Saturday, April 25, 2026
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News

Meta to cut thousands of jobs as it shifts spending to AI

Meta plans to cut thousands of jobs as it shifts more investment into artificial intelligence. Sources say the reductions could reach one‑fifth of the workforce, though no final decision has been made. The move reflects a wider trend in the tech sector as companies rely more heavily on AI tools.

Targeted attack on Jewish school in Amsterdam, damage limited

An explosion hit a Jewish school in Amsterdam-Buitenveldert overnight, prompting a swift response and renewed concern about recent attacks on Jewish institutions. Authorities say the incident targeted the Jewish community and are reviewing footage and claims posted online. Police are also examining possible links to explosions in Rotterdam and Liège.

Children take the first splash in Tongelreep leisure pool

Families in Eindhoven can return to De Tongelreep following the opening of its new leisure pool and slides. The facility marks the final stage of a major redevelopment project that has been a decade in the making.

Light festival GLOW wins prestigious national event award

Eindhoven’s popular light festival has been honoured with the Grand Prix at the National Event Awards. The prize recognises the festival's massive impact on light art and its role in putting the city on the global map.

De Bat taps into power grid reserves to prevent connection blackout

The Dutch government is taking the unprecedented step of tapping into emergency electricity reserves to prevent a total freeze on new power connections in the Flevopolder, Utrecht, and Gelderland regions. State Secretary Jo-Annes de Bat announced that existing cables will be pushed to heavier loads to accommodate new homes and businesses, a move he admits significantly increases the risk of power cuts and system failures. While high-voltage operator TenneT must still assess if these high-risk measures are enough to solve the "exceptional" congestion in the central Netherlands, the government has declared there are "no taboos" in its effort to keep the grid open, even if the solutions prove painful or expensive.

Eindhoven launches a bike scheme for low-income residents

Eindhoven has opened a new "bicycle bank" to provide 500 refurbished bikes a year to residents on low incomes. The project combines sustainable transport with social welfare by offering affordable mobility and mechanical training placements for volunteers.

Dutch government accelerates plans for mandatory self-employed insurance

The Dutch government is fast-tracking a bill for mandatory disability insurance for the self-employed, despite heavy criticism from the Council of State and the CPB. Under the new proposal, self-employed workers without private cover will pay a monthly premium of up to €171, but will only receive payouts after a two-year waiting period. While experts warn that this long gap leaves many workers vulnerable, Minister Thierry Aartsen defended the plan as a necessary "basic social safety net" that balances poverty prevention with affordable costs. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, even as concerns remain over whether tax and insurance agencies can handle the massive administrative burden.

Leading EU group including Netherlands calls for swift digital euro rollout

A group of six EU nations, led by the Netherlands, Germany, and France, has urged the European Commission to fast-track the introduction of a digital euro to bolster the bloc's global competitiveness. In a joint letter, the finance ministers argued that a digital currency is essential for a "sovereign and resilient" payments landscape that reduces dependence on non-EU systems. Beyond the digital euro, the proposals call for a more integrated capital market, unified EU-level supervision of major stock exchanges, and improved funding for start-ups. These recommendations are intended to set the agenda for next Thursday’s EU summit, where leaders will discuss how to strengthen Europe's economic independence and long-term growth potential.