Twelve Dutch universities feature in the latest Times Educational World University Rankings’ top 200, making the Netherlands the third-best performing country. Only the US (76) and Britain (31) have more universities in the top 200. But despite the strong Dutch performance overall, none are in the top 50. Leiden is …

The Dutch inflation rate remained at 2.3% in September, the national statistics office said on Thursday. Inflation has now been stable for three months. The Dutch inflation figures are lower than the average for the Euro zone. The price of air tickets increased the inflation figures, but this was compensated …

SABA–Saba Comprehensive School (SCS) held a graduation ceremony of the class of 2012 in the auditorium of Saba University School of Medicine in The Bottom. The motto of Saturday’s ceremony was “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” a fitting choice for the eight students whose …

SABA–Saba Girls and Boys Sports Society (SGBSS) celebrated its 50th anniversary with an ecumenical service and blessings at Sacred Heart Church in The Bottom on Friday, and a drum band parade on Sunday. The parade, led by SGBSS drum band, started from Saba University School of Medicine campus and ended …

Most clubbers in the Netherlands have problems with their hearing after visiting a concert or disco and one-third still report hearing peeping and whistling sounds the next day, according to research by the national hearing association. Some 130,000 people aged 18 to 35 took part in the survey. Very few …

THE HAGUE–The Dutch Government is contributing up to 7.8 million euros to limit the excessive increase of electricity and drinking water tariffs in Bonaire to 15 to 20 per cent.   Dutch informed the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on Monday that the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation and …

SABA–Vocational teachers at Saba Comprehensive School (SCS) participated in workshops last week geared towards the implementation of the Dutch mid-level vocational education MBO curriculum. The goal was “to create awareness with teachers on how to work on vocational based education” while at the same time “to assess the local needs …

The Police Force Caribbean Netherlands must strongly improve the accepting, registering and processing of reports from citizens. The Council for the Administration of Justice concluded this in its analysis of the reporting procedure on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. A similar conclusion had been drawn earlier for the Force in …

A regional “Powering Sustainable Development” Conference took place on St. Eustatius, September 25 to 27, organised by St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation with financial aid from local and regional sponsors. The conference emphasised the urgent need for a democratic development process; a plan for sustainable tourism in Statia; wide cooperation …

Government Service Caribbean Netherlands RCN organized a joint town hall meeting Thursday, with representatives of Immigration and Naturalization Service IND, Social Affairs and Employment Unit SZW, the Police and Royal Dutch Marechaussee and the Civil Registry. The meeting attracted a lower number of participants than previous town halls. Due to …

Dutch passports are to be valid for 10 years rather than five, and fingerprints will no longer be taken for inclusion, the cabinet agreed on Friday, Nos television reports. However, the passports for children under the age of 18 will still only be valid for five years, because their faces …

Commissioner Chris Johnson updated the Central Committee on matters pertaining to his portfolio, including the Audit Chamber for the Caribbean Netherlands. Carl Buncamper (WIPM) opened the discussion on Bonaire’s proposal concerning the Audit Chamber, which “had at the very least raised some eyebrows.” He stressed that while the document claimed …

Foundation Social Workplace Saba (FSWS) launched this school year’s intake for Second Chance Education SKJ and Adult Continuing Education (ACE) with a small opening ceremony at Adult Continuing Education Centre in The Bottom on Monday. The Second Chance programme gives young people aged 18-23, a second chance at obtaining an …

The customer service workshop organized by the Saba branch of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry ended Wednesday evening at Juliana’s Hotel conference room in Windwardside. Workshop facilitator Patricia Puschmann was pleased with the good number of motivated participants who proved there was real interest in professional upgrading opportunities. Each …

Thursday’s Central Committee meeting, which was chaired by Island Council member Carl Buncamper, in the absence of Chairman Rolando Wilson and member Ishmael Levenston, discussed the 2013- 2016 draft Budget with Commissioner Bruce Zagers offering an overview. He said the budget draft for 2013 was balanced and already approved by …