Living/housing

Dutch small businesses are calling on the government to take urgent action to reduce high energy and fuel costs. Many firms are passing on rising expenses to customers, while others risk losses as fuel prices reach record levels.

The latest NVM Open House Day drew 52,000 visitors, showing a clear rise in interest compared with previous editions. Nearly 9,000 homes opened their doors, with major cities leading participation and Amsterdam recording the highest average asking prices. The NVM says supply is growing, although the market remains firmly priced.

Dutch mortgage rates have seen their sharpest weekly rise since March last year, with 41 lenders hiking prices following recent military escalations in the Middle East. According to De Hypotheekshop, the average rate for a 10-year mortgage with a National Mortgage Guarantee now sits at 3.99 per cent, marking one of the largest interest rate jumps since 2008. While these figures remain below the 4.55 per cent peak seen in recent years, experts warn that future costs will stay closely tied to energy prices and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

A 20-year-old man from The Hague has been sentenced to prison and mandatory psychiatric care for the online abuse of dozens of children. Following his sentence, he will undergo intensive supervision to prevent future offences.

Mortgage rates in the Netherlands have increased due to the Iran conflict. First‑time buyers, as well as buyers in major cities and the new‑build market, are particularly likely to feel the impact, according to ING Research.

The latest cultural showcase, ASML On Stage featured an impressive range of performances from Brazilian samba to intimate piano sets. Local artists came together to fill the city's music venues with energy, dance, and song.

On Sunday, hundreds of people gathered to protest against military conflict in Iran and the country’s current leadership. The demonstrators called for a democratic future while rejecting both the current religious regime and the return of the monarchy.

Teenagers are increasingly relying on platforms like TikTok and Snapchat for news, yet their trust in social media remains low. A new study explores how the youth encounter information online and why they remain sceptical of AI-generated content.