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A 200-metre-wide dune landscape could protect Scheveningen by 2100

The Hague, the Netherlands, 25 June 2026 – How can The Hague remain safe, liveable and attractive for future generations as sea levels continue to rise? To provide insights in the choices, the City of The Hague has developed a long-term vision for the city's coastline, looking ahead to the year 2100 and beyond.

By establishing its own perspective on water safety and resilience, The Hague is taking a leading role as a local partner in addressing water safety challenges, while recognising that the national government and regional water authorities remain primarily responsible. This approach helps ensure that local ambitions are embedded in regional and national decision-making. The vision connects water safety and spatial planning and will inform future policies and projects related to water management and the coast.

Alderman Nur Icar (Climate Adaptation) said: “The Hague is the only major city on the Dutch coast. That makes us unique. We can be proud of our diverse coastline, which offers space for recreation, businesses, hospitality, nature, sports and tourism. At the same time, our location by the sea brings challenges. It makes us vulnerable to rising sea levels. That is why it is so important to understand how we can prepare for this together with our partners and residents. This future perspective is the starting point for that conversation.”

City Behind the Dunes

Sea level rise presents significant challenges, particularly in terms of water safety. In The Hague, the Scheveningen coastline is especially vulnerable because there is limited space to raise and widen the existing sea defences. Unlike other parts of the city's coast, such as the Oostduinpark and Westduinpark, there are currently no dunes that can naturally grow along with rising sea levels.

One promising direction is therefore the ‘City Behind the Dunes’ scenario. Under this scenario, a dune landscape approximately 200 metres wide would gradually develop along the Scheveningen coastline by 2100. This would be achieved through sand nourishment and dynamic dune management.

The dune system would be located seaward of the existing boulevard, while the beach itself would gradually move further out towards the sea. In this way, the coastline can adapt sustainably to rising sea levels. The approach would provide flood protection while also creating opportunities for nature, recreation and biodiversity. To preserve Scheveningen Harbour, technical measures such as a storm surge barrier or lock system may eventually be required.

Next steps

The future perspective is not a fixed plan, but a strategic direction that will be further explored in the coming years to assess its feasibility and effectiveness, alongside other possible measures and combinations of solutions.

The vision was developed in collaboration with experts, government partners, residents and other stakeholders, including the Scheveningen Boulevard Entrepreneurs Association (VBS) and the Association of Beach Operators (VVS).

“It is important to explore how Scheveningen and The Hague can continue to exist safely behind the dunes,” said Henk Kool, Chairman of VBS. “For entrepreneurs along the boulevard, maintaining a view of the sea is an important consideration. But doing nothing is simply not an option.”

Martin Wörsdörfer, Chairman of VVS, added:

“The Hague must remain a city by the sea, not a city in the sea. It is good that entrepreneurs are involved and will continue to be involved in shaping the future direction. We want to continue welcoming beach visitors in a safe and hospitable environment.”

To further develop the vision, the Municipality of The Hague will take an active role in intergovernmental cooperation and discussions with water safety partners. Based on ongoing dialogue with stakeholders and the city, a more definitive course of action will be determined at a later stage.

Read the full article on Stories of Purpose: https://storiesofpurpose.thehague.com/impact/how-hague-preparing-future-rising-seas

The Rural Kings men’s soccer team from the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) started their campaign in the 2026 Inter-Ministry Games with a strong performance, securing a 1-0 victory against the determined Ministry of Public Service (MPS) in their opening match on Tuesday, June 23, at DC Park.

The Rural Kings entered the competition as underdogs but overpowered their rivals to earn their first crucial three points, setting an encouraging tone for the tournament.

Head coach James Blake commended his team for the decisive win.

“The overall performance from our boys was quite good and exceptional.

“Our opponent is a good side, but credit to the boys for keeping the pressure, and we managed to score the winning goal,” he said.

He also noted that fitness, game understanding, and player coordination are areas that need improvement as they prepare for upcoming matches.

“Our level of fitness, style of play, and team size were not in the best position to counter the most determined MPS side. They are a good team, and we appreciate the challenge they provided, which gave our boys a good run on the field,” he added.

“So far, so good. The Rural Kings team is on the right track to kick off our campaign in this year’s Inter-Ministry Games.”  

Fitness training for the Rural Kings is ongoing ahead of their remaining matches.

Other sports that the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) is participating in include athletics, volleyball, futsal, netball, basketball, and table tennis.  

Organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, under the theme “Healthy Workforce, Healthy Nation,” the 2026 Inter-Ministry Games event aims to provide an opportunity for public servants to compete, interact, and strengthen working relationships beyond the office through a variety of sporting and team-building activities.  

This annual event brings together over 20 government ministries for an exciting showcase of sportsmanship, teamwork, and healthy living.  

The competition is currently underway, following its official opening on Friday, June 12, 2026.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) must take urgent action to condemn the unlawful use of the death penalty for drug-related offences and work with UN member states towards abolishing this cruel punishment once and for all, Amnesty International and Harm Reduction International said ahead of World Drug Day on 26 June.

Drug-related executions have soared in recent years, representing more than 40% of the total number of executions recorded worldwide. In 2025 alone, close to half (1,257 or 46%) of all known executions recorded independently by Amnesty International and Harm Reduction International were for drug-related offences, in five countries: China, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. Meanwhile, Algeria, Kuwait, and the Maldives made legislative efforts to expand the scope of the death penalty to include drug-related offences.

Jordan also resumed executions earlier this week, for the first time in nine years, executing six people, while the Prime Minister announced plans to expand the scope of the death penalty to include certain drug-related offences.

“The death penalty is an abhorrent practice with no place in today’s world. As executions for drug-related offences reach shocking levels, the continued silence and inaction from UNODC and the CND is deplorable and leave their stated commitment to human rights empty of meaning,” said Chiara Sangiorgio, Amnesty International’s expert on the death penalty.

“Any use of the death penalty is a violation of human rights. But its use for drug-related offences is prohibited under international law and standards. It is high time that the UN bodies overseeing international drug policy confronted the harms caused by punitive practices and make the abolition of the death penalty a priority worldwide,” said Catherine Cook, Executive Director of Harm Reduction International.

Every year, the launch of the World Drug Report on 26 June provides a public platform for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to condemn the use of the death penalty specifically as a tool of drug control, and to recommend specific measures that retentionist countries can adopt to bring domestic drug policies in line with international law and standards, as a first step. To date, it’s been falling short.

In a public statement, Amnesty International, Harm Reduction International and 61other organizations, are calling for several concrete and immediate actions from UNODC, including for the World Drug Report to include a specific chapter on human rights, updated information on the use of the death penalty for drug-related offences, and an explicit commitment to promote the abolition of the death penalty in the new UNODC strategy.  (ref. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/act50/1196/2026/en/ )

“The death penalty for drug related offences is unlawful, arbitrary and discriminatory, and it must be tackled head on. As the main UN body overseeing drug control, UNODC can and should play a critical role in turning the tide of executions,” said Chiara Sangiorgio. “Our message today is clear – the world is watching, and we will not stop demanding action until the world is free from the shadows of the gallows.”

24 June 2026 – The risk of algal blooms is rising around Australia, with a new national study warning that stronger community preparedness is urgently needed for coastal disasters.

A survey of more than 1000 people reveals significant gaps in public awareness of risks such as algal blooms, leaving communities exposed, according to research led by Flinders University and Australian National University academics.

The findings, set to be published in Coastal Futures (online in preprint), draw on feedback from all states and territories about public awareness of events such as algal blooms, which are driven by climate change, pollution and environmental pressures.

“Despite this growing threat, our research shows community understanding of these events and other extreme weather events, and how best to respond to them, remains strikingly limited,” says Associate Professor in Public Health Jacqueline Stephens, who is also a researcher in emergency disaster management at Flinders University.

“While we don’t have a clear understanding of when large-scale events may occur, or the likely scale of the impact, we have a real opportunity to strengthen community preparedness and resilience with targeted education and awareness.”

Researchers emphasise that increasing public knowledge is a critical first step, not only for building community resilience and protecting public health, but also for building informed support for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Importantly, the research points to a strong public expectation that governments should take primary responsibility for managing such risks. However, recent disaster experiences in South Australia demonstrate the powerful role of communities.

The research, driven by SA volunteers working in the Algal Bloom Shed, was sparked by the widespread algal bloom (HAB) which has hit coastal environments and businesses over the past year.

“Australia has a long history of effective community-led responses – from volunteer fire services to surf lifesaving,” says ANU Associate Professor Amy McLennan, corresponding author on the latest study.

“These community-led organisations are a major asset to Australia, and we may need new ones to address emerging disasters like HABs. Improved awareness of what’s on the horizon is an important step.”

The pre-print study, currently under review, shows that public awareness is low and there is little coordinated effort to prepare communities for the impacts, despite HABs posing a risk to human health, marine ecosystems and local economies.

Osnabrueck / Tokyo, June 24, 2026. Hellmann Worldwide Logistics marks the 20th anniversary of its operations in Japan, highlighting its continued presence in a strategically important global logistics market.

Since opening the first office in Japan in 2006, Hellmann has established a focused local presence and gradually developed its service offering to support customers across selected industries, including automotive, fashion, healthcare, and technology. Today, the company provides core logistics services such as airfreight, seafreight, customs brokerage, and selected specialized solutions. With offices in Tokyo and Osaka, Hellmann Japan supports domestic and international customers through tailored logistics services and integration into its global network.

Within its global strategy “Forward2030”, Asia-Pacific (APAC) has been identified as a key growth region, with Japan representing a stable and important market environment. Against this backdrop, Hellmann will continue to develop its activities in Japan in line with customer needs and market opportunities.

“APAC is an important region within our global strategy “Forward2030″ and Japan contributes to this as a mature and innovative market with strong connections to global supply chains. Going forward, we will continue to invest in the region and expand our capabilities to support our customers' growth with integrated, sustainable logistics solutions,” said Jens Drewes, CEO, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

“Over the past years, we have grown our APAC presence by broadening our footprint, strengthening local teams, and building more connected solutions for customers across the region. Japan is part of this development: with our teams in Tokyo and Osaka, we have established a strong local foundation that combines market expertise with the reach of our regional and global network. We will build on this momentum and continue to strengthen Japan's role within our broader APAC growth journey,” said Sven Raudszus, Regional CEO APAC, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

About Hellmann
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is a global logistics service provider with a comprehensive service portfolio that includes air- and seafreight, road and rail transport, and contract logistics. With annual revenue of EUR 3.7 bn and more than 12,000 employees in 62 countries, Hellmann moves around 21 mio shipments annually. Based on this broad product range and many years of experience, Hellmann offers innovative logistics solutions for the complex requirements of each individual customer and relies on visionary technical products to ensure maximum customer transparency while creating a more efficient supply chain.

Madrid/Nairobi 24.06.26 – Five years after three Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) staff members were brutally killed in central Tigray, Ethiopia, the Government of Ethiopia has shown no sign of concluding and sharing the outcomes of a credible and impartial investigation, despite our continuous engagement efforts. On 24 June 2021, María Hernández Matas, Tedros Gebremariam Gebremichael, and Yohannes Halefom Reda were shot while they were in the area looking for people in need of medical assistance, after reports of heavy fighting.  

One year on since MSF published its internal review into the brutal killing, the families of María, Tedros, and Yohannes have still not received any official communication or substantiated findings regarding what happened that day, and we urge the Government of Ethiopia to fulfil its obligation in finishing and releasing the investigation.

The findings of an MSF review published one year ago confirmed that the attack was an intentional and targeted killing of three clearly identified aid workers. They also established that a convoy of Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) was present at the time of the incident, on the same road where our colleagues were killed.  

May 2026 marked 10 years since the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2286, in which states committed to uphold their obligations under International Humanitarian Law and protect medical humanitarian personnel. However, the Tigray incident is emblematic of a global failure to fulfil this commitment, as states neglect their duty to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for attacks on humanitarians and medical staff.

Maria, Tedros, and Yohannes lost their lives while providing lifesaving assistance to people in crisis. Their murder must not be forgotten, nor met with silence, just as attacks should not be normalised and enabled by impunity. States need to maintain their commitment to building a safer environment for humanitarians through concrete actions and not just empty words.

MSF urges the United Nations Security Council, and all states, to take stronger action on ensuring incident accountability and the safety of humanitarian personnel. We call upon all states to uphold their responsibility to respect – and ensure respect for – international humanitarian law, including the protection of aid workers.

MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation.  MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. Every year more than 120 Australians and New Zealanders go on assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières  working as: doctors, midwives, psychologists, laboratory technicians, human resource/finance coordinators, pharmacists, mental health specialists and logisticians. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

SAN FRANCISCO – Andersen Global strengthens its footprint in Southeast Asia as VDB Loi in Indonesia rebrands to Andersen in Indonesia, becoming the newest member firm to join the organization.

Andersen in Indonesia provides tax and legal advisory services to multinational companies and foreign investors operating in the Indonesian market. The firm combines decades of market experience with a practical approach focused on delivering clear, tailored guidance across complex regulatory and cross-border matters.

“Adopting the Andersen brand reflects our commitment to providing clients with high-quality, practical tax and legal advice supported by broader international collaboration,” said Tommy Hendharto Oetomo, managing partner of Andersen in Indonesia. “Clients operating in Indonesia require increasingly coordinated cross-border support. Becoming a member firm strengthens our ability to deliver that service with consistency and clarity.”

“Indonesia remains an important market for organizations investing and expanding throughout Southeast Asia,” said Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen. “The addition of Andersen in Indonesia further strengthens our presence in the region and builds on the strong collaboration already established with Andersen in Vietnam and Andersen in Cambodia.”

Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax, legal, and valuation professionals around the world. Established in 2013 by U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 50,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 1,000 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms.

AI systems will uncover an increasing number of security vulnerabilities. This makes it all the more important to accurately assess their significance and the need for action.

Düsseldorf, June 23, 2026 — Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping cybersecurity. New AI models can identify software flaws and security vulnerabilities faster than ever before. For manufacturers of connected devices, machines and systems, the growing volume of newly discovered vulnerabilities can only be effectively assessed and managed through automated processes. These processes also enable organisations to demonstrate compliance with an increasing number of regulatory requirements. This is the conclusion of a recent analysis by Düsseldorf-based product cybersecurity specialist ONEKEY.

Based on current trends and expert assessments, the number of discovered security vulnerabilities is set to rise dramatically in the future due to the use of powerful AI systems. However, the real challenge begins after that. Companies must determine which vulnerabilities are relevant, their impact on specific products, and the necessary measures. This is precisely where AI-only solutions reach their limits.

“Finding a vulnerability is not the same as understanding its significance for a product, considering its areas of application and risks, or making decisions that withstand regulatory scrutiny,” explained Jan Wendenburg, CEO of ONEKEY. AI is useful for initial testing and accelerating security analyses. Additional tools are required to ensure predictable results, clearly traceable audit evidence, compliance documentation, and robust risk assessments.

Reliable Evidence for Decision-Making and Compliance

This is particularly relevant in light of new regulatory requirements, such as the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), the Radio Equipment Directive (RED), and the IEC 62443 series of standards. In the future, manufacturers will need to demonstrate which software components are included in their products, identify existing vulnerabilities, explain their potential impact, and detail how risks have been addressed.

While modern AI tools are increasingly capable of identifying potential vulnerabilities, the analysis indicates that companies still need transparent and robust decision-making foundations. This includes a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), vulnerability assessments (VEX), technical evidence of a product's actual exposure, and documentation that can withstand audits and certifications.

A Combined Approach Involving Firmware Analysis, Security Management, and AI

ONEKEY relies on an integrated approach that combines automated firmware analysis, vulnerability management, and AI-based support. The ONEKEY platform analyzes firmware directly at the binary level. It automatically generates a software bill of materials and assesses the relevance of vulnerabilities within a product's specific context.

This reduces the workload by more than 60 percent. Additionally, the solution effectively identifies unknown vulnerabilities, such as insecure communication channels, hard-coded credentials, and potential attack vectors through code injections.

At the same time, ONEKEY continues to expand the use of artificial intelligence across its platform. Machine learning technologies are already being used to identify additional software components automatically. AI-powered chat capabilities and an intelligent analysis assistant, which automatically classifies security findings and supports prioritization decisions, will be available this summer. In addition, the ONEKEY platform is being enhanced with agentic AI systems to provide manufacturers and operators of smart products with an effective and highly automated platform. The goal is to help organizations manage growing cybersecurity requirements and increasing volumes of security findings efficiently while minimizing the resources required.

AI, Evidence, and Security Processes

“The use of AI increases the number of results. However, professional cybersecurity decisions must continue to be transparently documented, evaluated, and monitored,” the study concluded. According to ONEKEY, relying solely on AI can actually increase risk rather than improve security without structured product security processes.

Consequently, ONEKEY is investing heavily in expanding AI within its platform. Machine learning is already being used to improve security analyses further. The development roadmap also includes new AI-based features that will support companies in assessing, prioritizing, and addressing security risks. ONEKEY will unveil its first new product features in the coming weeks.

ONEKEY is the leading European specialist in Product Cybersecurity & Compliance Management and part of the investment portfolio of PricewaterhouseCoopers Germany (PwC). The unique combination of the automated ONEKEY Product Cybersecurity & Compliance Platform (OCP) with expert knowledge and consulting services provides fast and comprehensive analysis, support, and management to improve product cybersecurity and compliance from product purchasing, design, development, production to end-of-life.

Critical vulnerabilities and compliance violations in device firmware are automatically identified in binary code by AI-based technology in minutes – without source code, device, or network access. Proactively audit software supply chains with integrated Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) generation. “Digital Cyber Twins” enable automated 24/7 post-release cybersecurity monitoring throughout the product lifecycle.

The integrated ONEKEY Compliance Wizard already supports compliance with requirements from IEC 62443-4-2, ETSI EN 303 645, UNECE R155, and many other standards and regulations.

As part of the EU-funded CRACoWi (Cyber Resilience Act Compliance Wizard) project, ONEKEY is collaborating with 13 European partners to develop an AI-powered assistant for the automated implementation of the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).

The solution will guide companies through the entire compliance process—from the initial CRA scope assessment to the generation of the required Declaration of Conformity.

The Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) is effectively supported by the integrated automatic prioritization of vulnerabilities, significantly reducing the time to remediation.

Leading international companies in Asia, Europe and the Americas already benefit from the ONEKEY Product Cybersecurity & Compliance Platform (OCP) and ONEKEY Cybersecurity Experts.