Dutch authorities have detained Greta Thunberg and other climate protesters from the Extinction Rebellion group after they blocked a motorway in The Hague on Saturday. Dutch authorities have detained prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg, along with several Extinction Rebellion demonstrators, after they occupied a motorway in The Hague. Thunberg and members of Extinction Rebellion were seen waiting in a bus, while police arrested more people. The protest was against fossil fuel subsidies.  Dozens of police officers, including officers on horseback, were seen blocking protesters from getting onto the A12 motorway leading to the parliament in The Hague. Activists from the group have blocked the highway more than 30 times previously to protest the subsidies. A small group of people managed to sit down on another road and were detained after ignoring police orders to leave.  The demonstrators waved and chanted: "We are unstoppable, another world is possible." "It's important to demonstrate today because we are living in a state of planetary emergency," Thunberg told AFP news agency. "We must do everything to avoid that crisis and to save human lives," she added.  Asked whether she was worried about being arrested, Thunberg said: "Why should I be?"  Extinction Rebellion has said it will continue to hold protests until the Dutch government stops using public funds to subsidize the oil and gas industry.  Protest to apply pressure on Dutch government to ditch fossil fuel subsidies "Meanwhile the ecological crisis continues to rage and the country's outgoing cabinet pretends that we have all the time in the world, while the crisis is now," Extinction Rebellion said in a statement posted on X. The protest was part of a plan to apply pressure on the Dutch government ahead of a planned debate about fossil fuel subsidies in June. Thunberg inspires global youth movement to fight climate change In February, Thunberg, who is 21 years old, was cleared of a public order offense by a London court over a protest at an oil and gas conference in October. In January, she was detained with other activists during protests against the demolition of the German coal village of Luetzerath. She shot to fame in 2018 when she began staging weekly protests outside the Swedish parliament. She has repeatedly been fined in Sweden and the UK for civil disobedience in connection with protests.  

The U.S. is pushing Japan and the Netherlands to expand their restrictions on semiconductor-related exports to China, seeking to cover equipment for older-generation chips as well as chipmaking chemicals. The U.S. imposed sweeping export curbs in October 2022 to limit China's access to semiconductors seen as key for technologies such as artificial intelligence and self-driving vehicles, as well as high-tech weapons. Japan and the Netherlands followed suit last year at Washington's behest, but shipments to China of products not covered by the bans, mainly midrange to high-end chipmaking gear, have grown sharply. This has alarmed Washington, spurring it to press for tougher measures by two countries that are major players in the field. The current curbs broadly restrict exports of gear for making semiconductors in the 10- to 14-nanometer range or smaller. The U.S. wants this expanded to encompass some equipment for older, generic chips. Washington likely has its eye on lithography equipment, which prints circuits onto silicon wafers, and etching systems, used in three-dimensional stacking of memory chips. Japanese players such as Nikon and Tokyo Electron have particularly advanced capabilities in those fields. Essential chipmaking chemicals such as photoresist, for which Japanese companies including Shin-Etsu Chemical control over 90% of the market, are also believed to be in Washington's crosshairs. The Netherlands, home to semiconductor gear maker ASML, has been asked to stop companies from maintaining and servicing chipmaking equipment sold to China before last year's trade curbs took effect. The U.S. has urged Germany and South Korea to stop supplying necessary components as well, according to Bloomberg. Japanese officials and companies have been taken aback by the pressure. "We have no plans to take new measures at this time," Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ken Saito said Friday. Tokyo last July added 23 items to its list of products subject to export restrictions, including equipment for making advanced semiconductors. It already requires permission to export photoresist for extreme ultraviolet lithography. If Tokyo tightens its curbs on equipment for older chips, Japanese companies might lose market share without meaningfully affecting China's access to products that it still could source from elsewhere. A Shin-Etsu representative said the company cannot comment regarding semiconductor materials. Photoresist maker JSR said it "cannot comment while the details are unknown." The pressure from the U.S. comes amid signs that its initial strategy to slow China's chipmaking advances has not worked as well as hoped. Huawei Technologies in August rolled out smartphones with 7-nm chips -- technology subject to the U.S. curbs -- that China asserts were homegrown. It may have improved on equipment for making older chips that fell outside the restrictions, or used parts and technology acquired before the restrictions took effect. Washington tightened its controls in October, essentially banning exports to global subsidiaries and offices of Chinese companies. The U.S. appears worried that its efforts may be ineffective without another round of coordinated action by allies.   Source: Nikkei Asia

Jenni Hermoso and Aitana Bonmatí helped Spain beat Netherlands 3-0 in the Women’s Nations League semi-final, a victory that secured the world champions a spot in the Paris Olympics and set up a final with France, who beat Germany 2-1 in the other semi on Friday (Feb 23). Hermoso opened the scoring for Spain with a solo effort in the 41st minute, before Ballon d’Or holder Bonmatí doubled the lead in the 45th. Ona Battle added the third in Seville in the 77th to complete a dominant performance by the hosts. Reaching Spain’s first Olympic Games is the first important success for the team since Montse Tomé took over in September following the scandal that erupted when former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales kissed Hermoso without her consent at the World Cup final trophy presentation. “I took charge in a difficult moment that nobody wanted and we took a step forward,” Tomé said. “We are proud of the work we have done. This team deserves to play an Olympic Games after all the prior generations who fought for it and came up short.” France scored two first-half goals and held on to beat Germany. Head coach Hervé Renard said: “Congratulations to the girls, they have been remarkable, but only half the journey is complete. Spain are the best team in the world at the moment so it’s a big challenge. But we have everything to win.” Kadidiatou Diani put France ahead in the 41st minute when she volleyed home after Germany’s defence failed to clear a free-kick. The home side moved further ahead in first-half stoppage time when Sakina Karchaoui struck a powerful penalty past Merle Frohms, after Selma Bacha was fouled. France were without their injured centre-half Wendie Renard but were untroubled until Sara Däbritz went close with a powerful shot from 25 yards in the 75th minute as the visitors cranked up the pressure. Soon after, Amandine Henry handled from a cross, and a penalty was awarded following a VAR review. Giulia Gwinn rifled the spot-kick into the roof of the net in the 82nd minute to give Germany hope in front of 30,000 fans at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium, but France held on. Source : The Guardian

Netherlands won the toss and elected to bat against Bangladesh on Saturday at Eden gardens in Kolkata Already Bangladesh has played five matches in World Cup and loses 4 matches, accept Afghanistan. For this match, Bangladesh has rested Hasan Mahmud and Nasum Ahmed, bringing in Taskin Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan. On the other hand, Netherlands, have also played five matches, securing a victory against South Africa. They have demonstrated their passion and determination in the World Cup, making this match a challenging one for the Tigers. In ODI matches, Bangladesh and the Netherlands have met twice. Out of these two games, Bangladesh won one, and the Netherlands emerged victorious in one match as well. Predicted XI for Bangladesh Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud. Predicted XI for Netherlands Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (c)/(wk), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren.        

Bangladesh and the Netherlands will play against each other on October 28 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This will also be the first match at Eden Gardens during this World Cup. The BAN vs. NL match will start at 2:30 pm on Saturday. In ODI matches, Bangladesh and the Netherlands have met twice. Out of these two games, Bangladesh won one, and the Netherlands emerged victorious in one match as well. Predicted XI for Bangladesh Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud. Predicted XI for Netherlands Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (c)/(wk), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren.      

Bangladesh and the Netherlands will play against each other on October 28 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This will also be the first match at Eden Gardens during this World Cup. The BAN vs. NL match will start at 2:30 pm on Saturday. In ODI matches, Bangladesh and the Netherlands have met twice. Out of these two games, Bangladesh won one, and the Netherlands emerged victorious in one match as well. Predicted XI for Bangladesh Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud. Predicted XI for Netherlands Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (c)/(wk), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren.      

Netherlands defeated South Africa by 38 runs at the Cricket World Cup on Tuesday, October 18. Chasing 246 to win, South Africa, one of the tournament favourites, were bowled out for 207 in the shadow of the Himalayas. Last year, the Dutch sent South Africa crashing out of the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia as the European outsiders humiliated the Proteas for the second time in a year. Source: BSS

Police in the Netherlands detained thousands of climate activists over the weekend after they shut down a major highway two days in a row. An estimated 10,000 activists blocked A12 highway leading to The Hague for several hours on Saturday, according to the mayor's office. Police arrested some 2,400 people at the time. Hundreds of protesters did so again on Sunday, when police arrested another 500 people. The Extinction Rebellion activists were protesting the Dutch government's subsidies for fossil fuel companies, as they have done in recent months. According to a report published earlier in the week by the Center for Research on Multinational Corporations, these subsidies total around €37.5 billion ($40.2 billion) each year. "The seas are rising and so are we," the crowd chanted. Extinction Rebellion vows to keep protesting  Police fired water cannons at the protesters on Saturday and Sunday as they resisted requests to clear the road. They also dragged individuals away to clear the highway. Authorities said the activists had previously been given permission to protest and were asked to hold the demonstration at the nearby central station. The Hague's Mayor Jan van Zanen approved the clearance of the highway but also said demonstrators were welcome to proceed to authorized protest areas instead.  Extinction Rebellion said it would continue protesting until the Dutch government stops using public money to subsidize the oil and gas industry. "No matter what The Hague city council makes the police do, we will stay or come back every day," Extinction Rebellion Netherlands said on its website. "And that's until the government meets our demand: an immediate end to all subsidies for fossil fuels."

The fire on a freighter loaded with thousands of cars appears to have burnt itself out. Although the vessel seems stable, there are still concerns over potential risks. The Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management on Tuesday said the fire on board the Freemantle Highway cargo ship appeared to no longer be burning.  Salvagers say the freighter's hull, which caught alight almost a week ago, appears to be intact below water. What we now know about the ship "There are no visible signs any longer that the fire is still burning," the spokeswoman said, adding it was too early to sound the all-clear. There are still concerns that it might break up and pollute a nearby archipelago of ecologically sensitive islands in the Wadden Sea. The Panama-registered Fremantle Highway carried 3,783 new vehicles, including 498 electric cars, from the German port of Bremerhaven to Singapore.  The vessel was towed 16 kilometers (10 miles) north of the islands of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland to keep it away from busy shipping lanes. Firefighters had decided not to douse the freighter with flames with water for fear of making it unstable. The Fremantle Highway will now be towed to a port to be unloaded and have its hazardous contents removed before being broken up. However, no port has yet been identified where that will take place. "The recovery companies are working on a plan of action for towing the freighter to its final location and salvaging it," the ministry said. It's thought that the decision on a location partly depends on the condition of the vessel. The options are thought to be Eemshaven, a Dutch port on the German border, and the German port of Wilhelmshaven.

The Netherlands has reiterated its commitment to help ensure justice and accountability for the atrocities committed against Rohingyas by the Myanmar authorities. Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Stef Blok in a letter to his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen conveyed it saying they will help to ensure justice through the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Harry Verweij on Sunday met Foreign Minister Dr Momen st State guesthouse Padma and handed over the letter, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. On September 2, the Netherlands and Canada said States parties to the Genocide Convention must resolve to prevent genocide but also, critically, to hold perpetrators in Myanmar to account. "Canada and the Kingdom of the Netherlands reiterate their call to all states parties to the Genocide Convention to support The Gambia in its efforts to address these violations," the two countries said in a joint statement. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, and Stef Blok, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, issued the statement regarding intention to intervene in The Gambia v. Myanmar case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). During his meeting with Dr Momen, the Dutch Ambassador mentioned it. The envoy assured continued humanitarian support from the Netherlands for Rohingyas who took shelter in Bangladesh. The Ambassador laid emphasis on justice and accountability issues for a sustainable solution to Rohingya crisis. Dr Momen said Bangladesh is giving much importance to safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas. He sought an effective role from the Netherlands though coordination with the European Union so that Myanmar creates a safe environment in Rakhine State for Rohingya repatriation.  On Sunday, Bangladesh cautioned that if the Rohingya issue is not resolved immediately, radical elements can take advantage of the displacement and "regional and international security would certainly be jeopardised." Bangladesh requested the Philippines to exert political pressure on Myanmar together with all ASEAN members to take back the Rohingyas. Foreign Minister Dr Momen made the request through Ambassador of the Philippines Vicente Vivencio T. Bandillo on Sunday. At the meeting, the Forign Minister sought Philippines’ support on voluntary and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine State, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr Momen noted that Philippines enjoys close ties with Myanmar that the latter should leverage its influence to resolve the Rohingya crisis. He said that to allay the fear of the Rohingyas Bangladesh has long been proposing formation of an ASEAN led non-military civilian observer group but Myanmar has not been coming forward positively to implement this proposal. Source: UNB AH