– Today in the Kingdom of Belgium, winter begins on the energy market. This means that everyone gets a minimum amount of natural gas or electricity to heat his home even though some people have difficulty paying their energy bill. The Public Center for Social Welfare (CPAS/OCMW) will jump to help though according to the Flemish Minister of Energy Freya Van Den Bossche, this still happens in too few municipalities.

– Meanwhile, the 50-plusers in our kingdom who are looking for a new job, represent an almost hopeless mission. According to new figures, the job opportunity for older job seekers is extremely low. However, in their defence it is concluded that in the labor market, fifties are a plus for any business as they have long years of work experience, which the government wants to convince businesses of the value of older workers.

Belgium is considered the worst country in Europe for age discrimination. Many employers think that it ‘s no use to train older workers as youth are more sustainable in the long term but in practice, it is often the younger ones that leave and change jobs after a few years. In addition, the older ones, based on our current system of wage structure, enter the unfair competition with the ‘cheaper’ youth.

– For other news – A survey in France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom shows that there is still a large gap between the UK and other countries. The Guardian reports that the British should not know about the EU business and vice versa. A survey of more than 5,000 voters in the UK, Germany, France and Poland show that the British is the most defensive in the European Union. At the same time , the results make it clear that there is not really a majority seems to be exceptional measures for the British in the Union. And a customized membership is just what the British Prime Minister David Cameron hopes to convince themselves but behind the EU compatriots.

Barely a quarter of Britons says that the European Union is a good thing, compared to more than 40 percent who calls it a downright bad thing. In Poland (13 versus 62 percent), Germany (55 versus 17 percent) and France (34 versus 36 percent).

– MESSAGE OF THANKS:  The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in the Netherlands would like to express its sincerest appreciation to the Government and people of the Netherlands and the international community in the Netherlands for the outpouring of support, messages and acts of solidarity for the Philippines and the Filipino people in the aftermath of super typhoon Haiyan.

We are deeply moved by the immense response received by the SHO Giro 555 initiative to ease the suffering of those affected by the typhoon and to aid in the reconstruction and rehabilitation that will follow.

To the organizers and to all those who participated – individuals, children, government officials, NGOs, relief agencies, companies and the media – we offer our profound thanks. Their empathy for those affected by the typhoon touches us. Their spirit of volunteerism and generosity move us.

Our heartfelt gratitude also goes to the Filipino community in the Netherlands. Their quick and spontaneous response to come with or volunteer in projects and initiatives to help those affected by the typhoon is a testimony to the spirit of “bayanihan” that is innate in every Filipino. This will never be eroded, wherever she or he may be.

The process of rebuilding will be difficult. But Filipinos, constant in faith, resilient in spirit, and one in purpose, will overcome this tragedy with grace and strength. We find comfort in the knowledge that the international community, including the people of the Netherlands are with us in this process. (End of message)

– From a phone conversation last night with our New York host Sarah Andes, she said, she is at least thankful that the train derail accident yesterday along the Hudson River in the Bronx, one of the boroughs of New York did not happen on a Monday or else, fatalities could be tripled as the Metro-North trains transport every morning hundreds of thousands of people from different areas of New York with more than 400 stations, but on a Sunday there is that much less commuters.

According to the New York Fire Department, 100 firefighters were immediately sent on the spot. All seven carriages of the train was hit. Four people were killed wherein 2 fatalities were thrown off the train, 67 people were injured and 11 of them are in serious condition. Cause of the derail is still unclear.

See you again on Wednesday, same time, same station. Take care everyone. I wish you all a happy and fruitful Monday.