Former Medical Care Minister Tamara van Ark testified to a parliamentary inquiry commission that the Dutch healthcare system nearly reached "code black" several times during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the critical threshold was never crossed, Van Ark stated that officials had conducted drills to prepare for such a scenario.
Dutch singer Gerard Joling has released a new anthem for the upcoming World Cup, following the tradition of iconic Dutch football songs. In an interview with NU.nl, Joling discussed his contribution to the tournament's musical landscape and expressed his hopes for the national team's success.
The Amsterdam city council is debating a new coalition agreement that includes cutting 2,500 civil servant positions and significantly increasing tourist taxes. Other key measures involve canceling the planned erotic center in the Zuid district and dropping a proposed ban on foreign tourists in coffee shops. While property and waste taxes will only rise with inflation, parking permit fees are set to increase.
Rijkswaterstaat has postponed maintenance on several roads in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, and Utrecht due to a lack of funding from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The agency confirmed the decision following reports that the current budget is insufficient to proceed with the planned infrastructure work.
The municipality of Beverwijk has extended camera surveillance at skatepark De Blauwe Kikker and the local sports park until January 2027 to address ongoing safety concerns. Although nuisance levels have decreased, the measure aims to improve the sense of security for residents and visitors while permanent area improvements are developed.
A court in The Hague ruled on Wednesday that the Mauritshuis museum is not required to return 25 artworks to the heirs of former director Abraham Bredius. The judgment confirms that the museum may retain the pieces following a legal dispute over their ownership.