News

The Dutch Data Protection Authority is calling for urgent government action to regulate artificial intelligence and protect citizens from discrimination. The watchdog warns that current oversight is insufficient to manage risks such as deepfakes, fraud, and the impact of chatbots on young users.

European gas prices jumped by more than 9% on Thursday morning, reaching €53.26 per megawatt-hour on the Amsterdam exchange as the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran entered its sixth day. Although a US-led plan to protect shipping briefly steadied markets on Wednesday, the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz has fueled fears of a long-term energy shortage. This latest price spike was triggered by Iranian claims of an attack on an American tanker in the Persian Gulf, leaving traders increasingly worried about the security of vital global fuel supplies.

Enexis invested a record-breaking €1.9 billion in the electricity grid throughout 2025, laying over 1,600 kilometres of cabling and constructing hundreds of substations across the northern and southern Netherlands. However, the operator warns that demand is still outstripping the pace of expansion, leaving the network at full capacity in many areas and resulting in a business waiting list of over 10,000 applications. Chief Executive Rutger van der Leeuw has cautioned that households may also face delays in the future, as the immense cost of these upgrades—exceeding daily tariff income by over €2 million—continues to place significant strain on the company’s finances.

Dutch exporters are losing millions as conflict in the Middle East disrupts major shipping and flight corridors. Logistics experts warn that diverted cargo is causing a backlog at alternative ports, leaving containers stranded and driving up transport fees. Although everyday consumer goods remain stable for now, the crisis is severely impacting the delivery of vital medical supplies.

Unseasonably warm weather has caused a spike in hay fever cases across the Netherlands, with patient numbers nearly doubling in a single week. Record-breaking February temperatures in Maastricht triggered an early release of pollen, leading to the highest allergy rates seen in years. Medical experts noted that the surge significantly outpaces figures from both 2024 and 2025.

A national strike in Belgium will ground all departing passenger flights at Brussels Airport on 12 March. The industrial action follows several days of planned rail disruptions as unions protest against government social reforms. Travellers are advised to check with their airlines as the airport prepares for widespread delays and cancellations.

A new report from the FNV trade union suggests that government spending cuts will hit women harder than men. The union argues that reduced social security and healthcare services will force many women out of the workforce to take on unpaid care roles. Following a meeting with the cabinet, unions are now preparing industrial action to protest these measures.

KLM has extended its suspension of flights to Dubai, Tel Aviv and key Saudi destinations due to rising tensions in the Middle East. The airline says it will continue to avoid the region’s airspace until it is safe to fly. Other long-haul routes remain unaffected.