Widespread PFAS Contamination Exceeds EU Limits in European Waters
European waters, particularly in the Netherlands (96% exceedance), Belgium, France, and Iceland (100% exceedance), show widespread PFAS contamination exceeding EU limits, posing health risks and hindering the 2027 goal of 'good chemical status'.
Widespread PFAS Contamination Exceeds EU Limits in European Waters
European waters, particularly in the Netherlands (96% exceedance), Belgium, France, and Iceland (100% exceedance), show widespread PFAS contamination exceeding EU limits, posing health risks and hindering the 2027 goal of 'good chemical status'.
Progress
24% Bias Score
Dutch Finance Ministry Defies Own Sham Self-Employment Rules
The Dutch finance ministry will continue to use freelancers despite violating self-employment rules, paying any fines; 580 are working on resolving the childcare benefit scandal, causing delays; the 2025 crackdown faces challenges.
Dutch Finance Ministry Defies Own Sham Self-Employment Rules
The Dutch finance ministry will continue to use freelancers despite violating self-employment rules, paying any fines; 580 are working on resolving the childcare benefit scandal, causing delays; the 2025 crackdown faces challenges.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Netherlands Ranks Last in Labor Shortages, Threatening Economic Growth
A new report reveals the Netherlands ranks last among 89 major economies for labor shortages, leading to a declining business climate (rated 6/10) and 20% of companies considering relocation due to government policy instability and planned research budget cuts of €200 million.
Netherlands Ranks Last in Labor Shortages, Threatening Economic Growth
A new report reveals the Netherlands ranks last among 89 major economies for labor shortages, leading to a declining business climate (rated 6/10) and 20% of companies considering relocation due to government policy instability and planned research budget cuts of €200 million.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Poland's EU Presidency: Solidarity Amidst War and Migration
Poland, celebrating two decades in the EU, assumes the six-month presidency of the European Council in January 2024, aiming to strengthen European solidarity amidst the Ukraine war and migration pressures, driven by its historical experience and economic success.
Poland's EU Presidency: Solidarity Amidst War and Migration
Poland, celebrating two decades in the EU, assumes the six-month presidency of the European Council in January 2024, aiming to strengthen European solidarity amidst the Ukraine war and migration pressures, driven by its historical experience and economic success.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Netherlands to Cap Population at 19-20 Million by 2050
The Dutch government plans to limit the population to 19-20 million by 2050 through stricter immigration policies, responding to parliamentary pressure and a demographic report, despite warnings about workforce shortages.
Netherlands to Cap Population at 19-20 Million by 2050
The Dutch government plans to limit the population to 19-20 million by 2050 through stricter immigration policies, responding to parliamentary pressure and a demographic report, despite warnings about workforce shortages.
Progress
0% Bias Score
Netherlands Asylum Seeker Work Permits Quadruple
The number of work permits issued to asylum seekers in the Netherlands awaiting residency permits has risen from 1840 in 2023 to 7370 by November 2024, due to a Council of State ruling and increased employer demand, but BSN delays and housing shortages remain significant obstacles.
Netherlands Asylum Seeker Work Permits Quadruple
The number of work permits issued to asylum seekers in the Netherlands awaiting residency permits has risen from 1840 in 2023 to 7370 by November 2024, due to a Council of State ruling and increased employer demand, but BSN delays and housing shortages remain significant obstacles.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Three Arrested After Hague Apartment Explosion Kills Six
Six people died and three others remain seriously ill following an apartment explosion in The Hague on Saturday, with three arrests made Monday evening in connection with the incident. The police have said a drugs lab was not the cause and have been investigating a vehicle seen driving away shortly ...
Three Arrested After Hague Apartment Explosion Kills Six
Six people died and three others remain seriously ill following an apartment explosion in The Hague on Saturday, with three arrests made Monday evening in connection with the incident. The police have said a drugs lab was not the cause and have been investigating a vehicle seen driving away shortly ...
Progress
40% Bias Score
Netherlands to Sell Only Legal Marijuana in 10 Cities Starting April 7, 2024
Starting April 7, 2024, 10 Dutch cities will transition 75 cannabis cafes to exclusively selling legally-produced marijuana, aiming to curb crime by eliminating the illegal production and distribution channels of the current "tolerated" policy.
Netherlands to Sell Only Legal Marijuana in 10 Cities Starting April 7, 2024
Starting April 7, 2024, 10 Dutch cities will transition 75 cannabis cafes to exclusively selling legally-produced marijuana, aiming to curb crime by eliminating the illegal production and distribution channels of the current "tolerated" policy.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Dutch Social Cohesion Stable, but Education Gap Widens
Despite stable overall trust, a new SCP report reveals significant disparities in the Netherlands based on education levels, with those holding higher education demonstrating substantially higher trust than those with basic or vocational education, highlighting a need for policies that address educa...
Dutch Social Cohesion Stable, but Education Gap Widens
Despite stable overall trust, a new SCP report reveals significant disparities in the Netherlands based on education levels, with those holding higher education demonstrating substantially higher trust than those with basic or vocational education, highlighting a need for policies that address educa...
Progress
24% Bias Score
Dutch Coalition Offers Insufficient Funds to Avert Education Budget Crisis
Facing opposition, the Dutch coalition offered €363 million to reverse education budget cuts, far less than the demanded €1.3 billion, prompting cautious responses and ongoing negotiations.
Dutch Coalition Offers Insufficient Funds to Avert Education Budget Crisis
Facing opposition, the Dutch coalition offered €363 million to reverse education budget cuts, far less than the demanded €1.3 billion, prompting cautious responses and ongoing negotiations.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Dutch Council of State Rejects Box 3 Tax System Overhaul
The Dutch Council of State rejected the government's revised Box 3 tax system for savings and investments due to complexity, administrative burdens on 1.6 million taxpayers, and potential negative impacts on tax office services; implementation is delayed beyond 2028.
Dutch Council of State Rejects Box 3 Tax System Overhaul
The Dutch Council of State rejected the government's revised Box 3 tax system for savings and investments due to complexity, administrative burdens on 1.6 million taxpayers, and potential negative impacts on tax office services; implementation is delayed beyond 2028.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Dutch Pension Funds Increase Payouts Below Inflation Rate
Three major Dutch pension funds are increasing 2025 payouts by less than inflation; ABP, the largest, will increase by 1.84% while others freeze payments, preparing for a 2026 switch to an individual pension system.
Dutch Pension Funds Increase Payouts Below Inflation Rate
Three major Dutch pension funds are increasing 2025 payouts by less than inflation; ABP, the largest, will increase by 1.84% while others freeze payments, preparing for a 2026 switch to an individual pension system.
Progress
40% Bias Score