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King’s Night, the evening before King’s Day, is one of the wildest nights of the year in the Netherlands. If you are an expat...

Six activists remain in custody after blocking part of the A12 motorway, causing major disruption. Police expect they will be released later on Sunday. The protest was part of a wider demonstration against fossil fuel subsidies.

The wildfire risk is increasing across the Netherlands, with more regions now at the highest alert level. Dry conditions and wind make fires more likely and harder to control. Authorities urge people to act carefully to prevent outbreaks.

The Netherlands is set for a sunny but cold King's Day, with a wide gap in temperatures between the north and south. While the day starts bright, forecasters warn of evening showers and a chilly King's Night. Celebrators are encouraged to wrap up warm as local frost remains possible in northern regions.

Police figures show that over 400 Extinction Rebellion activists were detained during recent protests on the A12 motorway. The total includes those who reached the road and hundreds more stopped by officers beforehand. Several drivers also face mandatory retraining after intentionally creating traffic jams to support the demonstration.

Police have intervened to clear a climate protest that blocked the A12 motorway near Utrecht on Saturday. While some activists left the scene voluntarily, others chained themselves to barriers, forcing officers to dismantle sections of the guardrail. The protesters were moved onto coaches after ignoring police warnings to leave the area.

The Amsterdam AEX index closed 0.6% higher on Friday, reaching 1,020.60 points as investors rallied behind the tech and chip sectors. Key performers included Besi, which climbed 4.3% following strong quarterly results, and Adyen, which rose 4.8% after announcing a €750 million acquisition of German firm Talon.One. While broader European markets struggled and the MidKap index dipped, significant gains from chip giants ASML and ASMI helped the Dutch blue-chip index bounce back from earlier losses.

Minister Vincent Karremans is exploring a "pragmatic" legal route to distinguish fatbikes from regular e-bikes, with research results expected this autumn. Despite previous studies labeling such a distinction nearly impossible, the Minister believes he has found specific legal "hooks" that could allow for targeted regulations. This approach aims to facilitate measures like a minimum age requirement and "fatbike-free zones" for local councils, alongside an existing plan to mandate helmets for all electric vehicle riders under 18 by 2027.