Mark Rutte cannot promise a date when the reparations for families will be completed ... he has no shame!

Alles wordt complex gemaakt in dit land#toeslagen #Groningen #corona [_link%]

— Magda Smink (@magdasmink) September 23, 2021

Ministers face fresh accusations of misleading MPs over child benefit scandal | Dutch News - April 22, 2021 |

'Sapere aude'

#Energiearmoede 550.000 mensen kunnen #energierekening niet betalen. Grootste deel woont in #aardbevingsgebied #Groningen. "Precies dáár zijn er dus veel mensen die letterlijk in de kou moeten zitten." #Schaamteloos #Gaswinning pic.twitter.com/jvwv5cdVLR

— Ineke Kouwenhoven (@IKouwenhoven) September 25, 2021

As gas bills rise, more households fall victim to 'energy poverty'

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Mona Keijzer (CDA) has just been booted from the caretaker cabinet by Mark Rutte ... her interview in rightwing tabloid De Telegraaf contradicted the new relaxed COVID-19 regulations for bars, restaurants and music festivals. She didn't like the entry limitation for QR pass holders or proof of recent test result.

Zonder goed beroepsonderwijs en #vakmanschap kunnen onze maatschappij en economie niet goed functioneren. Toptalenten Ynola (kapper), Esmé (schoonheidsspecialist) en Rik (bloemaccessoire) hebben mij vandaag gestyled.

Vakmensen met gouden handen👌🏻#Prinsjesdag2021 pic.twitter.com/IBC2Jr2RRq

— Mona Keijzer (@MonaKeijzer) September 21, 2021

Prime Minister Rutte fires State Secretary Mona Keijzer after criticism of corona pass

'Sapere aude'

Rutte emphasizes Covid vaccines, climate change in UN address [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) September 25, 2021

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#Vanuatu🇻🇺 veut porter la #CriseClimatique devant la Cour internationale de justice à La Haye.
L'idée est de mener campagne pour que l'Assemblée générale de l'#ONU🇺🇳 demande à la @CIJ_ICJ de donner un avis consultatif sur les conséquences matérielles...[_link]

— Philip Grant (@PhilipGrant40) September 25, 2021

Vanuatu wants to bring the climate crisis to the International Court of Justice

The small Pacific state hopes, although a legal opinion from the ICJ is not binding, that it will contribute to the emergence of international legislation for generations to come on the material and human consequences of global warming, has indicated his government.

As a single state cannot seek legal advice from the ICJ at The Hague, Vanuatu will work to mobilize other countries to vote in favor of this initiative at the next UN general assembly in September 2022, said government spokesman Yvon Basil told AFP.

Vanuatu was among others devastated by Cyclone Pam in 2015.

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#MarkRutte; "Er is maar 1 conclusie denkbaar en dat is opstappen!" [_link]

— Chris Zeevenhooven (@chriszeeven) September 20, 2021

"There is only one conceivable conclusion and that is resign!"

Listen to your own words Mark! You block progressive clean energy policy and need to go for sake of the Nation.

A comment added on Sept. 20, 2009 ...

paradoxale: @ those people who think we've really made progress..

And if I want to buy a house now, what then? The energy bill? Why has purchasing power increased? If I were to buy a house, I would have exactly 0.0 purchasing power. What a bullshit on a stick.

I understand the government. To be able to participate in today's world you just have to follow a backward policy, unfortunately it is no different. Banks and large companies are now in charge, along with a top layer that maintains self-enrichment. When I read this myself I almost think, what a left-wing bullshit. But I'm afraid it really is reality.

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Free reign of mobsters now a threat to Dutch politicians ...

Dutch PM Mark Rutte under increased security due to threats: Media [_link]

— ST Foreign Desk (@STForeignDesk) September 27, 2021

Dutch PM Rutte under increased security due to threats -media | SwissInfo / Reuters |

The Netherlands has sharply boosted security around Prime Minister Mark Rutte after police received signals of a possible attack by criminals linked to the drug trade, a Dutch newspaper reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Although gun violence in the Netherlands is rare, killings and violence linked to the drug trade have become common in recent years, as underworld figures compete for territory.

A government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the report in De Telegraaf. Dutch national security authorities declined to comment on the report.

Money, Drugs, Guns, Liquidation - Love A'dam | EuroTrib - Sept. 18, 2019 |

Motive most likely a hostage taking in exchange of a prominent drug lord.

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Australian PM Morrison wants to operate in the dark, in full secrecy to avoid parliamentary scrutiny ...

Legal experts blast 'bizarre legislation' proposed to shield national cabinet from FoI requests [_link]

— The Guardian (@guardian) September 27, 2021

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Silent march for Armenian women killed in Almelo stabbing [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) September 28, 2021

Silent march for Armenian women killed in Almelo stabbing

The two women were aunt and niece, aged 70 and 52 years. "With this silent march, in addition to commemorating their loved ones, the relatives also want to express their powerlessness," lawyer Sebas Diekstra said on behalf of the victims' family.

The victims were Maral Dermovsesian and Zonund Kardanakyan, both of Armenian descent and both members of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), the Public Radio of Armenia reported. Dermovsesian headed the AGBU Women's Committee. 

A 28-year-old man from Almelo, a neighbor, is suspected of killing them. He was seen waving a crossbow around and firing it from his balcony in the same building where the women were killed. After multiple attempts to approach him safely, the police eventually shot him in the chest. He was taken to hospital, and was still unconscious.

According to RTV Oost, the suspect was admitted to mental health institutions several times with psychological problems.

'Sapere aude'

"Traditional" minority coalition government not possible says formation leader, as Cabinet talks drag on [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) September 28, 2021

No breakthrough in cabinet formation talks; "Definitive conclusions" Wednesday

De waardering voor het (demissionaire) kabinet steeg sterk tijdens de eerste fase van de coronacrisis, maar kalfde daarna langzaam maar zeker af.

Tijdens de formatie zakte het rapportcijfer snel.

Bekijk het hele rapport hier👇[_link] #Prinsjesdag2021 pic.twitter.com/IeuWU67hSn

— Politieke Barometer (@Politieke_B) September 21, 2021

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So a member of the Dutch Cabinet was for weeks making critical policy decisions about national infrastructure while already secretly planning her exit to work for an energy alliance including Gazprom?
Funny, other countries have a name for that. [_link]

— Ben Coates (@bencoates1) September 10, 2021

'Sapere aude'

It's up to the four parties to agree to continue the demissionair cabinet ...

Doorbraak in formatie in zicht: doorstart huidig kabinet wordt serieus besproken [_link] via @volkskrant

— Natalie Righton (@Natalie_Kabul) September 29, 2021

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There is a request from informer Johan Remkes to think about a specific variant that could lead to substantive discussions between the parties.

Rutte klaar met VVD-fractieberaad: "Er ligt een verzoek van de informateur om na te denken over een bepaalde variant die zou kunnen leiden tot het voeren van inhoudelijke gesprekken tussen partijen." [_link]

— AD Politiek (@ADPolitiek) September 29, 2021

"Breakthrough in formation in sight: a restart of the current cabinet is being seriously discussed

After hours of consultation, a breakthrough in the cabinet formation appears to be in sight. With the knife on the throat, a restart of the current cabinet of four parties VVD, D66, CDA and CU."

'Sapere aude'

Most likely outcome after months of political arm wrestling ... such an embarrassment for The Hague and democracy in general. Along the way, PM Mark Rutte lost 11 ministers or deputies ...

Dutch Politics Cabinet Rutte resigns following childcare benefit scandal | Jan. 15, 2021 |

In the report "Unprecedented Injustice", a Parliamentary Inquiry Committee concluded, among other things, that fundamental principles of the rule of law were violated by the Dutch Tax Authority. Legislative implementation to fight fraud leading to these violations was not sufficiently overseen by several Cabinet members, which is now one of the reasons for the Cabinet to resign. The consequences of the resignation - in particular how the outgoing Cabinet will deal with the COVID-crisis - will become clear in the next few days.

What happened!?

The childcare benefit scandal is a political affair in which approximately 26,000 parents became unjustly victim of suspected fraud with the childcare allowance and/or became victims of a hard fraud approach by the Tax Administration. The result was that many of these parents found themselves in significant financial difficulty, in some cases even bankruptcy and uncertainty for many years. Many families were pursued for fraud before the courts, ordered to repay benefits and denied the right for appeal from 2012 on.

This came to light in September 2018 and subsequently led to the resignation of state secretary of Finance Menno Snel (D66). Current Prime Minister Mark Rutte (VVD) was head of the ministerial committee against fraud at that time. Current minister of Economic Affairs Eric Wiebes (VVD) was state secretary for Finance. The Parliamentary Inquiry Committee reports he misinformed the House of Representatives about the issue. In addition, Lodewijk Asscher (PvdA), then minister for Social Affairs and currently opposition leader of the Social Democrats in the House of Representatives, was also held responsible. Asscher announced on January 14 to resign over the affair as political leader for the upcoming elections. The government has apologized and in 2020 set aside compensation of over 500 million euros.

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For a second time the left of center parties were invited to sit at the table and meet the informer. Once again, both Rutte (VVD) and Hoekstra (CDA) blocked any sort of participation of the combination Green Party and Labour. The major problems facing Dutch society cannot be solved by the present cabinet under "leadership" of Rutte.

GroenLinks en PvdA naar buiten: wij willen volwaardig mee doen aan een meerderheidskabinet. VVD, D66 en CDA moeten nu conclusies trekken #formatie pic.twitter.com/RWTxC4Z6iS

— floor bremer (@floorbremer) September 29, 2021

Five party coalition unlikely as CDA leader rules out GroenLinks PvdA idea | Dutch News - June 2, 2021 |

Cabinet formation talks break down: Right wing won't work with left | NL Times - Aug. 31, 2021 |

Mind you, sitting at the table where the only discussion was who wants to join the Rutte/Kaag cabinet and never any substantive policy talks happened. Ugly power politics for the corporate lobby groups in The Hague. People are not in consideration.

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Many of them work on a call-out basis or as freelancers and often work an irregular amount of hours each month. [_link]

— DutchNews.NL (@DutchNewsNL) September 29, 2021

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Blackstone had dit jaar zeker 330 leegstaande woningen in de stad [_link] pic.twitter.com/T34mXBx1RY

— AT5 (@AT5) August 28, 2021

Blackstone owns housing worth €800m in NL, but pays no tax

Home buyer Blackstone circumvents tax in the Netherlands due to trick

According to the newspaper, the homes that Blackstone owns in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht are housed in separate companies, which in turn are part of companies in Luxembourg, the Cayman Islands and Jersey.

The profits fall into companies in those countries, where taxes are low. On the other hand, companies in the Netherlands are making a loss on paper, due to interest charges on loans they have with Blackstone companies in Luxembourg. As a result, they have little or no tax to pay in our country, according to de Volkskrant.

That saves the tax authorities millions in corporate tax, according to the newspaper. In addition, the construction would allow Blackstone to deposit more money for Dutch homes than its competitors.

Blackstone is buying up Dutch residential property from private owners | Dutch News - March 12, 2019 |

In 2019, the UN's housing advisor accused private equity firms and Blackstone of exploiting tenants, `wreaking havoc' in communities and helping to fuel a global housing crisis.

'Sapere aude'

Berlin has voted to nationalize big landlords, which often charge exorbitant rents.

It's amazing that this is normal in other countries but the idea to turn private equity-owned homes into public housing in the U.S. isn't even a hypothetical possibility

— Dan Price (@DanPriceSeattle) September 27, 2021

'Sapere aude'

D66 willing to negotiate continuation of current coalition [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) September 30, 2021

Centrist Dutch party opens door to 4-party coalition talks | The Independent |

D66 leader Sigrid Kaag long ruled out joining a coalition with the Christian Union party due to ideological differences, but lifted that blockade in recent days in an attempt to breathe new life into the ailing talks.

She said she wants an ambitious policy blueprint for the next government.

"This means that the Netherlands will become a climate frontrunner in Europe, that we will make the largest structural investment in education ever and that the Netherlands will take a leading role at the European Union," Kaag said.

She said her party wants the new coalition to be "more progressive, more generous, more open and more humane."

But she sounded a note of caution ahead of prospective talks.

"Will it work? I do not know," Kaag said.

Climate frontrunner and more progressive policy with PM Mark Rutte? Fool yourself but not the voters!

'Sapere aude'

Less than one third of voters in favor of continuation of current Cabinet [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) October 3, 2021

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VVD starts talking about nuclear energy again: fewer wind turbines, more nuclear power plants | Tubantie - Jan.2019 |

The liberals continue to profile themselves as a right-wing party on climate change. While party chairman Klaas Dijkhoff was critical last week about the climate agreement and its affordability, the VVD is now starting again on nuclear energy.

Dijkhoff previously reopened the discussion last November with a plea for nuclear energy as a way to limit CO2 emissions. Although Dijkhoff's words are mainly criticized, it appears that the VVD has now started an investigation.

The three nuclear plans that the party has calculated consist of keeping the current nuclear power station in Borsele open in Zeeland for longer, building new nuclear power stations in the Netherlands and realizing new nuclear power stations in a European context.

Ruling party does not want to implement climate agreement

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EU on a 'tightrope' as winter gas supply worries increase | Politico - Aug. 19, 2021 |

The European Union's natural gas reserves are well under normal levels -- and if they don't fill up by October, the bloc could face a price squeeze if there's a repeat of last winter's cold snap, analysts warn.

"Going into the current winter with less in storage, Europe is walking a tightrope -- and it wouldn't take a huge gust of wind to knock us off," said Jack Sharples, a research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. "All it would take is for some [liquefied natural gas] projects currently offline to not come back on, or some unplanned maintenance on a pipeline bringing gas into Europe, or just another cold winter."

The EU has the capacity to store over 117 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas, or roughly a fifth of its annual consumption, according to Gas Infrastructure Europe.

US blame Russia for manipulating Europe gas prices, Moscow retorts the EU messed it up | EurActiv - Sept. 22, 2021 |

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Social Affairs Minister expected to resign; Will not join next Cabinet [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) October 5, 2021

'Sapere aude'

Dutch gov't ignored Red Cross offer of help in Afghanistan [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) October 6, 2021

D66 vraagt een spoeddebat aan. Honderden asielkinderen dreigen op te groeien zonder ouders, omdat @ankiebroerkes op eigen houtje een nieuwe maatregel uitprobeert. Tegen het advies van de eigen ambtenaren in. Hier is het laatste woord nog niet over gezegd. [_link]

— Hanneke van der Werf (@hannekevdwerf) August 23, 2021

Translation:

D66 requests an emergency debate. Hundreds of asylum children are at risk of growing up without parents, because @ankiebroekers is trying out a new measure on her own. Against the advice of Immigration Department (IND) officials. The last word has not yet been said on this.

New rule means hundreds of refugee children may not be reunited with their parents | Dutch News |

Caretaker junior justice minister Ankie Broekers-Knol is reportedly pushing ahead with a new measure without properly informing MPs, claims the NRC.

The ruling aims to stop children being sent ahead to the Netherlands alone and then claiming asylum for their close family. It would mean unaccompanied minors who are taken into the care of another family member here can no longer have their parents or siblings join them.

Although requests for reunification have been falling in the last few years - from 3,860 at the height of the Syrian refugee crisis to 985 last year - the caretaker government wants to limit them further. Some 90% of solo minors asked for their parents and siblings to come to the Netherlands, an average of six new migrants.

However, immigration experts have said the new policy contravenes the United Nations convention on the rights of the child and the 2003 European guideline on family renunification.

Immigration service IND also doubts whether the new measure will survive legal scrutiny, claims the NRC. Broekers-Knol is aware of the `legal and practical weaknesses' but wants to give a clear signal to stop the practice, one IND chief reportedly said.

The justice ministry did not comment on Broekers-Knol and the IND warning but told the NRC the measure had been chosen `after careful deliberation'.

....
Last year the Netherlands refused to participate in a European initiative to accommodate 5,100 children who were living Greek refugee camps because they were `unaccompanied minors sent ahead to make quarter for their families', the government said at the time.

In a xenophobic and Islamophobic Dutch society, the party VVD of Mark Rutte will gain more seats in parliament ... "earning" voters who otherwise move to the more extreme Rightwing party PVV of Geert Wilders ... a Dutch success story. 😖😡

Further reading ...

Asylum: Child Sensitive Return | UNICEF - 2019 |

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Soaring energy prices climb up EU's political agenda [_link] pic.twitter.com/aEMDZrDu4K

— Reuters (@Reuters) October 6, 2021

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Gazprom's Nord Stream 2 can challenge EU rules, EU court adviser says [_link] pic.twitter.com/tIcO7Ej42I

— Reuters (@Reuters) October 6, 2021

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Russia to Supply Natural Gas to Hungary via TurkStream

Gazprom Export, a subsidiary of Russia's state-owned Gazprom, will supply Russian natural gas to Hungary, bypassing the traditional transit route through Ukraine for the next 15 years.

According to the company statement, Hungary will start receiving Gazprom's gas via TurkStream, a pipeline running from Russia to Turkey across the Black Sea, and the pipelines of southeastern Europe beginning from October 1, 2021.

The contracts envisage supplies of up to 4.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually, of which 3.5 bcm will be transported through Hungary's interconnector with Serbia and 1 bcm -- via the pipeline running from Austria.

Ukraine Says Russia Halts Gas Flows To Hungary, Adding To Jitters In European Gas Markets | RFERL |

Further reading ...

Ukraine and the Caspian - An Opportunity for the United States | Rand - 2000 |

The United States has said that the Caspian region, and the development of its energy resources, is a key national security interest. It has also made clear its commitment to the independence of Ukraine.

'Sapere aude'

UA to trasa tranzytu do UE. HU mają drugi kierunek południowy pic.twitter.com/fhS689XKpP

— Jerzy Artur Konopko (@ArturJerzy) September 27, 2021

Gazprom ignores additional gas transit capacity via Ukraine and Poland

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Omni Energy predicts it will be 13th UK provider to go bust [_link]

— The Guardian (@guardian) October 6, 2021

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The 2 years delay in Nord Stream 2 has cost Russia billions and it was forced to invest in new Siberian pipelines to China. The higher gas price is quite welcome for Russia's Treasury. Putin promised to increase delivery to Europe, however this will not ease the pressure on price as there are too many uncertainties due to winter cold and low storage level in Europe. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Europe has lost crucial time to energy transition and investment in durable and sustainable solutions.

Rond de 150 €/MWh nu (equivalent: 300 dollar per vat olie)...

a) Marktwerking, the hard way, die leidt tot minder vraag
b) Short squeeze van suppliers die short zijn gegaan
c) Fear factor: begin van de winter met halfvolle gasopslagen
d) All of the above pic.twitter.com/QYUkr5BFuJ

— Jilles van den Beukel (@JillesAppelscha) October 6, 2021

Translation:

Price at 150 €/MWh today (equivalent: $300 dollar per barrel oil )...

a) Market forces, the hard way, which leads to less demand
b) Short squeeze from suppliers who have gone short
c) Fear factor: start of winter with half-full gas storage
d) All of the above

'Sapere aude'

Left-wing parties to be included in cabinet formation talks: Informateur [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) October 6, 2021

Not quite what the parties themselves have stated. The new coalition does not have a majority in the Senate and needs additional support in policy and legislation. The parties on the left want to participate in the talks and not be confronted with final drafts. They are willing to participate in minister posts in the new cabinet, however the Rutte doctrine of secrecy and "presidential" power should be history. Dutch government is a parliamentary democracy and should offer transparency in debates.

Not sure Mark Rutte can do a makeover and become a different personality and a truthteller.

'Sapere aude'

Dutch coronavirus risk level completely orange on EU map as Friesland improves [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) October 7, 2021

'Sapere aude'

BREAKING: Attack Submarine USS Connecticut Suffers Underwater Collision in Pacific -- USNI News [_link] pic.twitter.com/BiYpySFBCf

— USNI News (@USNINews) October 7, 2021

'Sapere aude'

Netherlands concerned about Poland's stance against European law [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) October 8, 2021

In the meantime at home ... promises, promises and simple chaos in policy. Cabinet of Rutte III resigned due to the childcare benefits scandal where the tax authority accused tens of thousands poor families of fraud. Yet today still little has been achieved to repay debt caused by errors. Yes there is a documentary and the King of Orange showed remorse, but in The Hague leading politicians are full of a restart and call it Rutte IV ...

Child Welfare Scandal Topples Dutch Government | Courthouse News |

'Sapere aude'

Lawyer for alleged crime boss Ridouan Taghi arrested; "Violent" prison break scheme alleged [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) October 8, 2021

Dutch PM Mark Rutte a kidnap target for Ridouan Taghi drugs gang | The National News - Sept. 27, 2021 |

Alleged crime boss Taghi rumored to have offered millions to assist in escape from Dutch prison | NL Times - July 10, 2021 |

Earlier diary ...

Money, Drugs, Guns, Liquidation - Love A'dam

The Taghi drugs gang likely organized a contract killing of a most wanted terrorist at the behest of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

'Sapere aude'

National interest, corporate interest ... whatever happened to consumer protection in free-market energy and EU directive competitive price forming.

Privatisations in Europe's liberalised electricity markets - the cases of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany and France | 2007 |

A Glance at the European Energy Market Liberalization | EconStor - 2013 |

The liberalization of the energy market was a very important step for the energy industry as it has influenced the economy of different countries, but most of all it had a significant impact on both industrial and domestic consumers. Over the last 25 years more and more developed and emerging economies started to streamline the process of privatization, restructuring, reorganization and liberalization in this strategic sector, initially monopolized by the government which took action through price regulation.

Government ownership on the electricity market involves a high level of responsibility. The monopolistic market is characterized by no competition in the sector, market entrance barriers, non- transparent pricing and regulation necessary in order to avoid any abuse of a market dominant position. The government's role is to protect the consumers by keeping the prices at bay and bring a restriction to possible negative effects like produced quantity limits. On the other hand, a liberalized energy market involves higher competition, consumers' right to freely choose their supplier, transparent pricing and encouragement of investments into the energy sector, all of these factors leading to overall consumer welfare.

The final objective of the liberalization process throughout Europe is to create an EU-wide integrated energy market. Though important results have been achieved in the energy market liberalization area in different countries from Europe, the final objective is far from completion and will not be reached soon.

EuroStat: Electricity price statistics 2020

'Sapere aude'

#BREAKING: Nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan passed away on Sunday.[_link]

— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) October 10, 2021

Pakistan nuclear scientist AQ Khan, at centre of proliferation scandal, dies | SwissInfo |

He was at the centre of a global nuclear proliferation scandal in 2004 that involved sales of nuclear secrets to North Korea, Iran and Libya. After a confession on national television, Khan was pardoned by then-president Pervez Musharraf but he remained under house arrest for years in his palatial Islamabad home.

In his confession, Khan said he acted alone without the knowledge of the state officials. However, he later said he had been scapegoated.

Dutch Whistleblower: AG Khan and the Islamic Bomb

...
Nuclear Spy AQ Khan - CIA/America Refused Arrest in 1975 & 1985 | @BooMan - Aug. 2005 |

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For more details, follow our main story: [_link] #etribune #DrAbdulQadeerKhan #Pakistan

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) October 10, 2021

Nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan given state funeral, laid to rest in Islamabad

'Sapere aude'

Court sentences both suspects in the murder of lawyer Derk Wiersum to 30 years in prison [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) October 11, 2021

Earlier diaries ...

Rutte Doctrine, Corruption and Media

Money, Drugs, Guns, Liquidation - Love A'dam

No words can express our grief when our democratic
system is confronted with such a brutal murder.

'Sapere aude'

First monies for youth care was cut from the national budget and left to the municipalities to organize and provide ... a miserable failure because of poor funding and lack of expertise. Years of struggling ensued with waiting lists for mental care expanding to nearly 12 months. Now this ... 😡

Municipalities using youth care money to fill other gaps: report [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) October 11, 2021

The Dutch Social Support Act in the shadow of the decentralization dream | July 17, 2014 |

'Sapere aude'

Netherlands needs better political culture: Council of Europe after childcare allowance scandal

The Council of Europe fiercely criticized the Netherlands' political and official culture in which information is withheld from parliament, and parliamentarians are hindered in their work by pressure from their parties in a yet unpublished report on the childcare allowance scandal. RTL Nieuws and Trouw got a look at the report and wrote about it on Tuesday.

Dutch parliament asked the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe to investigate the functioning of legal protection in the Netherlands following the childcare allowance scandal. Thousands of parents were left with severe financial problems after falsely being labeled fraudsters and having to pay back their childcare allowance. 

The report referred to critical parliamentarians pressured by their parties to remain quiet about this scandal. According to RTL, this happened to then CDA parliamentarian Pieter Omtzigt, SP parliamentarian Renske Leijten, and former VVD MP Helma Lodders. "It should be seen as acceptable and actually normal that MPs from coalition parties represent parliament as an institution and that participating in parliamentary scrutiny is not an act of disloyalty," the report stated.

The Commission was also critical of parliament's role in the discussion of legislation. It recommended including "harshness clauses" in new legislation so that the government can compensate citizens if it turns out they were dealt with too harshly.

'Sapere aude'

Discussing #Europe's energy crisis w/ @TheEconomist, @SPGlobalPlatts Analytics' James Huckstepp notes #fuel switching & use of #coal not options they once were for Europe.

Learn more: [_link] pic.twitter.com/h5xUuiAZ1F

— SP Global Platts (@SPGlobalPlatts) October 15, 2021

'Sapere aude'

Hopeless ...

#EU 🇪🇺 #energy ministers are holding an extraordinary Council to discuss response to the rising energy prices. #EUCO gave us a clear mandate to take the work forward based on @EU_Commission toolbox. Circumstances differ across #EU & we need a full picture to make right decisions. pic.twitter.com/pPyOzVOyjg

— Kadri Simson (@KadriSimson) October 26, 2021

EU says no agreement after energy price surge meeting

The EU Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, has said the 27 member states have been unable to find any common ground over new measures to quell increasing energy prices.

Next Summit in 2022?

'Sapere aude'

#China #natgas pipe imports again at record highs in Sep, which given the spread to #LNG is no surprise. Oil-indexed pipe much cheaper than either LTC oil-linked LNG or spot EAX LNG.
Imports from #Uzbekistan growing significantly as #Turkmenistan remains the key pipe supplier. pic.twitter.com/xNaSzjYdES

— Tom Marzec-Manser (@tmarzecmanser) October 25, 2021

Economic surge and China gas evolution

Why you could and shouldn't blame China for higher gas prices

'Sapere aude'

With spiked prices this month, the advantage will soon be adjusted to a deficit ...

Hot off the presses: latest @IEA analysis shows that the European Union has saved $70 billion in #naturalgas import costs thanks to liberalisation and spot pricing over the last decade. That includes the recent price spike. Read the full commentary: [_link] pic.twitter.com/Ru0J7UZNJ6

— Peter Zeniewski (@PZeniewski) October 22, 2021

'Sapere aude'

Putin said Gazprom could increase flows by an extra 17.5bn cubic metres via the new pipeline "the day after tomorrow" if regulators approved it "tomorrow." ⁦@maxseddon⁩ ⁦@OilSheppard⁩ [_link]

— Valentina Pop (@valentinapop) October 21, 2021

'Sapere aude'