EU: The Netherlands moves to allow dual citizenship by 2019

The Dutch government is currently reviewing the country’s nationality law as part of an effort to allow dual citizenship by the spring of 2019.

According to Justice Minister Mark Harbers, the plan is to widen the Netherlands’ criteria for dual nationality. At present, naturalised Dutch citizens must renounce the nationality of their country of origin, unless they are married to a Dutch national.

The Netherlands is following in the steps of similar legislation that has been passed in Germany as most of the EU Member States prepare for Brexit.

The new law will allow first-generation migrants in the Netherlands to be holders of more than one passport, a move that would affect 87,000 first- and second-generation UK nationals living in the Netherlands. At the same time, children of Dutch nationals living abroad will not be forced to make a mutually exclusive choice about their nationality.

Up to 100,000 Dutch nationals living in the UK stand to have their children lose access to their EU citizenship if comprehensive reform regarding dual nationality is not in place prior to or immediately after Brexit comes into effect in March 2019. The Dutch government hopes to have completed the reform during the UK’s transition period out of the European Union through December 2020.

Read  more:The Netherlands moves to allow dual citizenship by 2019

USA. Christians Donald Trump's refugees legislation also creates problems for his Christian supporters

Number of Christian refugees admitted to U.S. plummets under Trump.

Read more at
http://flip.it/r-O8EB

Netherlands the Hague - The International Criminal Court: John Bolton says U.S. will not cooperate with International Criminal Court

The Hague-The Intl. Criminal Court

The United States will not in any way cooperate with the International Criminal Court, national security adviser John Bolton announced in a speech to the Federalist Society on Monday, blasting the ICC as an unaccountable, bureaucratic body that runs counter to the U.S. Constitution and is "antithetical to our nation's ideals."

The International Criminal Court is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal located in The Hague, Netherlands.

In his first speech as national security adviser, Bolton made the case that the ICC's authority is invalid, subverts American sovereignty, and concentrates power in the hands of an unchecked authority in a way that is "antithetical to our nation's ideals." In November, the ICC prosecutor asked to investigate crimes allegedly committed by members of the U.S. military who served in Afghanistan.

Bolton called those claims unfounded. The national security adviser said it was no coincidence he made his speech on the ICC one day before the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

"Today, on the eve of September 11th, I want to deliver a clear and unambiguous message on behalf of the President of the United States," Bolton said. "The United States will use any means necessary to protect our citizens and those of our allies from unjust prosecution by this illegitimate court.We will not cooperate with the ICC," Bolton said. "We will provide no assistance to the ICC. And we certainly will not join the ICC. We will let the ICC die on its own. After all, for all intents and purposes, the ICC is already dead to us."

Note EU-Digest: How much deeper can the US Trump Administration sink on the International scene. The ICC has prosecuted numerous murderous dictators and other international criminals, who have committed genocide.  The Organization is a "beacon of hope" to many oppressed people around the world, that sooner or later, those who commit crimes against humanity, will be caught and prosecuted.

Read More: John Bolton says U.S. will not cooperate with International Criminal Court - CBS News

The new emerging face of "Democracy": Taking democracy for granted is a fatal flaw - by Hasan Suroor

Professor of Politics and International Studies at Cambridge University, David Runciman provides in his book an interesting insight to Modi’s India  and Democracy.

I am not sure that many in the Modi Government would be familiar with the name of David Runciman, professor of Politics and International Studies at Cambridge University.

But this week’s crackdown on civil rights activists and dissidents is the biggest endorsement of his new book, “How Democracy Ends”, in which he lists India as among the countries where democracy is being upended in the name of protecting it from supposedly undemocratic forces. India, according to him, illustrates the threat that democracy is facing from “executive aggrandisement” and “strongmen chipping away at it while paying lip service to it”.

It represents the new emerging face of democracy where it all appears tickety-boo on the surface, but is haemorrhaging from inside. Indians might find it embarrassing that he lumps their country with such authoritarian democracies as Hungary, Poland, Turkey and the Philippines where too “strongmen” are “chipping away” at democratic institutions while paying lip service to them.

Runciman sees Narendra Modi as part of a growing cast of “ever more characterful performers” alongside Donald Trump, Recep Erdogan, and Lech Kazcynski, among others, who have converted democracy into an “elaborate performance” to engage public attention while quietly wrecking it from inside. Like them, he has developed a “personality cult” operating through networks of private interests and hardline followers .

Read more: Taking democracy for granted is a fatal flaw | National Herald

Sweden: Todays General Elections in Sweden are being held in a highly charged atmosphere

Via euronews: Sweden prepares to vote in a highly charged general election

Read the complete report at: 

http://www.euronews.com/2018/09/07/sweden-prepares-to-vote-in-a-highly-charged-general-election

Middle East - Idlib - EU: Eight EU countries call for protection of civilians in Idlib

Eight EU member states in the UN Security Council have called on Russia and Iran to maintain a previously agreed ceasefire and avoid military escalation in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib to avoid "catastrophic humanitarian consequences for civilians".

The statement was signed by the UK, France, Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, together with Germany, Belgium and Italy, who recently sat in the Council or will soon be sitting. 

Read more: Eight EU countries call for protection of civilians in Idlib

Most Americans Think Catholic Church Has A Serious Problem with Sexual Predators

The Roman Catholic Church has been making headlines recently for all the wrong reasons. Most  Americans – including Catholics -- think the church has no one to blame but itself.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 73% of American Adults think the Catholic Church has a serious problem with sexual predators among its clergy. Fifteen percent (15%) feel the media is overhyping the church’s sex problems. Another 12% are not sure.
(To see survey question wording, click here.)

Note EU-Digest: This problem could be solved quickly if the Vatican removes the celibacy laws for priests and nuns. 

For the complete report go to Rasmussen Polls