News

Paulette Kreté has won the regional Woman in the Media Award for her advocacy in breast cancer screening and medical innovation. The award highlights the need for more female voices in the news, where women remain under-represented as expert sources.

Eindhoven officials have launched a study into the possible reconstruction of a neo-Gothic city hall demolished in the 1960s. The move follows a successful public petition and a meeting between residents and city leaders to discuss restoring the historic landmark. Authorities are now weighing the costs and practicalities of bringing the 19th-century building back to the city centre.

Eelco Eerenberg is set to take over as the new State Secretary for Finance with a focus on overhauling the Dutch wealth tax system. The move follows the sudden withdrawal of the previous candidate and comes ahead of the new cabinet's official start on Monday. Investors remain watchful as the proposed reforms move toward the Senate for further debate.

The Big Brother Awards are an annual event in the Netherlands that "honours" the country's worst privacy offenders. This year, the police and tax authorities were among those called out for controversial surveillance and data practices. The event aims to raise public awareness about the risks of increasing digital control in modern society.

The Dutch tax authority has defended its continued use of algorithms while promising to improve its ethical standards. The organisation recently received the infamous "privacy prize" for its digital practices, leading to a public discussion on how to balance efficiency with legal rights.

Unemployment benefits in the Netherlands have risen above 200,000 for the first time in more than four years, with West Brabant among the regions showing a clear increase. At the same time, employers in Northeast Brabant continue to face major staff shortages, prompting calls to focus more on skills than diplomas. Despite these pressures, the labour market remains tight and unemployment is still historically low.

Outgoing State Secretary for Youth Judith Tielen is advising parents and organisations to stop children from using play sand, craft sand, and squeeze toys for the time being due to potential asbestos contamination. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is currently testing approximately 100 samples to determine if they exceed the legal limit of 0.1 per cent asbestos, with results expected in approximately two weeks. While a total ban cannot be issued until the specific health risks are confirmed by the RIVM, the advisory remains in place as a precaution for schools, nurseries, and households.

Caroline van der Plas is stepping down as leader of the BBB to focus on representing the countryside as a Member of Parliament. She will be succeeded by party co-founder Henk Vermeer, who aims to lead with a focus on common sense and socially conservative values. While the party has seen its popularity decline since joining the cabinet, it continues to transition from its original focus on agricultural policy to broader issues such as asylum and culture ahead of the upcoming local elections.