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December 31, 2020

The Netherlands: 60 new laws & rules take effect in the Netherlands from January 1

With a new year comes a host of law changes, new rules, and regulations to be implemented in the Netherlands. The Dutch government is enforcing dozens of these new laws as of January 1, 2021. Every year, NL Times compiles a roundup of these rule changes for non-Dutch speaking people.

An important basic income tax rate will fall slightly, minimum wage will rise slightly, and people with savings and investments will be able to claim a higher exemption from the income tax on Box 3 assets. All told there are about 15 different changes coming into effect next year, and nearly all of them will affect a person's net earnings and tax payments in 2021.

A 12 percent increase on the tax airline passengers pay when flying from Dutch airports, a change in the tax scheme on car purchases, and a tax discount for those buying an electric car with solar panels are among the seven different changes coming into effect next year. Classic car fans with a love for cars made before 1971 will no longer have to get their vehicles inspected.

Read more at: 60 new laws & rules take effect in the Netherlands from January 1 | NL Times

December 30, 2020

The Netherlands: UN human rights committee criticises the Netherlands over child with 'nationality unknown'

The UN’s human rights committee says the Netherlands has violated a child’s rights by registering ‘nationality unknown’ in official records because this means he could not be registered as ‘stateless’ under Dutch law and therefore be given international protection as a stateless child.

‘States have the responsibility to ensure that stateless children under their jurisdiction who have no possibility to acquire any other nationality are not left without legal protection,’ said committee member Shuichi Furuya in a statement. ‘The right to nationality ensures concrete protection for individuals, in particular children.

The committee has now asked the Netherlands to review its decisions on Denny’s application to be registered as stateless, and on his application to be recognised as a Dutch citizen, as well as overhauling the relevant legislation. According to national Dutch statistics agency CBS, in September 2016 there were 13,169 children in the Netherlands under the age of 10 registered with ‘unknown nationality’, many of whom had been born in the Netherlands, the UN said.

Read more at: UN human rights committee criticises the Netherlands over child with 'nationality unknown' - DutchNews.nl

December 29, 2020

Global Warming: 'Tip of the iceberg': is our destruction of nature responsible for Covid-19?

Only a decade or two ago it was widely thought that tropical forests and intact natural environments teeming with exotic wildlife threatened humans by harbouring the viruses and pathogens that lead to new diseases in humans such as Ebola, HIV and dengue.

But a number of researchers today think that it is actually humanity’s destruction of biodiversity that creates the conditions for new viruses and diseases such as Covid-19, the viral disease that emerged in China in December 2019, to arise – with profound health and economic impacts in rich and poor countries alike. In fact, a new discipline, planetary health, is emerging that focuses on the increasingly visible connections between the wellbeing of humans, other living things and entire ecosystems.

Read more at: 'Tip of the iceberg': is our destruction of nature responsible for Covid-19? | Environment | The Guardian

December 28, 2020

EU: France may impose third national lockdown if Covid cases continue to rise

France has not ruled out imposing a third nationwide lockdown if coronavirus cases continue to rise, its health minister said Sunday, as the country braces for a possible post-Christmas spike.

We will never exclude measures that are necessary to protect the public," Olivier Veran told the Journal du Dimanche.

Read more at: France may impose third national lockdown if Covid cases continue to rise

December 27, 2020

Netherlands: Negative test result mandatory for most travellers to NL

Everyone over the age of 12 arriving in the Netherlands from a high risk area by plane, boat, train or coach will have to be able to show a negative coronavirus test from December 29, the Dutch government has confirmed.

Read more at: (Update) Negative test result mandatory for most travellers to NL - DutchNews.nl

December 25, 2020

EU-Britain Relations: Brexit: EU, UK finally clinch ′historic′ trade deal

he United Kingdom and the European Union have agreed to a post-Brexit free trade deal, sealing the UK's exit from the bloc, the UK government and EU announced on Thursday.

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said at a press conference on Thursday that: "It was a long and winding road, but we have a good deal to show for it."

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted an image of himself in front of a British flag with his thumbs up. The picture was accompanied by the text: "The deal is done."

Read more at: Brexit: EU, UK finally clinch ′historic′ trade deal | News | DW | 24.12.2020

MERRY CHRISTMAS







As we celebrate Christmas around the world, let us not forget the reasonfor this festive season: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life".Hope you and yours are having a Merry and Blessed Christmas.