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The Netherlands

The latest news, analysis and opinion on The Netherlands. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Amsterdam

Head of State

King Willem-Alexander

Head of Government

Prime Minister Dick Schoof

Passengers on the MV Hondius, scan the horizon with binoculars during their voyage to Spain’s port of Tenerife on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Britain

Hantavirus outbreak: UK to isolate cruise ship passengers in ex-Covid hospital

There are around 24 British passengers and crew, as well as two people from Ireland, on board the MV Hondius.

10 minutes ago

Artificial intelligence

Why foreign buyers are returning after China’s Huaqiangbei makeover

9 May 2026 - 3:00PM

Art

5 exhibitions across the globe celebrating women who shaped art and culture

9 May 2026 - 8:00AM

Hantavirus

‘Not another Covid’ says WHO, as new suspected hantavirus cases found

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO chief, is in charge of MV Hondius’ evacuation; latest patient sat on plane near woman infected during cruise.

5 hours agovideocam

Sant Joan university hospital, where a woman with symptoms consistent with a hantavirus infection is being treated, is seen in Alicante, Spain, on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Mainland China

Chinese health authority says no need to worry about latest hantavirus outbreak

CDC says the strain behind the current outbreak, which emerged on a cruise ship sailing from Argentina, has no natural hosts in the country.

8 May 2026 - 8:47PMvideocam

Spain

Spain to repatriate guests as hantavirus-hit cruise ship heads for Canaries

The MV Hondius is expected to reach the port of Granadilla on the island of Tenerife on Sunday.

8 May 2026 - 11:25PMvideocam

Singapore

Asia faces low hantavirus risk as Singapore isolates 2 from cruise over cases

Eight hantavirus cases linked to the cruise have been reported so far, including three deaths, the WHO says.

8 May 2026 - 6:58PMvideocam

A boat heading towards the port on Wednesday from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius, which is stationary off the port of Praia, Cape Verde. Photo: TNS

World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO says cruise ship hantavirus outbreak ‘not the start of a pandemic’

The rare disease that hit the MV Hondius is usually spread from infected rodents, typically through urine, droppings and saliva.

8 May 2026 - 1:12AMvideocam

Disease

Nations race to trace passengers of hantavirus-hit cruise ship

Cruise operator says 29 passengers left the MV Hondius in St Helena on April 24, after the first death.

7 May 2026 - 9:56PMvideocam

Disease

Spain opens port to virus-hit cruise ship as rare Andes strain confirmed

Madrid steps in to help the MV Hondius, a luxury cruise ship at the centre of an international health scare.

6 May 2026 - 8:54PMvideocam

The MV Hondius anchored off Cabo Verde. Photo: AP

Disease

Deadly hantavirus may have spread between humans on cruise, but risk low: WHO

The MV Hondius will be sailing to Spain’s Canary Islands, where the 150 people on board will be examined, cared for and sent home.

6 May 2026 - 7:15AM

Health workers get off the MV Hondius as it remains off Cabo Verde on Monday. Photo: Qasem Elhato via AP

Disease

Suspected hantavirus outbreak on Atlantic cruise ship leaves 3 dead

The WHO is investigating a cluster of cases aboard the MV Hondius, a polar cruise ship now positioned off Cabo Verde.

8 May 2026 - 7:32PM

Malaysia

‘Moral harm’: Malaysia’s culture war brigade tries to hose down water festival

Kuala Lumpur’s Rain Rave Water Music Festival faces backlash from critics who argue that such vulgar imports hurt conservative values.

1 May 2026 - 4:10PM

Semiconductors

Wingtech faces delisting risk after audit failure in wake of Nexperia saga

Wingtech says it is working to restore its internal system and gain full access to Nexperia China’s data to solve the audit issues.

30 Apr 2026 - 6:43PM

Flags flutter in front of the headquarters of Nexperia in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, January 14 2026. Photo: Reuters

US-China trade war

Chips, oil and Iran: why US is raising pressure on China before Xi-Trump talks

Washington’s latest moves target semiconductor access and small Chinese oil refineries, though analysts expect Beijing to remain resilient.

29 Apr 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

The US chip industry is a major backer of greater restrictions on China. Others bills that have advanced in Washington recently include the Stop Stealing Our Chips Act, which would establish a programme to reward whistle-blowers who report export control violations. Photo: Shutterstock

SCMP Exclusives

Exclusive | Un-sanctioned: China to welcome Dutch trade minister amid Nexperia, ASML discord

Source says Beijing has quietly dropped an old sanctioning of Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, who recently spoke of wanting to lead a Dutch trade mission to China.

28 Apr 2026 - 3:02PMvideocam

Nato

Nato considers end to annual summits to shield alliance from Trump

Nato summits have seen scenes of tension with the US president, and some members want fewer of them, possibly none in 2028.

28 Apr 2026 - 5:51PM

US-China tech war

Tech war: US Congress rolls out ‘largest’ export control upgrade against China

US lawmakers push export controls to limit China’s tech access in a bid to protect the US semiconductor industry.

24 Apr 2026 - 8:53AM

ASML’s High NA EUV machine. Photo: Reuters

China technology

My Take | Is China just an emerging electro-state or an electro-civilisation state?

Like every advancing society in the past, it sees the future by seizing new energy sources and their associated technologies.

19 Apr 2026 - 9:42PM

Luxury Hotels

Review | Rosewood Amsterdam blends luxury and heritage in the heart of the city

The historic building dates back more than 300 years, and has been restored to its former glory by the Hong Kong-based hotel group.

18 Apr 2026 - 12:00PM

US-China tech war

Chinese LED chipmaker’s purchase of Dutch firm collapses after US opposition

The failed Lumileds deal highlights the growing hurdles Chinese tech firms face in overseas acquisitions under tightening US policy.

17 Apr 2026 - 10:30PM

A worker produces LED chips on a production line in China’s Jiangsu province. Photo: Getty Images

France

French minister seeks ban of Kanye West concert in Marseille

West, 48, has been heavily criticised for making antisemitic remarks and voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler.

14 Apr 2026 - 8:25PM

Kanye West performs at Hollywood Park Grounds in 2024, in Inglewood, California. Photo: TNS

The Philippines

Sara Duterte faces impeachment, but leads Philippine presidential survey. Why?

New polling shows the vice-president with a clear lead, even as impeachment proceedings against her are ongoing.

10 Apr 2026 - 5:27PMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong halts oyster sales from French brand over possible gastroenteritis link

Centre for Food Safety orders import suspension of Josephine brand oysters after cases of suspected food poisoning in Netherlands.

9 Apr 2026 - 7:52PM

Semiconductors

Proposed US chip curbs on China risk deeper supply chain disruption

New US bill pressures Japan and the Netherlands to align on China chip curbs, with potential fallout for global supply chains.

8 Apr 2026 - 8:02PM

A proposed US bill aims to close ‘critical gaps’ in existing restrictions by requiring allied countries to match US curbs on semiconductor equipment exports to China within 150 days. Photo: AFP

Indonesia

Bali rocked by spate of murder cases – is Indonesian island more dangerous now?

The cases allegedly involving foreign suspects have spurred concerns that gang disputes have moved from other countries to the island.

2 Apr 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

Igor Komarov, a 28-year-old Ukrainian, was kidnapped and later found dead in a suspected murder in Bali in February. Photo: YouTube

France

France suspects link to pro-Iranian group HAYI in foiled Paris bomb plot

The group had posted a video on March 23 targeting Jewish interests and communities in Europe, naming Bank of America’s Paris headquarters.

2 Apr 2026 - 12:12AM

Indonesia

Indonesia to deport Scottish crime boss wanted by Spain

Steven Lyons is wanted in Spain and Britain in connection with organised crime, drug trafficking and money laundering.

1 Apr 2026 - 6:33PM

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The Netherlands

Hantavirus outbreak: UK to isolate cruise ship passengers in ex-Covid hospital

There are around 24 British passengers and crew, as well as two people from Ireland, on board the MV Hondius.

Why foreign buyers are returning after China’s Huaqiangbei makeover

5 exhibitions across the globe celebrating women who shaped art and culture

‘Not another Covid’ says WHO, as new suspected hantavirus cases found

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO chief, is in charge of MV Hondius’ evacuation; latest patient sat on plane near woman infected during cruise.

Chinese health authority says no need to worry about latest hantavirus outbreak

CDC says the strain behind the current outbreak, which emerged on a cruise ship sailing from Argentina, has no natural hosts in the country.

Spain to repatriate guests as hantavirus-hit cruise ship heads for Canaries

The MV Hondius is expected to reach the port of Granadilla on the island of Tenerife on Sunday.

Asia faces low hantavirus risk as Singapore isolates 2 from cruise over cases

Eight hantavirus cases linked to the cruise have been reported so far, including three deaths, the WHO says.

WHO says cruise ship hantavirus outbreak ‘not the start of a pandemic’

The rare disease that hit the MV Hondius is usually spread from infected rodents, typically through urine, droppings and saliva.

Nations race to trace passengers of hantavirus-hit cruise ship

Cruise operator says 29 passengers left the MV Hondius in St Helena on April 24, after the first death.

Spain opens port to virus-hit cruise ship as rare Andes strain confirmed

Madrid steps in to help the MV Hondius, a luxury cruise ship at the centre of an international health scare.

Deadly hantavirus may have spread between humans on cruise, but risk low: WHO

The MV Hondius will be sailing to Spain’s Canary Islands, where the 150 people on board will be examined, cared for and sent home.

Suspected hantavirus outbreak on Atlantic cruise ship leaves 3 dead

The WHO is investigating a cluster of cases aboard the MV Hondius, a polar cruise ship now positioned off Cabo Verde.

‘Moral harm’: Malaysia’s culture war brigade tries to hose down water festival

Kuala Lumpur’s Rain Rave Water Music Festival faces backlash from critics who argue that such vulgar imports hurt conservative values.

Wingtech faces delisting risk after audit failure in wake of Nexperia saga

Wingtech says it is working to restore its internal system and gain full access to Nexperia China’s data to solve the audit issues.

Chips, oil and Iran: why US is raising pressure on China before Xi-Trump talks

Washington’s latest moves target semiconductor access and small Chinese oil refineries, though analysts expect Beijing to remain resilient.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Un-sanctioned: China to welcome Dutch trade minister amid Nexperia, ASML discord

Source says Beijing has quietly dropped an old sanctioning of Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, who recently spoke of wanting to lead a Dutch trade mission to China.

Nato considers end to annual summits to shield alliance from Trump

Nato summits have seen scenes of tension with the US president, and some members want fewer of them, possibly none in 2028.

Tech war: US Congress rolls out ‘largest’ export control upgrade against China

US lawmakers push export controls to limit China’s tech access in a bid to protect the US semiconductor industry.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | Is China just an emerging electro-state or an electro-civilisation state?

Like every advancing society in the past, it sees the future by seizing new energy sources and their associated technologies.

Review | Rosewood Amsterdam blends luxury and heritage in the heart of the city

The historic building dates back more than 300 years, and has been restored to its former glory by the Hong Kong-based hotel group.

Chinese LED chipmaker’s purchase of Dutch firm collapses after US opposition

The failed Lumileds deal highlights the growing hurdles Chinese tech firms face in overseas acquisitions under tightening US policy.

French minister seeks ban of Kanye West concert in Marseille

West, 48, has been heavily criticised for making antisemitic remarks and voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler.

Sara Duterte faces impeachment, but leads Philippine presidential survey. Why?

New polling shows the vice-president with a clear lead, even as impeachment proceedings against her are ongoing.

Hong Kong halts oyster sales from French brand over possible gastroenteritis link

Centre for Food Safety orders import suspension of Josephine brand oysters after cases of suspected food poisoning in Netherlands.

Proposed US chip curbs on China risk deeper supply chain disruption

New US bill pressures Japan and the Netherlands to align on China chip curbs, with potential fallout for global supply chains.

Bali rocked by spate of murder cases – is Indonesian island more dangerous now?

The cases allegedly involving foreign suspects have spurred concerns that gang disputes have moved from other countries to the island.

France suspects link to pro-Iranian group HAYI in foiled Paris bomb plot

The group had posted a video on March 23 targeting Jewish interests and communities in Europe, naming Bank of America’s Paris headquarters.

Indonesia to deport Scottish crime boss wanted by Spain

Steven Lyons is wanted in Spain and Britain in connection with organised crime, drug trafficking and money laundering.

Exclusive | Un-sanctioned: China to welcome Dutch trade minister amid Nexperia, ASML discord

My Take | Is China just an emerging electro-state or an electro-civilisation state?