WASHINGTON — US Republican Asa Hutchinson is running as his party’s presidential candidate in the next election in November 2024. The former governor of the state of Arkansas announced his presidential bid in an interview with ABC television broadcast on Sunday. He offers an alternative to ex-President Donald Trump, who announced several months ago that he would run once more in the coming elections.
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Alexander De Croo assures that the idea of retirement at 67 is merely a theoretical concept.
written by Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief
Belgium’s Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, has assured that the majority of Belgians will not have to continue working until the age of 67. This comes following a poll that found 70% of Belgians are once morest the current legislation which would set the legal pension age at 67 by 2030. De Croo acknowledged that although the legal age may increase, the effective age of retirement is still around 62-63 years old for most workers. Therefore, according to De Croo, the age of 67 is more of a theoretical concept. He has proposed a pension reform that aims to be completed by the summer and will re-discuss existing “sacred cows” such as the retirement ages of military personnel and SNCB drivers, which he views as not being logical and unfair.
The vast majority of Belgians will not have to work until the age of 67, assured Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on Sunday on the set of VTM Nieuws.
The head of the federal government was called upon to react to a poll showing that 70% of Belgians do not want to work until the age of 67. According to the Ipsos-Le Soir-RTL-VTM-Het Laatste Nieuws Grand Barometer, the people of Brussels are those who reject the measure the least (36% of favorable opinions), while the Walloons are the most refractory (27% in favor). Two out of three Flemings are once morest it.
Following a decision taken under the previous legislature, the legal pension age will increase to 67 in 2030, instead of 65 currently. In 2025, the legal age will already increase to 66 years. But according to the Prime Minister, the vast majority of Belgians are not concerned, because there is a difference between the legal age and the effective age. Currently, most workers retire, not at 65, but at 62 or 63.
“What is important is the career”
“What is important is the career“, declared the Prime Minister, referring to a duration of 42 or 43 years. According to Alexander De Croo, the age of 67 is therefore “a somewhat theoretical concept“, for those who studied longer and therefore started working later.
About the “sacred cows” existing – such as the retirement age of the military or SNCB drivers – the Prime Minister declared that, for him, this should also be discussed within the framework of the pension reform that the government aims to wrap up by summer vacation.”55 or 58 years old. Doesn’t seem logical to me“said the prime minister.”We need to move to a system that is fair.“
In conclusion, while the legal pension age in Belgium is set to increase to 67 in the future, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo assures that most Belgians will not have to work until that age. The majority of workers currently retire at 62 or 63, and De Croo emphasizes that what is important is the career duration of 42 or 43 years. The debate surrounding “sacred cows” such as the retirement age of military or SNCB drivers will also be addressed within the framework of the upcoming pension reform. As this issue is sure to garner further attention in the coming years, it is important to continue the dialogue between government officials and citizens to ensure a fair and effective system for all.
What does it mean, what is its origin and why is it the beginning of Holy Week?
written by Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief
This date commemorates one of the most important moments in the life of Jesus.
With the arrival of a new Easterthousands of faithful gather throughout the world to commemorate the last days of the life of Jesus Christ.
The first important day on these dates will be next Sunday, April 2, when the Palm Sunday. On that day the lentwhich had begun on Ash Wednesday in the month of February.
Origin of Palm Sunday
This date commemorates the beginning of the last week of Jesus’ life, when he triumphantly enters the city of Jerusalem. As described in the gospels, a large crowd acclaimed Christ as he entered mounted on a donkey and received him as the Messiah.
The name comes from the way in which the inhabitants of the place received Jesus. Many applauded his entrance with palm branchesa plant that, in Jewish beliefs, was symbol of wealth and fertility.
This gesture was modified over the years, as the religion spread throughout West. As in some countries this plant did not exist, it was replaced by others of local origin, such as teathe willow and the olive tree -the latter was considered a sign of peace-. Due to the large number of plants that were used for this purpose, it was given the name of Palm Sunday, to make it more general.
Rituals with the bouquets
Today it is a tradition bring to mass on Palm Sunday a bouquet of one of these aforementioned plants. The priest usually blesses them and then they are placed next to crosses or crucifixes at home throughout Easter.
Once finished, they are burned to later use their ashes during the Ash Wednesday of the following year; Likewise, this ritual is not so popular in some countries.
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