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,...
High Dropout Rates Persist as Students Choose Ill-Suited Courses, Government Report Finds
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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...
Court Sentences up to 28 Years for Murder of Peter R. de Vries
Nearly three years after the murder of Peter R. de Vries, the court has sentenced the main suspects to prison terms of up to 28 years. Despite the Public Prosecution Service (OM) seeking life sentences for the primary defendants, the court opted for lengthy but not...
Dutch Spy Service Reveals Larger Scope of Chinese Fortigate Hack
The Dutch military security service, MIVD, has uncovered that a cyber espionage campaign targeting Fortigate-secured systems was significantly more extensive than initially reported. This revelation, announced on June 10, 2024, indicates that the breach affected...
Other News
Putin Updates Nuclear Doctrine Amid Rising Tensions Over Ukraine Conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin has amended his country’s nuclear doctrine in response to the Biden administration’s decision to allow Ukraine to target Russian territory with U.S.-made missiles. The updated policy signals a lower threshold for nuclear weapon use,...
Citgo Auction Heats Up as Creditors Push for New Bids
The court auction for shares in PDV Holding, parent company of Citgo Petroleum, has hit a roadblock as creditors challenge a $7.3 billion bid from Amber Energy, an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management. The auction, aimed at resolving Venezuela’s $21.3 billion...
Ukraine Strikes Russian Arsenal with U.S.-Made ATACMS Missiles: A Turning Point in the Conflict?
In a dramatic escalation of the war in Ukraine, Kyiv has fired U.S.-made ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) missiles into Russian territory for the first time. This bold move marks a significant shift in Ukraine's military strategy and introduces longer-range...
Dutch Government Releases Decision on Transparency in Natalee Holloway Case
The Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) has issued a comprehensive decision in response to a WOO (Open Government Act) request regarding the high-profile disappearance of American student Natalee Holloway in Aruba in 2005. The ruling sheds light...
Trump Names Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education Nominee
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Linda McMahon to serve as Secretary of Education, citing her leadership skills and extensive experience in business and public administration. McMahon, co-founder of WWE, previously served as Administrator of the Small...