Stories from The Hague · Netherlands

Europol reported that youth are being specifically recruited for online violence via social media.

ADO Den Haag has secured promotion to the Eredivisie after a five-year absence. Fans gathered at the stadium and surrounding square in The Hague to celebrate the achievement. Reporter Steve Baalman described the scene as a large celebration.

An international task force has arrested 280 individuals as part of an effort to combat the spread of 'violence for hire' across Europe. Europol reported that criminals are increasingly targeting young people to commit violent crimes. The agency has placed two suspects, a Swede and a German, on a special wanted list as part of its crackdown. Europol reported that criminal groups are offering violence as a service on the internet for payment. The agency stated that the individuals fulfilling these orders are often youths. These recruits are frequently sourced through social media platforms. These individuals are specifically targeted through online platforms to carry out paid criminal acts. These groups specifically target and recruit youths, including those aged 13, through social media platforms. These offenses are not limited to isolated incidents.

The Netherlands, Sweden, and France are calling for new laws to tighten regulations on fireworks. These countries aim to make it more difficult to acquire heavy fireworks used in frequent attacks.

European police are monitoring an online network, referred to as 'the Com' or community, that encourages and coerces juveniles to commit extreme violence against themselves or others. The report notes the network is mainly composed of children. The agency warned that the nature of this threat is posing risks to the safety of minors. Nearly two-thirds of those arrested are identified as part of this trend. The agency is investigating the network for involvement in child sexual exploitation, cyber attacks, extortion, assault, rape, murder, and violent extortion. Europol is working alongside various police forces, including Angarda Shirkona, to investigate the group. Criminals engage in these activities for financial motivation or to coerce children into producing additional sexual content. The process involves trapping children online to gain control over them, according to the report.

The number of people applying for defense training has more than doubled following Queen Máxima's participation in training. Additionally, inquiries regarding defense-related employment have tripled, according to reports from Telegraaf. Many companies in the region have secured fixed energy contracts due to the war in Ukraine, which are set to expire this year. The number of people seeking information about defense jobs has tripled. Most current contracts expire this year.

The International Court of Justice is expected to rule on whether Myanmar is responsible for genocide against the Rohingya people. The judgment is anticipated around July 2026. This marks the first time the court will judge a state's responsibility in this context.

The court also ruled that the United States is required to provide reparations to the Republic of Nicaragua for damages caused. The decision mandates the cessation of the identified violations.

An international taskforce targeting organized contract killings has arrested 280 suspects over a one-year period. The taskforce involves cooperation between 11 countries to address criminal organizations hiring youth for violent tasks. An additional 1,400 individuals are currently under suspicion, according to the report. A special taskforce is working to address the issue of violence-for-hire. Additionally, authorities have identified 1,400 other suspects in related investigations. The recruitment occurs online and targets children as young as 13 or 14 years old. The phenomenon is described as violence as a service or violence on demand. The report noted that the Northwest and central parts of Europe experienced one of the ten driest years ever recorded.

Wildfires have broken out in several locations across the Netherlands. Firefighters are currently extinguishing fires in the dunes near The Hague. A fire in Malde, Gelderland, has been extinguished. A fire on the Oorschotse heide in Brabant has been burning for six days, and authorities suspect arson. Omroep Brabant reports that extra patrols are being deployed to the area. Firefighters report a shortage of personnel and equipment to combat the blazes. The country has requested assistance from the international community to manage the situation. The two nations are sending a total of eight aircraft to aid in firefighting efforts.