The number of new claims for invalidity benefit under the Wajong scheme has dropped 90% since new rules were introduced at the beginning of this year. In the first four months of 2014, 5,109 youngsters were found to be entitled to the benefit, compared with just 515 in the first four months of this year. The benefit is for those unable to work because of illness or handicap at a young age. Since the beginning of this year, only people who cannot work at all are entitled to claim. Others who used to be entitled to help, such as people who hold down a small part-time job or people with Downs syndrome, have to apply to their local authority for welfare benefits instead. Elsevier magazine reported last week that 820,330 people in the Netherlands are considered unable to work and are receiving some form of invalidity benefit. The total Dutch working population is 7.2 million. Some 250,000 of them claim Wajong benefits, of whom almost 80% have behavioural issues such as ADHD or autism.
Montenegro: A European harvest field
03 Jul 2015
The nation’s government, a parliamentary democracy, has many political parties. Its recent independence has brought a renewed sense of hope and optimism, giving this small nation a greater sense of potential. Joining the European Union and adopting the Euro will hopefully open up many economic opportunities for Montenegrins. But, in the midst of progress, the economy still faces many obstacles. Despite a difficult history of ethnic division, Montenegro desires to step into the future with a strong national identity. Deep divisions remain between the Serbian and Montenegrin Orthodox Churches, and the Christian population remains predominantly nominal. Additionally, Bosniak Muslims residing in the nation harbour bitterness towards Christians for the way they historically treated the Muslim population. Prayer is needed for sensitive and effective outreach to Muslim Bosniaks. Evangelicals claim .03% of the population. Portions of the country remain largely un-evangelised .
Monaco: Wealth – Tax haven
03 Jul 2015
Monaco has wealth, fast cars and casinos. A mecca for the rich. The mini country is home to 38,000 people and one in three is a millionaire. It has the highest per capita GDP in the world. The big draw is tax. The principality has no income tax and other tax rates for companies and individuals are exceptionally low. The prospect of keeping hold of most of their wealth has attracted people from over 100 nations. Living standards are high. Since the principality's priority is to attract wealthy individuals to acquire real estate and live and spend in the country, the government uses its economic advantages to improve the quality of life and to combine work and leisure. Indeed, many of the world's rich buy property in Monaco to take advantage of Monaco's tax regime, although they seldom abide by the legal requirement to live 6 months of every year in the country. See also: http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Europe/Monaco-POVERTY-AND-WEALTH.html
Moldova: the Russia-EU tug-of-war
03 Jul 2015
Chisinau, Moldova - Vlad Petrescu used to be a Soviet patriot. He served in the Pacific fleet for three years and for more than two decades drove trucks carrying Moldovan fruit and wine (still a backbone of Moldova's economy) to Moscow, Kiev and oil boom-towns in Siberia. ‘I was raised thinking I lived in the world's most advanced and just society and everybody in the Soviet Union loved Moldova because it made one think of wine and cheerful music. Europe does not make my heart sing, but we need them so that one day our politicians can become honest and corruption-free. After the Soviet collapse he struggled for years to make ends meet as Moldova underwent a painful economic and political transformation that is far from over. Wedged between Ukraine and Romania, Moldova must, yet again, choose between its pro-Europe and pro-Moscow sympathies. The nation of three million is one of Europe's poorest. Its economy is largely agriculture-based - and dangerously dependent on ‘the missing generation’- thousands working in Russia and the European Union, often illegally.
The Police Association has sued the Commissioner of Police and the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs after they banned public officers from taking part in an auction of police weapons and vehicles. The association said the ban is unlawful and results in a situation where a criminal may buy the weapon he used in a crime, but a policeman cannot. The writ was filed by the association and public officers against the police commissioner and permanent secretary at the ministry. The association referred to the ban issued last February and its subsequent judicial protest.
Macedonia: Drawing attention to the environment
03 Jul 2015
The French Embassy, in cooperation with the Macedonian Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, organised a workshop on ‘How to draw the public interest on climate change.’ The workshop was on 1 July and was presented by a French journalist, Yves Ler, who, for more than 10 years, has been working on this topic and was director of communications for ADEME – French National Agency for the Environment and Energy. For the past four years, he has been working as a journalist and consultant on environmental topics.
Luxembourg: 1 July - Let the Presidency begin
03 Jul 2015
Luxembourg on Wednesday took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with 237 EU meetings and summits scheduled to take place until December. While the Presidency started on 1 July , it will be celebrated with a big European picnic on Friday, 3 July , from 4pm until midnight. Delicacies from around the EU will be served in Place d'Armes, at the Maison de l'Europe in Rue du Curé, in Rue des Capucins and in Place du Théâtre. Over the coming six months, more than 26,000 visitors and 6,875 delegations are expected for 237 meetings and summits. There are 89 cars at the ready to transport guests, with an estimated 221,700 litres of diesel and 91,695 litres of petrol budgeted. Around 12,000 rooms at 25 hotels have been booked for more than 24,000 nights. Additionally, 170 dinners have been planned with 35 restaurants signed up for the job. For the 12th Luxembourg Presidency not only delegates from fellow EU member states will visit the Grand Duchy. For example, on 5 and 6 November , Luxembourg will host the Asia Europe Meeting. Luxembourg takes over from Latvia, with the Netherlands taking on the next Presidency at the start of 2016.
Lithuania: US supports Lithuania against Russia
03 Jul 2015
On Wednesday, America’s House Speaker John A. Boehner ended a three-day trip to Lithuania, where aides said he reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to resisting Russian aggression in the region.
Visiting the capital, Vilnius, to mark the country’s 25th anniversary of independence, Mr. Boehner and seven other House members discussed security issues with the nation’s leaders, including legislation that gave the Obama administration the ability to provide arms to Ukraine. Mr. Boehner frequently says that American allies in world trouble spots are uncertain about the Obama administration’s foreign policy intentions and he has used overseas trips such as the one to Lithuania to offer reassurances to friendly nations. ‘Whether it’s arming Ukraine or declaring energy independence, Lithuania sets an example for the region and ‘the world,’ Mr. Boehner said.