The Netherlands: Robots work at Chinese restaurant in the Netherlands

When Hu Shaosong saw robotic waiters serving food in China last fall, he knew exactly what he wanted for his restaurant in the Dutch beachside town of Renesse. He just didn't have a clue how useful they would prove.

The coronavirus pandemic has turned a whimsical idea nto perhaps a window into a dystopian future where a human touch may make people cringe with fear, and a waiter clearing the table sends a
customer tense with stress — only to be relieved by a soothing brush with plastic.

Now, his two shiny white-and-red robots glide across he dining area's floor where, once the restaurant reopens, they will be serving Chinese and Indonesian specialties like Babi Pangang and Char Siu at 15.5 euros (17 U.S. dollars) each.

"Hello and welcome" the robots say — in a voice best described as pre-programmed.

Read more: 
Robots work at Chinese restaurant in the Netherlands - CGTN

The Netherlands: Jewish schools have reopened in the Netherlands, but some worry that their security is compromised - by Cnaan Liphshiz

The Dutch government’s decision to reopen the country’s schools came none too soon for Channa Feige, a mother of  nine who teaches Torah at a Jewish elementary school here.

Read Moreat: Jewish schools have reopened in the Netherlands, but some worry that their security is compromised - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Spain: Minimum income: Socialist government backs benefit for 850,000 vulnerable families

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, from the ruling Socialist Party, described it as "historic measure", adding: "a country does not prosper if it leaves out part of its population".

He said that it will "protect those who are having the worst time, fight poverty and contribute to the economic recovery of the country".

Read more at:
Spain minimum income: Socialist government backs benefit for 850,000 vulnerable families | Euronews

US Economy: New wave of U.S. layoffs feared as coronavirus pain deepens

 Job cuts by U.S. state and local governments whose budgets have been
crushed fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and more second-wave layoffs in
the private sector likely contributed last week to a 10th straight week
of more than 2 million Americans seeking unemployment benefits.

Read more at:
New wave of U.S. layoffs feared as coronavirus pain deepens - Reuters

Coronavirus: Netherlands reports 15 new coronavirus deaths

The Netherlands reported 190 new cases of coronavirus over the past 24 hours, bringing the national tally to 45,768.

According to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RVIM),virus-related deaths in the country reached 5,871 as 15 more peoplelost their lives.

Read more at:
Netherlands reports 15 new coronavirus deaths

Trump will lose in a landslide because of the economy, new election model predicts

The economy has gone from President Donald Trump's greatest political asset to perhaps his biggest weakness.

Unemployment is spiking at an unprecedented rate. Consumer spending is vanishing. And GDP is collapsing. History shows that dreadful economic trends like these spell doom for sitting presidents seeking reelection.

The coronavirus recession will cause Trump to suffer a "historic defeat" in
November, a national election model released Wednesday by Oxford
Economics predicted.

Read more at:
Trump will lose in a landslide because of the economy, new election model predicts - CNN

Netherlands: Mink pass coronavirus to humans in the Netherlands

 At least two people have caught the coronavirus from mink in theNetherlands, in probably the first mink-to-human transmission cases. The risk of infection outside mink farms is "negligible," Dutch officials said.

Read more at: Mink pass coronavirus to humans in the Netherlands | News | DW | 25.05.2020

The Netherlands: Travelling to, from and within the Netherlands: What are the rules?

At the moment, and ever since the safety measures have been in placeto prevent further spread of coronavirus, travel has been confined toonly essential journeys until further notice.

As restrictions are being eased,many people are wondering how this will affect them travelling withinthe Netherlands and travelling abroad. Lots of people are wondering

if there is any chance of (or point in) planning holidays. We have puttogether a guide to travelling, in relation

Regarding entering the Netherlands, the ban on non-essential travel implementedon March 19 has been extended until June 15. This means that all travelfrom third countries to Europe (all EU countries, Schengen areacountries and the UK) is not permitted unless absolutely essential.

If your reason for travelling is deemed unessential, you can be refusedentry into the Netherlands.

Read more at:
Travelling to, from and within the Netherlands: What are the rules?

Multinational Tax Evation: Waiting for Godot: tackling multinationals’ tax avoidance – by Francesco Saraceno and Tommaso Faccio

The Netherlands’ insistence that everyone ‘go Dutch’ on mushrooming coronavirus deficits in the European Union has (given its complicity) revived the debate on tax havens within the EU. In an ideal world, action on joint debt issuance should go hand in hand with tax harmonisation and brakes on fiscal dumping.

But, given the current standstill in Europe, it is more likely that national solutions to avoid tax-base erosion will be sought, at least in the near future. Enforcing transparency and leveraging on company reputations could be enacted more effectively than the bans and regulations currently considered.

Note Almere-Digest:  The Netherlands Government of  Mark Rutte is one of the major EU culprits in facilitating these Multi- National Corporations (Mainly US companies) to dodge paying their local country taxes, by registering them as "special status" Dutch corporations.

Read more at;
Waiting for Godot: tackling multinationals’ tax avoidance – Francesco Saraceno and Tommaso Faccio

Marijuana: Scientists believe cannabis could help prevent, treat coronavirus

Researchers from the University of Lethbridge said a study in April
showed at least 13 cannabis plants were high in CBD that appeared to
affect the ACE2 pathways that the bug uses to access the body.

Read more:
Scientists believe cannabis could help prevent, treat coronavirus

The Netherlands: Could the 'liberal' Dutch have learned from Taiwan's approach to coronavirus?

The whole world has been struggling to contain the coronavirus and “flatten the curve”, but Taiwan has had no curve. Out of a population of 24 million, only 440 people have tested positive for Covid-19, and there have been just seven deaths.Compare that with the Netherlands: while it is similar in size to Taiwan with a population of 17 million, well over 5,000 lives have been lost to the virus.

What has made the difference? Clearly, the Netherlandsis not an island that could cut itself off from the rest of world, lockdown completely and thus contain the disease. Taiwan is – but Taiwan didn’t do that either.

Public spaces in Taiwan, restaurants, shops and schools, have all remained open since the initial Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan. Life in Taiwan hascontinued pretty much the same as before. What Taiwan did however, wasopt for a complex tradeoff involving viruscontainment strategies and information gathering, while balancing individual autonomy with trust and control.

Read more at:
Could the 'liberal' Dutch have learned from Taiwan's approach to coronavirus? | | Opinion | The Guardian

The Netherlands to Allow Bars, Restaurants to Reopen From June

The Dutch government confirmed that bars and restaurants can start opening for business again next month as the country slowly lifts more restrictions to aid an economy hurting from the coronavirus outbreak.

Bars and restaurants are allowed to reopen beginning at noon on June 1 for up to 30 guests excluding staff as long as they adhere to the 1.5 meter distance rule, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said during a press briefing in The Hague on Tuesday.

With the number of reported new cases and fatalities in the Netherlands having slowed to the lowest levels since March, Rutte’s government is cautiously working to open up an economy suffering from the outbreak.

Read more at: The Netherlands to Allow Bars, Restaurants to Reopen From June 1 - Bloomberg

EU - Coronavirus latest: France, Germany propose vast recovery fund

Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron propose a major European rescue fund, to come from an increased long-term EU budget

Read more at:
Coronavirus latest: France, Germany propose vast recovery fund | News | DW | 18.05.2020

The Netherlands: Hand sanitizer in Netherlands Ikea replaced with drain cleaner

At least three people suffered chemical burns at an Ikea in the Netherlands after the contents of a hand sanitizer bottle were replaced with drain cleaner.

Police say a cleaning woman who was not a native Dutch speaker made the swap accidentally, according to NOS.

IKEAs across the Netherlands closed voluntarily in response to the coronavirus pandemic. They are reopening, but allowing fewer customers inside.

Read more at
Hand sanitizer in Netherlands Ikea replaced with drain cleaner - Insider

Travelers Ban: The Netherlands extends its ban on foreign travellers to June 15

 The Netherlds extended its ban to travelers from outside the EU, including Britain to June 15

The Netherlands has extended its ban on people travelling to the country from outside Europe and the UK until June 15. The ban, which was imposed on March 18, applies to all but urgent travel, although there are some exceptions. Diplomatic and NGO staff, medical staff and lorry drivers may continue to enter the Netherlands, as well as foreign nationals with residency cards or long stay visas, the guidelines state.

Read more at DutchNews.nl:

The Netherlands has extended its ban on people travelling to the country from outside Europe and the UK until June 15. The ban, which was imposed on March 18, applies to all but urgent travel, although there are some exceptions. Diplomatic and NGO staff, medical staff and lorry drivers may continue to enter the Netherlands, as well as foreign nationals with residency cards or long stay visas, the guidelines state.

Read more at DutchNews.nl:

Read more at: The Netherlands extends its ban on foreign travellers to June 15 - DutchNews.nl

Eurovision: Abba's Waterloo voted best song of all time

Eurovision: Come Together saw the public vote for their favourites, on the night that this year's song contest was due to take place.

The 2020 competition was cancelled in March amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Swedish foursome won it in 1974 in Brighton. The track, which topped the UK charts and set them on their way to fame, went on to sell nearly 6m copies.

Speaking later on the night, Bjorn Ulvaeus from the band said he found it "hard to believe" that was where it began for them all those years ago.

Read more at:
Eurovision: Abba's Waterloo voted best song of all time - BBC News

Coronavirus: Dutch singletons advised to seek ‘sex buddy’

The National Netherlands Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) says singletons should come to an arrangement with one other person.

But pairings should avoid sex if one of them suspects they have coronavirus, the advice says.

The guidance comes after critics said there was no sex advice for singles.

Read more at:
Coronavirus: Dutch singletons advised to seek ‘sex buddy’ - BBC News

Nederland Oppositie: geen huurverhoging per 1 juli om corona

Corona Virus crisis: Wat heeft de Rutte Regering tot op heden voor de burgers gedaan om hun financieel bij te staan 0.A. Huur vermindering, Hypotheek rente verlichting, Verlaging Zieke kosten verzekering etc.?

Oppositie wil geen huurverhoging per 1 juli om corona

Zie ook: Oppositie: geen huurverhoging per 1 juli om corona - Vastgoedmarkt

EU, Holidays, lifting restrictions, phased, Summer, travel

EU on Wednesday set out plans for a phased restart of travel this summer, hoping to save millions of tourism jobs threatened by the coronavirus pandemic across Europe, the world's top holiday destination.

Read more at:
Saving summer: EU proposes three-stage plan to boost tourism amid Covid-19

Coronavirus: EU will push to unlock borders as coronavirus ravages travel and tourism

The European Union executive will recommend on Wednesday that border restrictions be gradually lifted and travel stalled by the coronavirus pandemic allowed to restart in order to revive tourism, a major industry across the 27-country bloc.

Read more at
EU will push to unlock borders as coronavirus ravages travel and tourism - Reuters

The Netherlands: Covid-19 deaths and infections fall to lowest levels for eight weeks

he number of newly reported Covid-19 deaths in the Netherlands fell to 16 on Monday, the second day in a row that the figure has increased by less than 20. The number of new infections dropped to 161, the lowest level since March 14, while 36 more people were admitted to hospital, the public health agency RIVM reported.

Delays in reporting at the weekend mean that figures on Monday tend to be artificially low, causing a mini-spike in reported cases on Tuesdays. The average death toll over the last seven days is 53, from a peak of 154 in the first week of April.

Read more at: Covid-19 deaths and infections fall to lowest levels for eight weeks - DutchNews.nl

Machine Music: With Eurovision Canceled, The Netherlands Prepares to Host First AI Song Contest - by Richard Smirke

The inaugual AI Song Contest, which could show how artificial intelligence can help create pop songs, wraps up in the Netherlands on May 12.

Could artificial intelligence be used to help create the ultimate pop song?

That’s one of the questions that organizers of the first-ever AI Song Contest hope to gain insights into when their competition wraps up in the Netherlands on May 12.

“What we hope to show is the creative possibilities of artificial intelligence,” says Karen van Dijk, a senior editor at VPRO, the Dutch public broadcaster behind the event. “What it can do? But also, what are its limits and where does the human element come in?”

Originally envisioned as a precursor to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, the AI competition, which is online, is moving forward while the famed pan-European song extravaganza, which was due to be held in Rotterdam later this month, was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. The final round of the AI Song Contest, which is also being held in conjunction with Dutch public broadcasting administrator NPO, will be live streamed on YouTube at 8:30 p.m. Central European Time (3:30 p.m. EST). 

For additional information go to 
https://pressfrom.info/ca/news/entertainment/-242069-machine-music-with-eurovision-canceled-the-netherlands-prepares-to-host-first-ai-song-contest.html

Could artificial intelligence be used to help create the ultimate pop song?

That’s
one of the questions that organizers of the first-ever AI Song Contest
hope to gain insights into when their competition wraps up in the
Netherlands on May 12.

“What we hope to show is the creative
possibilities of artificial intelligence,” says Karen van Dijk, a senior
editor at VPRO, the Dutch public broadcaster behind the event. “What it
can do? But also, what are its limits and where does the human element
come in?”

Originally envisioned as a precursor to this year’s
Eurovision Song Contest, the AI competition, which is online, is moving
forward while the famed pan-European song extravaganza, which was due to
be held in Rotterdam later this month, was cancelled due to the
coronavirus outbreak. The final round of the AI Song Contest, which is
also being held in conjunction with Dutch public broadcasting
administrator NPO, will be live streamed on YouTube at 8:30 p.m. Central European Time (3:30 p.m. EST).

Source: https://pressfrom.info/ca/news/entertainment/-242069-machine-music-with-eurovision-canceled-the-netherlands-prepares-to-host-first-ai-song-contest.html

Could artificial intelligence be used to help create the ultimate pop song?

That’s
one of the questions that organizers of the first-ever AI Song Contest
hope to gain insights into when their competition wraps up in the
Netherlands on May 12.

“What we hope to show is the creative
possibilities of artificial intelligence,” says Karen van Dijk, a senior
editor at VPRO, the Dutch public broadcaster behind the event. “What it
can do? But also, what are its limits and where does the human element
come in?”

Originally envisioned as a precursor to this year’s
Eurovision Song Contest, the AI competition, which is online, is moving
forward while the famed pan-European song extravaganza, which was due to
be held in Rotterdam later this month, was cancelled due to the
coronavirus outbreak. The final round of the AI Song Contest, which is
also being held in conjunction with Dutch public broadcasting
administrator NPO, will be live streamed on YouTube at 8:30 p.m. Central European Time (3:30 p.m. EST).

Source: https://pressfrom.info/ca/news/entertainment/-242069-machine-music-with-eurovision-canceled-the-netherlands-prepares-to-host-first-ai-song-contest.htm

EU: Netherlands schools will have plastic screens fitted on desks as they begin to reopen next week

Students are going back to school in the Netherlands as staff prepare measures including putting plastic shields around desks to prevent coronavirus spreading. Staff have installed disinfectant gel dispensers at the doorways at the Springplank school in Den Bosch and many others.

Infections in the Netherlands have been declining for weeks and the government announced a schedule to relax some of its lockdown measures on Wednesday, with elementary schools to reopen on May 11. 'Our teachers are not worried,' said Rascha van der Sluijs, the school's technical coordinator..

 While schools have been closed since March 14, many including the Springplank have remained open with skeleton staff for a handful of students whose parents work in essential sectors.

 Most of these pupils whose parents work in sectors such as healthcare have been taking classes online. Each district is setting its own policies for reopening, with many planning to accept students only on alternate days and some teachers wearing medical masks.

 There have been 42,093 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the Netherlands, with 5,359 deaths, according to data from the National Institute for Health.

Of those, 1.3 per cent of infections and one death were registered among people under 20 years old.

High schools are not due to open until June.

 At the Springplank, younger students will use one entrance and older students a different one. Parents will have to drop their children at the gate.

 Ms Van der Sluijs said: 'What we're worried about is the adults. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said: 'To start, children in primary schools will attend school half of the time. example, one day one half of the pupils, the other day the other half. The starting date for all schools and day cares is 11 May.'

 Read More: Netherlands schools will have plastic screens fitted on desks as they begin to reopen next week | Daily Mail Online

The Netherlands: 'COVID-Proof’ Vegan Vending Machines Are Launching In the Netherlands

Amsterdam-based food delivery service Vegan Masters is set to launch COVID-proof, contactless vegan vending machines in the Netherlands.

The company’s founder, Danny Galiart, announced the new product launch on LinkedIn. He wrote, “Soon we will launch our smart vending cooler. Contact-free, plant-based, daily fresh, to-go food!”

The vegan vending machine will work like a traditional machine. “You open the door by using your bank card or telephone which is in use as a bank card. Then you select your products, as soon as you close the door, the transaction is confirmed and the payment is done,” Nikki Kramers of Vegan Masters told LIVEKINDLY.

Although the new concept was already in production, Kramers says she expects the current pandemic will increase the demand for similar “COVID-proof” products.

“There was already a growing demand for smart solutions for to-go concepts before COVID-19. But now we expect a massive demand for fresh vending solutions. We expect that non-contact food concepts will be the future,” she said.

Read more at: The Netherlands: 'COVID-Proof’ Vegan Vending Machines Are Launching In the Netherlands 

Dutch start easing coronavirus restrictions, face masks a must on public transport

Dutch start easing coronavirus restrictions, face masks a must on public transport

Read more at:
https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2020/05/dutch-start-easing-coronavirus-restrictions-face-masks-a-must-on-public-transport/

The Netherlands: Amid COVID-Related Cyber Threats, the Netherlands Leads UN Efforts

In light of growing concern about malicious cyber disruption during the COVID-19 outbreak, the United Nations’ Open-Ended Working Group should play a leading role in further developing a global framework to ensure responsible behavior in cyberspace.

Read more at:
https://www.cfr.org/blog/amid-covid-related-cyber-threats-netherlands-leads-un-efforts

Netherlands lands in crossfire in US-China trade war

A Dutch semiconductor company has become the focus of international attention after the United States put pressure on The Hague to halt exports of machines to China. Like many European countries, the…

Read more at:
http://www.rfi.fr/en/science-and-technology/20200504-the-netherlands-lands-in-crossfire-in-us-china-trade-war-coronavirus-asml-superconductor

France and Netherlands call for tougher EU trade conditions

Bloc urged to enforce environmental and labour standards through tariffs

Read more at:
https://www.ft.com/content/e14f082c-42e1-4bd8-ad68-54714b995dff

USA: Trump's Nazification of the GOP is why there's serious discussion of killing off the 'unfit'

Under Donald Trump, the Republican Party is racing toward a  transformation that mimics the greatest evil of the 20th century. Long  before the Nazis fully engaged with genocidal murder against the Jews, there were persecutions of people deemed "unfit."

These were people whom Adolf Hitler’s extremists arbitrarily deemed  insufficiently able to contribute to the greater German society. They included the infirm, people with learning disabilities, the mentally  ill, those suffering from epilepsy, the physically disabled, and those sruggling with alcohol issues.

According to the Nazis' white supremacist ideology, those  people were not only impediments to their quest in perfecting their  master race, but were also economic burdens to society. The Nazis  started a campaign of propaganda to mock them. They were called  "unworthy of life” and labeled as "useless eaters." The propaganda even  expanded to math textbooks, which were revised to include arithmetic problems on how much it costs to care for these undesirables. This was the first stage.

Read more at: Trump's Nazification of the GOP is why there's serious discussion of killing off the 'unfit'

EU condemns attacks on press freedom during COVID-19 crisis

Ahead of World Press Freedom Day, Germany's foreign minister says independent journalism is being weakened during the coronavirus pandemic. The EU has also warned that media freedom is under threat in several countries.

Read more at:
https://www.dw.com/en/eu-condemns-attacks-on-press-freedom-during-covid-19-crisis/a-53311679

Remdesivir drug: Still many unanswered questions about remdesivir's potential as a COVID-19 treatment

The preliminary highlights from a major U.S. study suggesting an experimental drug can speed up the recovery of COVID-19 patients is exciting news that needs to be tempered with a healthy dose of caution until full details are released in a published study, say Canadian infectious disease experts.

Read more at:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/remdesivir-coronavirus-canadian-researchers-await-data-1.5552254

The Netherlands: Tulip farmers in Netherlands spell out messages of support with flowers-by lsea Ritschel

Tulip farmers in the Netherlands are using their famous flower beds to share supportive messages as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

In posts shared to social media, Dutch farmers, who have closed their farms to tourists this year in accordance with social distancing guidelines, have shared a photo of their flowers spelling out the message “see you next year”.

“Due to Covid-19 travel plans have changed,” flower blog Tulips in Holland captioned a photo of the blooms. “Many of you were planning to travel to The Netherlands to see the flower fields in bloom. Unfortunately this isn’t possible this year. And many of you won’t see the flower field in full bloom.

“This week Dutch Daffodils and the Tulips in Holland family teamed up to create something for all people who [were] supposed to travel to The Netherlands. You may miss The Netherlands, but we miss you too!”

According to the blog, which describes itself as a national guide to the tulips of the Netherlands, the farmers decided to use the flower beds to spread some cheer.

Read more at: Tulip farmers in Netherlands spell out messages of support with flowers | The Independent