• Netherlands: Dutch troops end their mission in Afghanistan
• The Netherlands becomes first NATO member to quit Afghanistan
• Six months of breast milk best for babies

• Third International Congress highlights Global Mother Divine Organization achievements in Holland
• Netherlands: International Capital of Global Country of World Peace draws 4,000th tour participant
• Maharishi Gandharva Veda music concerts to be featured in global celebrations in MERU, Holland - July 2010

• Anxiety may worsen prognosis for heart patients
• Dutch government collapses over Afghan mission
• Factbox - Collapse of Dutch government, what opinion polls say

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Positive Trends
Short Summaries of Top Stories

Netherlands: Dutch troops end their mission in Afghanistan
1 August 2010 - The Netherlands began pulling its 2,000 troops out of Afghanistan on Sunday after a political row brought down the Dutch government in June and as other Western nations show misgivings about their role in the war. The Dutch officially ended their mission on Sunday without public ceremony or even any announcement from NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). (more)

The Netherlands becomes first NATO member to quit Afghanistan
1 August 2010 - The Netherlands became the first NATO country to end its combat mission in Afghanistan, drawing the curtain Sunday on a four-year operation that was deeply unpopular at home and even brought down a Dutch government. Canada has announced it will withdraw its 2,700 troops in 2011 and Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski has promised to pull out his country's 2,600 soldiers the year after. (more)

Six months of breast milk best for babies
22 June 2010 - Babies are less likely to develop a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection if they are exclusively breastfed for at least 6 months, according to a Dutch study. 'Exclusive breastfeeding until age 6 months tended to be more protective, than exclusive breastfeeding until age 4 months,' the the researchers reported. A recent study found that $13 billion could be saved annually if 90 per cent of US mothers would exclusively breastfeed for 6 months. (more)

Netherlands: Green electricity meeting more of Dutch needs
25 February 2010 - Electricity from renewable sources in the Netherlands contributed to about 9 per cent of Dutch demand in 2009, up from 7.5 per cent in 2008, statistics showed. Wind power accounted for 45 per cent of the country's renewable energy output last year. Holland aims to get 20 per cent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020. (more)

Dutch spending still rising...on bicycles
25 January 2010 - Recession or not, the cycle-happy Dutch are still spending a lot of money on their bicycles -- nearly 1 billion euros' worth a year, in fact. About 1.3 million bicycles were sold in the Netherlands last year. The country's flat geography and high population density has made the bicycle one of the primary modes of transportation, with 18,000 km (11,180 miles) of cycle paths nationwide. (more)

First fuel cell boat cruises Amsterdam's canals
9 December 2009 - Emitting only water vapour and gliding silently through Amsterdam's centuries-old canals, a canal boat -- a popular tourist attraction -- powered by fuel cells made its debut cruise on Wednesday. The 'Nemo H2', which can carry about 87 people, is the first of its kind designed specifically to run on a fuel cell engine, in which hydrogen and oxygen are mixed to create electricity and water, without producing air-polluting gases. (more)

'Green spaces' tied to better health - Dutch study
21 October 2009 - People who live in green environs may be less likely than those surrounded by concrete to suffer a range of health problems, particularly depression and anxiety, according to a new study. The Dutch study found greater amounts of green space within one kilometer of people's homes was related to lower rates of 15 different health conditions including heart disease and diabetes. (more)

Netherlands: Essent sees 1 million Dutch electric cars by 2020
11 September 2009 - Dutch utility Essent expects to see one million electric vehicles on the roads in the Netherlands by 2020, its head of new energy said on Thursday. Essent was working with other Dutch companies to stimulate the industry, lobbying the government to speed up the introduction of electric cars, and launching demonstration projects around the country. The Dutch government introduced a system of incentives earlier this year to encourage companies and individuals to buy electric cars. (more)

Netherlands to close prisons for lack of criminals
29 May 2009 - The Netherlands is closing eight prisons due to a decline in crime that has left many cells empty. The Dutch ministry's research department expects the decline to continue. (more)

Netherlands: Dutch water systems receive high praise
27 May 2009 - The US chief environmental official said Tuesday that America can learn much from the way the Dutch manage water -- focusing more on living with it than on trying to control it at every turn. The history of the Netherlands, where two-thirds of the 16 million population lives below sea level, has been shaped by its struggle to keep dry. The country is renowned for its expertise in water management and flood defences. (more)

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Success of Maharishi's Programmes
Short Summaries of Top Stories

Third International Congress highlights Global Mother Divine Organization achievements in Holland
23 July 2010 - The Global Mother Divine Organization in the Netherlands reported on its many achievements of the last six months, on the final day of the GMDO Third International Congress, which was held in that country. All the lady Teachers of the Transcendental Meditation Programme in the nation are now teaching under the auspices of the Global Mother Divine Organization. (more)

Netherlands: International Capital of Global Country of World Peace draws 4,000th tour participant
27 May 2010 - Many visitors from the local community have been taking tours of the International Capital of the Global Country of World Peace in MERU, Holland, appreciating the unique, deeply settled, peaceful atmosphere as well as the inspiring knowledge and practical programmes of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. (more)

Maharishi Gandharva Veda music concerts to be featured in global celebrations in MERU, Holland - July 2010
26 May 2010 - Events and highlights of the annual celebration of Guru Purnima, on the full moon day in July, in MERU, Holland were recently announced, including a special series of Maharishi Gandharva Veda music concerts--the first Maharishi Gandharva Veda Festival for World Peace. (more)

Netherlands: 16-lesson course offered on Maharishi Vedic Organic Agriculture
11 May 2010 - The 16-lesson course on Maharishi Vedic Organic Agriculture was recently offered at the International Capital of the Global Country of World Peace in MERU, Netherlands, with participants from a number of European countries. Dr Peter Swan, expert in Vedic Organic Agriculture who developed the course under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, explained the main themes, and participants spoke about the course from their different angles of expertise in agriculture and the environment. (more)

Netherlands: Enlivening the Unified Field in collective consciousness - 'surprise ingredient' creating an invincible nation
7 May 2010 - On 30 April, along with all the people of the Netherlands, the Global Country of World Peace honoured Queen Beatrix in the annual celebration of Queen's Day. Congratulating the Netherlands for being the first country in the world to become invincible, Dr Peter Swan explained how this was achieved through the large permanent coherence-creating group of Yogic Flyers established in 2006 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who resided in the Netherlands for 17 years. (more)

The Netherlands and the Global Country of World Peace celebrate Queen's Day
6 May 2010 - On 30 April, leaders of the Global Country of World Peace in Holland expressed the good wishes of all those practising the Transcendental Meditation Programme in the country, on the occasion of Queen's Day--when the whole nation celebrates the birthday of the Queen of Holland. Queen Beatrix, the present monarch, chose to maintain the celebration on the birthday of her mother, Queen Juliana. (more)

Holland: Maharishi Gandharva Veda Festival for World Peace: Celebration concerts scheduled for 24-25 July
4 May 2010 - The first Maharishi Gandharva Veda Festival for World Peace, featuring two special concerts, will be held at MERU, Holland, during the global celebration of Guru Purnima on 24 and 25 July 2010. Internationally renowned Gandharva Veda musicians will perform, and each evening will culminate with Maharishi Vedic Pandits performing special Vedic recitations for world peace. The concerts will take place in the beautiful gardens of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Peace Palace. Tickets will be available online within a few days. (more)

Increased life expectancy, focus on preventive health care signal invincibility for Holland
27 April 2010 - A recent study in Holland reveals growing positive health trends in the nation, and recommends preventive treatments in alignment with Maharishi Ayur-Veda health care. 'The report is a clear sign of sustained national invincibility in Holland,' said Dr Paul Gelderloos, National Director of the Global Country of World Peace in Holland--referring to the effect of rising coherence in collective consciousness produced by the continuing large Invincible Holland Assembly of Yogic Flyers, now in its fourth year. (more)

Holland: More people learning Transcendental Meditation in 2010, especially in schools
26 April 2010 - Holland has seen increasing numbers of people learning the Transcendental Meditation Programme in 2010, including in schools. Students, parents, and school administrators have been especially motivated by research showing that Transcendental Meditation leads to integration of the prefrontal cortex with all other areas of the brain. In light of other findings that age 12-20 is a crucial period for development of the prefrontal cortex, it has become clear to everyone involved that school years are an ideal time to introduce the technique to students. (more)

Rising Dutch interest in meditation and spirituality reflects rising invincibility in the nation
19 April 2010 - In the past several years, the Dutch population has become increasingly interested in meditation and spirituality. 'In Holland, one out of every three adults says he is a spiritual person,' says Dr Paul Gelderloos, National Director of the Global Country of World Peace. This trend, he says, reflects rising invincibility in the collective consciousness of the nation, as a result of the Invincible Holland Assembly of Yogic Flyers, in progress since April 2006. The Assembly has especially created 'much more openness to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's knowledge', Dr Gelderloos comments; the Transcendental Meditation Programme is increasingly in the mainstream of public interest and attention. (more)

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Flops
Short Summaries of Top Stories

Anxiety may worsen prognosis for heart patients
9 July 2010 - Anxiety increases heart patients' likelihood of suffering a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure, new research shows. And the link between anxiety and such events can't be explained by health behaviours like smoking, severity of disease, or biological factors such as hormone levels or heart rate, researchers found. Nearly 10 per cent of those with generalized anxiety disorder had a heart-related event in a given year, compared to about 7 per cent for those without the disorder. After the researchers accounted for dozens of factors that might explain why the anxious patients were at greater risk, the relationship was still there, with anxiety disorder increasing risk by 74 per cent. (more)

Dutch government collapses over Afghan mission
20 February 2010 - The Dutch coalition government collapsed on 20 February over whether to extend the country's military mission in Afghanistan, leaving the future of its 1,600 soldiers fighting there uncertain. An early election is now expected. Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende announced that the second largest party in his three-party alliance is quitting, ending an uneasy partnership. Opinion polls suggest the Afghan war is deeply unpopular in the Netherlands. The Labour Party, which has been dropping in the polls, appeared determined to take a stand with next month's local elections in mind. An election in the next few months could see a further boost for extreme anti-immigrant populist Geert Wilders, whose ranking in the polls rivals Balkenende's. (more)

Factbox - Collapse of Dutch government, what opinion polls say
20 February 2010 - The Dutch coalition government collapsed Saturday, two days before its third anniversary, in a dispute over extending the country's NATO mission in Afghanistan. Following are five facts about the government and opinion polls on the potential next administration. (more)

Scenarios - Dutch government collapses
20 February 2010 - The Dutch coalition government collapsed on Saturday after the two largest parties disagreed over whether to withdraw the 2,000 Dutch troops from Afghanistan as planned this year. Following is a look at the consequences of the collapse. (more)

Pot smoking during pregnancy may stunt fetal growth
25 January 2010 - Women who smoke marijuana during pregnancy may impair their baby's growth and development in the womb, a new study suggests. Poor fetal growth and reduced head circumference at birth are linked to an increased risk of problems with thinking, memory, and behaviour in childhood. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy is known to impair fetal growth, but studies on the potential effects of marijuana have been inconclusive. For the new study, researchers in the Netherlands followed more than 7,000 pregnant women, 3 per cent of whom acknowledged smoking marijuana at least during early pregnancy. They found that babies born to marijuana users tended to weigh less and have smaller heads than other infants. What's more, the study found, the longer a woman had used marijuana during pregnancy, the stronger the impact on birth size -- suggesting that the drug itself was to blame. (more)

Smoking, drinking increases risks of gut, throat cancers
1 January 2010 - A new study confirms that smoking raises a person's risks of the major forms of esophageal and stomach cancers, while drinking has more narrow effects. In a study that followed more than 120,000 Dutch adults for 16 years, researchers found that smoking increased the risk of the two main forms of stomach cancer, as well as the two forms of esophageal cancer -- by anywhere from 60 per cent to 263 per cent versus non-smokers. Alcohol, in contrast, affected only the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, the form found in the upper part of the esophagus. People who, at the study's start, drank more than 30 grams of alcohol per day -- equivalent to two to three glasses of wine -- were nearly five times more likely to develop the cancer than abstainers were. (more)

Alcohol on screen drives viewers to drink: Netherlands study
4 March 2009 - Watching films and ads in which alcohol features prominently drives people to immediately reach for the bottle themselves, Dutch researchers said on Wednesday. An experiment with students showed that volunteers exposed to a film and commercials where alcohol featured predominately drank an average one-and-a-half bottles of beer more during the hour they were watching. The findings highlight a potential need to explicitly warn people -- and parents -- if movies contain alcohol use because such portrayals have a direct effect on drinking, researchers at Radboud University Nijmegen said. (more)

Canadians, Dutch seek more allies for Afghan mission
19 September 2007 - Canada and the Netherlands will urge fellow NATO members to send troops to the troubled southern regions of Afghanistan, Dutch news agency ANP quoted their defence ministers as saying on Wednesday. Canada and the Netherlands plan to press the issue at an informal meeting of NATO ministers in the Dutch town of Noordwijk on 25 October. (more)

Scientists weigh downside of palm oil as biofuel
1 April 2007 - Only a few years ago, oil from palm trees was viewed as an ideal biofuel: a cheap, renewable alternative to petroleum that would fight global warming. Energy companies began converting generators and production soared. Now, it's increasingly seen as an example of how well meaning efforts to limit climate-changing carbon emissions may backfire. (more)

Paper: Dutch troops abused Iraq prisoners in 2003
17 November 2006 - Dutch military interrogators abused dozens of Iraqi prisoners in 2003, dousing them with water to keep them awake and exposing them to high-pitched noises and strong lights, a Dutch newspaper reported. (more)