The Netherlands: Second Dutch coronavirus patient identified, was also in Lombardy, Italy

A woman from Diemen on the outskirts of Amsterdam has been diagnosed with coronavirus, making her the second Dutch victim of the disease, the public health institute RIVM said on Friday lunchtime.

The woman has no connection with the first Dutch victim, from the south of the country, but had also recently been in Lombardy in Italy, where the virus is rampant, health officials say.

Read more at: Second Dutch coronavirus patient identified, was also in Lombardy - DutchNews.nl

Outer Space: Astronomers detect biggest explosion in history of the universe

Researchers say the blast is the biggest since the Big Bang. It occurred at the center of a galaxy cluster 390 million light years away.

Read more at:
https://www.dw.com/en/astronomers-detect-biggest-explosion-in-history-of-the-universe/a-52564205

Corona Virus hits Northern Europe: Norway announces first case of coronavirus as Sweden treats citizen returning from Italy

Norwegian health authorities on Wednesday announced the first case of coronavirus in the Nordic nation in someone who returned from China last week, but said the patient was not "in danger".

In Sweden a man in his 30s is being treated in hospital for the new coronavirus after visiting Italy, Swedish health authorities confirm.

The patient fell ill after returning from Italy.

Read more at:
https://www.thelocal.no/20200226/breaking-norway-announces-first-case-of-coronavirus and
https://www.thelocal.se/20200226/new-coronavirus-case-confirmed-in-gothenburg-sweden

The Netherlands: Coronavirus: no new measures following outbreak Italy - by William Nehra

The outbreak of Coronavirus in Northern Italy has not phased the RIVM, who insist they are prepared for a possible outbreak in the Netherlands.
“
We are well prepared for a possible introduction of the virus in the Netherlands. That structure stands, whether it is in China or in Italy,” said a spokesperson for the RIVM.

Read more at: Coronavirus: no new measures following outbreak Italy

EU Budget: Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden REFUSE to pay more to make up 75bn euro deficit left by Brexit! - by Tony Winterburn

Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden REFUSE to pay more to make up 75bn euro deficit left by Brexit! - Euro Weekly News Spain

India-US Relations - Love fest in India between Authocrat Trump and Nationalist Modi - by Shant Shahrigian

Love Fest in India: Nationalist 
Modi and Authocrat Trump

The pomp and circumstance is scheduled to start from the moment Trump lands in the western state of Gujarat. Carefully selected supporters of India’s prime minister were to cheer and hold signs along all 14 miles of the presidential motorcade’s route to a stadium rally.

Following the lovefest, the president and First Lady Melania Trump are scheduled to make an evening visit to the Taj Mahal — the model for one of Trump’s infamous failed Atlantic City casinos.

In the capital New Delhi on Tuesday, Trump and Modi are expected to talk trade, though the president tried to keep expectations low.

Trump’s form of belligerent patriotism jibes with the hosting leader’s own desire to turn India, the world’s biggest democracy, into a Hindu nationalist state.

Read more at: Trump heads to India for meet with Prime Minister Modi - New York Daily News

Circular Economics - Recycling: Netherlands in EU top three for recycling, says circular economy report

The Netherlands is in
Europe’s top three for recycling, according to the latest figures
published by the Dutch statistics office.

A report on the ‘circular economy in the Netherlands’ – looking at the
extent to which the country uses raw materials and recycles what it uses
– shows that it is apparently improving.

In 2018 the country consumed around 20% less in materials than in 2000 –
including goods that are used in production. On average, each resident
used 10,000 kilos of materials in 2018 – however another 21,500 kilos
per head were produced, intended for export.

Read more at DutchNews.nl:

Upcycle Center Almere

The Netherlands is in Europe’s top three for recycling, according to the latest figures published by the Dutch statistics office.

A report on the ‘circular economy in the Netherlands’ – looking at the extent to which the country uses raw materials and recycles what it uses – shows that it is apparently improving.

In 2018 the country consumed around 20% less in materials than in 2000 – including goods that are used in production. On average, each resident used 10,000 kilos of materials in 2018 – however another 21,500 kilos per head were produced, intended for export.

One example of the many cities in the Netherlands focusing on improving their recycling efforts is the modern city of Almere (population +/-200.000) in the new Dutch province of Flevoland, reclaimed from the Zuiderzee (South Sea), which in 1986 officially became the 12th Dutch Province. 

The city of Almere’s ambition is to become a city without waste. The city’s goal is that this year each citizen will only produce 50kg of household waste.

At the moment, around 75% of the household waste collected doesn’t belong in it, such as paper, plastic, glass or organic waste. By separating these raw materials, they can be reused, meaning fewer raw materials are needed to create new products.

The municipality is responsible for waste collection in the city,utilizing waste bins and (underground) containers. There are three recycling stations (recycling perrons) where you can discard your waste for free. And there is a free collection service for bulky waste that may otherwise be difficult to transport.

In addition, the municipality cleans up litter in the city and takes care of illegal dumping.

Almere-Digest