De Vector

Few free sources

Two lorry drivers killed in crash on N48

The road between Balkbrug and Hoogeveen is expected to remain closed until Wednesday morning, according to a local incident report.

Two lorry drivers died in a road accident on the N48 near Zuidwolde on Tuesday. According to a local incident report, three lorries and three cars were involved; police are investigating the circumstances.

29 Sept 2026, 22:17

Few free sources

Three perspectives

Lower House seeks simpler process for reporting sexual violence

A motion calls for consultation with victims and a pilot of a digital, standardised intake for reports and formal complaints.

The Lower House debated a proposal on Tuesday to improve the process surrounding reports of and formal complaints about sexual violence. Among other things, the motion calls for a pilot in which victims and police officers use a digital intake process.

29 Sept 2026, 17:17

Three perspectives

EU seeks to deepen ties with Syria

Kaja Kallas visits Damascus as Brussels works on political dialogue, reconstruction and a new association agreement.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is visiting Syria on Tuesday for talks on the political transition, regional security and economic reconstruction. Brussels wants to deepen the relationship, but a new cooperation agreement has yet to be concluded.

29 Sept 2026, 18:22

Three perspectives

Cabinet scraps social security cuts for 2027

PM Jetten removes several planned measures from the budget, but reforms to WW and WIA remain subject to talks.

The cabinet is scrapping the planned social security cuts for 2027. In the Lower House (Tweede Kamer), Prime Minister Rob Jetten said reforms to WW and WIA would be postponed by a year for the time being, while plans concerning AOW and the maximum daily wage have been removed from the books entirely.

29 Sept 2026, 16:15

Three perspectives

Spain extends rent protection after protests

The government wants to block evictions of vulnerable tenants for longer and temporarily extend existing rental contracts.

The Spanish government has approved new housing-market measures after days of protests against high rents and forced evictions. Under the proposals, protection against eviction will be extended until 2030, while some rental contracts could be extended by up to two years.

29 Sept 2026, 15:16

Three perspectives

EU seeks emergency mechanism for sudden migration pressure

European ministers want to respond more quickly to temporary peaks at the external borders, while the number of asylum applications is actually falling.

European ministers have discussed a new mechanism for situations in which large numbers of migrants arrive suddenly. Germany wants clear criteria, faster procedures and a greater role for Frontex, but no decision has yet been taken on new EU rules.

29 Sept 2026, 13:15

Three perspectives

French school protests now hit 400 schools

The protests are spreading, but available sources do not confirm 400 arrests.

School protests in France affected around 400 schools on Tuesday, news agency AFP reports, citing the French Ministry of Education. The same source says 40 people were detained that day; on Monday, the Interior Minister reported 164 arrests.

29 Sept 2026, 22:17

Three perspectives

Pupil suspected of fatal attack at Slovak school

A teacher was killed and two others injured in Staškov; the motive remains unknown.

A teacher died on Tuesday in an attack at a primary school in north-western Slovakia. Two other people were injured; an underage pupil has been detained and police say there is no longer any danger to the surrounding area.

29 Sept 2026, 21:16

Three perspectives

Xi’s Washington visit is about more than protocol

Peng Liyuan’s presence and joint cultural appearances underlined the carefully choreographed diplomacy surrounding the summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Washington with his wife Peng Liyuan for a state visit to the United States. Alongside talks between the two governments, cultural engagements and public ceremonies also received considerable attention.

29 Sept 2026, 20:18

Three perspectives

Mansouri tasked with forming Morocco’s government

Leader of the victorious PAM party could become the first woman to lead a government in Morocco.

King Mohammed VI tasked Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri with forming a new Moroccan government on Tuesday. She could thereby become the country’s first female head of government, although her cabinet has yet to be formed.

29 Sept 2026, 18:22

Few free sources

Three perspectives

ICC under pressure to move annual meeting to The Hague

The international criminal court is facing heavy US pressure, while civil society organisations are calling for a safe meeting in the Netherlands.

The annual meeting of the states parties to the International Criminal Court is once again under discussion. A coalition of civil society organisations wants the December gathering moved from New York to The Hague because of US sanctions and visa restrictions.

29 Sept 2026, 17:17

Three perspectives

US calls talks with Russia constructive

A US official calls talks in Washington constructive, but no concrete agreements on Ukraine have been announced.

The United States says recent talks with Russian representatives about the war in Ukraine were constructive. According to a US official, the discussion covered ending the war and possible energy projects afterwards, while Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine.

29 Sept 2026, 16:15

Three perspectives

Malaysia sends 1,476 Myanmar nationals back despite warnings

The first group is leaving voluntarily, according to Kuala Lumpur, but the UN and human rights organisations fear for their safety in Myanmar.

Malaysia has begun sending 1,476 people back to Myanmar, despite warnings that conditions there remain unsafe. The government calls it a voluntary programme for Myanmar nationals without valid residency status; critics question whether that voluntariness can be fully guaranteed in detention conditions.

29 Sept 2026, 15:16

Three perspectives

Estonia points finger at Russia after fire at defence firm

Estonia’s security service calls fire at Milrem Robotics a pre-planned act of sabotage; Moscow denies it.

Estonia says Russian security services ordered the arson at a building belonging to defence firm Milrem Robotics in Tallinn. Russia calls the accusation unfounded and says Estonia has provided no evidence.

29 Sept 2026, 14:16

Three perspectives

Germany seeks raw-materials partners in Kazakhstan

Berlin and Astana want to deepen energy and raw-materials cooperation, but concrete production agreements are not yet known.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz received Kazakh President Kassym-Schomart Tokajev on Tuesday for talks on energy, raw materials and security. Kazakhstan is offering Germany closer cooperation on critical raw materials and joint production chains.

29 Sept 2026, 22:17

Three perspectives

Cabinet plans to raise VAT on flowers to 21 per cent

The increase is due to take effect from 2028, but parliamentary approval is still required.

The cabinet plans to raise VAT on flowers, plants and flower bulbs from 9 to 21 per cent from 1 January 2028. The measure is part of the 2027 Tax Plan, which the Lower and Upper Houses still have to vote on.

29 Sept 2026, 21:16

Three perspectives

Kremlin takes control of Russian Metro business

The German wholesaler formally remains the owner, but loses operational control of its Russian activities.

The Russian government has placed Metro AG’s Russian business under temporary administration. Metro says it formally remains the owner, but can no longer make operational decisions about the subsidiary.

29 Sept 2026, 20:18

Three perspectives

AFM warns of misleading investment tips online

The regulator sees social media as an increasingly important channel for financial information and deception.

The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) is warning about misleading investment content on social media. According to the regulator, investors are increasingly relying on online platforms, while generative AI makes it easier to spread credible-looking but inaccurate information through online platforms.

29 Sept 2026, 16:15

Few free sources

Three perspectives

Energy Emergency Fund pushed back to January

Low-income households with high energy bills may have to wait until after the New Year for financial support, according to new reports.

The Energy Emergency Fund will reportedly not open before the New Year after all, but only in January. This shifts the support into the heart of winter, while official documents mention funding and a target group but do not yet publish a definitive opening date.

29 Sept 2026, 15:16

Oura postpones US flotation over market uncertainty

The smart-ring maker delays its Nasdaq listing despite saying demand for the shares is strong.

Oura is postponing its planned US flotation because of uncertainty in the initial public offering market. The company has not announced a new date for its Nasdaq listing.

29 Sept 2026, 14:16

Three perspectives

EU wastes around 130 kilos of food per person each year

Households cause more than half of food waste, but agriculture, industry, hospitality and retail also contribute.

Around 130 kilos of food per person are wasted each year in the European Union. The 2023 figures include both edible and inedible parts and show that households are responsible for the largest share.

29 Sept 2026, 15:16

Three perspectives

Brussels delays methane import rules

The European Commission wants to delay parts of the new methane regulation amid concerns about energy supplies, but the new date is still unknown.

The European Commission is working to delay parts of the EU methane regulation for imported fossil fuels. The move is prompted by concerns about energy prices and possible shortages; the precise length of the delay is not yet known.

29 Sept 2026, 13:15

Three perspectives

Drone hits Ukraine's Academy of Sciences in Kyiv

The attack damaged the main building of Ukraine's Academy of Sciences and, according to the institution, killed two people.

A jet-powered drone struck the building of Ukraine's Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv on 28 September. The academy reported two deaths and heavy damage; Ukrainian authorities attributed the attack to Russia.

29 Sept 2026, 21:16

JUICE successfully passes Earth en route to Jupiter

The European space probe used its flyby of Earth to adjust its trajectory while also gathering scientific data.

The JUICE space probe of the European Space Agency (ESA) successfully completed a planned flyby of Earth on Monday. The manoeuvre changes the probe’s speed and direction on its way to Jupiter, where it is due to study the planet’s large icy moons.

29 Sept 2026, 16:15

Three perspectives

New Google imagery reveals Gaza’s devastation

Satellite imagery in Google Maps has been updated, but shows no live picture and does not by itself prove the cause.

Google Maps has updated parts of its satellite imagery of Gaza, making the physical damage visible to a broad audience. Independent media report that the new images mainly date from 2025 and 2026 and vary by area.

29 Sept 2026, 22:17

Major investigation into one million counterfeit phones

Investigators suspect an international network of selling assembled devices and large-scale VAT fraud.

German and European law-enforcement agencies have investigated an international network that may have sold around one million counterfeit mobile phones. The devices were allegedly offered to consumers through online platforms as genuine branded products.

29 Sept 2026, 20:18

Three perspectives

Councils paid Microsoft €185 million last year

An inventory of 334 councils shows how heavily local authorities rely on a single technology company.

Dutch councils together paid almost €185 million for Microsoft products and services in 2025. The inventory reveals the scale of the spending, but also the dependence on a single supplier.

29 Sept 2026, 18:22

Firefox gets new design focused on privacy

Mozilla refreshes the browser with redesigned tabs, settings and personalisation, while giving users more control over AI features.

Mozilla is rolling out a new design for Firefox to users step by step. The refresh focuses on a more cohesive appearance, easier-to-find privacy settings and greater choice around features such as AI.

29 Sept 2026, 17:17

Few free sources

Three perspectives

Meta’s camera glasses intensify privacy battle in the Netherlands

Consumer organisations want stricter limits on smart glasses, while regulators and Meta point to existing privacy rules and technical safeguards.

The debate over the Ray-Ban Meta camera glasses has escalated further in the Netherlands. New reports say that clubs and advocacy organisations want the sale or use of the glasses halted and are considering legal action, but the precise status of any proceedings has not been publicly confirmed.

29 Sept 2026, 15:16

Few free sources

Three perspectives

RIVM working on new picture of PFAS in blood

Public RIVM information does not yet confirm that a ban has already led to lower blood levels.

A new report says PFAS levels in the blood of people in the Netherlands have fallen and sees this as an initial indication that bans are having an effect. However, the publicly available RIVM pages do not yet set out this new finding in detail, meaning the conclusion cannot currently be independently verified.

29 Sept 2026, 22:17

Three perspectives

Ebola research in Congo still seeks effective treatment

An international study is under way, but no approved treatment yet exists for the Bundibugyo variant.

A clinical study into treatments for the Bundibugyo variant of the Ebola virus is under way in Congo. The World Health Organization stresses that there is still no specifically approved medicine or vaccine against this variant.

29 Sept 2026, 21:16

Four per cent of adults report long-term coronavirus symptoms

RIVM figures show that symptoms persist for several years in some respondents and limit daily life.

Four per cent of adults in the Netherlands reported in 2024 symptoms that may have resulted from a coronavirus infection and had lasted at least three months. For a large proportion, the symptoms lasted a year or more, according to the Health Monitor for Adults and Older People.

29 Sept 2026, 18:22

Three perspectives

Mandatory excess rises in 2027, final amount remains unclear

The statutory increase is certain, but official estimates differ on the maximum amount insured people will pay next year.

The mandatory excess in healthcare will rise in 2027. The law increases the amount by €60 on top of annual indexation, but the final amount will be set later through a ministerial regulation.

29 Sept 2026, 17:17

Three perspectives

NZa calls two health insurers to account over duty of care

In acute situations, essential aids are not always available to some patients in time.

According to the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa), two of the four largest health insurers are only partially meeting their statutory duty of care for outpatient medical aids. These include aids for diabetes, incontinence, stoma and wound care, among other conditions.

29 Sept 2026, 14:16

Three perspectives

Eiffel Tower director leaves after female staff excluded

Patrick Branco Ruivo will step down at the end of this year after an inquiry into a visit by a Hindu delegation.

The director of the company that operates the Eiffel Tower will leave at the end of the year. According to the operator, an independent inquiry found operational shortcomings after female staff were barred from contact with a Hindu delegation during a visit to the tower on 5 September.

29 Sept 2026, 21:16

New CDU documentary exposes crisis

The second series of Inside CDU follows the party as it searches for an answer to the AfD's advance.

German broadcaster ZDF has published new episodes of the documentary series Inside CDU. The series follows the Christian Democrats behind the scenes as they grapple with election defeats and growing competition from the AfD.

29 Sept 2026, 20:18

Videoland adds podcasts to streaming offering

The platform will launch audio and video podcasts in October and bring existing creators on board exclusively.

Videoland is expanding its streaming service from 8 October with audio and video podcasts. The platform wants to bring existing programmes, podcast brands and creators from the RTL and Videoland networks together in one place.

29 Sept 2026, 22:17

Few free sources

Three perspectives

Battle over weight-loss medication now reaches journalism too

Public sources confirm fines for media publications, but not the specific claim about a competing distributor.

The debate over reporting on weight-loss medication has escalated further. Public sources confirm that the IGJ classified various media publications as prohibited advertising for medicines, but the new claim about a competing distributor cannot be independently verified.

29 Sept 2026, 20:18

Three perspectives

Study finds less opposition to partner violence

Most people in the Netherlands still reject violence against a female partner, but that majority is smaller than in previous surveys.

More than 84 per cent of people in the Netherlands believe it is never justified for a man to hit his wife. That share was higher in previous surveys, according to new research by the University of Amsterdam and Tilburg University.

29 Sept 2026, 20:18

Manchester City found guilty of financial breaches

An independent commission has found the English giants guilty of serious breaches over nine seasons.

Manchester City has officially been found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s financial rules. The commission also found the club guilty of failing to co-operate sufficiently with the investigation on most of the charges; no sanction has yet been announced.

29 Sept 2026, 19:14

Three perspectives

European clubs explore global representative body

EFC president Nasser Al-Khelaifi wants to consider expanding club representation beyond Europe.

The European Football Clubs is exploring the creation of a global organisation for football clubs. President Nasser Al-Khelaifi said during the general assembly in Copenhagen that the time had come for a platform representing clubs worldwide.

29 Sept 2026, 18:22

Fernando Alonso to remain with Aston Martin in 2027

The 45-year-old Spaniard has extended his contract with the Formula 1 team by one season.

Fernando Alonso will also drive for Aston Martin in Formula 1 in 2027. The two-time world champion is thereby ending months of uncertainty over his sporting future.

29 Sept 2026, 14:16