Newsline - 1 July, 2010: The Dutch deadline for a coalition government comes and goes with still no sign of a deal. Belgium takes on the EU presidency, without a functioning leadership of its own. Muslims in the Netherlands call for a boycott of Israeli dates.

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Missing deadlines
Winner of the recent Dutch elections, Liberal VVD party leader Mark Rutte, said he hoped to form a coalition by 1 July. But as the deadline came and went with still no sign of an agreement, political correspondent John Tyler says we could still be waiting a while.

Rudderless Belgium at EU helm
Belgium, too, is still attempting to form a new coalition government after its own elections several weeks ago. The country takes on the rotating six-month EU presidency today and there's concern in the club it might not be up to the task. But Vanessa Mock in Brussels says the Belgians themselves are unconcerned by their country's crisis.

Dutch Muslims set date for Israeli boycott
A week before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, pro-Palestinian groups in the Netherlands are urging a boycott of Israeli dates. The fruits are traditionally used to break the fast at sunset, and campaigners claim they're mainly produced in the occupied territories. Kristal de Wit explains why she's behind the action.