Almere-Digest

September 13, 2019

Journalism Awards: Reporters Without Borders honors journalists who fear for their lives

Three female journalists, from Malta, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam have received this year's press freedom prizes awarded by the NGO Reporters Without Borders. Two were not allowed to travel to collect their award.

Only Caroline Muscat was able to appear in person to collect her "Prize for Independence." Vietnamese blogger Pham Doan Trang, who won the "Prize for Impact," and Saudi Arabian women's rights activist Eman al-Nafjan, winner of the "Prize for Courage," both remain barred from leaving their countries, their websites blocked, and under constant threat of detention and harassment.

September 11, 2019

EU Commission: A new team to defend Europe’s economic sovereignty – by Jorge Valero

Achieving a “more assertive” Europe that can improve its competitiveness and sovereignty in an increasingly hostile world.

These are the main guidelines of President-elect Ursula von der Leyen to the new College of Commissioners, unveiled on Tuesday (10 September).

Europe is losing ground in the digital race that is reshaping the economy and society at large. China is now considered a “systemic rival”, while the US is no longer a reliable partner since the election of Donald Trump, with preparations underway in Washington to step up the trade war against Europe.

According to Ursula von der Leyen, this is why the protection of Europe’s sovereignty – and its economic might – has to be top of the agenda for her new team of commissioners.

Read more: A new team to defend Europe’s economic sovereignty – EURACTIV.com

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September 10, 2019

EU poll - Large majority of Europeans say in Poll that Europe should chart its own course in world affairs

EU should 'chart its own course' in world affairs, Europeans say in Poll

Read more at:
https://www.euronews.com/2019/09/10/eu-should-chart-its-own-course-in-world-affairs-europeans-say

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September 9, 2019

The Bahamas: Two Ways To Help The Bahamas Hurricane Recovery: Donate, Then Plan To Travel There - by Lea Lane

Before (left) and after (right)

There are two major ways to help the Bahamas recover from the unprecedented devastation from monster hurricane Dorian. First, donate money, goods or time right now to the organizations you’ll find at the end of this post.

Then, as hard as it may be to conceptualize right now, plan to travel to one of the many Bahamian islands that remain unscathed by the hurricane.

The Bahamian economy revolves around tourism, and the island-nation needs funds generated by travelers to continue recovery.

Yes, hotels in the Abacos and Grand Bahama Island are closed now, but that comprises less than 15% of the country’s hotel inventory. The southeastern and central Bahamas were far less affected by the hurricane, and hotels and resorts in the capital of Nassau and in neighboring Paradise Island remain open, as do those in the majority of Bahamas 700-plus islands and cays.

These include Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Andros, The Exumas, Cat Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Long Island, Acklins/Crooked Island, Ragged Island, Mayaguana and Inagua.

If you had made previous travel plans to go to any of these islands, check ahead and keep them, if possible. And if you don’t yet have plans, consider making them.

Donating to established groups is the immediate way to help, and giving money is the most effective support. Here are some links:
– American Red Cross is online.
– The Salvation Army is accepting money.
– Project Hope, an international health-care organization, is accepting donations.
– Americares sends aid and medicine.
– Habitat for Humanity will be helping rebuild houses.
– Team Rubicon is a veteran support organization, staging resources and support.
– World Central Kitchen teams are providing food on Grand Bahama and the Abacos. Chef José Andrés’ organization is once again helping the hungry.

Read more: Two Ways To Help The Bahamas Hurricane Recovery: Donate, Then Plan To Travel There

September 8, 2019

Asteroid Versus Earth NASA confirms new Asteroid heading towards Earth that could destroy it

NASA confirms new asteroid heading towards earth; Will it just pass by or destroy the

planet?.

September 6, 2019

The Netherlands: Asset tax system gets overhaul, 1.3 million people will pay no tax on savings

The Dutch cabinet plans to overhaul the system for taxing savings, which will lead to no asset tax bills for 1.3 million people and 500,000 facing lower payments.

Tax minister Menno Snel said in April the cabinet was looking into ways of cutting the amount of tax paid by people whose assets are primarily in the form of savings.

The government currently uses ‘fictitious interest rates’ of upwards of 2% to decide how much income people have from their assets, and levies tax of 30% on assets over €30,360 (double for a couple).

But at the moment, most savings accounts have interest rates of around zero and people are paying tax on income they have not realized.

Under the new set-up, which will come into effect in 2022, assets would be divided into three categories: savings, investments and debt. Savings over €30,360 would be taxed in line with current interest rates, rather than a fictitious amount.

Read more at: Asset tax system gets overhaul, 1.3 million people will pay no tax on savings - DutchNews.nl