haarlemsdagbladJul 2, 2026, 12:30

Public support for nuclear power plants weighs heavily, says state secretary

State Secretary Jo-Annes de Bat stated that local public support is a crucial factor for the Dutch government in selecting sites for two new nuclear power plants. Although Eemshaven is technically the most suitable location, the cabinet is carefully considering the significant opposition from local residents and officials.

Politics Technology Netherlands

Read original ↗

Based on reporting by haarlemsdagblad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Dutch citizens must be able to survive for 72 hours, but emergency broadcaster falls short

The Dutch government urges citizens to prepare for 72 hours of self-sufficiency during emergencies, but regional disaster broadcasters currently lack the fuel reserves to maintain service for that period. Officials are now working to establish new agreements to secure backup fuel and infrastructure, as the government faces criticism for demanding preparedness from the public that its own systems cannot yet support.

AI-generated texts appear in parliamentary debates: 'Comes at the expense of credibility'

Recent research reveals that 68 members of the Dutch parliament have used artificial intelligence to draft or refine texts for parliamentary debates. While some argue these tools simply aid efficiency, experts warn that over-reliance on AI could compromise the authenticity and public trust of elected officials.

European Commission launches investigation into Booking.com over failure to tackle fraud

The European Commission has opened an investigation into Booking.com over concerns that the travel platform is failing to adequately combat fraud and phishing scams. The inquiry aims to ensure the company complies with the Digital Services Act, which mandates that online platforms prioritize user protection and transparency.

Municipal council information portal taken offline to prevent security breach

The Amsterdam municipal government has temporarily disabled its Notubiz information system as a precaution against global cyberattacks targeting PHP vulnerabilities. This outage affects public access to council documents and live meeting streams until the security risk is resolved.

China and the US are going full throttle on AI, the EU is hitting the brakes: how wise is that?

While China and the United States push ahead with rapid AI development, the European Union maintains a cautious stance focused on strict regulation. Critics argue this approach hampers European innovation and sovereignty, while proponents believe responsible testing and a focus on specialized quality are essential for sustainable growth.