The number of children staying home from school in the Netherlands has reached 70,000, with figures continuing to rise each year. While politicians often blame teacher shortages and large class sizes, parents and experts argue that a lack of coordination between the healthcare and education sectors is the primary cause.
Dutch comedian Jochem Myjer raised 162,964 euros for his foundation, Stichting Wakker Worden Wakker Worden, through two benefit performances of his show Net Alsof. The funds will support the fight against narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that affects his daughter.
The southbound lane of the Spaarndamseweg in Haarlem will be closed to cyclists until February 2028 to accommodate local construction projects. Cyclists traveling from Haarlem-Noord to the city center are being redirected to use the Rijksstraatweg and Schoterweg instead.
Gasunie has expressed concerns that gas reserves in the Netherlands may not be replenished in time for the upcoming winter. The national gas infrastructure company warns that storage levels could fall short of necessary targets to ensure supply.
Authorities in Hong Kong are prosecuting seven individuals and two companies following a fatal fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex last year. The charges, linked to renovation work at the site, include manslaughter, money laundering, and tax evasion.
Despite incentives to switch to electric trucks, transport companies face significant delays due to a lack of power grid capacity and charging infrastructure. Waiting times for grid connections have reached up to 12 years, hindering the transition to sustainable transport.