News

The Dutch Cabinet has approved a new bill granting police expanded powers to collect and monitor personal data from public social media accounts to prevent public order disturbances. Minister David van Weel argued the legislation "brings the police into the 21st century," pointing to recent violent riots at the Malieveld as evidence that authorities need better tools to track online-organised unrest. While current rules only allow officers to view public information, the new law will permit the formal extraction and use of this data; however, the powers do not yet extend to private or closed groups, though future plans to include them are already under consideration.

Royal FloraHolland remains on track for a profitable year, reporting that conflict in the Middle East has had little impact on its flower imports from Africa. Despite global "turbulence," the world’s largest floral marketplace saw profits climb to €12 million last year, as higher plant prices and lower wage costs successfully offset a dip in sales volumes. While interim CEO David van Mechelen warns of a challenging year ahead, the company is shielding itself from market volatility through fixed energy contracts and new sustainability projects at its Aalsmeer site.

The online furniture retailer Fonq has officially been declared bankrupt after failing to secure the investment needed to achieve long-term profitability. While administrators are currently exploring a potential rescue deal for the company and its sister brand, Naduvi, approximately 100 employees now face redundancy. Although both websites remain online for the time being, the checkout functions have been disabled, leaving the future of the business and its outstanding customer orders hanging in the balance.

Forum for Democracy has clarified that it does not have a blanket policy to reject candidates who win council seats through preferential votes, despite reports of friction in several Dutch municipalities. While the party maintains that any requests for candidates to step aside are based on "tailored" agreements made in advance, several successful candidates in areas like Hoogeveen and Venlo have already left the party, claiming they were pressured to hand their seats to those higher up the list. Ultimately, while the FVD spokesperson insists there is no general guideline against personal votes, the resulting disputes have seen 11 candidates enter local councils without the party's formal backing.

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.

The two main left-wing opposition parties in the Netherlands have officially merged under the new name Progressief Nederland. Led by Jesse Klaver, the new party aims to become the largest political force in the country while maintaining its focus on social justice.

European stock markets ended lower on Thursday as uncertainty over Middle East peace talks pushed investors into risk‑off mode. The AEX fell 1.3 percent, while oil prices surged sharply again, with Brent crude climbing more than 6 percent.