The aim of a first exhibition on the Dutch slave trade to be shown at the Rijksmuseum, launched on Tuesday by King Willem-Alexander, is not to be “woke” but to be a “blockbuster” telling a truer story of the Golden Age, the director general of the national institution has said.
Taco Dibbits said his museum had no intention of taking sides in a political and cultural debate but that the royal visit, broadcast live on national television, highlighted that the wealth bestowed and cruelty endured is not just relevant to the descendants of those enslaved.
“I think, I mean obviously you would have to ask [Willem-Alexander] yourself, but I think with that he emphasises that this is part of our history that concerns all people in the Netherlands and not only the descendant of a slave”, said Dibbits. “I mean, it’s about me, it’s about you, it’s about the king himself … it’s about everybody who lives in the country.”
Read more at:
The Netherlands: nRijksmuseum slavery exhibition confronts cruelty of Dutch trade | Netherlands | The Guardian
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May 31, 2021
May 30, 2021
The Netherlands: What the Dutch court carbon emissions ruling means for Shell
A Dutch court on Wednesday ordered Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) to significantly deepen planned greenhouse gas emission cuts, in a landmark ruling that could pave the way for legal action against energy companies around the world. read more
Shell said it was "disappointed" by the ruling which it plans to appeal.
Here are some key points about the ruling:
WHAT WAS THE RULING? The district court ordered Shell to cut its absolute carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. Shell currently aims to reduce the carbon intensity of products it sells by 20% over the same period from a 2016 baseline.
DOES THE RULING AFFECT SHELL'S GLOBAL OPERATIONS? Yes. The reduction relates to Shell's global operations and is not limited to the Netherlands, the court ruling said. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR SHELL? The ruling said that "it is up to RDS (Royal Dutch Shell) to design the reduction obligation, taking account of its current obligations and other relevant circumstances." Shell earlier this year announced a strategy to become a net zero emissions company by 2050, meaning its absolute emissions will also be net zero at that point. It has stated that it believes its emissions peaked in 2018.[USN:L1N2KH0LV] ABSOLUTE TARGETS VS INTENSITY TARGETS? The court ordered Shell to reduce absolute emissions by 45%. Shell's short and medium-term targets are intensity based. Intensity-based targets measure the amount of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy produced. That means that absolute emissions can rise with growing production, even if the headline intensity metric falls. At its annual general meeting this month, Shell CEO Ben van Beurden rejected setting absolute reduction targets, saying: "Reducing absolute emissions at this point in time is predominantly possible by shrinking the business."
HOW BIG ARE SHELL'S GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS? Shell, the world's largest oil and gas trader, produced 1.38 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2020, roughly 4.5% of global energy-related emissions that year, based on International Energy Agency figures. Shell's 2020 emissions were down from 1.65 billion tonnes the previous year, largely as a result of a fall in oil and gas demand due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Read More at: Explainer: What the Dutch court carbon emissions ruling means for Shell | Reuters
Shell said it was "disappointed" by the ruling which it plans to appeal.
Here are some key points about the ruling:
WHAT WAS THE RULING? The district court ordered Shell to cut its absolute carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. Shell currently aims to reduce the carbon intensity of products it sells by 20% over the same period from a 2016 baseline.
DOES THE RULING AFFECT SHELL'S GLOBAL OPERATIONS? Yes. The reduction relates to Shell's global operations and is not limited to the Netherlands, the court ruling said. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR SHELL? The ruling said that "it is up to RDS (Royal Dutch Shell) to design the reduction obligation, taking account of its current obligations and other relevant circumstances." Shell earlier this year announced a strategy to become a net zero emissions company by 2050, meaning its absolute emissions will also be net zero at that point. It has stated that it believes its emissions peaked in 2018.[USN:L1N2KH0LV] ABSOLUTE TARGETS VS INTENSITY TARGETS? The court ordered Shell to reduce absolute emissions by 45%. Shell's short and medium-term targets are intensity based. Intensity-based targets measure the amount of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy produced. That means that absolute emissions can rise with growing production, even if the headline intensity metric falls. At its annual general meeting this month, Shell CEO Ben van Beurden rejected setting absolute reduction targets, saying: "Reducing absolute emissions at this point in time is predominantly possible by shrinking the business."
HOW BIG ARE SHELL'S GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS? Shell, the world's largest oil and gas trader, produced 1.38 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2020, roughly 4.5% of global energy-related emissions that year, based on International Energy Agency figures. Shell's 2020 emissions were down from 1.65 billion tonnes the previous year, largely as a result of a fall in oil and gas demand due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Read More at: Explainer: What the Dutch court carbon emissions ruling means for Shell | Reuters
May 29, 2021
Britain-EU Relations: Thousands of EU citizens refused UK entry in three months since Brexit took effect
Thousands of EU citizens were refused entry at the UK border in the first three months of 2021, representing a major surge in cases despite a decline in travel due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As many as 3,294 EU citizens were blocked from entering the UK in the first quarter of 2021, according to new data published by the British government.
The figure represents a major increase from the first quarter of last year, when fewer than 500 EU citizens were denied entry, despite travel rates being significantly higher.
Read more at: Thousands of EU citizens refused UK entry in three months since Brexit took effect | Euronews
As many as 3,294 EU citizens were blocked from entering the UK in the first quarter of 2021, according to new data published by the British government.
The figure represents a major increase from the first quarter of last year, when fewer than 500 EU citizens were denied entry, despite travel rates being significantly higher.
Read more at: Thousands of EU citizens refused UK entry in three months since Brexit took effect | Euronews
May 28, 2021
EU: The climate X factor – by Sanna Marin
Climate change and biodiversity loss are the most pressing challenges of our time, so all responsible political leaders must offer long-term policies for confronting them effectively. We need clear strategies based on achievable targets, and we must be bold in deploying all means at our disposal. In particular, any credible climate strategy must take proper account of technological innovation.
With the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2035 and carbon negative (removing more atmospheric carbon than is emitted) soon thereafter, Finland’s climate targets are among the most ambitious in the world. My country aims to be a leader among advanced economies, not just in terms of emissions reductions but also by ushering in a circular economy focused on sustainability and the elimination of waste. Our plan is to double our resource efficiency and circularity rate (the percentage of all material that is fed back into the economy) by 2035.
Read more at: The climate X factor – Sanna Marin
With the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2035 and carbon negative (removing more atmospheric carbon than is emitted) soon thereafter, Finland’s climate targets are among the most ambitious in the world. My country aims to be a leader among advanced economies, not just in terms of emissions reductions but also by ushering in a circular economy focused on sustainability and the elimination of waste. Our plan is to double our resource efficiency and circularity rate (the percentage of all material that is fed back into the economy) by 2035.
Read more at: The climate X factor – Sanna Marin
May 27, 2021
The Netherlands: World's most expensive drug may not be covered by Dutch insurance
A drug to treat a rare muscle disease which affects some 20 children in the Netherlands a year should not be included in the basic insurance package unless the price is halved, government advisory group Zorginstituut Nederland has said in new recommendations.
In addition, pharmaceutical company Novartis should also agree to payment on the basis of the actual results, the institute said. Zolgensma, known as the most expensive drug in the world, is used to treat spinal muscular dystrophy (SMA) and costs €1.9m per treatment. The institute estimates that if the cost were halved, the drug would add some €11m to the Dutch healthcare budget a year.
Read more at: World's most expensive drug may not be covered by Dutch insurance - DutchNews.nl
In addition, pharmaceutical company Novartis should also agree to payment on the basis of the actual results, the institute said. Zolgensma, known as the most expensive drug in the world, is used to treat spinal muscular dystrophy (SMA) and costs €1.9m per treatment. The institute estimates that if the cost were halved, the drug would add some €11m to the Dutch healthcare budget a year.
Read more at: World's most expensive drug may not be covered by Dutch insurance - DutchNews.nl
May 26, 2021
The Netherlands: Magical Photos of Spring in the Netherlands
As a full-time landscape photographer, I normally travel the world a lot. But because of COVID-19, last year I was obviously mainly at home in the Netherlands. We’re currently in spring again and more than 1 year has passed. But spring is a magical season, especially here in the Netherlands.
There is so much beauty to see (and to photograph): our tulip season, the lush greens everywhere, the cute animals, the windmills, and our beautiful forests, some covered with many flowers.
This collection of many images will hopefully transfer that spring feeling from me to you.
Read more at: Magical Photos of Spring in the Netherlands | PetaPixel
There is so much beauty to see (and to photograph): our tulip season, the lush greens everywhere, the cute animals, the windmills, and our beautiful forests, some covered with many flowers.
This collection of many images will hopefully transfer that spring feeling from me to you.
Read more at: Magical Photos of Spring in the Netherlands | PetaPixel
May 25, 2021
THE NETHERLANDS: Sex workers back in business as Dutch COVID curbs ease
Sex workers will go back to work in the Netherlands this week under an easing of COVID-19 curbs, health minister Hugo de Jonge said on Monday.
Authorities will also let parks, zoos, gyms and outdoor swimming pools reopen on Wednesday, after the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations eased pressure on hospitals, the minister told reporters.
Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, but the government barred it in mid-December under restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Read more at: Sex workers back in business as Dutch COVID curbs ease | Reuters
Authorities will also let parks, zoos, gyms and outdoor swimming pools reopen on Wednesday, after the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations eased pressure on hospitals, the minister told reporters.
Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, but the government barred it in mid-December under restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Read more at: Sex workers back in business as Dutch COVID curbs ease | Reuters
May 24, 2021
EU Automobile Industry:New battery-electric vehicles take 5.7% share in Europe in Q1; hybrids 18.4%, gasoline 42.2% , diesel 23.2%
In the first quarter of 2021, hybrid electric vehicles made up 18.4% of total passenger car sales in the EU, almost doubling their market share in a year, according to data from the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA). Demand for electrically-chargeable cars also increased in Q1: battery-electric vehicles made up 5.7% of all new cars, while plug-in hybrids accounted for 8.2% of EU registrations.
Sales of traditional fossil-fuel cars continued to decrease in the European Union, although gasoline and diesel still made up 65.4% of the car market.
Read more at: New battery-electric vehicles take 5.7% share in Europe in Q1; hybrids 18.4%, gasoline 42.2% , diesel 23.2% - Green Car Congress
Sales of traditional fossil-fuel cars continued to decrease in the European Union, although gasoline and diesel still made up 65.4% of the car market.
Read more at: New battery-electric vehicles take 5.7% share in Europe in Q1; hybrids 18.4%, gasoline 42.2% , diesel 23.2% - Green Car Congress
May 23, 2021
Eurovision - the Netherlands: Italy's raucous glam rock takes Eurovision by storm - by Stephanie van den Berg
Italy's entry, glam rock band Maneskin, won the Eurovision song contest, as the world's most popular live music event was held in the Netherlands after being canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Italian's raucous "Zitti E Buoni" beat out professional jury favourites Switzerland and France, sweeping the public vote which counts for half the points. Victoria de Angelis of Maneskin told a press conference the win was an important boost for Italy, one of the European countries worst hit by COVID-19.
Read more at: Italy's raucous glam rock takes Eurovision by storm | Reuters
The Italian's raucous "Zitti E Buoni" beat out professional jury favourites Switzerland and France, sweeping the public vote which counts for half the points. Victoria de Angelis of Maneskin told a press conference the win was an important boost for Italy, one of the European countries worst hit by COVID-19.
Read more at: Italy's raucous glam rock takes Eurovision by storm | Reuters
May 22, 2021
The Netherlands: Amsterdam to become first city in the world to ban advertising by fossil fuels companies
Amsterdam is set to be the first city in the world to ban ads from fossil fuel and aviation companies in a bid to reduce the ‘excesses’ of fossil fuel advertising.
This means that fossil-fuelled vehicles, such as petrol cars and flights, will no longer be advertised in Amsterdam subway stations or the city centre.
The new law follows mass movements in and around the capital which were headed up by the Reclame Fossielvrij (Fossil Free Advertising) initiative. The group co-ordinated a letter from over 50 local organisations demanding Amsterdam to go fossil free.
“The decision to ban fossil fuel advertising from subway stations comes at a crucial moment in the fight against climate change. Adverts that portray fossil fuels as normal worsen climate disruption and have no place in a city − or a country − that has complied with Paris,” says Amsterdam Mayor Femke Sleegers, coordinator of Reclame Fossielvrij.
Read more at: Amsterdam to become first city in the world to ban this type of advert | Euronews
This means that fossil-fuelled vehicles, such as petrol cars and flights, will no longer be advertised in Amsterdam subway stations or the city centre.
The new law follows mass movements in and around the capital which were headed up by the Reclame Fossielvrij (Fossil Free Advertising) initiative. The group co-ordinated a letter from over 50 local organisations demanding Amsterdam to go fossil free.
“The decision to ban fossil fuel advertising from subway stations comes at a crucial moment in the fight against climate change. Adverts that portray fossil fuels as normal worsen climate disruption and have no place in a city − or a country − that has complied with Paris,” says Amsterdam Mayor Femke Sleegers, coordinator of Reclame Fossielvrij.
Read more at: Amsterdam to become first city in the world to ban this type of advert | Euronews
May 21, 2021
Middle East: Israel and Hamas agree cease-fire after 11-day conflict
Israel and Hamas announced a cease-fire on Thursday to halt an 11-day conflict that caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip and brought life in much of Israel to a standstill.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Thursday said his Security Cabinet unilaterally approved the Egyptian-mediated proposal.
Read more at Israel and Hamas agree cease-fire after 11-day conflict | Euronews
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Thursday said his Security Cabinet unilaterally approved the Egyptian-mediated proposal.
Read more at Israel and Hamas agree cease-fire after 11-day conflict | Euronews
May 20, 2021
Europe Calls for Immediate Cease-Fire in Israel-Palestinian Fighting - by Steven Erlanger
European Union foreign ministers overwhelmingly called for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians in an emergency meeting on Tuesday, according to the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell Fontelles.
All of the member states except Hungary backed a statement that condemned rocket attacks by Hamas and supported Israel’s right to self-defense but also cautioned that it had “to be done in a proportional manner and respecting international humanitarian law,’’ Mr. Borrell said at a news conference.
Read more at: Europe Calls for Immediate Cease-Fire in Israel-Palestinian Fighting - The New York Times
All of the member states except Hungary backed a statement that condemned rocket attacks by Hamas and supported Israel’s right to self-defense but also cautioned that it had “to be done in a proportional manner and respecting international humanitarian law,’’ Mr. Borrell said at a news conference.
Read more at: Europe Calls for Immediate Cease-Fire in Israel-Palestinian Fighting - The New York Times
May 19, 2021
EU leaders confront US over vaccine patent waiver demands - by Sam Fleming, Jim Brunsden, Mehreen Khan and Michael Peel and Guy Chazan
EU leaders have confronted the Biden administration over its calls for Covid-19 vaccine patent waivers and urged the US to export jabs directly if it wants to help poor countries in need.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after a two-day EU leaders’ summit in Porto, Portugal, that suspending intellectual property rights was no solution to supply shortages and called for a focus on ramping up production instead.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron and top EU officials echoed the German premier’s rhetoric as the union scrambled to respond to this week’s surprise US move. Both powers are attempting to fend off accusations they are hoarding vaccines as much of the world sees few or no shipments.
“I don’t think waiving patents is the solution to supply the vaccine to more people,” Merkel told reporters after the summit concluded on Saturday. “I think that we need the creativity and innovation of the companies — and for that we need patent protection.”
Read more at: EU leaders confront US over vaccine patent waiver demands | Financial Times
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after a two-day EU leaders’ summit in Porto, Portugal, that suspending intellectual property rights was no solution to supply shortages and called for a focus on ramping up production instead.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron and top EU officials echoed the German premier’s rhetoric as the union scrambled to respond to this week’s surprise US move. Both powers are attempting to fend off accusations they are hoarding vaccines as much of the world sees few or no shipments.
“I don’t think waiving patents is the solution to supply the vaccine to more people,” Merkel told reporters after the summit concluded on Saturday. “I think that we need the creativity and innovation of the companies — and for that we need patent protection.”
Read more at: EU leaders confront US over vaccine patent waiver demands | Financial Times
May 18, 2021
European Song Festival: Eurovision makes Covid-lite return in the Netherlands
The glamour of Eurovision is back, with the Dutch hosting a scaled-down, coronavirus-safe version this week after the song contest was cancelled last year.
Delegates will be officially welcomed at the grand opening of this year's week-long event on Sunday afternoon, which includes a glitzy "Turquoise Carpet" event where contestants will strut their stuff, organisers said.
But four teams have already been nixed from the opening ceremony after a Polish and Icelandic delegate tested positive for Covid-19 and Malta and Romania are staying away as a precaution because they are staying in the same hotel.
French singer Barbara Pravi is the bookmakers' favourite to win the Eurovision song contest
Good news for U.S fans of the Eurovision Song Contest. Ahead of Tuesday’s first semi-final, it has been confirmed that the Peacock streaming platform https://www.peacocktv.com/ will air all three shows in the United States. It is set to be available to users of both the premium and free option of the site. Netflix US streams the contest on delay. Pre-qualifying contests are on May 18 and May 20 starting at EST 15.00hrs and PT 12.00hrs. The Grand Final will be on Saturday May 20 starting at EST 15.00hrs and PT 12.00hrs.
Read more at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/eurovision-makes-covid-lite-return-in-the-netherlands/ar-BB1gMseX
Delegates will be officially welcomed at the grand opening of this year's week-long event on Sunday afternoon, which includes a glitzy "Turquoise Carpet" event where contestants will strut their stuff, organisers said.
But four teams have already been nixed from the opening ceremony after a Polish and Icelandic delegate tested positive for Covid-19 and Malta and Romania are staying away as a precaution because they are staying in the same hotel.
French singer Barbara Pravi is the bookmakers' favourite to win the Eurovision song contest
Good news for U.S fans of the Eurovision Song Contest. Ahead of Tuesday’s first semi-final, it has been confirmed that the Peacock streaming platform https://www.peacocktv.com/ will air all three shows in the United States. It is set to be available to users of both the premium and free option of the site. Netflix US streams the contest on delay. Pre-qualifying contests are on May 18 and May 20 starting at EST 15.00hrs and PT 12.00hrs. The Grand Final will be on Saturday May 20 starting at EST 15.00hrs and PT 12.00hrs.
Read more at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/eurovision-makes-covid-lite-return-in-the-netherlands/ar-BB1gMseX
May 17, 2021
EU-Economy: European Commission upgrades economic forecasts - by Sam Fleming
The European Commission has sharply raised its economic forecasts for the coming two years, as an accelerating vaccination campaign helps the eurozone recover from the historic blow delivered by the pandemic.
The euro area will expand by 4.3 per cent this year and 4.4 per cent in 2022, Brussels said on Wednesday, compared with previous forecasts for 3.8 per cent growth in both years. As a result, all member states are now expected to regain their pre-crisis output levels by the end of next year, following a historic 6.6 per cent slump in 2020.
The stronger outlook was driven by the rising vaccination rates and the prospect of lockdowns easing across the region, as well as improving export demand driven by a global rebound. Brussels for the first time fully factored in the impact of the €800bn Next Generation EU economic relaunch package, which is expected to begin paying out in the second half of the year.
“The shadow of Covid-19 is beginning to lift from Europe’s economy,” said Paolo Gentiloni, the EU’s economics commissioner. “After a weak start to the year, we project strong growth in both 2021 and 2022. Unprecedented fiscal support has been — and remains — essential in helping Europe’s workers and companies to weather the storm.”
Read more at: European Commission upgrades economic forecasts | Financial Times
The euro area will expand by 4.3 per cent this year and 4.4 per cent in 2022, Brussels said on Wednesday, compared with previous forecasts for 3.8 per cent growth in both years. As a result, all member states are now expected to regain their pre-crisis output levels by the end of next year, following a historic 6.6 per cent slump in 2020.
The stronger outlook was driven by the rising vaccination rates and the prospect of lockdowns easing across the region, as well as improving export demand driven by a global rebound. Brussels for the first time fully factored in the impact of the €800bn Next Generation EU economic relaunch package, which is expected to begin paying out in the second half of the year.
“The shadow of Covid-19 is beginning to lift from Europe’s economy,” said Paolo Gentiloni, the EU’s economics commissioner. “After a weak start to the year, we project strong growth in both 2021 and 2022. Unprecedented fiscal support has been — and remains — essential in helping Europe’s workers and companies to weather the storm.”
Read more at: European Commission upgrades economic forecasts | Financial Times
May 16, 2021
The Netherlands: Dutch tulip farmers are hoping for a post-pandemic boom
The Netherlands, which produces some 90 percent of the world’s tulips, has seen its renowned floral market wilt before. The most famous instance was back in the 1630s, when tulpenmanie (tulip mania) meant the value of a single flower bulb soared up to 10 times the average worker’s annual income before the market suddenly crashed in 1637.
Prices didn’t exactly bottom out in the spring of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced borders to snap shut. But lockdowns and market closures meant the worldwide demand for the country’s famed flowers and bulbs dropped significantly. Dutch growers had to destroy hundreds of millions of tulips, daffodils, and other blossoms or sell them at far cheaper prices than in past years.
“A total of 11.4 billion flowers and plants were traded in the Netherlands in 2020, a decrease of 7.8 percent compared to 2019,” says Michel van Schie, a spokesperson for industry conglomerate Royal FloraHolland. The country’s international export market wilted from 6.235 billion euros (7.583 billion U.S. dollars) in 2019 to 5.974 billion euros (7.266 billion U.S. dollars) in 2020.
Read more at: Dutch tulip farmers are hoping for a post-pandemic boom
Prices didn’t exactly bottom out in the spring of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced borders to snap shut. But lockdowns and market closures meant the worldwide demand for the country’s famed flowers and bulbs dropped significantly. Dutch growers had to destroy hundreds of millions of tulips, daffodils, and other blossoms or sell them at far cheaper prices than in past years.
“A total of 11.4 billion flowers and plants were traded in the Netherlands in 2020, a decrease of 7.8 percent compared to 2019,” says Michel van Schie, a spokesperson for industry conglomerate Royal FloraHolland. The country’s international export market wilted from 6.235 billion euros (7.583 billion U.S. dollars) in 2019 to 5.974 billion euros (7.266 billion U.S. dollars) in 2020.
Read more at: Dutch tulip farmers are hoping for a post-pandemic boom
May 15, 2021
Shipping Industry: Netherlands Will Vaccinate Seafarers Working on Dutch Ships
Seafaring organizations have been highlighting the challenge of vaccinating seafarers during the pandemic calling for special programs and considerations that recognize their role as key workers in the global supply chain. Responding to the need, the Netherlands announced that starting in mid-June all seafarers regardless of nationality who work on seagoing vessels under the Dutch flag or under Dutch management will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations under a program managed by the Royal Association of Dutch Shipowners (KVNR).
Read more at: Netherlands Will Vaccinate Seafarers Working on Dutch Ships
Read more at: Netherlands Will Vaccinate Seafarers Working on Dutch Ships
May 14, 2021
Netherlands - Calvinists: In the Netherlands, traditional Calvinists refuse vaccines and social distancing
In the Netherlands, Protestants make up around 16 percent of the population and a small group of traditional Calvinists are opposed to vaccination and social distancing. Most of these believers, who live in a region known as the "Bible Belt", were never vaccinated as children and are opposed to the idea of injecting sickness into a healthy body. Despite surging case numbers, they continue to attend Sunday services without face masks. But amid some of the country's highest Covid-19 infection rates, some of them are starting to shift their mindset. Our regional correspondents report.
Read more at: In the Netherlands, traditional Calvinists refuse vaccines and social distancing - Focus
Read more at: In the Netherlands, traditional Calvinists refuse vaccines and social distancing - Focus
May 13, 2021
The Netherlands: Record number of people euthanized in Netherlands in 2020: report
A record number of people were euthanized in the Netherlands last year.
Some who died suffered from psychiatric issues, according to Dutch News NL. Both the Netherlands and neighboring Belgium are known for their progressive euthanasia laws that have expanded the scope beyond patients suffering from a terminal disease.
Each year, the RTE Regional Euthanasia Review Committees analyze all deaths by euthanasia to check whether they met the six criteria dictated by the law for euthanasia or doctor-assisted suicide. In total, 6,938 patients died in this manner in the Netherlands last year. The RTE determined that two cases didn't meet the six requirements.
Read more at: Record number of people euthanized in Netherlands in 2020: report | World | The Christian Post
Each year, the RTE Regional Euthanasia Review Committees analyze all deaths by euthanasia to check whether they met the six criteria dictated by the law for euthanasia or doctor-assisted suicide. In total, 6,938 patients died in this manner in the Netherlands last year. The RTE determined that two cases didn't meet the six requirements.
Read more at: Record number of people euthanized in Netherlands in 2020: report | World | The Christian Post
May 12, 2021
Malware: New Android malware targeting banks in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands
A new Android trojan has been identified by security researchers, who said on Monday that once it is successfully installed in the victim's device, those behind it can obtain a live stream of the device screen and also interact with it via its Accessibility Services.
The malware, dubbed "Teabot" by security researchers with Cleafy, has been used to hijack users' credentials and SMS messages to facilitate fraudulent activities against banks in Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Read more at: New Android malware targeting banks in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands | ZDNet
The malware, dubbed "Teabot" by security researchers with Cleafy, has been used to hijack users' credentials and SMS messages to facilitate fraudulent activities against banks in Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Read more at: New Android malware targeting banks in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands | ZDNet
May 9, 2021
USA: CDC Reports 2 More Infant DEATHS Following Experimental COVID Injections During Clinical Trials
The CDC released more data in their Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) today, and it included two new deaths of infants age 2 and age 1.
While none of the COVID injections have emergency use authorization for children under the age of 17 yet, there are ongoing trials with children being injected with the experimental shots as young as 6 months old.
One of the infants who died was apparently in a Pfizer trial, while the other one was apparently in a Moderna trial.
Read more at: CDC Reports 2 More Infant DEATHS Following Experimental COVID Injections During Clinical Trials
While none of the COVID injections have emergency use authorization for children under the age of 17 yet, there are ongoing trials with children being injected with the experimental shots as young as 6 months old.
One of the infants who died was apparently in a Pfizer trial, while the other one was apparently in a Moderna trial.
Read more at: CDC Reports 2 More Infant DEATHS Following Experimental COVID Injections During Clinical Trials
May 8, 2021
Netherlands Embassy DC, USA unveils 3 new bells for the Carillon - by Ryan Sprouse
You might see some new bells at the Netherlands Embassy in the District.
Three new bells were added to the Netherlands Carillon. The Carillon, located in Northwest, is one of Washington’s major landmarks and is currently undergoing renovation.
The bells are dedicated to three influential Americans whose legacy impacted the world: Secretary George C. Marshall, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and humanitarian Eleanor Roosevelt. Each bell has its own unique touch to it, but the largest of the bells, the “Marshall Bell,” is as tall as an average American.
Read More at: Netherlands Embassy unveils 3 new bells for the Carillon | wusa9.com
Three new bells were added to the Netherlands Carillon. The Carillon, located in Northwest, is one of Washington’s major landmarks and is currently undergoing renovation.
The bells are dedicated to three influential Americans whose legacy impacted the world: Secretary George C. Marshall, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and humanitarian Eleanor Roosevelt. Each bell has its own unique touch to it, but the largest of the bells, the “Marshall Bell,” is as tall as an average American.
Read More at: Netherlands Embassy unveils 3 new bells for the Carillon | wusa9.com
May 7, 2021
The Netherlands: Bees in the Netherlands trained to detect COVID-19 infections- by Bart Biesemans
utch researchers have trained bees, which have an unusually keen sense of smell, to identify samples infected with COVID-19, a finding they said could cut waiting times for test results to just seconds.
To train the bees, scientists in the bio-veterinary research laboratory at Wageningen University gave them sugary water as a reward after showing them samples infected with COVID-19. They would get no reward after being shown a non-infected sample.
Read more at: Bees in the Netherlands trained to detect COVID-19 infections | Reuters
To train the bees, scientists in the bio-veterinary research laboratory at Wageningen University gave them sugary water as a reward after showing them samples infected with COVID-19. They would get no reward after being shown a non-infected sample.
Read more at: Bees in the Netherlands trained to detect COVID-19 infections | Reuters
May 6, 2021
Diplomacy is back′: G7 foreign ministers present united front despite COVID setback
There's nothing quite like being face-to-face, or mask-to-mask," quipped US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as a three-day meeting of foreign ministers from the world's seven largest so-called advanced economies got underway in London on Monday.
Like the rest of us, G7 foreign ministers have been holding meetings online since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with this week's talks marking the first opportunity for representatives of the group of industrialized nations to meet face-to-face in over two years.
Read more at: ′Diplomacy is back′: G7 foreign ministers present united front despite COVID setback | News | DW | 05.05.2021
Like the rest of us, G7 foreign ministers have been holding meetings online since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with this week's talks marking the first opportunity for representatives of the group of industrialized nations to meet face-to-face in over two years.
Read more at: ′Diplomacy is back′: G7 foreign ministers present united front despite COVID setback | News | DW | 05.05.2021
May 5, 2021
Coronavirus Vaccine: Pfizer vaccine sofar effective against Variants says developer
One of the people behind the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine says he has yet to see any evidence that emerging variants of the disease have found a way to defeat it.
Dr. Ugur Sahin, who founded BioNTech with his wife Dr. Özlem Türeci, told CBC News Network's Power & Politics today that scientists have two main concerns when it comes to variants of the COVID-19 virus.
Read more at: Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine not troubled by variants so far, says CEO | CBC News
Dr. Ugur Sahin, who founded BioNTech with his wife Dr. Özlem Türeci, told CBC News Network's Power & Politics today that scientists have two main concerns when it comes to variants of the COVID-19 virus.
Read more at: Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine not troubled by variants so far, says CEO | CBC News
May 4, 2021
The Netherlands: Bee population steady in Dutch cities thanks to pollinator strategy | Bees
Bee hotels, bee stops and a honey highway are some of the techniques the Dutch are crediting with keeping their urban bee population steady in recent years, after a period of worrying decline.
Last week, more than 11,000 people from across the Netherlands participated in a bee-counting exercise as part of the fourth edition of the national bee census.
The enthusiastic volunteers, armed with a list depicting the most common bees at this time of the year, spent 30 minutes in their gardens recording their apian visitors. At the close of data submission on Sunday 18 April, more than 200,000 bees and hoverflies had been counted.
Read more at: Bee population steady in Dutch cities thanks to pollinator strategy | Bees | The Guardian
Last week, more than 11,000 people from across the Netherlands participated in a bee-counting exercise as part of the fourth edition of the national bee census.
The enthusiastic volunteers, armed with a list depicting the most common bees at this time of the year, spent 30 minutes in their gardens recording their apian visitors. At the close of data submission on Sunday 18 April, more than 200,000 bees and hoverflies had been counted.
Read more at: Bee population steady in Dutch cities thanks to pollinator strategy | Bees | The Guardian
May 3, 2021
Netherlands - USA Criminal cooperation: Netherlands seeking extradition of former Miss. deputy in connection to murder
The Netherlands is seeking the extradition of a former Mississippi sheriff’s deputy in connection to the murder of a German national living in the Netherlands in November 2019.
William Lyle Johnson, of Hattiesburg, was arrested by federal authorities Wednesday after the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Southern Mississippi filed an extradition complaint Tuesday.
According to the complaint, Johnson is wanted in the Netherlands on several charges, including preparation of murder, incitement and/or accessory to murder, preparation of extortion resulting in death and hostage-taking.
Johnson is accused of being involved in the murder of Thomas Schwarz, whose body was found in a pool of blood in his Limburg home in the Netherlands on Nov. 26, 2019.
Read more at: Netherlands seeking extradition of former Miss. deputy in connection to murder
William Lyle Johnson, of Hattiesburg, was arrested by federal authorities Wednesday after the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Southern Mississippi filed an extradition complaint Tuesday.
According to the complaint, Johnson is wanted in the Netherlands on several charges, including preparation of murder, incitement and/or accessory to murder, preparation of extortion resulting in death and hostage-taking.
Johnson is accused of being involved in the murder of Thomas Schwarz, whose body was found in a pool of blood in his Limburg home in the Netherlands on Nov. 26, 2019.
Read more at: Netherlands seeking extradition of former Miss. deputy in connection to murder
May 2, 2021
May Day 2021: Know history and significance of Labour Day
May 1 is the International Day of Workers or International Labour Day dedicated to workers and labourers across the world. This day celebrates labourers and encourages them to be aware of their rights. The day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement. Popularly known as May Day, the day is observed in countries such as India, Cuba and China among other countries.
Read more at: May Day 2021: Know history and significance of Labour Day | Hindustan Times
Read more at: May Day 2021: Know history and significance of Labour Day | Hindustan Times
May 1, 2021
The Netherlands: Fitch Affirms Netherlands at 'AAA'; Outlook Stable
The Netherlands' 'AAA' rating is supported by a high value-added, flexible and open economy, a structurally strong external position and effective institutions, as reflected in the World Bank's governance indicators. The Netherlands' public debt ratio has risen further above the 'AAA' median as a result of the policy response to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Nevertheless, a strong record of sound fiscal management and the authorities' plans to narrow the deficit beginning in 2022 gives confidence that the debt ratio will decline over the medium term after the coronavirus pandemic subsides.
Read more at: Fitch Affirms Netherlands at 'AAA'; Outlook Stable
Read more at: Fitch Affirms Netherlands at 'AAA'; Outlook Stable
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