Netherlands News

Europol has issued a warning about the increasing influence of dangerous online cults that are targeting children and adolescents through chat groups and social platforms. These groups aim to manipulate young people, leading some to engage in self-harm or even suicide, according to a recent statement from the agency. The warning highlights the recruitment of vulnerable youth, particularly those aged 8 to 17, on gaming platforms and streaming services. Europol's Director, Catherine De Bolle, noted that these online communities often operate similarly to cults, employing charismatically manipulative leaders who initially present as caring figures—an approach referred to as "love bombing." As the manipulation progresses, members are coerced into sharing explicit content, self-harm, or contemplating suicide. The agency emphasized that these activities pose a significant risk to public safety. Europol urges parents and educators to remain vigilant for signs of distress in young people, including secretive behaviors or increased interest in violent content.

The Netherlands has announced plans to return 119 Benin Bronzes, looted by British troops during the 1897 sack of Benin City in modern-day Nigeria, to their rightful home. These artefacts, which include sculptures, figurines, and an ivory mask, hold significant spiritual and historical value for the people of Nigeria, particularly those from the Edo state. This repatriation is deemed the "largest" of its kind, according to Olugbile Holloway, director-general of Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments. The agreement for the return is set to be formalized on Wednesday. Dutch Minister of Culture, Education, and Science Eppo Bruins stated that this action contributes to redressing historical injustices stemming from colonial exploitation. The Benin Bronzes represent a painful legacy of colonial violence, and Nigeria has been actively seeking the return of such artefacts from institutions worldwide, including a significant number held by the British Museum. Nigeria plans to house the returned artefacts in the upcoming Edo Museum of West African Art, set to open in 2026, designed by architect Sir David Adjaye.

Researchers at the University of Amsterdam have developed a groundbreaking textile recycling method that significantly reduces clothing waste and supports the circular economy. According to a news release from the university, the process effectively separates cotton from polyester in polycotton textiles, yielding usable glucose from cotton while preserving the integrity of polyester. The technique utilizes super-concentrated hydrochloric acid to transform cotton into a glucose solution, facilitating a full recycling pathway for both materials. This advancement addresses a key challenge in the textile recycling industry, as fibers are notoriously difficult to disentangle, noted ScienceDirect. With Americans discarding approximately 21 billion pounds of clothing annually, this method presents an essential solution to textile waste. Gert-Jan Gruter, head of the industrial sustainable chemistry department, emphasized the importance of recovering glucose, a vital bio-based feedstock currently derived from crops like corn and wheat. The glucose obtained can be used in manufacturing polymers, supporting high-yield industrial applications. This initiative aims to establish the first industrial facility dedicated to polycotton textile recycling and the production of commercially available non-food glucose.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has condemned US President Donald Trump's recent sanctions against its staff, describing them as detrimental to its essential role in investigating severe global atrocities, including crimes against humanity and genocide. The sanctions, signed into law on Thursday, aim to impose economic penalties and travel bans on ICC personnel, a move Trump justified by claiming the ICC has conducted "illegitimate and baseless actions" against the US and its ally Israel, particularly concerning an arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes. In response, the ICC called for solidarity among its 125 member states to oppose the sanctions, asserting that it remains committed to delivering justice for victims worldwide. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized the sanctions as a hindrance to an institution established to protect human rights and discourage dictatorial actions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the ICC's critical role in giving victims a voice. The United Nations also urged the reversal of Trump's executive order, citing concerns over its potential impact on global justice.

Archaeologists have discovered an early medieval site in the eastern Netherlands, believed to have hosted cult rituals and associated with a pre-Christian belief system. The site, named Hezingen after a nearby hamlet, emerged following the finding of ancient coins by metal detector enthusiasts in 2019, prompting a research excavation led by Netherlands Cultural Heritage Agency archaeologist Jan-Willem de Kort. Artifacts uncovered include gold and silver jewelry and small gold coins known as tremisses, suggesting significant offerings made to local deities. The established structure contains 17 wooden postholes aligned with the equinoxes, indicating its role in seasonal agricultural rituals. The recent excavations raise questions about the site's abandonment in the late 7th or early 8th century, coinciding with the arrival of Christian missionaries in the region. De Kort emphasized the importance of treating such artifacts with respect, advocating for a deeper understanding of these discoveries beyond mere treasure hunting. The findings reflect a transition period in local spirituality as Christianity began its influence over traditional practices, according to the researchers' published research in the journal Medieval Archeology.

In a horrifying incident in Nieuwegein, Netherlands, police have arrested a man suspected of fatally stabbing an 11-year-old girl. Authorities reported that the girl was attacked with a knife in broad daylight on Saturday afternoon. According to local media, the suspect is a Syrian national who appeared "confused" prior to the assault. The police confirmed that they are actively investigating the matter, seeking to understand the circumstances surrounding the attack. Eyewitnesses and community members have expressed shock and sorrow over the tragic loss. "This is a shocking event for our community, and we are still trying to process what happened," one local resident stated. The police have not disclosed further details about the suspect or the motive for the attack, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation. They encourage anyone with information related to the incident to come forward to assist with their inquiries.

Dutch prosecutors have confirmed that Jos Leijdekkers, one of Europe's most-wanted drug traffickers, is currently hiding in Sierra Leone. Leijdekkers, who was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison by a Rotterdam court last June, faces charges related to significant drug trafficking operations, an armed robbery in Finland, and involvement in ordering a murder. The prosecution's statement follows the emergence of video footage showing Leijdekkers attending a New Year’s Day church service in Sierra Leone near the presidential family. Reports suggest he may have ties to the country's president, but these claims remain unverified. The Sierra Leone government has stated that it is investigating claims of high-level protection for Leijdekkers, and they are cooperating with Dutch authorities and Interpol for his potential extradition. Leijdekkers has been implicated in transporting around 7,000 kg of cocaine and has also been connected to the mysterious disappearance of a woman in Amsterdam in 2019. Dutch authorities have placed Leijdekkers on the EU’s most wanted list, offering a reward of €200,000 for information leading to his arrest. In a related development, former Belgian footballer Radja Nainggolan has been arrested in connection with a cocaine trafficking investigation involving the Port of Antwerp. Investigators conducted 30 house searches as part of this ongoing operation, although details about Nainggolan's specific charges are yet to be disclosed.

Thieves targeted the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands, early on Saturday morning, using explosives to steal several priceless Romanian prehistoric artefacts. The burglary resulted in the theft of a 2,500-year-old golden helmet, known as the helmet of Cotofanesti, and three Dacian royal bracelets from around 50 BCE, all of which were part of an exhibition dedicated to the Dacian empire. The assailants blasted open a door to gain entry to the museum, which houses artifacts on loan from the National History Museum in Bucharest, Romania. Museum director Harry Tupan expressed deep concern over the incident, noting that "in its 170-year existence, there has never been such a major incident." In response to the robbery, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis stated that Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof assured him that authorities were taking all necessary measures to identify the suspects and recover the stolen items. Law enforcement believes multiple individuals were involved in the heist, prompting the involvement of Interpol in the investigation. Authorities reported that no injuries occurred during the explosion, but damages to the building were significant. A burning car was found near the museum, indicating that the suspects may have switched vehicles after the theft. Police are appealing to the public for any information regarding the suspects or the missing artefacts.

Major oil companies, including Shell and ExxonMobil, are poised to announce disappointing earnings this week, signaling a significant shift in the energy market. Following the volatility created by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which disrupted Europe's primary gas supply, both companies are now anticipating reduced profits due to oversupply and weakening demand. Shell is expected to report annual profits of just over $24 billion for 2024, markedly down from nearly $28.25 billion in 2023 and a record high of almost $40 billion in 2022. The world's largest liquefied natural gas trader recently warned shareholders that its trading results for the last quarter of the previous year would likely fall substantially compared to earlier quarters. ExxonMobil, the largest oil company in the United States, is also forecasted to announce lower annual profits. It previously recorded a staggering $56 billion in profits in 2022, but it now expects to report declines across its business segments. The declining prices of oil and gas are a reflection of changing market dynamics. The average U.S. gas benchmark price experienced a dramatic 62% drop in 2023 compared to the previous year, and oil prices have followed a similar trajectory, falling from over $100 a barrel in 2022 to approximately $74.40 in the final quarter of 2024. As European countries adapt to the loss of Russian supplies by increasing reliance on imports from the U.S. and the Middle East, deeper questions remain about the future demand for fossil fuels. Analysts warn that the surge in new oil and gas projects could potentially exceed demand, leading to sustained lower prices in the coming years. The issue is further complicated by political factors, including recent calls by former President Donald Trump for increased oil production to lower prices domestically. While perceived as beneficial for consumers, analysts express uncertainty about how this will affect the oil industry's profit margins, given ongoing market challenges.

In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature, researchers have revealed the discovery of two massive geological structures that are over 100 times taller than Mount Everest. Located on the boundary between Earth's core and mantle, these peaks reach heights of approximately 1,000 kilometers beneath the Earth's surface, far exceeding Everest's height of 8.8 kilometers. The research team, led by Dr. Arwen Deuss from Utrecht University, estimates that these mountains could be at least half a billion years old, potentially dating back to the formation of the Earth approximately four billion years ago. The structures, referred to as "Large Low Seismic Velocity Provinces" (LLSVPs), are situated beneath Africa and the Pacific Ocean. The findings indicate that these mountains are surrounded by tectonic structures that have been transported there through a process known as "subduction," where one tectonic plate dives below another and descends deep into the Earth. By studying seismic shockwaves generated by large earthquakes, scientists have been able to infer the presence and characteristics of these hidden formations. Dr. Deuss highlighted that the seismic waves slow down when encountering these mountains, leading to their discovery. Interestingly, the new structures exhibit higher temperatures compared to their surrounding tectonic plates, with unique characteristics that suggest they are composed of larger mineral grains. The researchers believe that the longevity and distinctive formation of these peaks imply that they are significantly older than the surrounding slabs of tectonic material. The study opens new avenues for understanding the dynamics of Earth's interior and the processes that shape our planet.

In a groundbreaking move, the Netherlands has released a list of nearly half a million individuals suspected of collaborating with Nazi occupiers during World War II. This unprecedented publication follows the expiration of a long-standing law prohibiting such disclosures. The list, compiled by the Huygens Institute's "War in Court" project, includes approximately 425,000 names, primarily of Dutch citizens, who were investigated for their affiliations during the Nazi occupation from 1940 to 1945. The initiative received substantial funding, totaling $18.5 million, from Dutch ministries related to education, health, and justice. Scholars and historians view the archive as a vital resource amidst ongoing debates about the Netherlands' historical complicity in Nazi atrocities. Dan Stone, a historian from Royal Holloway, University of London, remarked that the archive sheds light on the significant number of people accused of collaboration while highlighting the limited court appearances and prosecution of these cases. During the war, the Netherlands saw the tragic loss of over 100,000 Jewish citizens, and the new archive opens doors for further academic research and historical education. However, the release has sparked concern among descendants of the accused, as they fear public backlash. Despite objections, privacy regulations mean that details about the deceased suspects are publicly accessible. Experts expect that the digitized list will provide renewed momentum for studies related to the Holocaust and its impact on Dutch society. Access to additional personal information will remain available for qualified researchers at the Dutch National Archives.