Wednesday 30 September

City officials in Amsterdam, including Mayor Femke Halsema, are challenging a decision by the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate to shutter a trial using dexamphetamine to treat crack addiction. Proponents argue the intervention is a vital medical tool, raising broader questions about how the Netherlands balances harm reduction with regulatory oversight. Read more →

The Dutch House of Representatives has rejected a government proposal to reform wealth taxation, creating a 500 million euro budget shortfall. The current plan would have impacted 850,000 savers and investors, leaving the cabinet scrambling to find a compromise that shields small savers from the taxman's reach. Read more →

The Public Prosecution Service in the Netherlands is adopting a stricter line on violence against emergency responders. Justice Minister David van Weel intends to double sentencing severity, signaling a shift away from lenient community service toward mandatory prison time for those who target frontline staff. Read more →

Authorities in the Slotermeer district of Amsterdam have cordoned off a residential street following the discovery of potential explosives. The Explosives Ordnance Disposal service was deployed to secure the site, forcing the evacuation of nearby homes as a precautionary measure. Read more →

The death of Paulien Cornelisse at 50 has sparked a wave of mourning across the Netherlands. A celebrated author and comedian, she was widely admired for her linguistic wit and observant commentary on Dutch social life. Read more →