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

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.

6 hours agovideocam

Electric & new energy vehicles

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

20 Feb 2026 - 12:43PM

Russia

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

18 Feb 2026 - 9:38PM

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

Donald Trump

UK’s Starmer slams Trump’s ‘insulting’ remarks on allies in Afghanistan

The US president had accused European troops of staying off the front lines, despite 457 British service ⁠personnel being killed in the war.

24 Jan 2026 - 4:49AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump (left) and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announce an agreement between the two countries in Aylesbury, Britain, in September 2025. Photo: Reuters

Canada

Canada considers sending small contingent of troops to Greenland

Canada’s Carney reviews role in Nato exercises as European allies push back against Trump’s threats to take Greenland.

20 Jan 2026 - 11:49AM

Greenland

Europe prepares retaliation over Trump’s Greenland ultimatum

Eight European countries consider US$108 billion retaliation and ‘anti-coercion’ tools after Trump vows tariffs on Europe over Arctic island.

19 Jan 2026 - 4:00PM

Thailand

Feathered fortunes, sky-high stakes: inside Asia’s richest pigeon race

In eastern Thailand, 5,000 pigeons brave predators and exhaustion in a gruelling sprint for a US$2 million purse.

18 Jan 2026 - 1:30PM

Pigeons are let fly in Mukdahan, Thailand, at the start of a Pattaya International Pigeon Race. Photo: Rathapon Nanthapreecha

Donald Trump

Trump hits 8 Nato allies with tariffs to force Greenland sale

The duties will start at 10 per cent in February and go up to 25 per cent in June if no deal is reached for the US to buy the island.

19 Jan 2026 - 3:35AM

127

A boy holds a crossed out map of Greenland topped by a hairpiece symbolizing US President Donald Trump, during a protest against Trump’s policy toward Greenland in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, on Saturday. Photo: AP

China-EU relations

Secret plans, angry emails: Nexperia hearing exposes tussle over China control

The court hearing could be decisive in the tug-of-war over control of the Dutch chipmaker, which sparked supply chain worries and China tensions.

15 Jan 2026 - 3:35PMvideocam

Wellness

This Chinese-Vietnamese plant-based influencer makes even haters love tofu

Wendy the Food Scientist is on a mission to make plant-based eating simple, healthy and satisfying – no ultra-processed ‘fake meat’ required.

11 Jan 2026 - 12:15PM

Cathay Pacific

Dutch passenger dies after collapsing on Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong

Man, 53, collapsed on flight from Amsterdam and was later pronounced dead at hospital despite emergency first aid by cabin crew.

11 Jan 2026 - 2:00PM

A 53-year-old Dutch man died after collapsing on a Cathay Pacific flight from Amsterdam. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Fashion

Duran Lantink’s daring designs and his first show for Jean Paul Gaultier

The brand’s creative director plays with perceptions, gender and styles – sparking debate and building his fan base, including A-listers like Emrata and Janelle Monáe.

11 Jan 2026 - 6:00AM

Designer Duran Lantink, the new creative director of Jean Paul Gaultier, is one of the boldest and buzziest names in fashion. Photo: Handout

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong customs seizes HK$18 million of suspected ketamine in baby car seats

Syndicate employed ‘ingenious’ methods to hide drugs in car seats shipped in two containers from Netherlands and Spain, officers say.

8 Jan 2026 - 8:20PM

France

Europe paralysed by snow as brutal cold snap disrupts flights, rail services

Thousands stranded as chaos grounds flights, with black ice sparking fatal accidents, while death toll rises to six in season’s worst freeze.

7 Jan 2026 - 8:16PM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

The Netherlands

.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

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

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.

UK’s Starmer slams Trump’s ‘insulting’ remarks on allies in Afghanistan

The US president had accused European troops of staying off the front lines, despite 457 British service ⁠personnel being killed in the war.

Canada considers sending small contingent of troops to Greenland

Canada’s Carney reviews role in Nato exercises as European allies push back against Trump’s threats to take Greenland.

Europe prepares retaliation over Trump’s Greenland ultimatum

Eight European countries consider US$108 billion retaliation and ‘anti-coercion’ tools after Trump vows tariffs on Europe over Arctic island.

Feathered fortunes, sky-high stakes: inside Asia’s richest pigeon race

In eastern Thailand, 5,000 pigeons brave predators and exhaustion in a gruelling sprint for a US$2 million purse.

Trump hits 8 Nato allies with tariffs to force Greenland sale

The duties will start at 10 per cent in February and go up to 25 per cent in June if no deal is reached for the US to buy the island.

Secret plans, angry emails: Nexperia hearing exposes tussle over China control

The court hearing could be decisive in the tug-of-war over control of the Dutch chipmaker, which sparked supply chain worries and China tensions.

This Chinese-Vietnamese plant-based influencer makes even haters love tofu

Wendy the Food Scientist is on a mission to make plant-based eating simple, healthy and satisfying – no ultra-processed ‘fake meat’ required.

Dutch passenger dies after collapsing on Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong

Man, 53, collapsed on flight from Amsterdam and was later pronounced dead at hospital despite emergency first aid by cabin crew.

Duran Lantink’s daring designs and his first show for Jean Paul Gaultier

The brand’s creative director plays with perceptions, gender and styles – sparking debate and building his fan base, including A-listers like Emrata and Janelle Monáe.

Hong Kong customs seizes HK$18 million of suspected ketamine in baby car seats

Syndicate employed ‘ingenious’ methods to hide drugs in car seats shipped in two containers from Netherlands and Spain, officers say.

Europe paralysed by snow as brutal cold snap disrupts flights, rail services

Thousands stranded as chaos grounds flights, with black ice sparking fatal accidents, while death toll rises to six in season’s worst freeze.

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