General news - Blue Finessence

State and ING agree on sale of Alt-A portfolio

Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Minister of Finance, and ING have agreed on the unwinding of the Illiquid Assets Back-Up Facility (IABF). This facility involves a portfolio of US Alt-A mortgage-backed securities. The termination of the IABF is in line with the government vision of unwinding government interventions in the financial

Dutch government to tackle international tax avoidance

The Netherlands will improve tax transparency and update tax treaties with low-income countries and low middle-income countries. Tax treaties with Zambia and 22 other poor countries will be revised to allow the incorporation of anti-abuse clauses where necessary. This was announced by Ploumen, Minister for Foreign Trade and

Van Dijkhuizen Committee: lower tax rates with a very long first bracket, fewer tax deductibles and simpler benefits will lead to more jobs

The Van Dijkhuizen Committee advises the government to opt for an improved tax system with lower rates and a very long first bracket, fewer deductible items and simpler benefits. According to the CPB Netherlands Economic Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, these structural reforms will lead in the long

Government wishes to sell shares in URENCO

The Dutch government wishes to sell its interest in URENCO, which provides uranium enrichment services for nuclear power producers. The Cabinet has agreed to this intention. The sale of the Dutch shares in URENCO can only take place, when the public interest in terms of non-proliferation, nuclear safety

Dutch minister of Finance makes offer for compensation due to the nationalisation of SNS REAAL

The Dutch minister of Finance makes an offer for compensation due to the expropriation of shares and subordinated debt of SNS REAAL and SNS Bank. The offer amounts to €0,- for both the expropriated shares as well as the subordinated debt. Source

State of the Netherlands nationalises SNS REAAL

The Minister of Finance, in close consultation with De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), has nationalised SNS Reaal. Savings deposits of clients are secure and the service provision of SNS REAAL has been safeguarded. The intervention has averted grave threats to financial stability and the economy. Source

5 Tricks to Help You Restore Your Headlights on a Budget

If your headlights have turned cloudy, yellow, or foggy, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not stuck with the high cost of replacements. Over time, UV exposure, road debris, and oxidation take a toll on plastic headlight covers. But before you spend hundreds on new parts or professional detailing,

Is Your Car Sharing Data With Your Insurance Provider? It Could Be Costing You Money

Modern cars are more connected than ever. From GPS systems to built-in Wi-Fi, your vehicle is collecting data every time you start the engine. But what many drivers don’t realize is that some of this data might be making its way to insurance companies, with or without your

10 Downright Awful Cars From the 1980s

The 1980s gave us a lot to love—big hair, blockbuster movies, and turbocharged dreams. But when it came to cars, not every model rolled off the line with the same magic. In fact, some vehicles from the era were downright awful. From laughable designs to mechanical nightmares, the

9 Everyday Items Your Boomer Parents Are Hoarding Without Realizing It

You walk into your parents’ house and immediately notice the overflowing cabinets, garages packed to the brim, and boxes full of “just in case” items. While they might not see it as a problem, what you’re witnessing is low-key boomer hoarding—the kind that’s subtle, nostalgic, and deeply rooted

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