Stories from Hilversum · Netherlands

Approximately 9 million voters have reportedly disappeared from voter lists ahead of the second round of state elections. This represents a 12 percent reduction in the total number of eligible voters. Correspondent Devi Boerema is investigating the cause of the missing entries. The cleanup process aims to remove duplicate entries, deceased individuals, and illegal infiltrators who are not permitted to vote. The government is currently reviewing the lists to ensure accuracy. In Bihar last year, a test revealed six million names had disappeared from lists, including deceased individuals and duplicate entries. The source noted that some missing names belong to living people who have the right to vote. The discrepancy has led to discussions regarding who is in charge of the electoral process. Approximately 9 million people have failed to appear because they were removed from the voter rolls.

Approximately 70,000 children and young people in the Netherlands were staying home from school in 2024, according to the parent association Balans. The Telegraaf reported that the issue of school dropout rates has persisted for years without resolution.

Researchers have developed a new forensic technique called Spurfax that combines two existing methods to detect sexual assault evidence. The test requires only approximately 100 sperm cells compared to the previous requirement of 500 cells.

A man shot five people at a psychiatric clinic in the Netherlands. The shooter sustained relatively light injuries during the incident. One victim, an employee at a social services or pension provider office, suffered only a leg wound. The four other employees were also shot.

Researchers have developed a solar technology consisting of eight distinct layers totaling less than one micrometer in thickness. The source stated that Europe is leading in this new technology and plans to set up production locally. Perovskite is noted for its ability to create highly efficient solar cells. The material, which makes up approximately 1.3 percent of the Earth's mass, features a distinct crystal structure compared to materials like diamond. The organization Perovskite was established specifically to scale up this production technology. The organization Perovian has been established to set up production for these solar cells. The material is widely available and requires 100 times less active material than current technology. Additionally, the energy required for production is significantly lower and requires less manpower.

Minister Letcher intends to reduce planned budget cuts for the NPO by 45 million euros. The original plan called for savings of over 150 million euros, but the revised figure aims to keep media accessible and reliable. The reduction brings the total expected cuts down from approximately 155 million euros to roughly 110 million euros. The public broadcaster was previously ordered to cut 120 million euros, but recent adjustments mean some planned cuts are being reversed, though they remain within the overall budget framework.

A new mobile application called 'Zo Gefietst' allows cyclists to receive green lights more quickly by alerting smart traffic lights of their approach. The developers stated that the app does not compromise user privacy. The goal of the application is to make cycling more attractive to users.

The Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security reports that the Netherlands spends 15 million euros annually on TBS clinics. These clinics provide treatment for individuals, including asylum seekers without residence permits who have been declared undesirable and committed serious crimes. A criminal defense lawyer stated that such treatment is nonsensical and argued that these individuals should be imprisoned and deported instead. The Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security reported that TBS treatment costs 300,000 euros per person annually. Total annual spending on these clinics amounts to 15 million euros.

Deportation efforts to their home countries are also failing. This situation is projected to cost the Dutch state millions of euros in long-term care expenses.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is searching for old recordings of the SOM Festival. They are specifically looking for footage from the first edition in 1956 and the 1964 edition. Broadcasts from these years were not well preserved by the broadcasters.