EU-Coronavirus: Europe′s fight against the coronavirus

Up until this past weekend, the Dutch soccer club SC Cambuur Leeuwarden was making the kinds of headlines everyone wants. The team got off to an excellent start in the country's first league, and was about to host FC Utrecht for the week's top match. That's when unvaccinated supporters who were prohibited from entering the stadium because of coronavirus restrictions turned violent and stormed the field. The match was almost canceled after they stormed the pitch and launched fireworks.

And Leeuwarden wasn't an isolated case. There were also reports of violence and rioting against COVID-19 restrictions in Enschede, Groningen, The Hague and in Rotterdam for the third night in a row. Rioters threw stones at police, vandalized streets and set cars ablaze. According to local authorities, more than 140 people were arrested.

Read more at: Europe′s fight against the coronavirus | Europe | News and current affairs from around the continent | DW | 24.11.2021

COVID in Europe: Germany latest country to restrict unvaccinated - by A.Tidey, A.Brezar & A. Sandford •

COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in various parts of Europe as the cold weather has affected the spread of the virus.

Countries on the Old Continent are attempting to curb the spike through various means -- from introducing lockdowns for the unvaccinated to limiting access to certain services, or pushing for an increase in vaccination rates.

Around 60% of people in Western Europe are fully immunised against COVID-19, but only about half as many are vaccinated in Eastern Europe.

Read more at: https://www.euronews.com/2021/11/18/covid-19-spike-felt-across-europe-as-vaccination-remains-stagnant

COVID in Europe: Sweden's new COVID pass as Slovakia targets unvaccinated - by Alice Tidey and Aleksandar Brezar

COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in various parts of Europe as the cold weather has affected the spread of the virus.

Countries on the Old Continent are attempting to curb the spike through various means -- from introducing lockdowns for the unvaccinated to limiting access to certain services, or pushing for an increase in vaccination rates.

Read more at: COVID in Europe: Sweden's new COVID pass as Slovakia targets unvaccinated | Euronews

The Netherlands: COVID-19: Dutch hospitals sound alarm as eastern Europe reports record daily deaths

Hospitals in the southern Dutch province of Limburg warned the government on Tuesday that they can no longer cope with new COVID-19 patients.

"We are heading straight for a healthcare blockage and the entire system is grinding to a standstill," five hospitals in the border province said.

"We are convinced that other parts of the Netherlands will soon follow," they added in a statement.

Read more at: https://www.euronews.com/2021/11/09/covid-19-dutch-hospitals-sound-alarm-as-eastern-europe-reports-record-daily-deaths

‘USA-Florida: Coming Here In Droves’: Broward Health Facing Double Surge Of Patients

The chief medical officer for Broward Health said his four hospitals are facing a double surge of patients and that has been particularly challenging.

It’s a spike in both unvaccinated COVID patients and others who put off surgeries during the pandemic.

Read more at: ‘Coming Here In Droves’: Broward Health Facing Double Surge Of Patients

Japan Extends 3rd State Of Emergency Weeks Before Olympics - by Anthony Kuhn

Japan's government extended a state of emergency covering major cities until at least until June 20 — roughly a month before the start of the Tokyo Olympics, which polls show an overwhelming number of Japanese do not want to proceed as scheduled.

It's Japan's third state of emergency of the pandemic and the second extension since the current emergency began on April 25. The emergency shortens some businesses' hours, and caps attendance at large events. It covers the capital Tokyo, second city Osaka and seven other prefectures. Less stringent "quasi-emergencies" will be extended to June 20 in five other prefectures.

Read more at: Japan Extends 3rd State Of Emergency Weeks Before Olympics : Coronavirus Updates : NPR

The Netherlands: More women on Dutch company boards -by Janene Pieters

The number of women on the management boards at Dutch companies listed on a stock exchange increased from 8.5 percent last year to 12.5 percent this year. The proportion of women on supervisory boards increased from 26.8 percent to 29.5 percent, according to the Female Board Index by Mijntje Lückerath, professor of Corporate Governance at the TIAS School for Business and Society.

This is the second year in a row that the number of female executives and supervisory directors increased. "I see this as a break in the trend," Lückerath, who has been tracking these figures for 13
years, said to NOS. "Last year, Eumedion, the advocate for institutional  investors, made the appointment of women a spearhead. I think it had a lot of effect, companies do now want any hassle abou their appointments. The pressure is already there. It's gradually becoming embarrassing when the top of a company consists entirely of men."

Read more at: 
More women on Dutch company boards | NL Times

Canada- US Trade - Tariffs: US reimposes aluminum tariffs on Canada

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he had reimposed 10% tariffs on some Canadian aluminum products, accusing Canada of "taking advantage" of the US. 

Read more at:
US reimposes aluminum tariffs on Canada | News | DW | 06.08.2020

The Netherlands: New record: Over 2 million businesses in Netherlands = total population 17.18 million people

On January 1st there were 2,000,404 businesses in the Netherlands - the first time ever this counter topped 2 million, according to figures from the Dutch chamber of commerce KvK. The number of companies in the Netherlands  ncreased by almost 100 thousand last year, an increase of 5 percent, NOS reports.

A total of 230 thousand new businesses opened in the Netherlands in 2019, and 131 thousand closed or went bankrupt, which means that on
balance almost 100 thousand companies were added to the country.

The sectors that attracted the most new businesses were construction, health, retail, hospitality, and logistics. The most new companies opened in Flevoland, Zuid-Holland, and Noord-Holland, the least in Limburg.

The proportion of entrepreneurs who were not born in the Netherlands increased by one percent to 16 percent. Almost a quarter of entrepreneurs who opened a business last year were not born in the Netherlands. These entrepreneurs largely work in hospitality, logistics and construction. Many migrant-entrepreneurs are active in the provinces of Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, and Flevoland.

The average age of entrepreneurs in the Netherlands is around 46 years and has been stable for years. But the average age of starting entrepreneurs decreased slightly, from 36 years in 2018 to 35 years in
2019.

This is partly due to the large number of teenagers, up to the age of 18, among new freelancers - self-employed with no employees. In 2015 there were 1,944 such young freelancers. Five years later that number rose to 6,572.

"More and more young people do not stock shelves or deliver newspapers, but start their own business", Gerdine Annaars, advisor for enterprising young people at the KvK, said to NOS. "A nice and educational way to earn a little extra and a good run-up to a real company."

Two thirds of entrepreneurs in the Netherlands are men, a proportion that hasn't changed in recent years. The proportion of women among starting entrepreneurs decreased slightly last year, from 38 percent in 2018 to 37 percent in 2019. A massive 80 percent of teenagers starting a business were men last year.

Total population of the Netherlands re 2018 census - 17.18 million people

New record: Over 2 million businesses in Netherlands | NL Times

1/7/20 The Netherlands: New record: Over 2 million businesses in Netherlands = total population 17.18 million people

On January 1st there were 2,000,404 businesses in the Netherlands - the first time ever this counter topped 2 million, according to figures from the Dutch chamber of commerce KvK. The number of companies in the Netherlands increased by almost 100 thousand last year, an increase of 5 percent, NOS reports.

A total of 230 thousand new businesses opened in the Netherlands in 2019, and 131 thousand closed or went bankrupt, which means that on balance almost 100 thousand companies were added to the country.

The sectors that attracted the most new businesses were construction, health, retail, hospitality, and logistics. The most new companies opened in Flevoland, Zuid-Holland, and Noord-Holland, the least in Limburg.

The proportion of entrepreneurs who were not born in the Netherlands increased by one percent to 16 percent. Almost a quarter of entrepreneurs who opened a business last year were not born in the Netherlands. These entrepreneurs largely work in hospitality, logistics and construction. Many migrant-entrepreneurs are active in the provinces of Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, and Flevoland.

The average age of entrepreneurs in the Netherlands is around 46 years and has been stable for years. But the average age of starting entrepreneurs decreased slightly, from 36 years in 2018 to 35 years in 2019.

This is partly due to the large number of teenagers, up to the age of 18, among new freelancers - self-employed with no employees. In 2015 there were 1,944 such young freelancers. Five years later that number rose to 6,572.

"More and more young people do not stock shelves or deliver newspapers, but start their own business", Gerdine Annaars, advisor for enterprising young people at the KvK, said to NOS. "A nice and educational way to earn a little extra and a good run-up to a real company."

Two thirds of entrepreneurs in the Netherlands are men, a proportion that hasn't changed in recent years. The proportion of women among starting entrepreneurs decreased slightly last year, from 38 percent in 2018 to 37 percent in 2019. A massive 80 percent of teenagers starting a business were men last year.

Total population of the Netherlands re 2018 census - 17.18 million people

Read more: New record: Over 2 million businesses in Netherlands | NL Times

Tourism: Spain set for tourism record as U.S. visitors counter Brexit blues

Spain is on track for a record year of tourist arrivals, the seventh straight year of new highs, with U.S. and Asian visitors countering the disruption of Brexit and collapse of tour operator Thomas Cook, the industry minister said on Wednesday.

Read more at:
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-spain-economy-tourism/spain-set-for-tourism-record-as-u-s-visitors-counter-brexit-blues-idUKKBN1XU20E

EU Economy: In 2018, employment in the EU service sector accounted for 74 % of total employment

he shift towards a service economy is a long-term trend already observed in the EU in the second half of the 20th century. 

In 2018, employment in services accounted for 74 % of total employment in the EU compared with 66 % in 2000, while employment in industry decreased from 26 % in 2000 to 22 % in 2018 and agriculture halved from 8 % to 4 %. 

As regards value added, services generated 73 % of total value added in 2018, industry 25 % and agriculture 2 %.

Among the Member States, the share of agricultural employment in 2018 was the highest in Romania (23 % of total employment), Bulgaria (18 %), Greece (11 %) and Poland (10 %), while the highest shares for industrial employment were observed in Czechia (37 %), Slovakia (32 %), Poland (31 %), Romania and Slovenia (both 30 %). 

Service activities represented 80 % of total employment or just over in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Malta, France, Luxembourg and Denmark.

For more EU statistics go to: EUROSTAT  

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Britain: Chances of Britain staying in the EU about 30%

Donald Tusk: chance of Brexit being cancelled could be 30%

Read more at: 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/10/donald-tusk-chance-of-brexit-being-cancelled-could-be-30?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Blogger

USA - corruption: US drops out of 20 best performers in Global corruption index

Read more at:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-corruption/us-drops-out-of-top-20-performers-in-global-corruption-index-watchdog-says-idUSKCN1P

EU Health Report: EU residents living longer but pay-gap and mental health still cause for concern

EU Health report: we’re living longer but the pay-gap and mental health still cause for concern

Read more at: 

https://www.euronews.com/2018/11/27/eu-health-report-we-re-living-longer-but-the-pay-gap-and-mental-health-still-cause-for-con

Colombia: Potential Colombian cocaine production jumps 31 percent

Illegal coca plantations in Colombia reached record levels last year following a 17 percent increase from 2016 to around 423,000 acres (171,000 hectares), the United Nations said on Wednesday.

The UN Office on Crime and Drugs (UNODC) said that translated to a potential 31 percent increase in cocaine production from last year to almost 1,400 tons.

Coca leaf is the primary ingredient in the production of cocaine and current plantations generate 33 percent more leaves than they did in 2012.

"I want to express my deep concern about the amount of money that is moving around illicit drugs," said Bo Mathiasen, the UNODC representative to Colombia, at a press conference in Bogota.

Colombia remains way ahead of the rest of the world in terms of illegal coca plantations, while it is also the top producer of cocaine, much of it destined for the United States, the biggest consumer of the white powder.

Read more: Potential Colombian cocaine production jumps 31 percent | AFP.com

India - EU relations: India looks to bolster its relations with EU

India looks to bolster partnership with EU 

Read more at:
http://flip.it/qMHra4

U.S. Economic Forecast: Growth of the economy to continue through 2018

For the first time since the middle of 2014, the US economy has sustained 3 percent growth for two consecutive quarters, providing strong momentum into next year. The current Conference Board forecast calls for 2.8 percent growth during the final quarter of 2017 and 2.5 percent growth in 2018.

This would represent the economy’s best 2-year run since 2005.

Business investment has awakened from the doldrums this year, rising by more than 4 percent after falling into negative territory in 2016. Confidence in the manufacturing sector has been especially strong.

The composition of growth supports a long-term improvement in productivity. Capital equipment has risen at an 8.7 percent annual rate during the past two quarters, while investment in warehouse structures is up more than 20 percent since the end of last year. These investments demonstrate a renewed firm commitment to increased efficiency.

Consumer spending eased a bit in the third quarter, but with The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index still strong and housing prices rising, expect a robust holiday season.

One encouraging sign was the pickup in motor vehicle spending thanks to renewed demand following the two hurricanes. Should employment growth rebound quickly from last month’s storm related decline, tighter labor markets should translate into a renewed wage acceleration which could boost spending late this year or into 2018. The possibility of federal income tax cuts could do the same.

The economy enters 2018 in good position to maintain strong growth from 2017.

Current Fed chair Janet Yellen and new Fed chair nominee Jerome Powell may raise rates slightly faster as a result. These expectations have led long-term rates to rise modestly.

The dollar has also started strengthening since early September after weakening through much of 2017, creating less favorable terms of trade. Higher capital costs and the possibility of a less supportive external environment for growth have not rattled the market yet.

With growth prospects strong for 2018, profits should grow robustly as well, rewarding those businesses that increase investment levels.

Read more: U.S. Forecast | The Conference Board

International Trade: U.S. trade gap deficit edges up; deficit with China at 11-month high

The U.S. trade deficit increased less than expected in July as both exports and imports fell, suggesting that trade could contribute to economic growth in the third quarter.

The Commerce Department said on Wednesday the trade gap rose 0.3 percent to $43.7 billion. June’s trade deficit was revised down slightly to $43.5 billion from the previously reported $43.6 billion.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the trade shortfall widening to $44.6 billion in July. When adjusted for inflation, the trade deficit increased to $61.6 billion from $60.8 billion in June. The so-called real goods deficit in July was below the second-quarter average of $62.4 billion.

While that suggests trade could add to gross product in the third quarter, economists at Wrightson ICAP cautioned that Hurricane Harvey could significantly impact commodity prices and trade volumes, and push up the trade deficit in September.

The politically sensitive U.S.-China trade deficit increased to an 11-month high in July. That ongoing deficit has grabbed the attention of President Donald Trump, who has blamed it for helping to decimate U.S. factory jobs as well as stunting U.S. economic growth.

Trump, who argues that the United States has been disadvantaged in its dealings with trade partners, has ordered the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was signed in 1994 by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

On Saturday August 2,  Trump threatened to withdraw from a free trade deal with South Korea.

 Read more: U.S. trade gap edges up; deficit with China at 11-month high | Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

Iran-EU Trade Value Doubles

EU-Iran Trade 95% increase

Iran’s trade with the European Union topped €9.9 billion in the first half of 2017, registering a 95% rise compared with last year's corresponding period.

Exports to EU’s 28 nations exceeded $5 billion, indicating a 227% rise year-on-year, Eurostat data shared with Financial Tribune show.

Eurostat is a directorate general of the European Commission located in Luxembourg. Its main responsibilities are to provide statistical information to institutions of the European Union and to promote the harmonization of statistical methods across its member states and candidates for accession.

Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials accounted for a majority of Iran’s exports to the EU during the period, with a total value of €4.4 billion.

Iran has been ramping up exports, particularly hydrocarbons, over the past year to regain a market share it lost during the years it was under trade sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council over Tehran's nuclear energy program.

Efforts have been underway to restore traditional markets such as Greece and Italy, alongside a push to win new customers ever since the sanctions were lifted in January last year, as part of a landmark nuclear deal Tehran clinched with world powers in 2015.

Italy was the biggest importer from Iran in H1 among all the European states, as it bought €1.54 billion worth of Iranian goods during the period.

France, Greece and Spain followed with €1.26 billion, €638.5 million and €609.4 million worth of imports respectively.

Iran imported €4.94 billion worth of commodities from the European Union during the same period, recording a %38.5 YOY rise.

The imports mainly included manufactured goods and chemicals.

 Read more: Iran-EU Trade Value Doubles | Financial Tribune