Thursday 1 October

Finance Minister Eelco Heinen is scrambling to revise tax proposals to protect 850,000 small-scale savers following intense public backlash. The government faces a critical parliamentary vote on November 12 and must now balance fiscal policy with political survival to avoid alienating smaller investors. Read more →

The city of Amsterdam is scrapping its neighborhood budget program, citing administrative hurdles and a failure to reach a diverse demographic. While the city claims the funds will be redirected to citizen assemblies, the move leaves local residents without a direct mechanism to vote on their own neighborhood improvements. Read more →

Customs officials at Schiphol Airport have intercepted 18 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the carry-on luggage of a crew member arriving from Mexico. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee is investigating the breach, which serves as a grim reminder of the airport’s ongoing struggle against drug trafficking. Read more →

A collision between two KLM Boeing 737s at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has been blamed on human error within the air-traffic control tower. While no passengers were injured, the incident has prompted an urgent review of the airport's complex layout and safety protocols to prevent future ground mishaps. Read more →

Singer Sia has sold half of her music catalog to Pophouse Entertainment, a Swedish firm co-founded by ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus, for $180 million. The deal signals a growing trend where aging and current pop stars cash in on their intellectual property to fund high-tech, digital-avatar-driven performance ventures. Read more →