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Oliver Buchannon
Lisa Vinogradova

Editor In Chief of Dutch Brief

Microsoft to Build Massive Data Centre in Amsterdam Despite Bans

Jan 27, 2026

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6 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Microsoft to Build Massive Data Centre in Amsterdam Despite Bans

A legal loophole allows the €1 billion project to proceed while Amsterdam's electricity grid buckles is struggling to power homes.

Business

Tech

Dutch Competition Is Declining, Warns Market Watchdog

Jan 27, 2026

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6 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Dutch Competition Is Declining, Warns Market Watchdog

ACM's first "State of the Market" report finds that big companies are gaining power while startups struggle to enter, with particular concerns about private equity acquisitions and dependence on American tech giants.

Economy

Business

First European Case of Bird Flu in a Dairy Cow Found in the Netherlands

Jan 26, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

First European Case of Bird Flu in a Dairy Cow Found in the Netherlands

A Frisian dairy cow has tested positive for bird flu antibodies in the first known case in European cattle, while more than 1.6 million poultry have been culled since October.

Health

Environment

NATO Chief Rutte Says Europe Cannot Do Without American Support

Jan 26, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

NATO Chief Rutte Says Europe Cannot Do Without American Support

The former Dutch prime minister dismissed the idea that Europe could defend itself without the US, saying it would require spending up to 9% of GDP on defence.

Politics

KLM Suspends Flights to Middle East Amid Rising US-Iran Tensions

Jan 24, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

KLM Suspends Flights to Middle East Amid Rising US-Iran Tensions

The dutch airline has cancelled services to Israel, the UAE and Saudi Arabia until further notice as a US carrier strike group heads toward the region.

Politics

Growing Support in the Netherlands for Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Jan 23, 2026

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4 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Growing Support in the Netherlands for Social Media Ban for Under-16s

A new survey shows 63% of Dutch people support restricting social media for children, with the sharpest rise in support coming from young adults who have grown up with these platforms.

Community

The OV-Chipkaart Is Being Retired After Nearly 20 Years

Jan 23, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

The OV-Chipkaart Is Being Retired After Nearly 20 Years

The familiar travel card will stop working by the end of 2027, replaced by a new system that stores data online rather than on the card itself.

Business

The Netherlands Is Not Ready for Extreme Rain

Jan 22, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

The Netherlands Is Not Ready for Extreme Rain

Safety board warns that 47 neighbourhoods face risks similar to the Enschede flooding that left dozens of homes permanently uninhabitable.

Environment

Dutch Trade Union Asks EU to Step In Over Minimum Wage Law

Jan 22, 2026

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7 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Dutch Trade Union Asks EU to Step In Over Minimum Wage Law

FNV argues the Netherlands fails to meet EU standards on youth wages and housing deductions for migrant workers.

Economy

Dutch Parliament Tells Government to Keep DigiD Data Out of US Reach

Jan 21, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Dutch Parliament Tells Government to Keep DigiD Data Out of US Reach

Lawmakers want to make sure the Netherlands keeps full control over DigiD and that U.S. laws cannot be used to access sensitive citizen data

Economy

Seven Lawmakers Quit Wilders Party, New Groep Markuszower Shakes Dutch Politics

Jan 21, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Seven Lawmakers Quit Wilders Party, New Groep Markuszower Shakes Dutch Politics

PVV’s parliamentary group narrowed down from 26 to 19 seats, raising questions about Wilders’ tight control, and adding fresh uncertainty to coalition talks in The Hague

Politics

Municipalities in the Netherlands Are Running Short of Staff

Jan 20, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Municipalities in the Netherlands Are Running Short of Staff

Around 1/3 local government employees are expected to retire within a decade, while vacancies already stay open longer as councils look for new ways to keep services running.

Economy

Netherlands Likely to Tax Investment Gains Every Year From 2028

Jan 20, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Netherlands Likely to Tax Investment Gains Every Year From 2028

The Dutch government wants to replace the current “assumed return” wealth tax with a system that taxes your real yearly profit on savings and investments, including value increases, starting 1 January 2028.

Economy

Beluga Whale Spotted off Dutch Coast for First Time Since 1966

Jan 19, 2026

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4 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Beluga Whale Spotted off Dutch Coast for First Time Since 1966

A rare Arctic whale was seen near Callantsoog and later along beaches near Den Helder, with marine rescuers asking people to watch from shore and not chase it by boat.

Environment

Trump Tariff Threats Over Greenland Are "Unprecedented", Says Dutch PM-In-Waiting

Jan 19, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Trump Tariff Threats Over Greenland Are "Unprecedented", Says Dutch PM-In-Waiting

Dutch leaders warn that using trade pressure to influence Greenland is unacceptable and risks damaging relations between allies.

Politics

Utrecht Explosion Puts Aging Gas Network Under Renewed Scrutiny

Jan 17, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Utrecht Explosion Puts Aging Gas Network Under Renewed Scrutiny

Investigators say a gas leak likely caused the blast, drawing attention to an older pipeline that was not due to be replaced for several more years.

Economy

Wolf Attacks Rise as Most Dutch Farms Still Lack Protective Fencing

Jan 16, 2026

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4 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Wolf Attacks Rise as Most Dutch Farms Still Lack Protective Fencing

New figures show nearly 90% of livestock owners have not installed wolf-proof measures, even though compensation and subsidies are available.

Environment

February 23 Emerges as Key Date in Dutch Coalition Talks

Jan 16, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

February 23 Emerges as Key Date in Dutch Coalition Talks

D66, VVD and CDA push toward a minority cabinet as budget disputes and parliamentary math complicate formation.

Politics

Dutch Experts Warn US Takeover of DigiD Supplier Could Threaten Digital Sovereignty

Jan 15, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Dutch Experts Warn US Takeover of DigiD Supplier Could Threaten Digital Sovereignty

Experts warn that foreign ownership of a key DigiD supplier could increase legal and geopolitical risk, even if the login system itself stays in Dutch hands.

Breaking

Tech

Alarm Grows in the Netherlands Over Grok AI Deepfake Misuse

Jan 15, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Alarm Grows in the Netherlands Over Grok AI Deepfake Misuse

Police and watchdogs warn that AI tools can quickly create non-consensual sexual images, sparking debate in the Netherlands over stricter regulation, and whether an app ban is possible

Legal

No Extra Dutch Fee on Cheap Parcels From Outside the EU

Jan 14, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

No Extra Dutch Fee on Cheap Parcels From Outside the EU

The government is postponing a planned national surcharge on low value online orders, but an EU wide €3 customs duty is set to start on 1 July 2026 for parcels under €150.

Economy

Basic Health Insurance Will Cover Three Quit Smoking Attempts in 2026

Jan 14, 2026

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4 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Basic Health Insurance Will Cover Three Quit Smoking Attempts in 2026

Netherlands expands the reimbursed stop smoking support from one to three programmes per year, so people can restart faster after a relapse with coaching and prescribed aids.

Health

Stones Thrown at Iranian Embassy in the Hague, Four People Arrested

Jan 14, 2026

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4 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

Stones Thrown at Iranian Embassy in the Hague, Four People Arrested

Police intervene during solidarity protest as tensions rise around diplomatic site, authorities stress the need to protect embassies while allowing peaceful demonstrations.

Community

More Than Half of Dutch Street Robberies Are Linked to Minors

Jan 13, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

More Than Half of Dutch Street Robberies Are Linked to Minors

Police say minors now make up 55% of suspects in robberies, up from 35% a decade ago, as youth crime turns into more serious violence.

Crime

12,000 of Dutch Social Housing Tenants Also Own Other Homes

Jan 13, 2026

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5 min read

Lisa Vinogradova
Lisa Vinogradova

12,000 of Dutch Social Housing Tenants Also Own Other Homes

New figures reveal thousands of housing association tenants also own property, intensifying debate over access to scarce social rentals.

Legal

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