TOPIC

/ location

The Netherlands

The latest news, analysis and opinion on The Netherlands. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Amsterdam

Head of State

King Willem-Alexander

Head of Government

Prime Minister Dick Schoof

“Vision of Zacharias in the Temple”, confirmed by Dutch researchers as a 1633 original work by Rembrandt, is displayed at the Rijksmuseum Atelier in Amsterdam on March 2, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Art

Rembrandt painting rejected as not by him in 1960 now confirmed his

After years of scrutiny, ‘Vision of Zacharias in the Temple’ has been confirmed to be a Rembrandt by the Netherlands’ Rijksmuseum.

5 Mar 2026 - 7:15PM

Semiconductors

Top chip leaders urge national drive to ‘build China’s ASML’ amid US curbs

5 Mar 2026 - 5:32PM

Art

8 of the world’s most exciting art exhibitions to visit this March

4 Mar 2026 - 6:00AM

China-EU relations

EU strips AI, chips and quantum from industrial plan aimed at countering China

Leaked draft shows biotechnology and robotics are other cutting-edge sectors to be cut from Industrial Accelerator Act ahead of unveiling.

4 Mar 2026 - 1:16AMvideocam

While China is directly referred to only twice in 93 pages of legislation and annexes, the act is seen as a crucial prong of Brussels’ efforts to de-risk from the Asian giant. Photo: Shutterstock

France

France to boost atomic arsenal, could deploy nuclear-armed jets to allies

France’s Macron says eight European countries have agreed to a ‘forward’ deterrence plan to bolster continental security.

3 Mar 2026 - 4:41PM

China-EU relations

Is Europe, the world’s geopolitical punching bag, ready to hit back?

The EU could land a range of economic blows if it wants to be more than a lightweight, researchers say.

1 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU too slow to act as China rewrites global trade rules, trade chief Sefcovic warns

Commissioner calls for faster trade probes and WTO reform as Brussels confronts overcapacity, subsidies and a US$424 billion deficit.

25 Feb 2026 - 9:18AMvideocam

Maros Sefcovic said Brussels is reviewing trade defence tools and monitoring imports of Chinese plug-in hybrid vehicles. Photo: AFP

The Philippines

ICC prosecutor says Duterte bragged about drug war as ‘bodies piled up’

Edward Jeremy alleged that the ex-president drew up ‘death lists’ and children were strangled with wire and ‘sold’ to funeral homes.

26 Feb 2026 - 4:04PMvideocam

The Philippines

Duterte was ‘pivotal’ in murder of thousands, ICC prosecutors say

He has long insisted he instructed police to kill only in self-defence and has always defended the drug crackdown.

26 Feb 2026 - 3:45PMvideocam

European Union

New Dutch government under centrist Jetten takes power

Jetten pulled off a stunning election win in October to dethrone the far-right party led by firebrand politician Geert Wilders.

23 Feb 2026 - 6:20PM

Ministers of the new three-party minority government pose with King Willem-Alexander (middle right, Prime Minster Rob Jetten (middle left) and Deputy Prime Minister Dilan Yesilgöz (front row right) on the steps of Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague. Photo: AP

France

France to summon US ambassador over comments on activist killing

France’s foreign minister reacts to a US statement about the death of Quentin Deranque, rejecting ‘instrumentalisation of this tragedy’.

23 Feb 2026 - 12:09PM

Protesters hold a portrait of far-right activist Quentin Deranque, who died after being attacked on the sidelines of a far-right protest in Lyon. Photo: AFP

Artificial intelligence

Opinion | Who will save the world from a US-China AI arms race?

Unrestrained military AI could doom us all. The window for a global middle-power alliance to rein in the superpowers is closing fast.

21 Feb 2026 - 1:00PMvideocam

Electric & new energy vehicles

Geely’s Zeekr shifts into Italy as China’s European EV push gathers speed

The carmaker is pressing ahead despite tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, betting on demand for high-spec models.

20 Feb 2026 - 12:43PM

Russia

Russia demands ‘concrete’ proof that it poisoned Navalny with dart frog toxin

Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands claim Russia had the ‘means, motive and opportunity’ to kill its opposition leader.

18 Feb 2026 - 9:38PM

Lyudmila Navalnaya touches the portrait of her son, Alexei Navalny, at his grave in Borisovskoye Cemetery, Moscow, on Monday. Photo: AP

Munich Security Conference

In Munich, US urges ‘collective strength’ among allies to deter China

Washington and its Indo-Pacific and European allies emphasise need for cooperation to counter Beijing’s military build-up.

16 Feb 2026 - 6:00AM

Chinese military activities – and the need to respond to them – have been framed as a major driver of cooperation between US allies during this year’s Munich Security Conference. Photo: Xinhua

Marco Rubio

Rubio says US not disputing report of Navalny’s fatal poisoning by frog toxin

Five European governments blamed Russia for killing Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny while he was held in an Arctic penal colony.

16 Feb 2026 - 1:15PM

Russia

Russia poisoned Alexei Navalny with dart frog toxin, European nations say

Epibatidine, a deadly chemical not found naturally in Russia, was detected in samples taken from the body of the late Putin critic.

15 Feb 2026 - 11:18AM

European Union

China cuts EU dairy tariffs, easing trade tensions after EV dispute

EU called Beijing’s tariffs ‘unwarranted’, and mulls WTO action, but China cutting some duties signals possible improvement in ties.

12 Feb 2026 - 10:54PMvideocam

China slashes EU dairy tariffs easing trade tensions. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Nexperia faces 6-month inquiry as CEO Zhang’s suspension upheld by Dutch court

Investigation into firm’s governance could last six months, with one analyst warning of damage to bilateral ties.

12 Feb 2026 - 4:01PMvideocam

Thailand

Thai funeral ‘food court’ blunder: tourists looking for buffet attend wake

The tourists who were served food by a family at the funeral were impressed with the kindness of the people in Thailand.

5 Feb 2026 - 9:38PMvideocam

China economy

Opinion | US-China rivalry: great powers that don’t make things won’t be great for long

As globalisation falters, it is countries that focus on building productive capacity, not financial excess, that will come out on top.

2 Feb 2026 - 5:30AM

Children play next to The Bund Bull sculpture in Shanghai on April 9, 2025. Photo: AFP

Art

How a residency in Ireland changed everything for this artist

The Macau-born, New York-based artist makes ceramic sculptures, paying tribute to her late mother and Macau’s architectural history.

1 Feb 2026 - 10:00AM

Heidi Lau at M+ in Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

China-EU relations

Full pivot or anxious hedge? Europe’s leaders flock to China

In Brussels, a form of transactional pragmatism has taken root as bloc seeks to weather US hostility.

31 Jan 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Semiconductors

China’s Wingtech, owner of Nexperia, expects wider loss amid row over chipmaker

Wingtech projects a loss of up to US$1.9 billion in 2025, owing to the Dutch government’s takeover of Nexperia.

31 Jan 2026 - 6:07PM

Semiconductors

ASML reports heated global demand in 2025, but cools China outlook

US limits on ASML’s China trade continue to define the company’s growth pattern, with overall sales up despite China revenues falling.

29 Jan 2026 - 3:50PM

ASML CFO Roger Dassen attends a news conference after the company’s fourth-quarter earnings report in 2020. Photo: Reuters

Climate change

Caribbean island wins landmark climate case against Netherlands

The ruling mandates urgent climate action for Bonaire’s 20,000 residents, amid rising seas, setting a precedent for climate justice.

29 Jan 2026 - 1:29AM

A mangrove on the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire. Photo: AFP

Malaysia

7 Fifa-banned Malaysian footballers cleared to play after court grants stay

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said the foreign-born players linked to forgery scandal can keep competing until a final ruling is made.

27 Jan 2026 - 3:33PM

The Philippines

Duterte vs ICC: judges reject ‘unfit’ plea, set date for drug war case

The 80-year-old faces a February hearing on crimes against humanity after the court rejected defence arguments that he was unfit to take part.

26 Jan 2026 - 6:54PMvideocam

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The Netherlands

Rembrandt painting rejected as not by him in 1960 now confirmed his

After years of scrutiny, ‘Vision of Zacharias in the Temple’ has been confirmed to be a Rembrandt by the Netherlands’ Rijksmuseum.

Top chip leaders urge national drive to ‘build China’s ASML’ amid US curbs

8 of the world’s most exciting art exhibitions to visit this March

EU strips AI, chips and quantum from industrial plan aimed at countering China

Leaked draft shows biotechnology and robotics are other cutting-edge sectors to be cut from Industrial Accelerator Act ahead of unveiling.

France to boost atomic arsenal, could deploy nuclear-armed jets to allies

France’s Macron says eight European countries have agreed to a ‘forward’ deterrence plan to bolster continental security.

Is Europe, the world’s geopolitical punching bag, ready to hit back?

The EU could land a range of economic blows if it wants to be more than a lightweight, researchers say.

EU too slow to act as China rewrites global trade rules, trade chief Sefcovic warns

Commissioner calls for faster trade probes and WTO reform as Brussels confronts overcapacity, subsidies and a US$424 billion deficit.

ICC prosecutor says Duterte bragged about drug war as ‘bodies piled up’

Edward Jeremy alleged that the ex-president drew up ‘death lists’ and children were strangled with wire and ‘sold’ to funeral homes.

Duterte was ‘pivotal’ in murder of thousands, ICC prosecutors say

He has long insisted he instructed police to kill only in self-defence and has always defended the drug crackdown.

New Dutch government under centrist Jetten takes power

Jetten pulled off a stunning election win in October to dethrone the far-right party led by firebrand politician Geert Wilders.

France to summon US ambassador over comments on activist killing

France’s foreign minister reacts to a US statement about the death of Quentin Deranque, rejecting ‘instrumentalisation of this tragedy’.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Who will save the world from a US-China AI arms race?

Unrestrained military AI could doom us all. The window for a global middle-power alliance to rein in the superpowers is closing fast.

Geely’s Zeekr shifts into Italy as China’s European EV push gathers speed

The carmaker is pressing ahead despite tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, betting on demand for high-spec models.

Russia demands ‘concrete’ proof that it poisoned Navalny with dart frog toxin

Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands claim Russia had the ‘means, motive and opportunity’ to kill its opposition leader.

In Munich, US urges ‘collective strength’ among allies to deter China

Washington and its Indo-Pacific and European allies emphasise need for cooperation to counter Beijing’s military build-up.

Rubio says US not disputing report of Navalny’s fatal poisoning by frog toxin

Five European governments blamed Russia for killing Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny while he was held in an Arctic penal colony.

Russia poisoned Alexei Navalny with dart frog toxin, European nations say

Epibatidine, a deadly chemical not found naturally in Russia, was detected in samples taken from the body of the late Putin critic.

China cuts EU dairy tariffs, easing trade tensions after EV dispute

EU called Beijing’s tariffs ‘unwarranted’, and mulls WTO action, but China cutting some duties signals possible improvement in ties.

Nexperia faces 6-month inquiry as CEO Zhang’s suspension upheld by Dutch court

Investigation into firm’s governance could last six months, with one analyst warning of damage to bilateral ties.

Thai funeral ‘food court’ blunder: tourists looking for buffet attend wake

The tourists who were served food by a family at the funeral were impressed with the kindness of the people in Thailand.

Opinion | US-China rivalry: great powers that don’t make things won’t be great for long

As globalisation falters, it is countries that focus on building productive capacity, not financial excess, that will come out on top.

How a residency in Ireland changed everything for this artist

The Macau-born, New York-based artist makes ceramic sculptures, paying tribute to her late mother and Macau’s architectural history.

Full pivot or anxious hedge? Europe’s leaders flock to China

In Brussels, a form of transactional pragmatism has taken root as bloc seeks to weather US hostility.

China’s Wingtech, owner of Nexperia, expects wider loss amid row over chipmaker

Wingtech projects a loss of up to US$1.9 billion in 2025, owing to the Dutch government’s takeover of Nexperia.

ASML reports heated global demand in 2025, but cools China outlook

US limits on ASML’s China trade continue to define the company’s growth pattern, with overall sales up despite China revenues falling.

Caribbean island wins landmark climate case against Netherlands

The ruling mandates urgent climate action for Bonaire’s 20,000 residents, amid rising seas, setting a precedent for climate justice.

7 Fifa-banned Malaysian footballers cleared to play after court grants stay

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said the foreign-born players linked to forgery scandal can keep competing until a final ruling is made.

Duterte vs ICC: judges reject ‘unfit’ plea, set date for drug war case

The 80-year-old faces a February hearing on crimes against humanity after the court rejected defence arguments that he was unfit to take part.

Opinion | Who will save the world from a US-China AI arms race?