Netherlands News

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.