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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

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra inspects a bomb shelter, built by villagers, during a trip to the Kap Choeng border district on Wednesday. Photo: Thai Government Handout/EPA-EFE

Thailand

Outcome of Thailand-Cambodia border talks in the balance amid ‘trust deficit’

Bangkok’s resistance to Phnom Penh’s attempts to ‘internationalise’ the border dispute is likely to affect the meeting, experts say.

12 Jun 2025 - 5:50PM

Nato

‘Quantum leap’: Nato chief to urge 400 per cent rise in air defence

9 Jun 2025 - 6:26PMvideocam

Thailand

Cambodia and Thailand agree to restore border troops after deadly clash

9 Jun 2025 - 8:20AM

United States

US hits ICC judges with sanctions over Israel, Afghanistan cases

Washington targets four judges with travel bans and asset freezes; ICC condemns move.

6 Jun 2025 - 2:13PM

The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. File photo: AP

European Union

The Dutch government has collapsed. What happens next?

The government, with limited powers, now has to lead the country for months before new elections.

4 Jun 2025 - 7:32PM

Americas and the Caribbean

El Salvador convicts ex-military for 1982 killings of Dutch journalists

Former defence minister and two retired officers sentenced to 15 years in landmark ruling decades after civil war atrocity.

4 Jun 2025 - 1:26PM

Sex and relationships

200-year-old condom made from sheep’s appendix goes on display

Prophylactic on show in Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum bears the phrase ‘This is my choice’ and an erotic image of a nun and three clergymen.

4 Jun 2025 - 12:34AM

A condom made around 1830 and emblazoned with erotic art on display at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum. Photo: Rijksmuseum via AP

European Union

Dutch government collapses as Wilders quits coalition over immigration

The EU’s fifth-largest economy, the Netherlands is likely facing snap elections and political uncertainty.

3 Jun 2025 - 10:32PM

Art

African artist riffs on Van Gogh in historic exhibition in Amsterdam

Nigerian artist John Madu’s exhibition ‘Paint Your Path’ is the first solo exhibition by an African artist at Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum.

3 Jun 2025 - 3:15PM

Ukraine war

Ukraine invited to Nato summit as peace talks make little headway

Trump ‘open’ to meeting leaders of Ukraine and Russia to push for a ceasefire.

3 Jun 2025 - 11:42AM

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in Vilnius, Lithuania on Monday. Photo: AP

Cambodia

Cambodia to lodge ICJ complaint over border dispute with Thailand

Thai authorities say Cambodian troops were inside a disputed area, but Phnom Penh has demanded an investigation into the ‘unprovoked attack’.

2 Jun 2025 - 7:45PM

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet has said his country will file a complaint with the International Court of Justice to adjudicate over its borders with Thailand. Photo: AFP

Britain

‘Message to Moscow’: UK boosts military spending amid threat from Russia.

‘The threat we face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War,’ PM Keir Starmer said.

3 Jun 2025 - 12:43AMvideocam

The Philippines

A legal impossibility? Experts weigh in on Duterte’s Davao win from detention

Legal experts question the legitimacy of a mayoral oath taken in international detention – and warn it could set a dangerous precedent.

2 Jun 2025 - 10:06AMvideocam

China-EU relations

China, EU semiconductor firms meet to enhance supply-chain security amid ‘bullying’

More than 40 companies participate in a government-hosted meeting in Beijing to enhance supply-chain resilience, with rare earths discussed.

28 May 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

A worker handles materials during the semiconductor-production process in China’s Shandong province. Photo: AFP

United States

Opinion | Imagine a US where Trump refuses to back down from trade war with China

Americans might have to make their own clothes, and industries dependent on imports – from aerospace to pharmaceuticals – could collapse.

27 May 2025 - 7:25PM

Customers inundated with choice at a discount store in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 7, 2022. Photo: AFP

Shein

Shein risks fines over breaches of EU consumer law

Chinese-founded e-commerce platform is working with regulators to address their concerns, a company spokesperson said.

27 May 2025 - 11:52AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Suriname elects leaders to steer new-found oil wealth

Tiny South America nation – which has growing ties to China – is battling debt but recent offshore crude discoveries suggest this may change.

26 May 2025 - 10:29AM

US-China relations

Why is China fighting so hard against the US’ new chip ban – and will it work?

Beijing’s strong reaction to new US curbs on Chinese chips stems from a growing confidence that it can outlast Washington in a stand-off, analysts say.

23 May 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

The US ban on the global use of advanced Chinese microchips specifically references Ascend chips made by tech giant Huawei Technologies. Photo: Getty Images

Spain

Spain proposes 100% tax on non-EU house buyers

UK citizens are the biggest foreign buyers of Spanish property; Germans, Dutch and other European Union residents will be exempt.

23 May 2025 - 5:58PMvideocam

US-China relations

In further high-level exchange, China and US say channels remain open

Chinese vice-foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu and US counterpart Christopher Landau talk by phone on Thursday, Beijing says.

23 May 2025 - 4:08PMvideocam

Indonesia

Indonesia urged to acknowledge mass rapes during 1998 anti-Chinese riots

Community holds events to commemorate the tragedy and says official acknowledgement of the violence will boost reconciliation efforts.

22 May 2025 - 3:42PMvideocam

Chinese-Indonesians hold an event to commemorate the 1998 riots. Photo: SCMP

Donald Trump

Trump ambushes South Africa’s Ramaphosa with false ‘white genocide’ claims

US president baselessly alleges mass killings of white South Africans during a tense White House meeting.

22 May 2025 - 12:17PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump shows pictures and articles as he meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Photo: AP

The Philippines

Philippines’ Marcos offers reconciliation with Dutertes – will it work?

Marcos’ offer comes after a series of politically charged developments and is seen as a bid to boost his declining approval ratings.

20 May 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

My Take

My Take | The world’s biggest rogue state looks to sanction little Hong Kong

As it targets the city’s judiciary, the US has paralysed the work of the ICC while planning for the ethnic cleansing and displacement of Gazans.

18 May 2025 - 9:00PM

The Philippines

Philippines’ Sara Duterte wants to stand trial so she can see ‘bloodbath’

The vice-president will be tried by the 24-member Senate, made up of at least four senators she endorsed in the midterm election.

18 May 2025 - 3:18PMvideocam

Sara Duterte-Carpio shows her inked finger after casting her vote in the Philippine midterm elections on Monday. Photo: Kyodo

Music

‘First orchestra that trusted in Mahler’ hosts celebration of his music

Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, the first orchestra to champion Mahler’s music, among the ensembles performing at festival devoted to composer.

18 May 2025 - 2:45PMvideocam

Ivan Fischer acknowledges the audience’s applause after conducting the Budapest Festival Orchestra and the Netherlands Radio Choir in Mahler’s Symphony No 2 in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Netherlands, part of its Gustav Mahler Festival. Photo: AP

Tourism

Museum of migration should serve as ‘a memory’, its Chinese architect says

Designed by Chinese architect Ma Yansong, Rotterdam’s Fenix Museum of Migration tells migrants’ stories through art and some quirky exhibits.

17 May 2025 - 2:45PM

Photography

Who took the iconic Napalm Girl image? World Press Photo says it’s not clear

The organisation has removed Nick Ut’s credit for the prize-winning picture, after a documentary cast doubt over its authorship.

17 May 2025 - 3:41AM

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