The Hague city council has issued a firm directive for Prime Minister Dick Schoof’s civil service team to vacate the Binnenhof complex within a month, citing critical fire safety concerns. This decision, announced by Mayor Jan van Zanen, overrides requests to extend...

Prime Minister’s Staff Ordered to Vacate Binnenhof Amid Safety Concerns

Eurovision Stands by Joost Klein Disqualification Despite Dropped Legal Case
Malmö, Sweden — Dutch artist Joost Klein, who was disqualified from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, has seen the legal case against him dropped by Swedish authorities. The incident that led to his disqualification occurred during the second semi-final of the...

High Dropout Rates Persist as Students Choose Ill-Suited Courses, Government Report Finds
A government report on the efficiency of higher education in the Netherlands reveals that students often choose courses not best suited for them, leading to high dropout rates and a shortage of professionals in critical sectors. In the 2021-2022 academic year,...

Dutch Cabinet Distances Itself from Wilders’ Controversial Comments on Jordan
The Dutch government has officially distanced itself from remarks made by far-right leader Geert Wilders, who described Jordan as the "only true" Palestine. This statement, made in response to the Knesset's opposition to a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River,...

Politician Injured, Wife Killed in Sint Maarten Shooting
On the evening of Wednesday, July 17, 2024, a tragic shooting occurred in the Cupecoy/Maho area of Sint Maarten, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) responded to a distress call at approximately 9:30 pm, discovering...

The Netherlands Edge Out Turkey to Reach EURO 2024 Semi-Finals
In a gripping EURO 2024 quarter-final clash, the Netherlands overcame a determined Turkey side with a 2-1 victory, securing their place in the semi-finals where they will face England. Despite the win, the Dutch performance raised questions about their consistency and...

Halsema Denounces ‘Bystanders’ During National Slavery Remembrance
During the National Remembrance of Slavery in Amsterdam, Mayor Femke Halsema sharply criticized those who downplay the severity and legacy of slavery. Halsema emphasized that a country that only acknowledges half of its history is a flawed country. Strong Message...

Dutch Olympics Committee Defends Selection of Volleyball Player with Criminal Past
The Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) has reaffirmed its decision to include Steven van de Velde in the Netherlands' delegation for the upcoming Paris Olympics, despite his criminal record for raping a 12-year-old British girl. Van de Velde, now 29, was sentenced to four...

Dutch Disappointment in Berlin: Austria Clinch Group D with 3-2 Win
The Netherlands' hopes for a smooth run through Euro 2024 were dashed in Berlin, as a determined Austria emerged victorious 3-2 in a pulsating encounter. This defeat throws the Oranje's path to the trophy wide open, with a potentially tricky last-16 clash looming....

KLM Flight Returns to Schiphol Due to Technical Issue
A KLM flight bound for Rio de Janeiro had to make an unexpected return to Schiphol Airport due to a technical issue encountered over northern France. The Boeing 777, operating as flight KL 705, landed safely with no reported danger to the passengers. The specific...

Extinction Rebellion Protest Delays Final Round of KLM Open
The fourth and final round of the KLM Open in Badhoevedorp faced delays on Sunday due to a protest by Extinction Rebellion (XR). Activists blocked access to The International golf club, the venue for the Netherlands' premier golf tournament, in a demonstration against...

PVV Ministerial Candidates Defend Use of Controversial Terms
Prospective ministers and junior ministers from the PVV party are under intense scrutiny for their support of far-right policies and controversial terminology ahead of their swearing-in ceremony in early July. The parliamentary questioning has particularly focused on...

EURO 2024: Today’s Matches Recap
Berlin, June 21, 2024 — Today's UEFA EURO 2024 matches provided high drama and significant outcomes, impacting the prospects of several teams as the group stage nears its conclusion. Match 1: Netherlands vs. France Kylian Mbappé could only watch as his side failed to...

Mark Rutte Set to Become NATO’s Next Secretary General After Romania Drops Long-Held Objection
Brussels, June 20, 2024 — In a significant development for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is poised to become the alliance’s next secretary general. This follows Romania’s decision to withdraw its long-standing objection...

Controversy Over PVV’s Martin Bosma Attending Slavery Commemoration
A petition signed by 35 organizations and over 150 individuals is urging parliamentary chairman Martin Bosma, a member of the far-right PVV, not to attend the annual slavery remembrance ceremony in Amsterdam on July 1. Traditionally, leaders of both parliamentary...

Cutting the 30% Ruling Will Harm Dutch Economy, Report Finds
The tax break for high-skilled migrants, known as the 30% ruling, generates more revenue than it costs, according to a report for the Dutch finance ministry. This tax incentive, which allows selected foreign workers to receive nearly a third of their income tax-free...
Other News

Greenland Picks Europe Over U.S. in Critical Minerals Pact
Greenland has signed a major strategic partnership with the European Union to develop sustainable raw materials value chains, a move that could reshape global supply chains and diminish U.S. influence in the Arctic. The agreement, formalized through a Memorandum of...

Justice or Evasion? Boeing’s 737 Max Settlement Divides Global Opinion
Boeing has reached a tentative agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to pay over $1.1 billion, allowing the aviation giant to avoid criminal prosecution related to the two deadly 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019. But while this deal helps Boeing sidestep a...

Europe’s Power Outages Raise Questions: Is There a Bigger Plot?
In what seems to be more than just coincidence, Europe has been hit by a string of major power outages in recent months—some now under investigation for potential sabotage. From southern France to the Iberian Peninsula and Northern Europe, the incidents have left...

Chemical Castration Goes Global: A Controversial Cure for Repeat Offenders
The United Kingdom has taken a bold step by expanding its pilot program of voluntary chemical castration for sex offenders to 20 prisons across England. The move, announced by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, is aimed at reducing reoffending rates and easing prison...

California Lighthouse in Aruba: Guiding Ships and Tourists Alike”
The California Lighthouse in Aruba, a striking cylindrical structure, stands proudly on the northwest tip of the island, serving as both a maritime guide and a sought-after tourist attraction. Built between 1914 and 1916, this iconic lighthouse was named after the...