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

Thailand

Feathered fortunes, sky-high stakes: inside Asia’s richest pigeon race

In eastern Thailand, 5,000 pigeons brave predators and exhaustion in a gruelling sprint for a US$2 million purse.

18 Jan 2026 - 1:30PM

Donald Trump

Trump hits 8 Nato allies with tariffs to force Greenland sale

18 Jan 2026 - 5:24AM

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China-EU relations

Secret plans, angry emails: Nexperia hearing exposes tussle over China control

15 Jan 2026 - 3:35PMvideocam

Wellness

This Chinese-Vietnamese plant-based influencer makes even haters love tofu

Wendy the Food Scientist is on a mission to make plant-based eating simple, healthy and satisfying – no ultra-processed ‘fake meat’ required.

11 Jan 2026 - 12:15PM

Wendy Luong, aka Wendy the Food Scientist, shares vegan cooking techniques that are backed by science and rooted in tradition on her Instagram and other social media pages. Photo: Wendy Luong

Cathay Pacific

Dutch passenger dies after collapsing on Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong

Man, 53, collapsed on flight from Amsterdam and was later pronounced dead at hospital despite emergency first aid by cabin crew.

11 Jan 2026 - 2:00PM

Fashion

Duran Lantink’s daring designs and his first show for Jean Paul Gaultier

The brand’s creative director plays with perceptions, gender and styles – sparking debate and building his fan base, including A-listers like Emrata and Janelle Monáe.

11 Jan 2026 - 6:00AM

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong customs seizes HK$18 million of suspected ketamine in baby car seats

Syndicate employed ‘ingenious’ methods to hide drugs in car seats shipped in two containers from Netherlands and Spain, officers say.

8 Jan 2026 - 8:20PM

Customs officers found 36.2kg of suspected narcotics while inspecting two seaborne consolidated containers in December. Photo: Handout

France

Europe paralysed by snow as brutal cold snap disrupts flights, rail services

Thousands stranded as chaos grounds flights, with black ice sparking fatal accidents, while death toll rises to six in season’s worst freeze.

7 Jan 2026 - 8:16PM

Indonesia

Indonesia’s criminal law overhaul prompts fears of rights erosion

Observers say the new Criminal Code and revised Criminal Procedure Code entrench provisions that undermine democracy.

6 Jan 2026 - 9:02PM

Obituaries

Anne Frank’s stepsister, Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss, dies at 96

Schloss co-founded the Anne Frank Trust UK foundation in 1990 to pass on the memory of the Holocaust to young people and combat prejudice.

5 Jan 2026 - 7:06AM

Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss, the stepsister of Anne Frank and honorary president of the Anne Frank Trust UK, has died aged 96, her foundation said on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Switzerland

Explainer | Swiss bar inferno joins long list of world’s worst club fires

A look at some of the worst fires in bars, nightclubs and music venues in past decades, where celebrations turned to tragedy in seconds.

2 Jan 2026 - 2:38PM

The Mountain B pub in Thailand after it was ravaged by fire in 2022. Photo: AP

Nexperia

Nexperia, Wingtech set for fresh face-off in January with US$8 billion at stake

Dutch chipmaker’s Chinese owner warns of multi-track legal action, seeking full control of the firm and damages for improper seizure amid supply-chain tensions.

31 Dec 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

Britain

Eurostar to resume services after Channel Tunnel power glitch sparks travel chaos

A power issue halted services between London and Europe, stranding travellers and causing disruption during the busy run-up to New Year.

31 Dec 2025 - 12:30AM

Semiconductors

Nexperia China eyes new wafer suppliers amid legal fight with Dutch chipmaker

Nexperia owner Wingtech says the China unit produced more than 11 billion chips since mid-October, despite wafer supply constraints.

27 Dec 2025 - 6:36PM

Nexperia’s China unit expects to complete the validation of potential domestic wafer suppliers in the first half of next year. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China trade war

Explainer | Will US-led ‘Pax Silica’ be a new dawn for the international AI supply chain?

Trump administration aims for deeper technology cooperation on new AI infrastructure with allies.

25 Dec 2025 - 1:05AMvideocam

Representatives of the “Pax Silica” signatories hold signed documents at a summit held in Washington on December 12. The initiative is America’s new vision for the international AI supply chain. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

China-EU relations

China slaps tariffs on EU cheese and cream amid trade row

Alleging that European subsidies are hurting Chinese producers, Beijing has imposed fees that look to hit French exporters the hardest.

22 Dec 2025 - 11:26PMvideocam

Year in Review

10 most read Daily Pulse briefings of 2025

SCMP Plus looks back at the year’s 10 most popular Daily Pulse bulletins, covering China issues related to diplomacy, trade and economics.

22 Dec 2025 - 5:00PM

India

‘Pax Silica’: America’s new AI inner circle and Asia’s chosen few

Japan, South Korea and Singapore made the cut, leaving key partners like India and Vietnam – and even New Zealand – on the sidelines.

22 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM

Representatives of the “Pax Silica” signatories hold signed documents at a summit held in Washington on December 12. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

Ukraine war

Zelensky demands justice as nations back Ukraine reparations; will Russia pay?

US$232 billion in frozen Russian assets are central to a new Hague-based commission managing Ukraine war damage claims.

16 Dec 2025 - 9:39PM

China-EU relations

China slaps anti-dumping duties on EU pork, but lowers final rates

Beijing goes ahead with tariffs of up to 19.8 per cent on pork products from the European Union after intense lobbying by several leaders.

16 Dec 2025 - 10:45PMvideocam

My Take

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

From Ukraine to the Caribbean and Middle East, we are witnessing the application of the law of the jungle by the West and its ally.

14 Dec 2025 - 10:15PM

Ukrainians hold placards during a protest demanding the use of frozen Russian assets, on the sidelines of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting in Brussels, Belgium, December 12, 2025. Photo: EPA

Nexperia

Letters | The case for separating the Dutch and Chinese arms of Nexperia

Readers discuss the fight for control over the semiconductor company, the case of two skirt-wearing Malaysian women barred from entering a police station, and a potential ban on smoking at construction sites.

13 Dec 2025 - 11:30AM

Japan

Japan’s English skills crash to record low, behind Laos and Vietnam

Outdated teaching methods and the rise of language translation apps have made most Japanese less inclined to learn English, educators say.

12 Dec 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Donald Trump left facing ‘dilemma’ as China-Japan spat worsens: analyst

White House navigates backing long-time ally Japan while preserving trade truce with China amid fraying ties between the Asian neighbours.

12 Dec 2025 - 12:29AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Beijing urges Dutch government to push for China visit by Nexperia execs

China’s Ministry of Commerce says trip by Dutch chip firm’s management should be made ‘as soon as possible’ amid heated war of words.

11 Dec 2025 - 4:55PM

The corporate conflict between Dutch semiconductor company Nexperia and its Chinese owner Wingtech has lasted for several weeks. Photo: Shutterstock

China-EU relations

As I see it | How Nexperia became a casualty of the US-China trade war

Unless the two superpowers reach a long-term solution to trade tensions, smaller companies and economies will get caught in the crossfire.

10 Dec 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Dutch economy minister Vincent Karremans arrives for a cabinet meeting in The Hague, Netherlands, on November 7. Photo: EPA

China-EU relations

China leans on German carmakers to help break Brussels tariff deadlock

Commerce vice-minister urges German industry leaders to leverage their clout to push the European Commission towards a compromise on the anti-subsidy probe.

8 Dec 2025 - 8:58PM

China-EU relations

Macron’s trade ultimatum to China goes public: fix surplus or face tariffs

French president says EU could copy American protectionism, warning that a lopsided flow of goods results in China ‘effectively killing their own customers’.

8 Dec 2025 - 6:01PM

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The Netherlands

Feathered fortunes, sky-high stakes: inside Asia’s richest pigeon race

In eastern Thailand, 5,000 pigeons brave predators and exhaustion in a gruelling sprint for a US$2 million purse.

Trump hits 8 Nato allies with tariffs to force Greenland sale

Secret plans, angry emails: Nexperia hearing exposes tussle over China control

This Chinese-Vietnamese plant-based influencer makes even haters love tofu

Wendy the Food Scientist is on a mission to make plant-based eating simple, healthy and satisfying – no ultra-processed ‘fake meat’ required.

Dutch passenger dies after collapsing on Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong

Man, 53, collapsed on flight from Amsterdam and was later pronounced dead at hospital despite emergency first aid by cabin crew.

Duran Lantink’s daring designs and his first show for Jean Paul Gaultier

The brand’s creative director plays with perceptions, gender and styles – sparking debate and building his fan base, including A-listers like Emrata and Janelle Monáe.

Hong Kong customs seizes HK$18 million of suspected ketamine in baby car seats

Syndicate employed ‘ingenious’ methods to hide drugs in car seats shipped in two containers from Netherlands and Spain, officers say.

Europe paralysed by snow as brutal cold snap disrupts flights, rail services

Thousands stranded as chaos grounds flights, with black ice sparking fatal accidents, while death toll rises to six in season’s worst freeze.

Indonesia’s criminal law overhaul prompts fears of rights erosion

Observers say the new Criminal Code and revised Criminal Procedure Code entrench provisions that undermine democracy.

Anne Frank’s stepsister, Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss, dies at 96

Schloss co-founded the Anne Frank Trust UK foundation in 1990 to pass on the memory of the Holocaust to young people and combat prejudice.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | Swiss bar inferno joins long list of world’s worst club fires

A look at some of the worst fires in bars, nightclubs and music venues in past decades, where celebrations turned to tragedy in seconds.

Nexperia, Wingtech set for fresh face-off in January with US$8 billion at stake

Dutch chipmaker’s Chinese owner warns of multi-track legal action, seeking full control of the firm and damages for improper seizure amid supply-chain tensions.

Eurostar to resume services after Channel Tunnel power glitch sparks travel chaos

A power issue halted services between London and Europe, stranding travellers and causing disruption during the busy run-up to New Year.

Nexperia China eyes new wafer suppliers amid legal fight with Dutch chipmaker

Nexperia owner Wingtech says the China unit produced more than 11 billion chips since mid-October, despite wafer supply constraints.

Explainer | Will US-led ‘Pax Silica’ be a new dawn for the international AI supply chain?

Trump administration aims for deeper technology cooperation on new AI infrastructure with allies.

China slaps tariffs on EU cheese and cream amid trade row

Alleging that European subsidies are hurting Chinese producers, Beijing has imposed fees that look to hit French exporters the hardest.

10 most read Daily Pulse briefings of 2025

SCMP Plus looks back at the year’s 10 most popular Daily Pulse bulletins, covering China issues related to diplomacy, trade and economics.

‘Pax Silica’: America’s new AI inner circle and Asia’s chosen few

Japan, South Korea and Singapore made the cut, leaving key partners like India and Vietnam – and even New Zealand – on the sidelines.

Zelensky demands justice as nations back Ukraine reparations; will Russia pay?

US$232 billion in frozen Russian assets are central to a new Hague-based commission managing Ukraine war damage claims.

China slaps anti-dumping duties on EU pork, but lowers final rates

Beijing goes ahead with tariffs of up to 19.8 per cent on pork products from the European Union after intense lobbying by several leaders.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

From Ukraine to the Caribbean and Middle East, we are witnessing the application of the law of the jungle by the West and its ally.

Letters | The case for separating the Dutch and Chinese arms of Nexperia

Readers discuss the fight for control over the semiconductor company, the case of two skirt-wearing Malaysian women barred from entering a police station, and a potential ban on smoking at construction sites.

Japan’s English skills crash to record low, behind Laos and Vietnam

Outdated teaching methods and the rise of language translation apps have made most Japanese less inclined to learn English, educators say.

Donald Trump left facing ‘dilemma’ as China-Japan spat worsens: analyst

White House navigates backing long-time ally Japan while preserving trade truce with China amid fraying ties between the Asian neighbours.

Beijing urges Dutch government to push for China visit by Nexperia execs

China’s Ministry of Commerce says trip by Dutch chip firm’s management should be made ‘as soon as possible’ amid heated war of words.

As I see it | How Nexperia became a casualty of the US-China trade war

Unless the two superpowers reach a long-term solution to trade tensions, smaller companies and economies will get caught in the crossfire.

China leans on German carmakers to help break Brussels tariff deadlock

Commerce vice-minister urges German industry leaders to leverage their clout to push the European Commission towards a compromise on the anti-subsidy probe.

Macron’s trade ultimatum to China goes public: fix surplus or face tariffs

French president says EU could copy American protectionism, warning that a lopsided flow of goods results in China ‘effectively killing their own customers’.

Explainer | Swiss bar inferno joins long list of world’s worst club fires

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel