also housed a variety of science equipment: methane isotope readers, spectrometers, and other tools to measure methane levels in the air around these sites.
Yacovitch, an instrument scientist at Aerodyne Research, is trying to understand the scope of what some scientists say is a massive environmental issue lurking below our seas. Wells are routinely drilled into the sea floor for oil and gas production, and abandoned when they stop being economically viable—sometimes this is after years of oil or gas extraction, sometimes it's part way through drilling before the well is even finished. But not all of these wells are plugged and properly maintained before being left behind. The result: methane and other gases leaking in unknown quantities for years on end from tens of thousands of holes in the ocean floor.
The harms for the ocean and its inhabitants, and the atmosphere above, are largely unknown. But we do know that methane is about 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, measured over a 20-year period, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
Read more at: Abandoned oil and gas wells leave the ocean floor spewing methane - The Daily Climate
Offshore platforms can vary greatly in size—some are as big as multi-storied buildings, while others resemble small but very tall rooms. The boat carrying Yacovitch and her team also housed a variety of science equipment: methane isotope readers, spectrometers, and other tools to measure methane levels in the air around these sites.
Yacovitch, an instrument scientist at Aerodyne Research, is trying to understand the scope of what some scientists say is a massive environmental issue lurking below our seas. Wells are routinely drilled into the sea floor for oil and gas production, and abandoned when they stop being economically viable—sometimes this is after years of oil or gas extraction, sometimes it's part way through drilling before the well is even finished. But not all of these wells are plugged and properly maintained before being left behind. The result: methane and other gases leaking in unknown quantities for years on end from tens of thousands of holes in the ocean floor.
The harms for the ocean and its inhabitants, and the atmosphere above, are largely unknown. But we do know that methane is about 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, measured over a 20-year period, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
Read more at: Abandoned oil and gas wells leave the ocean floor spewing methane - The Daily Climate
European Commission Report - Economy: Recovery plan for Europe - the largest ever
The EU’s long-term budget, coupled with the NextGenerationEU initiative, which is a temporary instrument designed to boost the recovery, will be the largest stimulus package ever financed through the EU budget. A total of €1.8 trillion will help rebuild a post-COVID-19 Europe. It will be a greener, more digital and more resilient Europe.
The new long-term budget will increase flexibility mechanisms to guarantee it has the capacity to address unforeseen needs. It is a budget fit not only for today's realities but also for tomorrow's uncertainties.
On 10 November 2020, an agreement was reached between the European Parliament and EU countries in the Council on the next long-term EU budget and NextGenerationEU. This agreement will reinforce specific programmes under the long-term budget for 2021-2027 by a total of €15 billion.
Read more at: Recovery plan for Europe | European Commission
The new long-term budget will increase flexibility mechanisms to guarantee it has the capacity to address unforeseen needs. It is a budget fit not only for today's realities but also for tomorrow's uncertainties.
On 10 November 2020, an agreement was reached between the European Parliament and EU countries in the Council on the next long-term EU budget and NextGenerationEU. This agreement will reinforce specific programmes under the long-term budget for 2021-2027 by a total of €15 billion.
Read more at: Recovery plan for Europe | European Commission
EU: Coronavirus: EU regulator set to approve vaccine by Christmas
The European Union is on track to approve its first COVID-19 vaccine ahead of Christmas. Political pressure has been mounting for a swift stamp of approval to move forward with vaccine programs across the bloc.
The Amsterdam-based European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Tuesday moved up the expert panel review meeting on the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine to December 21, eight days sooner than its original deadline of December 29. The move comes after the UK and the US launched their immunization campaigns.
Reas more at: Coronavirus: EU regulator set to approve vaccine by Christmas | Coronavirus and Covid-19 - latest news about COVID-19 | DW | 15.12.2020
The Amsterdam-based European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Tuesday moved up the expert panel review meeting on the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine to December 21, eight days sooner than its original deadline of December 29. The move comes after the UK and the US launched their immunization campaigns.
Reas more at: Coronavirus: EU regulator set to approve vaccine by Christmas | Coronavirus and Covid-19 - latest news about COVID-19 | DW | 15.12.2020
12/14/20
EU Economy and Lithuania: Best EU Economy in Year of Covid Was Bloc’s Worst-Hit After 2008 -- by Milda Seputyte
The European Union’s worst-hit economy in the wake of the global financial crisis is looking like the bloc’s least affected during the coronavirus pandemic.
Lithuania suffered the deepest recession in 2009 as it became a testing ground for the harsh austerity that later ravaged Greece. This time, the European Commission reckons it will notch the shallowest contraction of all, with forecasts this month pointing to a dip in gross domestic product of just 2.2%.
Read more at: Best EU Economy in Year of Covid Was Bloc’s Worst-Hit After 2008 - Bloomberg
Lithuania suffered the deepest recession in 2009 as it became a testing ground for the harsh austerity that later ravaged Greece. This time, the European Commission reckons it will notch the shallowest contraction of all, with forecasts this month pointing to a dip in gross domestic product of just 2.2%.
Read more at: Best EU Economy in Year of Covid Was Bloc’s Worst-Hit After 2008 - Bloomberg
Britain: Boris Johnson, Miles Davis, and Brexit - by Gabrielle Debinski
"Time isn't the main thing. It's the only thing." The words of jazz genius Miles Davis are surely resonating with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who flew to Brussels on Wednesday to iron out a post-Brexit trade agreement before the UK formally leaves the European Union — with or without a deal — on January 1.
For the UK, the stakes are very high. If no deal is reached by January 1, British businesses that have long benefitted from access to the bloc's customs union will find themselves facing massive bureaucratic hurdles and high costs on goods crossing borders.
Read more at: Boris Johnson, Miles Davis, and Brexit - GZERO Media
For the UK, the stakes are very high. If no deal is reached by January 1, British businesses that have long benefitted from access to the bloc's customs union will find themselves facing massive bureaucratic hurdles and high costs on goods crossing borders.
Read more at: Boris Johnson, Miles Davis, and Brexit - GZERO Media
Global Warming: EU leaders agree on 55% climate target for 2030
EU leaders finally agreed early Friday (11 December) to increase the bloc's emission-reduction target to 55 percent by 2030 - paving the way to update the bloc's contribution under the UN Paris climate agreement before the end-of-year deadline.
"Europe is the leader in the fight against climate change," declared the president of the European Council Charles Michel after leaders finally reached a compromis
Read more at: EU leaders agree on 55% climate target for 2030
"Europe is the leader in the fight against climate change," declared the president of the European Council Charles Michel after leaders finally reached a compromis
Read more at: EU leaders agree on 55% climate target for 2030
The Netherlands: Why the country goes in strict lockdown, while Belgium doesn't
The Netherlands will go into a “strict lockdown” from midnight to stave off the rising coronavirus infections, but Belgium
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announce a strict lockdown at 7:00 PM today, but a large part of the content already made it to the press, including measures such as the closure of schools, non-essential stores, museums, hairdressers and theatres. Like in Belgium, bars and restaurants in the country had already been closed for some time.
Read more at: Why the Netherlands goes into strict lockdown, but Belgium doesn't
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announce a strict lockdown at 7:00 PM today, but a large part of the content already made it to the press, including measures such as the closure of schools, non-essential stores, museums, hairdressers and theatres. Like in Belgium, bars and restaurants in the country had already been closed for some time.
Read more at: Why the Netherlands goes into strict lockdown, but Belgium doesn't
12/13/20
EU: The Costs of Merkel’s Surrender to Hungarian and Polish Extortion - by George Soros
The European Union is facing an existential threat, and yet the EU’s leadership is responding with a compromise that appears to reflect a belief that the threat can simply be wished away. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s kleptocratic regime in Hungary and, to a lesser extent, the illiberal Law and Justice (PiS) government in Poland, are brazenly challenging the values on which the European Union has been built. Treating their challenge as a legitimate political stance deserving of recognition and a compromise solution will only add – massively – to the risks that the EU now faces.
Orbán has stolen and misappropriated vast sums during his decade in power, including EU funds that should have gone to benefit the Hungarian people. He cannot afford to have a practical limit imposed on his personal and political corruption, because these illicit proceeds are the grease that keeps the wheels of his regime turning smoothly and his cronies in line.
Threatening to torpedo the EU’s finances by vetoing its budget was a desperate gamble on Orbán’s part. But it was a bluff that should have been called. Unfortunately, Merkel has, it appears, caved in to Hungarian and Polish extortion.
Read more at: The Costs of Merkel’s Surrender to Hungarian and Polish Extortion by George Soros - Project Syndicate
Orbán has stolen and misappropriated vast sums during his decade in power, including EU funds that should have gone to benefit the Hungarian people. He cannot afford to have a practical limit imposed on his personal and political corruption, because these illicit proceeds are the grease that keeps the wheels of his regime turning smoothly and his cronies in line.
Threatening to torpedo the EU’s finances by vetoing its budget was a desperate gamble on Orbán’s part. But it was a bluff that should have been called. Unfortunately, Merkel has, it appears, caved in to Hungarian and Polish extortion.
Read more at: The Costs of Merkel’s Surrender to Hungarian and Polish Extortion by George Soros - Project Syndicate
The Mysterious Universe: the link between Christianity and the Universe ia well established and no mystery to believers - by RM
On a clear night, when you look up to the sky and see the billions of twinkling stars, of which many support planets, like the planet we live on, we would be completely ignorant not to question the existence of life on other planets.The concept of the Universe, however, already is a mystery, which can only lead you to a Creator for its origin, because there is no other reliable technical or mathematical way to explain it.
So, ultimately, the discovery of intelligent aliens isn't likely to pose a serious crisis for Christianity, who believe in a Creator .They also believe that the penalty for those that sin is death (Romans 6:23). They believe that to rectify the circumstances they are in, God sent His only Son Jesus to die in their place, to take their punishment for sin (Romans 5:8). After Jesus’ death, He arose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-6). Jesus is the only way to God (John 14:6) and He provides the blessing of salvation. Each person has the choice to receive or reject our Creator's gift through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) and experience new birth (John 3:1-8).
If all this doesn't sound like it comes from the Creator of the Universe, I do not know what will. So don't worry about or deny the existence of aliens.
EU-Digest
So, ultimately, the discovery of intelligent aliens isn't likely to pose a serious crisis for Christianity, who believe in a Creator .They also believe that the penalty for those that sin is death (Romans 6:23). They believe that to rectify the circumstances they are in, God sent His only Son Jesus to die in their place, to take their punishment for sin (Romans 5:8). After Jesus’ death, He arose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-6). Jesus is the only way to God (John 14:6) and He provides the blessing of salvation. Each person has the choice to receive or reject our Creator's gift through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) and experience new birth (John 3:1-8).
If all this doesn't sound like it comes from the Creator of the Universe, I do not know what will. So don't worry about or deny the existence of aliens.
EU-Digest
The Netherlands: Grim milestone: Number of Covid deaths surpasses 10,000 in The Netherlands
he Netherlands reached another grim milestone. On Saturday, the number of people who have died as a result of Covid-19 has surpassed 10,000. This was reported by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
On Saturday, another 53 deaths were reported bringing the total number of fatalities to 10,019 since counting began. On March 6, 2020, the first coronavirus related death was confirmed in the Netherlands. He was an 86-year-old patient who died in the Ikazia Hospital in Rotterdam.
The viral infection remains most lethal to older people. According to RIVM data, about 90 percent of the known deaths were people aged 70 or above. Furthermore, the statistics shows that the coronavirus infection is more fatal for men. Though 54 percent of known infections occurred in women, men accounted for 55 percent of the fatal outcomes.
Read more at: Grim milestone: Number of Covid deaths surpasses 10,000 in The Netherlands | NL Times
On Saturday, another 53 deaths were reported bringing the total number of fatalities to 10,019 since counting began. On March 6, 2020, the first coronavirus related death was confirmed in the Netherlands. He was an 86-year-old patient who died in the Ikazia Hospital in Rotterdam.
The viral infection remains most lethal to older people. According to RIVM data, about 90 percent of the known deaths were people aged 70 or above. Furthermore, the statistics shows that the coronavirus infection is more fatal for men. Though 54 percent of known infections occurred in women, men accounted for 55 percent of the fatal outcomes.
Read more at: Grim milestone: Number of Covid deaths surpasses 10,000 in The Netherlands | NL Times
Social Media: Twitter briefly restricts Donald Trump's tweets about 'election fraud'
Twitter briefly tightened restrictions on US President Donald Trump's official Twitter account on Saturday, as some users reported the inability to like, retweet, or reply to his tweets. This phenomenon was observed for tweets marked as "disputed." For such tweets, users could neither copy the URL, nor search the text of the tweet to yield results.
A Twitter spokesperson wrote to The Verge on Saturday, informing the platform "inadvertently took action to limit engagements" on Trump's tweet, but had since reversed the action
Read Moreat: Twitter briefly restricts Donald Trump's tweets about 'election fraud'
A Twitter spokesperson wrote to The Verge on Saturday, informing the platform "inadvertently took action to limit engagements" on Trump's tweet, but had since reversed the action
Read Moreat: Twitter briefly restricts Donald Trump's tweets about 'election fraud'
United Federation of Europe - Far from there yet: Towards a truly 'European' Union - by Zdzisław Krasnodębski
When one hears the ensuing speeches of past and present presidents of the European Commission, one is left with the impression EU policy has been a series of successful triumphs, that the Union is champion of the world and that Europe is flourishing.
It seems only the pandemic, global warming and the activity of 'Eurosceptics' or 'populists' attempting to halt the Union's progress, that do not fall in line with this optimistic, complacent self-portrait.
It is enough, however, to look around and see how much more detached from reality this image has become. In fact, we Europeans are now constantly confronted with a series of growing, unresolved problems and successive crises, which we handle only on an ad hoc basis.
Read more at: Towards a truly 'European' Union
It seems only the pandemic, global warming and the activity of 'Eurosceptics' or 'populists' attempting to halt the Union's progress, that do not fall in line with this optimistic, complacent self-portrait.
It is enough, however, to look around and see how much more detached from reality this image has become. In fact, we Europeans are now constantly confronted with a series of growing, unresolved problems and successive crises, which we handle only on an ad hoc basis.
Read more at: Towards a truly 'European' Union
12/12/20
The Netherlands: Non-EU citizens must present negative Covid tests at Dutch borders from Tuesday December 15
From 6 p.m. Tuesday, non-European Union and Schengen citizens will have to present negative Covid-19 test results and and a completed negative test declaration form when they enter the Netherlands by air or by sea. From January 1, when the transition period following Brexit will have ended, the new rule for entry into the country will also apply to most British people without a residence permit from a European Union nation.
”The United Kingdom has left the EU, and the transition period ends on 31 December 2020. This means that, as of 1 January 2021, passengers arriving in the Netherlands from the UK by air or sea also have to present a negative test result and declaration, unless they fall within an exemption category,” four Dutch ministries said in a statement.
Read more at: Non-EU citizens must present negative Covid tests at Dutch borders from Tuesday | NL Times
”The United Kingdom has left the EU, and the transition period ends on 31 December 2020. This means that, as of 1 January 2021, passengers arriving in the Netherlands from the UK by air or sea also have to present a negative test result and declaration, unless they fall within an exemption category,” four Dutch ministries said in a statement.
Read more at: Non-EU citizens must present negative Covid tests at Dutch borders from Tuesday | NL Times
USA - Trump on the ropes: Supreme court rejects Trump-backed Texas lawsuit aiming to overturn election results - by David Smith
The US supreme court has unanimously rejected a baseless lawsuit filed by Texas seeking to overturn the presidential election result, dealing the biggest blow yet to Donald Trump’s assault on democracy.
In a brief, one page order, all nine justices on America’s highest court dismissed the longshot effort to throw out the vote counts in four states that the president lost: Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Read more at: Supreme court rejects Trump-backed Texas lawsuit aiming to overturn election results | US elections 2020 | The Guardian
In a brief, one page order, all nine justices on America’s highest court dismissed the longshot effort to throw out the vote counts in four states that the president lost: Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Read more at: Supreme court rejects Trump-backed Texas lawsuit aiming to overturn election results | US elections 2020 | The Guardian
Canada US Relations: Canada/U.S. border restrictions extended into 2021 - by Peter Zimonjic ·
The federal government has extended restrictions at the Canada-U.S. land border for another 30 days — until Jan. 21 — according to Public Safety Canada.
The world's longest international border has been closed to non-essential travel for months, although essential workers — such as truck drivers and health care professionals — are still able to cross by land. Canadians also are still able to fly to U.S. destinations.
Americans wishing to travel to Canada must prove to the Canada Border Service Agency that their visit is for an essential purpose or they have immediate family in Canada, they have no COVID-19 symptoms and they have a 14-day quarantine plan — unless they can prove they are exempted.
Read more at: Canada/U.S. border restrictions extended into 2021 | CBC News
The world's longest international border has been closed to non-essential travel for months, although essential workers — such as truck drivers and health care professionals — are still able to cross by land. Canadians also are still able to fly to U.S. destinations.
Americans wishing to travel to Canada must prove to the Canada Border Service Agency that their visit is for an essential purpose or they have immediate family in Canada, they have no COVID-19 symptoms and they have a 14-day quarantine plan — unless they can prove they are exempted.
Read more at: Canada/U.S. border restrictions extended into 2021 | CBC News
Brexit negotiations: EU leaders close ranks as no-deal talk mounts - by Katya Adler
Normally after big summits like the one we've just had in Brussels, leaders make media statements about their most pressing discussions.
Europe's leaders are keen to clarify they won't personally intervene in the current impasse in trade talks. There'll be no last-minute handshake or "a-ha" moment in Paris, Warsaw or Berlin.
Read more at: Brexit: EU leaders close ranks as no-deal talk mounts - BBC News
Europe's leaders are keen to clarify they won't personally intervene in the current impasse in trade talks. There'll be no last-minute handshake or "a-ha" moment in Paris, Warsaw or Berlin.
Read more at: Brexit: EU leaders close ranks as no-deal talk mounts - BBC News
USA: The Criminal Investigation Trump Can’t Pardon His Way Out of Is “Significantly Escalating” - by Bess Levin
Donald Trump has been fairly busy these days trying to overthrow the government, but when he gets a moment for other pursuits, there’s one, in particular, he’s devoted a significant amount of time to: presidential pardons, and all the ones he reportedly plans to give out to people “like Christmas gifts.” There are the ones for his adult children and son-in-law, of course, but Trump has also apparently claimed he plans to pardon “every person who ever talked to me.“ (Rudy Giuliani is hoping he’s included on that list.) And then, obviously, there’s the self-pardon he‘s said to have asked about numerous times. That would clearly be in keeping with Trump’s view of the presidency—that it’s all about enriching himself—though unfortunately for him, it’s not a get-out-of-jail-free card. That‘s because it only covers federal matters and, at present, there’s an investigation in New York that’s presumably making him sweat out his Hawaiian Tropic self-tanner.
The New York Times reports that prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which is probing the possibility Trump or Trump Organization employees committed financial crimes, have interviewed several employees from the president’s bank and insurance broker over recent weeks, “significantly escalating an investigation…that he is powerless to stop.” Lawyers working for Cy Vance are said to have questioned Deutsche Bank employees about the company’s processes for making lending decisions; while the interviews were not focused on the firm’s relationship with Trump, bank officials reportedly expect Vance‘s office to “summon them for additional rounds of more specific questions in the near future.” As the Times notes, employees of Deutsche Bank and Aon, the insurance broker, could be key witnesses, given that the companies have a long history with the president and could “offer investigators a rich vein of information about the Trump organisation.
Read more at: The Criminal Investigation Trump Can’t Pardon His Way Out of Is “Significantly Escalating” | Vanity Fair
The New York Times reports that prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which is probing the possibility Trump or Trump Organization employees committed financial crimes, have interviewed several employees from the president’s bank and insurance broker over recent weeks, “significantly escalating an investigation…that he is powerless to stop.” Lawyers working for Cy Vance are said to have questioned Deutsche Bank employees about the company’s processes for making lending decisions; while the interviews were not focused on the firm’s relationship with Trump, bank officials reportedly expect Vance‘s office to “summon them for additional rounds of more specific questions in the near future.” As the Times notes, employees of Deutsche Bank and Aon, the insurance broker, could be key witnesses, given that the companies have a long history with the president and could “offer investigators a rich vein of information about the Trump organisation.
Read more at: The Criminal Investigation Trump Can’t Pardon His Way Out of Is “Significantly Escalating” | Vanity Fair
12/11/20
Capitalism and the Green New Deal - by Bob Urie
Optimism that the incoming Democratic administration will take decisive action to address environmental decline is misplaced. An analogy, in terms of the institutional and political backdrop and an alleged public purpose, is the Affordable Care Act. Sentiment amongst its supporters is that the ACA was better than nothing. In fact, the ACA did not improve health outcomes. What it accomplished was to secure the role of health insurance companies as healthcare intermediaries and increase executive pay. Thomas Ferguson’s ‘investment model,’ where policy favors are exchanged for political contributions, well predicted this outcome.
Read more at: Capitalism and the Green New Deal - CounterPunch.org
Read more at: Capitalism and the Green New Deal - CounterPunch.org
USA: The Criminal Investigation Trump Can’t Pardon His Way Out of Is “Significantly Escalating” - by Bess Levin
onald Trump has been fairly busy these days trying to overthrow the government, but when he gets a moment for other pursuits, there’s one, in particular, he’s devoted a significant amount of time to: presidential pardons, and all the ones he reportedly plans to give out to people “like Christmas gifts.” There are the ones for his adult children and son-in-law, of course, but Trump has also apparently claimed he plans to pardon “every person who ever talked to me.“ (Rudy Giuliani is hoping he’s included on that list.) And then, obviously, there’s the self-pardon he‘s said to have asked about numerous times. That would clearly be in keeping with Trump’s view of the presidency—that it’s all about enriching himself—though unfortunately for him, it’s not a get-out-of-jail-free card. That‘s because it only covers federal matters and, at present, there’s an investigation in New York that’s presumably making him sweat out his Hawaiian Tropic self-tanner.
The New York Times reports that prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which is probing the possibility Trump or Trump Organization employees committed financial crimes, have interviewed several employees from the president’s bank and insurance broker over recent weeks, “significantly escalating an investigation…that he is powerless to stop.” Lawyers working for Cy Vance are said to have questioned Deutsche Bank employees about the company’s processes for making lending decisions; while the interviews were not focused on the firm’s relationship with Trump, bank officials reportedly expect Vance‘s office to “summon them for additional rounds of more specific questions in the near future.” As the Times notes, employees of Deutsche Bank and Aon, the insurance broker, could be key witnesses, given that the companies have a long history with the president and could “offer investigators a rich vein of information about the Trump Organization.”
Read more at: The Criminal Investigation Trump Can’t Pardon His Way Out of Is “Significantly Escalating” | Vanity Fair
The New York Times reports that prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which is probing the possibility Trump or Trump Organization employees committed financial crimes, have interviewed several employees from the president’s bank and insurance broker over recent weeks, “significantly escalating an investigation…that he is powerless to stop.” Lawyers working for Cy Vance are said to have questioned Deutsche Bank employees about the company’s processes for making lending decisions; while the interviews were not focused on the firm’s relationship with Trump, bank officials reportedly expect Vance‘s office to “summon them for additional rounds of more specific questions in the near future.” As the Times notes, employees of Deutsche Bank and Aon, the insurance broker, could be key witnesses, given that the companies have a long history with the president and could “offer investigators a rich vein of information about the Trump Organization.”
Read more at: The Criminal Investigation Trump Can’t Pardon His Way Out of Is “Significantly Escalating” | Vanity Fair
Iraq: Scores detained as authorities open fire on protesters as Kurdish uprising continues
With the Kurdish uprising continuing to spread, military vehicles prowled the city’s streets and heavily armed militiamen were deployed in a show of force as large crowds formed in defiance of a ban on unauthorised demonstrations.
Read more at: Scores detained as authorities open fire on protesters as Kurdish uprising continues | Morning Star
Read more at: Scores detained as authorities open fire on protesters as Kurdish uprising continues | Morning Star
12/10/20
EU breaks deadlock (by caving in to Hungary and Poland ?) on budget, coronavirus recovery fund
European Union leaders on Thursday reached agreement on a long-term budget and coronavirus recovery package, after weeks of resistance from Poland and Hungary, according to EU Council President Charles Michel.
"Now we can start with the implementation and build back our economies. Our landmark recovery package will drive forward our green and digital transitions,'' Michel said in a tweet.
No details of the agreement were immediately available, however ahead of the summit, EU diplomats and officials said there would likely be a declaration that the rule of law mechanism would only be used after a ruling from the European Court of Justice — a process that could take a year.
Read more at: EU breaks deadlock on budget, coronavirus recovery fund | News | DW | 10.12.2020
"Now we can start with the implementation and build back our economies. Our landmark recovery package will drive forward our green and digital transitions,'' Michel said in a tweet.
No details of the agreement were immediately available, however ahead of the summit, EU diplomats and officials said there would likely be a declaration that the rule of law mechanism would only be used after a ruling from the European Court of Justice — a process that could take a year.
Read more at: EU breaks deadlock on budget, coronavirus recovery fund | News | DW | 10.12.2020
The Netherlands - Coronavirus: Reactions to Christmas coronavirus measures in the Netherlands
On Tuesday evening, around 5,5 million people tuned in to watch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge’s press conference, in which they announced that no coronavirus measures would be relaxed over Christmas.
On the whole, this decision didn't come as much of a surprise, as the number of coronavirus infections in the Netherlands remains high. However, there were some that had hoped for some good news on December 8.
Business owners have become increasingly frustrated with the enforced closure of the catering industry, but were left hoping for some good news after a document from the Ministry of Economic Affairs leaked on Tuesday afternoon. The document stated that, based on figures from the National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), the catering industry actually only had a very limited impact on the national r-number.
Read more at: Reactions to Christmas coronavirus measures in the Netherlands
On the whole, this decision didn't come as much of a surprise, as the number of coronavirus infections in the Netherlands remains high. However, there were some that had hoped for some good news on December 8.
Business owners have become increasingly frustrated with the enforced closure of the catering industry, but were left hoping for some good news after a document from the Ministry of Economic Affairs leaked on Tuesday afternoon. The document stated that, based on figures from the National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), the catering industry actually only had a very limited impact on the national r-number.
Read more at: Reactions to Christmas coronavirus measures in the Netherlands
Turkey is Europe’s other major headache
Even though Turkey is Europe’s other major headache, and the EU relationship with President Erdogan has all but collapsed there are ways to save it
More at: Turkey is Europe’s other major headache | Financial Times
More at: Turkey is Europe’s other major headache | Financial Times
12/9/20
The Netherlands: Another one: Hiker finds a new metal monolith in the Netherlands: "a message from aliens from outerspace, or just a hoax?"
Strange metal monoliths are materialising everywhere, in California, Romania, the Isle of Wight and, according to the latest reports, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. Their rate of appearance is quickening: barely 24 hours separate photos of the lone sentinel on the Isle of Wight’s Compton Beach and the new European manifestations. As these silent messengers follow those seen at wider intervals in Utah, California and Romania it seems that their message is becoming more urgent, the time of their revelation imminent.
One thing is clear to people all around the world, the metal monolith saga will not be ending any time soon as another one has been spotted in the Netherlands.
Similar to the ones in Utah, Romania, California and Britain, the Netherlands, too, has added its name to the list of places where the monolith mystery has itched its place.
"I walked up to it, but there was nothing to be seen around the monolith. Just as if it was placed from above," hiker Thijs de Jong told media — who was the first one to spot the monolith.
Read more at: Another one: Hiker finds a new metal monolith in the Netherlands, World News | wionews.com
One thing is clear to people all around the world, the metal monolith saga will not be ending any time soon as another one has been spotted in the Netherlands.
Similar to the ones in Utah, Romania, California and Britain, the Netherlands, too, has added its name to the list of places where the monolith mystery has itched its place.
"I walked up to it, but there was nothing to be seen around the monolith. Just as if it was placed from above," hiker Thijs de Jong told media — who was the first one to spot the monolith.
Read more at: Another one: Hiker finds a new metal monolith in the Netherlands, World News | wionews.com
Aliens exist, Donald Trump aware of it, claims former Israeli space security chief
A former Israeli space security chief has claimed that aliens exist and that his country and the United States have been dealing with them for years, reported The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.
Haim Eshed, the former head of Israel’s Defense Ministry’s space directorate, said in an interview with Yediot Aharonot, a Hebrew newspaper, that humans have been in contact with the aliens from a “galactic federation”. He said that the extraterrestrial beings had asked them not to reveal that they were here because it would lead to public hysteria. They felt that humanity needed to “evolve and reach a stage where we will... understand what space and spaceships are,” the former space security chief said.
Read more at: Aliens exist, Donald Trump aware of it, claims former Israeli space security chief
Haim Eshed, the former head of Israel’s Defense Ministry’s space directorate, said in an interview with Yediot Aharonot, a Hebrew newspaper, that humans have been in contact with the aliens from a “galactic federation”. He said that the extraterrestrial beings had asked them not to reveal that they were here because it would lead to public hysteria. They felt that humanity needed to “evolve and reach a stage where we will... understand what space and spaceships are,” the former space security chief said.
Read more at: Aliens exist, Donald Trump aware of it, claims former Israeli space security chief
China-US Relations: Biden Very Weak President: Chinese Advisor Says Joe Biden Could Start Wars
China must drop its illusion that its relations with the United States will automatically improve under President-elect Joe Biden's administration, a Chinese government adviser has said, adding that Beijing should be prepared for a tough stance from Washington.
Zheng Yongnian, the Dean of the Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies, a Shenzhen-based think tank, has said that the Chinese government should utilise every opportunity to mend ties with the US, South China Morning Post has reported.
Read more at: Very Weak President: Chinese Advisor Says Joe Biden Could Start Wars
Zheng Yongnian, the Dean of the Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies, a Shenzhen-based think tank, has said that the Chinese government should utilise every opportunity to mend ties with the US, South China Morning Post has reported.
Read more at: Very Weak President: Chinese Advisor Says Joe Biden Could Start Wars
Mail In Voting: Most Say Mail-In Voting Worked, But 47% Say Fraud Likely
Most voters say this year’s unprecedented level of mail-in voting was largely successful and continue to think President Trump should concede the presidential race. Republicans, however, strongly believe Democrats are likely to have stolen the election.
Reads more at: Most Say Mail-In Voting Worked, But 47% Say Fraud Likely - Rasmussen Reports®
Reads more at: Most Say Mail-In Voting Worked, But 47% Say Fraud Likely - Rasmussen Reports®
12/8/20
USA: Joe Biden’s drive for diversity in top political jobs is only an illusion of change - by Nesrine Malik
Joe Biden, you may have heard, is hiring a lot of women. During his campaign, he promised to appoint the most diverse cabinet in American history. So far, he has hired an all-female communications team and lined up several other women for senior jobs, some of which have never been filled by a woman before. As with the selection of his vice-president, Kamala Harris, the reception has been rapturous. What better way to fumigate Trumpism than by filling the executive with qualified women in senior positions? “There goes the old boys’ club,” says NBC. An article in the Washington Post lists four reasons why Biden’s cabinet should be 50% women: he owes it to them; it looks bad when other countries such as Finland and South Africa have got there first; qualified women are easy to find; and finally, it’s just about damn time.
Behind the scenes, there is pressure on Biden to make good on racial diversity and appoint more people of colour in general. Some Democratic members of Congress have called for at least five more Latinos to be appointed to senior cabinet positions. Asian American and Pacific Islander lawmakers have written that it will be “deeply disappointing if several AAPIs are not nominated”. Like victors dividing the spoils of war, a diverse array of Americans is scrambling to stake a claim in the new administration.
Read more at: Joe Biden’s drive for diversity in top political jobs is only an illusion of change | Race | The Guardian
Behind the scenes, there is pressure on Biden to make good on racial diversity and appoint more people of colour in general. Some Democratic members of Congress have called for at least five more Latinos to be appointed to senior cabinet positions. Asian American and Pacific Islander lawmakers have written that it will be “deeply disappointing if several AAPIs are not nominated”. Like victors dividing the spoils of war, a diverse array of Americans is scrambling to stake a claim in the new administration.
Read more at: Joe Biden’s drive for diversity in top political jobs is only an illusion of change | Race | The Guardian
BREXIT: Talk of a 'no deal' Brexit grows as deadline looms - by: Elizabeth Piper, Padraic Halpin
Talk of a chaotic British split from the European Union grew on Tuesday with just three weeks left to break a deadlock in trade deal negotiations, with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning that the two sides may have to accept “no deal”.
Read more at: Talk of a 'no deal' Brexit grows as deadline looms | Reuters
Read more at: Talk of a 'no deal' Brexit grows as deadline looms | Reuters
Caricom: Guyana and Suriname can underpin Caricom’s sovereignty and prosperity
The presidents of Guyana and Suriname have announced two major joint venture projects whose implementation will deepen the beneficial relations between the two countries, and could have a positive effect for the 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) of which they are members.
Read more at: WORLD VIEW: Guyana and Suriname can underpin Caricom’s sovereignty and prosperity | The Tribune
Read more at: WORLD VIEW: Guyana and Suriname can underpin Caricom’s sovereignty and prosperity | The Tribune
EU: Poland, Hungary face growing calls to drop EU budget veto - "if they don't want to be thrown out of EU"
Poland and Hungary faced more calls on Tuesday to drop their veto of the European Union's budget, with time short before the current budget runs out at the end of the year.
Three former Polish presidents have joined the chorus of those urging the release of the funds, which include a massive stimulus package to counteract the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
In an open letter cited by the AFP news agency, Lech Walesa, Aleksander Kwasniewski and Bronislaw Komorowski said such a veto would be justified only if the budget were unfair to Poland. However, as the Polish government had itself helped negotiate it, that was not the case, they wrote.
Read more at: Poland, Hungary face growing calls to drop EU budget veto | News | DW | 08.12.2020
Three former Polish presidents have joined the chorus of those urging the release of the funds, which include a massive stimulus package to counteract the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
In an open letter cited by the AFP news agency, Lech Walesa, Aleksander Kwasniewski and Bronislaw Komorowski said such a veto would be justified only if the budget were unfair to Poland. However, as the Polish government had itself helped negotiate it, that was not the case, they wrote.
Read more at: Poland, Hungary face growing calls to drop EU budget veto | News | DW | 08.12.2020
Coronavirus: Most See Lockdown, Masks For At Least Another Six Months
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 41% of American Adults believe an anti-coronavirus lockdown will be needed for less than six additional months. But 36% say a lockdown will be necessary for six months to a year more. Seventeen percent (17%) think it will be even longer, although that includes only three percent (3%) who say it will need to last indefinitely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Read more at: Most See Lockdown, Masks For At Least Another Six Months - Rasmussen Reports®
Read more at: Most See Lockdown, Masks For At Least Another Six Months - Rasmussen Reports®
12/7/20
EU extends a hand (or two) to Joe Biden – By David M. Herszenhorn
In a sign of just how eager Brussels is to move past the acrimony created by President Donald Trump, the European Commission and Council have put forward competing policy papers outlining how they would like the EU to team up with the new U.S. administration on a wide array of policy issues.
Read more at: EU extends a hand (or two) to Joe Biden – POLITICO
Read more at: EU extends a hand (or two) to Joe Biden – POLITICO
12/6/20
The Netherlands: Should the Dutch ‘Black Pete’ tradition be abolished?
Many children in the Netherlands have grown up with the image of Black Pete, a helper for St Nicholas, an equivalent of Santa Claus.
The character is highly controversial, as the figure is usually portrayed by a white person wearing blackface makeup with exaggerated lips and an afro wig
Note EU-Digest: Indeed quite controversial. This has been a centuries old tradional Childrens celebration, before it became a racial issue. Amazing that the people promoting this as a racial issue have no qualms with the flagrant human rights violations of Saudi Arabia and many other countries around the world?
Read more at: Should the Dutch ‘Black Pete’ tradition be abolished? | Netherlands | Al Jazeera
The character is highly controversial, as the figure is usually portrayed by a white person wearing blackface makeup with exaggerated lips and an afro wig
Note EU-Digest: Indeed quite controversial. This has been a centuries old tradional Childrens celebration, before it became a racial issue. Amazing that the people promoting this as a racial issue have no qualms with the flagrant human rights violations of Saudi Arabia and many other countries around the world?
Read more at: Should the Dutch ‘Black Pete’ tradition be abolished? | Netherlands | Al Jazeera
EU-Coronavirus Vaccine: Europe can only beat coronavirus together - editorial Opinion
Some things uttered by politicians are so stupid they leave you speechless. When the UK's Health Minister Matt Hancock blithely declared that Brexit would allow British authorities to approve the new BioNTech-Pfizer coronavirus vaccine earlier than the "slow" EU could, his colleague Jacob Rees-Moog chimed in to report that London had changed the rules to avoid the delays of EU approval. It is always entertaining to watch people talk about issues they know nothing of, even making things up as they blather on — that's generally what you would call fake news.
Germany's health minister reacted to the nonsensical claims diplomatically, explaining that the EU law in question had a built-in exception clause allowing member states to do just that — issue their own approvals. Germany, too, could have taken that approach, said Jens Spahn. Instead, it chose to stick with EU partners and wait for bloc-wide approval.
Read more at: Opinion: Europe can only beat coronavirus together | Opinion | DW | 06.12.2020
Germany's health minister reacted to the nonsensical claims diplomatically, explaining that the EU law in question had a built-in exception clause allowing member states to do just that — issue their own approvals. Germany, too, could have taken that approach, said Jens Spahn. Instead, it chose to stick with EU partners and wait for bloc-wide approval.
Read more at: Opinion: Europe can only beat coronavirus together | Opinion | DW | 06.12.2020
USA - Georgia: Trump airs his own election grievances at Georgia rally for Republican Senate hopefuls "instead of promoting them"
U.S. President Donald Trump pressed his own grievances over losing the presidential election at a rally Saturday in Georgia, focusing on them more than trying to help two Republican Senate candidates whose fate will decide the balance of power in Washington once president-elect Joe Biden takes office next month.
Read more at: Trump airs election grievances at Georgia rally for Republican Senate hopefuls | CBC News
Read more at: Trump airs election grievances at Georgia rally for Republican Senate hopefuls | CBC News
USA: Trump orders a near total withdrawal of American troops from Somalia
President Donald Trump has ordered nearly all American troops to withdraw from Somalia, U.S. officials said on Friday, part of a global pullback by the Republican president before he leaves office next month that will also see him drawdown forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Reads more at: Trump orders a near total withdrawal of American troops from Somalia
Reads more at: Trump orders a near total withdrawal of American troops from Somalia
12/5/20
China US Relations: China Finally Acknowledges That Biden Beat Trump Last Week
China has finally acknowledged that Joe Biden won the U.S. election last week after Beijing spent days carefully avoiding the subject. According to USA Today, China’s foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, said Friday that China fully respects “the choice of the American people” and added: “We congratulate Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris.” China’s acknowledgement means there are just a handful of countries yet to note that President Donald Trump has been defeated. Most notably, Russia has said it will wait until Trump’s scattershot lawsuits challenging the election results in several states are concluded. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador have also failed to acknowledge the result.
Read more at: China Finally Acknowledges That Biden Beat Trump Last Week
Read more at: China Finally Acknowledges That Biden Beat Trump Last Week
Britain-EU divorce agreement Significant Differences: Brexit: ′Feasible′ solution to deadlock eludes EU and UK after call
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held last-ditch Brexit talks on Saturday, as pressure intensifies to finalize trade negotiations before the end of the transition period on December 31.
Read more at: Brexit: ′Feasible′ solution to deadlock eludes EU and UK after call | News | DW | 05.12.2020
Read more at: Brexit: ′Feasible′ solution to deadlock eludes EU and UK after call | News | DW | 05.12.2020
12/4/20
Vaccine distibution Logistics: Pfizer & BioNTech Experience Early Vaccine Shipping and Distribution Hiccups - by Mark Terry
On Tuesday, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was granted temporary authorization in the UK and dosing will begin next week. The FDA has scheduled an advisory committee meeting for next week, December 8, 9 and 10, for the Pfizer-BioNTech product and potentially could grant approval on December 10, or within a few days afterward. The Moderna’s advisory committee meeting is scheduled for December 17.
The companies, including AstraZeneca-University of Oxford, which is running a close third, as well as the numerous others who have COVID-19 vaccines in development, have astonished skeptics by the speed with which they have developed vaccines that appear to be safe and effective. But now comes an even more daunting challenge—scaling up manufacturing and distribution to deliver the vaccine to populations around the world in a timely and effective manner.
In November, Pfizer and BioNTech had indicated it expected to transport half the COVID-19 vaccine it had originally planned for the year. That didn’t go quite as hoped.
“Scaling up the raw material supply chain took longer than expected,” a company spokeswoman told The Wall Street Journal. “And it’s important to highlight that the outcome of the clinical trial was somewhat later than the initial projection.”
Pfizer-BioNTech had original plans to roll out 100 million vaccines globally by the end of this year, but are now saying 50 million. They still believe they can manufacture more than a billion doses in 2021, enough for about 500 million people.
Read more at: a href="https://www.biospace.com/article/covid-19-vaccine-approval-is-one-challenge-manufacturing-and-distribution-quite-another/">Pfizer & BioNTech Experience Early Vaccine Shipping and Distribution Hiccups | BioSpace
The companies, including AstraZeneca-University of Oxford, which is running a close third, as well as the numerous others who have COVID-19 vaccines in development, have astonished skeptics by the speed with which they have developed vaccines that appear to be safe and effective. But now comes an even more daunting challenge—scaling up manufacturing and distribution to deliver the vaccine to populations around the world in a timely and effective manner.
In November, Pfizer and BioNTech had indicated it expected to transport half the COVID-19 vaccine it had originally planned for the year. That didn’t go quite as hoped.
“Scaling up the raw material supply chain took longer than expected,” a company spokeswoman told The Wall Street Journal. “And it’s important to highlight that the outcome of the clinical trial was somewhat later than the initial projection.”
Pfizer-BioNTech had original plans to roll out 100 million vaccines globally by the end of this year, but are now saying 50 million. They still believe they can manufacture more than a billion doses in 2021, enough for about 500 million people.
Read more at: a href="https://www.biospace.com/article/covid-19-vaccine-approval-is-one-challenge-manufacturing-and-distribution-quite-another/">Pfizer & BioNTech Experience Early Vaccine Shipping and Distribution Hiccups | BioSpace
The Netherlands: restaurants in the Netherlands to defy coronavirus measures and open in January - by Victoria Séveno
While the Dutch government are yet to announce the coronavirus measures that will be in place over the Christmas period - Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge are expected to do this at a press conference on December 8 - De Jonge has stated that, if the number of coronavirus infections doesn’t drop over the coming weeks, it’s possible that the current semi-lockdown could stay in place until at least mid-January.
Read more at: Restaurants in the Netherlands to defy coronavirus measures and open in January
Read more at: Restaurants in the Netherlands to defy coronavirus measures and open in January
USA: The Biden victory and the future of the centre-left – by EJ Dionne Jr
Joe Biden’s defeat of Donald Trump in the presidential election has brought relief and a measure of hope to progressives across the globe. The celebration was especially enthusiastic in Europe, where the rise of right-wing nationalism was abetted by Trump’s presidency. If Biden could stem the tide, others had reason to believe they might join him.
Read more at: The Biden victory and the future of the centre-left – EJ Dionne Jr
Read more at: The Biden victory and the future of the centre-left – EJ Dionne Jr
12/3/20
Coronavirus vaccine: US Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush pledge to take Covid vaccine on TV to show its safety
Former US presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton have pledged to get vaccinated for coronavirus on television to promote the safety of the vaccine.
The trio’s effort comes as the Food and Drug Administration prepares to meet next week to decide whether to authorize a Covid-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech as more than 3,100 people died from the coronavirus in America on Wednesday, a record single-day high and more than the number of people killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/03/obama-clinton-bush-covid-vaccine-safety?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
The trio’s effort comes as the Food and Drug Administration prepares to meet next week to decide whether to authorize a Covid-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech as more than 3,100 people died from the coronavirus in America on Wednesday, a record single-day high and more than the number of people killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/03/obama-clinton-bush-covid-vaccine-safety?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Aircraft Industry: Boeing 737 Max sees first firm order since crashes - by Theo Leggett
Its clearance to fly again comes after Boeing implemented a series of modifications including updating flight control software, revising crew procedures and rerouting internal wiring.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is yet to give the Boeing 737 Max the go-ahead to return to service.
EASA is in charge of re-certification for EU member states, as well as the UK.
Read more at: Boeing 737 Max sees first firm order since crashes - BBC News
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is yet to give the Boeing 737 Max the go-ahead to return to service.
EASA is in charge of re-certification for EU member states, as well as the UK.
Read more at: Boeing 737 Max sees first firm order since crashes - BBC News
Global Food Shortages: World food prices hit 6-year high amid COVID pandemic
An index published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Thursday said prices for several food products had risen significantly.
The index, which measures monthly changes for a basket of food products, averaged 105 points in November compared with the previous month when it stood at 101 according to an adjusted figure.
Read more at: https://www.dw.com/en/world-food-prices-hit-6-year-high-amid-covid-pandemic/a-55809293
The index, which measures monthly changes for a basket of food products, averaged 105 points in November compared with the previous month when it stood at 101 according to an adjusted figure.
Read more at: https://www.dw.com/en/world-food-prices-hit-6-year-high-amid-covid-pandemic/a-55809293
EU-US ‘tech alliance’ faces major obstacles on tax, digital rules – by Mark Scott and Laurens Cerulus
With the Trump era quickly winding down, Europe and the United States are eager to rekindle the transatlantic relationship, and Brussels wants to refocus on tech.
But the EU capital may not find its enthusiasm reciprocated in Washington D.C.
Read more at: https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-to-us-president-elect-joe-biden-lets-be-tech-allies/
But the EU capital may not find its enthusiasm reciprocated in Washington D.C.
Read more at: https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-to-us-president-elect-joe-biden-lets-be-tech-allies/
European Unity: 2020 Prague European Summit: 'Real solutions, acting together' - by Jiřà Lacina
The VfE is an annually bestowed award for distinguished personalities who have devoted themselves to establishing and developing European ideals such as strengthening peaceful cooperation among European nations and making European integration more accessible to the public.
Read more at: 2020 Prague European Summit: 'Real solutions, acting together'
Read more at: 2020 Prague European Summit: 'Real solutions, acting together'
12/2/20
USA: Out Of Office, Trump Could Face Significant Legal Peril- by Ryan Lucas
For four years, Trump has benefited from the de facto immunity from prosecution that all presidents enjoy while in office. But that cloak will pass to Joe Biden when he's sworn in on Jan. 20, leaving Trump out in the legal cold.
Read more at: Out Of Office, Trump Could Face Significant Legal Peril : NPR
Read more at: Out Of Office, Trump Could Face Significant Legal Peril : NPR
USA: Joe Biden warning dashes UK hopes of early US trade deal
Britain’s hopes of securing an early trade deal with the US have been dashed by a warning from Joe Biden, the president-elect, that America will not sign a trade deal with anyone until the US has sorted out its competitiveness.
Read more at:Joe Biden warning dashes UK hopes of early US trade deal | Trade policy | The Guardian
Read more at:Joe Biden warning dashes UK hopes of early US trade deal | Trade policy | The Guardian
Coronavirus Vaccine: Britain becomes first country to authorise Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
Britain's Health Minister Matt Hancockannounced today, December 2, that the Medicine Regulatory agency had given its approval Pfizer and BioNtech vaccine in Britain.
Read more at: UK becomes first country to authorise Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine | Euronews
Read more at: UK becomes first country to authorise Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine | Euronews
12/1/20
Euro area annual inflationstable at -0.3%
Euroareaannual inflationis expected to be-0.3% in November 2020, stable compared to Octoberaccording to aflashestimate from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.Looking at the main components of euro area inflation,food, alcohol & tobacco is expected to have the highest annual rate in November (1.9%,compared with 2.0% in October), followed by services (0.6%, compared with 0.4% in October),
non-energy industrial goods (-0.3%, compared with -0.1% in October) and energy (-8.4%, compared with -8.2 in October.
Read more at: 2-01122020-AP-EN.pdf
Read more at: 2-01122020-AP-EN.pdf
Puerto Rico: Giant Arecibo radio telescope collapses in Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico |
A huge radio telescope in Puerto Rico that has played a key role in astronomical discoveries for more than half a century collapsed on Tuesday, officials said.
The telescope’s 900-ton receiver platform fell onto the reflector dish more than 400 feet below.
Read more at: Giant Arecibo radio telescope collapses in Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico | The Guardian
The telescope’s 900-ton receiver platform fell onto the reflector dish more than 400 feet below.
Read more at: Giant Arecibo radio telescope collapses in Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico | The Guardian
Global Trade: World Economic Forum founder says Joe Biden 'will boost multilateralism' - by Isabelle Kumar
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab says Joe Biden 'will boost multilateralism'
Read more at: World Economic Forum founder says Joe Biden 'will boost multilateralism' | Euronews
Read more at: World Economic Forum founder says Joe Biden 'will boost multilateralism' | Euronews
Brazil: Amazon deforestation at highest level in 12 years, new data reveals
Disaster strikes the Amazon forest as deforestration increases by 9.6 % in 2020.
Read more at: Amazon deforestation at highest level in 12 years, new data reveals | Euronews
Read more at: Amazon deforestation at highest level in 12 years, new data reveals | Euronews
USA: Trump allies Barr, Giuliani at odds on discredited election fraud claims - by Sarah N. Lynch
Cracks emerged between two of President Donald Trump’s key legal allies on Tuesday as Attorney General William Barr said his department had found no evidence of the widespread voter fraud Trump alleges, while Rudolph Giuliani vowed to continue his search.
Read more at: Trump allies Barr, Giuliani at odds on discredited election fraud claims | Reuters
Read more at: Trump allies Barr, Giuliani at odds on discredited election fraud claims | Reuters
11/30/20
Germany: Angela Merkel: No-deal Brexit would send a bad signal to the world
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday that it would send a bad signal to the world if a Brexit trade deal could not be reached, as an EU negotiating team stayed in London for additional talks.
With just one month remaining for the European Union and the UK to come to an agreement, Merkel told a virtual gathering of parliamentarians from across the continent: "Britain and the EU share common values. If we failed to reach a deal, it would not send a good signal."
Read more at: Angela Merkel: No-deal Brexit would send a bad signal to the world | News | DW | 30.11.2020
With just one month remaining for the European Union and the UK to come to an agreement, Merkel told a virtual gathering of parliamentarians from across the continent: "Britain and the EU share common values. If we failed to reach a deal, it would not send a good signal."
Read more at: Angela Merkel: No-deal Brexit would send a bad signal to the world | News | DW | 30.11.2020
Press distances themselves from Trump claims: Fox News, Other Murdoch Outlets Begin Diverging From Trump As Presidency Slips Away - by Joe Walsh
Fox News interrupted White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Monday to fact-check her untrue voter fraud allegations, the latest instance of Fox and other members of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire — once key allies of President Donald Trump — pushing back on Trump’s baseless refusal to accept defeat and priming viewers for a post-Trump future.
After McEnany baselessly suggested in a press conference Monday afternoon that President-elect Joe Biden’s supporters are willfully engaging in voter fraud, anchor Neil Cavuto cut her off and said she has no evidence, saying, “I can’t in good countenance continue showing you this.”
Read more at: Fox News, Other Murdoch Outlets Begin Diverging From Trump As Presidency Slips Away
After McEnany baselessly suggested in a press conference Monday afternoon that President-elect Joe Biden’s supporters are willfully engaging in voter fraud, anchor Neil Cavuto cut her off and said she has no evidence, saying, “I can’t in good countenance continue showing you this.”
Read more at: Fox News, Other Murdoch Outlets Begin Diverging From Trump As Presidency Slips Away
USA: Joe Biden picks Janet Yellen for treasury chief
US President-elect Joe Biden has tapped Janet Yellen, the former chair of the Federal Reserve, to be head of the Treasury Department in his administration, he confirmed in a statement on Monday.
If she is confirmed by the Senate, she would be the first female chief in the 232 years of the department's history.
Read more at: US: Joe Biden picks Janet Yellen for treasury chief | News | DW | 30.11.2020
If she is confirmed by the Senate, she would be the first female chief in the 232 years of the department's history.
Read more at: US: Joe Biden picks Janet Yellen for treasury chief | News | DW | 30.11.2020
USA: Biden urged to reject Big Tech's influence by 32 advocacy groups
Thirty-two groups including ones focused on antitrust, consumer advocacy and progressive issues sent a letter to President-elect Joe Biden on Monday urging him to reject the influence of Big Tech companies on his administration.
Read more at Biden urged to reject Big Tech's influence by 32 advocacy groups | Reuters
Read more at Biden urged to reject Big Tech's influence by 32 advocacy groups | Reuters
USA: Liar Liar your pants are on fire: Trump Fox News Host Pulls Apart Election Lies Trump Spouted On Network Hours Earlier - by Josephine Harvey
Fox News host Eric Shawn on Sunday debunked election disinformation that President Donald Trump shared on the same network only hours earlier.
Trump unloaded a stream of baseless claims about a rigged election in his first televised interview since the election to his devout Fox News ally Maria Bartiromo, who encouraged the allegations and allowed them to go largely unchallenged.
But Fox weekend anchor Shawn pointed out on “America’s News Headquarters” that Trump’s campaign has failed to prove any of his accusations in court.
“In fact, your government, election officials, experts and others ― many of them Republican, including Trump appointed officials ― say that the president’s claims are false and unsubstantiated,” he told viewers.
< Read more at: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fox-news-eric-shawn-debunks-trump_n_5fc415f8c5b63d1b770d1d0a?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMyaJZXgPtoSY5ZFnARuCUPF1dUUarLBK17pfOdwLbG6-5VrPx86ByiKH6JvYwDXOzRYZTLGv1_pKsqUkx_hyy5eNaozfxsnBr95uuSzY8p4HgcVsQDKseq3thI3q6pmex5JK2qL5HTqyT-sK4oLlk3nCP16eOHCjduNHlqm3WCw
Trump unloaded a stream of baseless claims about a rigged election in his first televised interview since the election to his devout Fox News ally Maria Bartiromo, who encouraged the allegations and allowed them to go largely unchallenged.
But Fox weekend anchor Shawn pointed out on “America’s News Headquarters” that Trump’s campaign has failed to prove any of his accusations in court.
“In fact, your government, election officials, experts and others ― many of them Republican, including Trump appointed officials ― say that the president’s claims are false and unsubstantiated,” he told viewers.
< Read more at: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fox-news-eric-shawn-debunks-trump_n_5fc415f8c5b63d1b770d1d0a?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMyaJZXgPtoSY5ZFnARuCUPF1dUUarLBK17pfOdwLbG6-5VrPx86ByiKH6JvYwDXOzRYZTLGv1_pKsqUkx_hyy5eNaozfxsnBr95uuSzY8p4HgcVsQDKseq3thI3q6pmex5JK2qL5HTqyT-sK4oLlk3nCP16eOHCjduNHlqm3WCw
11/29/20
EU: Poland could be expelled (exit) from EU over judicial reform clash: top Polish court
Poland could end up leaving the European Union because of plans by the ruling nationalists that would allow judges to be fired if they question the legitimacy of the government’s judicial reforms, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday.
The court said the plans could contravene European law and exacerbate existing tensions between Brussels and Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party (PiS).
“Contradictions between Polish law and EU law ... will in all likelihood lead to an intervention by the EU institutions regarding an infringement of the EU treaties, and in the longer perspective (will lead to) the need to leave the European Union,” Poland’s Supreme Court said in a statement.
Read more at: Poland could exit EU over judicial reform clash: top Polish court | Reuters
The court said the plans could contravene European law and exacerbate existing tensions between Brussels and Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party (PiS).
“Contradictions between Polish law and EU law ... will in all likelihood lead to an intervention by the EU institutions regarding an infringement of the EU treaties, and in the longer perspective (will lead to) the need to leave the European Union,” Poland’s Supreme Court said in a statement.
Read more at: Poland could exit EU over judicial reform clash: top Polish court | Reuters
The Netherlands: Unilever officially no longer Dutch company
For 91 years, the company structure was divided between the Netherlands and Great Britain, with two head offices in London and Rotterdam. The company also had two boards and two types of shares.
To simplify its structure, the company decided in 2018 to opt for one main office. Initially, the choice fell on Rotterdam, possibly partly due to the government's announcement to abolish the dividend tax. However, after opposition from influential shareholders, London became the final choice. In the end, the abolition of the dividend tax in the Netherlands was not passed.
The restructuring means that important strategic decisions will subsequently be made in London. This brings an end to the long Dutch history of the company, but in practice – at least in short term – there won't be much change.
Read more at: Unilever officially no longer Dutch company | NL Times
To simplify its structure, the company decided in 2018 to opt for one main office. Initially, the choice fell on Rotterdam, possibly partly due to the government's announcement to abolish the dividend tax. However, after opposition from influential shareholders, London became the final choice. In the end, the abolition of the dividend tax in the Netherlands was not passed.
The restructuring means that important strategic decisions will subsequently be made in London. This brings an end to the long Dutch history of the company, but in practice – at least in short term – there won't be much change.
Read more at: Unilever officially no longer Dutch company | NL Times
EU: France - Britain relations: New UK-France agreement to tackle migrant crossings after thousands make journey this year - by David Mercer
The UK and France have reached a new agreement to tackle migrants crossing the Channel with more officers patrolling beaches and "cutting edge" surveillance technology deployed, the Home Office has said.
Read more at: New UK-France agreement to tackle migrant crossings after thousands make journey this year | UK News | Sky News
Read more at: New UK-France agreement to tackle migrant crossings after thousands make journey this year | UK News | Sky News
The TPNW and the Netherlands: Dutch Government: "Only politics stands in the way of joining the TPNW "- by Susi Snyder
Last 2018 the Dutch parliament passed a motion calling on the government to provide a legal analysis as to whether or not the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was compatible with existing Dutch law.
On 30 January 2019, the government answered.
A letter sent by Dutch Foreign Minister S.A. Blok and Defence Minister A.Th.B. Bijleveld-Schouten responded that joining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons would not require any changes to existing Dutch legislation, however it would require additional implementation legislation. However, the conclusion of the legal analysis is that the need for implementing legislation does not stand in the way of possible signing and acceptance of the Convention by the Kingdom.
The letter took as its starting point that all international treaties that the Netherlands joins become part of the Dutch legal system. And that, if it’s possible, the implementation of any treaties joined by the Netherlands should be done within existing legislation and regulations.Bottom Line: no clarity - just words.
Read more at: » Dutch Government: Only politics stands in the way of joining the TPNW - PAX NoNukes
On 30 January 2019, the government answered.
A letter sent by Dutch Foreign Minister S.A. Blok and Defence Minister A.Th.B. Bijleveld-Schouten responded that joining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons would not require any changes to existing Dutch legislation, however it would require additional implementation legislation. However, the conclusion of the legal analysis is that the need for implementing legislation does not stand in the way of possible signing and acceptance of the Convention by the Kingdom.
The letter took as its starting point that all international treaties that the Netherlands joins become part of the Dutch legal system. And that, if it’s possible, the implementation of any treaties joined by the Netherlands should be done within existing legislation and regulations.Bottom Line: no clarity - just words.
Read more at: » Dutch Government: Only politics stands in the way of joining the TPNW - PAX NoNukes
Middle East: Iran's supreme leader calls for 'definitive punishment' of scientist's killers
Iran’s supreme leader has called for the “definitive punishment” of those behind the killing of one of the country’s most senior scientists, who was identified by Israel as having headed a secret nuclear weapons programme.
Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the architect of Tehran’s nuclear strategy, was killed on Friday on a highway near the capital in a carefully planned assassination that has led to a serious escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
Iran later told the UN in a letter there were “serious indications of Israeli responsibility” and that it reserved the right to “take all necessary measures to defend its people”.
Read more at: Iran's supreme leader calls for 'definitive punishment' of scientist's killers | World news | The Guardian
Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the architect of Tehran’s nuclear strategy, was killed on Friday on a highway near the capital in a carefully planned assassination that has led to a serious escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
Iran later told the UN in a letter there were “serious indications of Israeli responsibility” and that it reserved the right to “take all necessary measures to defend its people”.
Read more at: Iran's supreme leader calls for 'definitive punishment' of scientist's killers | World news | The Guardian
A tale of two Presidents: How the legal troubles of a former French president could be a blueprint for Trump's
Tale of two countries: Donald Trump is reputed not to read much, and he certainly won't want to read about the trial of Nicolas Sarkozy, the former right-wing French president.
Like Trump, Sarkozy has always loved the limelight. The French media call him a bête de scène, a political beast who craves public attention, whether good or bad.
Like Trump, he was twice divorced and then remarried to a model, Carla Bruni, in his case while he was in office as president.
Read more at: How the legal troubles of a former French president could be a blueprint for Trump's | CBC News
Like Trump, Sarkozy has always loved the limelight. The French media call him a bête de scène, a political beast who craves public attention, whether good or bad.
Like Trump, he was twice divorced and then remarried to a model, Carla Bruni, in his case while he was in office as president.
Read more at: How the legal troubles of a former French president could be a blueprint for Trump's | CBC News
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