Archive | Dutch Brief

What Is Sinterklaas and Where to See the 2025 Arrivals in the Netherlands

Nov 4, 2025

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3 min read

What Is Sinterklaas and Where to See the 2025 Arrivals in the Netherlands

National arrival ceremony of Sinterklaas takes place on Texel November 15, followed by parades across Dutch cities throughout mid-November.

Community

Culture

Millions Of EU Officials' Phone Data Tracked and Sold

Nov 4, 2025

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4 min read

Millions Of EU Officials' Phone Data Tracked and Sold

Investigation reveals brokers selling precise phone location data from millions of devices in Belgium, exposing movements of EU and NATO staff

Economy

Legal

5 Arrested After Rotterdam Shooting, 20-Year-Old Victim Dies in Hospital

Nov 3, 2025

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2 min read

5 Arrested After Rotterdam Shooting, 20-Year-Old Victim Dies in Hospital

Police detain five suspects aged 17-24 of a fatal Rotterdam shooting as officials investigate the motive behind the early-morning attack in IJsselmonde.

Breaking

Crime

Bacterial Contamination Forces Boil-Water Advisory Across Utrecht and Other Areas

Nov 3, 2025

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3 min read

Bacterial Contamination Forces Boil-Water Advisory Across Utrecht and Other Areas

Enterococci bacteria found in reservoir calls for strict safety measures, coffee machines offline and residents are urged to boil water as testing continues.

Health

Environment

Breaking

Nov 1, 2025

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10 min read

What to Do in Groningen in November?

We’re bringing back a classic guide on events and activities to attend in Groningen during the cold and rainy season.

Groningen

Dutch Military and Hospitals Step Up War-Readiness Planning

Oct 31, 2025

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3 min read

Dutch Military and Hospitals Step Up War-Readiness Planning

Netherlands is preparing hospitals and military medical systems for potential wartime casualties as European security concerns grow.

Health

Breaking

More Job Seekers Than Vacancies in NL for the First Time in Four Years

Oct 31, 2025

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3 min read

More Job Seekers Than Vacancies in NL for the First Time in Four Years

399,000 unemployed vs 387,000 vacancies: first time since 2021 jobseekers outnumber jobs. Market cools, but shortages persist in retail, healthcare, business services, and construction.

Economy

Breaking

Halloween Increasingly Gains Ground in the Big Dutch Cities

Oct 30, 2025

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4 min read

Halloween Increasingly Gains Ground in the Big Dutch Cities

Halloween is gaining visibility in the Netherlands through city parties, haunted attractions, and pumpkin-themed events. While participation remains modest, growing engagement and retail offerings show the holiday is establishing itself in Dutch culture.

Community

Culture

Microsoft Cloud Outage Disrupts NS Travel Services and Businesses Across NL

Oct 30, 2025

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3 min read

Microsoft Cloud Outage Disrupts NS Travel Services and Businesses Across NL

Accidental configuration error in Azure cloud disrupted train ticketing and bike rentals and some services may still show residual issues

Business

Tech

How a Dutch Takeover of Chip-Maker Nexperia Sparked a Global Supply Crisis

Oct 29, 2025

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4 min read

How a Dutch Takeover of Chip-Maker Nexperia Sparked a Global Supply Crisis

Trade secrets theft and fears of European "gutting" pushed the Netherlands to seize control of a Chinese-owned chipmaker, now both sides are blocking exports and car production hangs in the balance

Business

Tech

ING Plans Job Reductions in NL Due to AI and Digital Changes

Oct 29, 2025

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3 min read

ING Plans Job Reductions in NL Due to AI and Digital Changes

Dutch bank ING forecasts workforce reduction as AI reshapes banking operations and customer service

Business

Three Hurt in 10-Car Groningen Crash; Rush-Hour Jams Reach 1,100km

Oct 28, 2025

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3 min read

Three Hurt in 10-Car Groningen Crash; Rush-Hour Jams Reach 1,100km

Pile-up on the N366 hit during the year’s heaviest morning peak, with rain and road closures leading to nationwide delays.

Breaking