TOPIC

/ location

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

The cruise ship MV Hondius leaves the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

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

7 May 2026 - 9:56PMvideocam

Disease

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

6 May 2026 - 8:54PMvideocam

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.

4 May 2026 - 11:53AM

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

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 President Donald Trump at last year’s Nato summit in the Netherlands. Photo: Reuters

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

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

Steven Lyons (centre) is escorted by police officers in Denpasar, Bali, on Tuesday, Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Europe urged to ‘learn to fight for itself’ in case US-China truce collapses

European Council on Foreign Relations calls for Brussels to be prepared and ‘not wait until the next crisis hits’.

31 Mar 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

With a trade truce in place between China and the United States, Beijing has hit pause on more rare earth restrictions. Photo: Chinatopix via AP

Crime

France studies possible Iran link after bomb attack foiled at Bank of America

A link to Iran is suspected due to similarities to ‘recent attempted attacks in Europe which a pro-Iran group claimed responsibility for’.

31 Mar 2026 - 12:47AM

The Philippines

How soaring fuel prices are pushing Filipino farmers to the brink

Farmer Elmer Ullani spent seven hours transporting his produce to a trading post, but says he has nothing left after paying for fuel.

8 Apr 2026 - 3:14PMvideocam

South China Sea

Will Strait of Hormuz blockade push Philippines back to China for energy talks?

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr says a reset in the fractious relationship is under way but observers aren’t so sure.

30 Mar 2026 - 9:58AMvideocam

China and the Philippines have competing claims to parts of the South China Sea. Photo: Xinhua

China trade

UK blocks China wind project on ‘national security’ amid tense business climate

The UK government cited security concerns but gave few details, leaving observers to question if geopolitical pressure shaped move.

26 Mar 2026 - 9:57PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announce an agreement between the two countries on September 18, 2025, in Aylesbury, Britain. Photo: Reuters

China-Germany relations

Germany’s Merz floats EU-China trade deal as European capitals soften on Beijing

Remarks urging ‘strategic partnerships around the world’ underscore how tensions with the US are inducing a more accommodating stance.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:31PMvideocam

US-China relations

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Beijing happy to watch, wait and safeguard core interests – oil flows, Taiwan and trade – as its geopolitical rival spends resources on war.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:09AMvideocam

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The Netherlands

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

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

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.

Europe urged to ‘learn to fight for itself’ in case US-China truce collapses

European Council on Foreign Relations calls for Brussels to be prepared and ‘not wait until the next crisis hits’.

France studies possible Iran link after bomb attack foiled at Bank of America

A link to Iran is suspected due to similarities to ‘recent attempted attacks in Europe which a pro-Iran group claimed responsibility for’.

How soaring fuel prices are pushing Filipino farmers to the brink

Farmer Elmer Ullani spent seven hours transporting his produce to a trading post, but says he has nothing left after paying for fuel.

Will Strait of Hormuz blockade push Philippines back to China for energy talks?

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr says a reset in the fractious relationship is under way but observers aren’t so sure.

UK blocks China wind project on ‘national security’ amid tense business climate

The UK government cited security concerns but gave few details, leaving observers to question if geopolitical pressure shaped move.

Germany’s Merz floats EU-China trade deal as European capitals soften on Beijing

Remarks urging ‘strategic partnerships around the world’ underscore how tensions with the US are inducing a more accommodating stance.

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Beijing happy to watch, wait and safeguard core interests – oil flows, Taiwan and trade – as its geopolitical rival spends resources on war.

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?