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Zuid-Holland wind turbine plan in the Green Heart region draws strong opposition

Residents and politicians in the Green Heart, a central Dutch rural area in Zuid-Holland surrounded by Randstad cities, voiced strong opposition to provincial plans to install wind turbines in the region. The opposition emerged during a 12-hour public meeting reported on 2026-04-13. Opponents argued against the proposed turbine locations and scale, while supporters cited climate and energy goals; the report notes disagreement between local stakeholders and planners. The dispute remains unresolved, with further consultations or decisions pending from Zuid-Holland authorities.

DomesticGeneralClimate

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nltimes.nlin about 2 hours

Political parties start legal fight over left-wing’s “Pro” name change

On 2026-04-13, dozens of local political parties in the Netherlands said they will pursue legal action if the GroenLinks-PvdA merger party is permitted to register “Pro” as its national name. The parties, which already include “Pro” in their local names, told NOS they would challenge registration to protect their existing identities and ballot access. The dispute concerns naming rights and potential voter confusion; the local groups say they will file lawsuits and seek injunctions if authorities approve the merged party’s proposed name.

PoliticsGeneral

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nltimes.nlin about 1 hour

Europe-wide speed enforcement campaign begins with increased police and camera checks

Europe-wide 'speedweek' enforcement is taking place from 2026-04-13 in more than 20 countries, including the Netherlands, with increased police patrols and speed-camera checks on roads, Hart van Nederland reported. National and local police are conducting extra roadside controls and automated monitoring to detect and sanction speeding, aiming to reduce collisions and improve road safety. The campaign runs across participating countries this week and emphasizes both visible enforcement and camera-based detection. Exact participating countries and duration beyond this week were not specified.

InternationalGeneralSecurity

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nltimes.nlin 27 minutes

Waiting times for disability benefits assessment rises to 15 months in some regions

On 2026-04-13 the Dutch benefits agency UWV confirmed that waiting times for an initial assessment for the WIA disability benefit have increased, with reports by AD and EenVandaag saying waits have reached up to 15 months in some regions of the Netherlands. The confirmation followed media reporting; the brief report did not detail causes or specify which regions are most affected. UWV acknowledged the longer waits but the available summary did not include a timeline for reductions or measures to address the backlog, leaving uncertainties about next steps.

Social AffairsGeneralHealth

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NOS12 minutes ago

Meloni falls out of her role and condemns Trump over attack on Pope

Meloni condemned U.S. president Donald Trump’s attack on Pope Leo, calling Trump's remarks unacceptable and saying it is “right and normal that the pope calls for peace, and condemns war in any form.” The pope urged a quick end to Middle East war at a prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica and said he was not impressed. Meloni initially expressed support but, after opposition criticism, later denounced Trump, who called the pope “weak on crime” and “very bad in foreign policy” and claimed the pope supported Iran having a bomb.

PoliticsInternationalGeneralMiddle East

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nltimes.nl23 minutes ago

Dutch cabinet to apologize for forced child removals in decades-old adoption cases

The Dutch cabinet said in a parliamentary letter dated 2026-04-13, signed by State Secretary for Justice and Security Claudia van Bruggen, that it will apologize for forced removals of children in decades-old adoption cases. The letter, addressed to the Dutch House of Representatives in The Hague, acknowledges past state-led separations and cites historical policies and welfare concerns as causes. It states an apology will be issued but does not detail compensation, a timeline, or concrete measures. Investigations and remedies were referenced but remain unspecified in the excerpt.

DomesticGovernmentJusticeGeneral

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AD28 minutes ago

Democratic congressman steps down after accusation of abuse by four women

Eric Swalwell, the Democratic candidate for governor of California and a U.S. Representative, announced he will leave the House of Representatives after allegations by four women accusing him of sexual abuse. He previously suspended his gubernatorial campaign because of those allegations. The move, announced by Swalwell, follows public accusations and prompted his campaign pause; details and investigations were not specified in the report. The decision affects California politics and the composition of the Democratic delegation in the U.S. House; the allegations remain claims and have not been adjudicated.

PoliticsBreakingInternationalGeneral

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AD33 minutes ago

Football podcast | 'The expectation is that Liverpool will go all-out on the attack at Anfield'

The Champions League quarter-final returns feature Liverpool vs PSG. A voetbalpodcast said, "The expectation is that Liverpool will go all-out on the attack at Anfield." The question is whether Liverpool can uphold English honour and produce an upset by eliminating PSG. Based on the first leg in Paris, the outlook appears negative. The podcast and coverage focus on tactics (Liverpool attacking at Anfield) and stakes (English pride, quarter-final progression), noting uncertainty about whether an aggressive home approach will be sufficient to overturn the Paris result.

SportGeneralFootball

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FD33 minutes ago

A Proven Weapon: Royal Diplomacy in Times of Crisis

In a strained relationship with Donald Trump, the Netherlands is reverting to a proven, almost old‑fashioned tool: royal diplomacy and the royal family’s personal charm. Dutch authorities are deploying royal visits and personal appeals to manage tensions with the United States and to protect bilateral ties during crises. The article describes this measure as pragmatic and deliberate, arguing it aims to defuse conflict and facilitate communication. It concludes that the tactic, while traditional, is "less naïve than it appears", preserving stability through discreet personal influence.

Royal HousePoliticsInternationalGeneralForeign Affairs

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ADabout 1 hour ago

Dronten man missing for two years possibly victim of crime after Grindr date in woods

Marc Jaskulski, a 36-year-old man from Dronten who has been missing for two years, is now suspected to have been the victim of a crime, the police said. Authorities disclosed that on the day of his disappearance Jaskulski had arranged an in-person meeting via the gay dating app Grindr in the Roggebotsebos forest. Police said this development prompted them to treat the case as a possible criminal matter. Investigations and uncertainties remain as officers seek further information about the meeting partner.

DomesticBreakingGeneralSecurityVerification

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ADabout 1 hour ago

World's oldest gorilla celebrates 69th birthday in Berlin

The Berlin zoo celebrated on Monday, 2026-04-13, the 69th birthday of the gorilla Fatou, an exceptionally high age for the species. Fatou is presumed to be the world's oldest gorilla. In the wild, gorillas typically live between 35 and 40 years. The zoo marked the occasion with a birthday celebration at its Berlin facility. The report notes Fatou's exceptional longevity as the reason for the event and records the presumption about her global status; no further details or disputes were reported.

PositiveGeneralRemarkableNature

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nltimes.nlabout 1 hour ago

DHL worker finds €50,000 stuffed in teddy bear at Maastricht airport facility

On 2026-04-13 a DHL worker at a postal sorting center in Beek, near Maastricht Aachen Airport, discovered a teddy bear containing €50,000. Police in the Westelijke Mijnstreek region intercepted the cash after the finding and took the package into custody, authorities said. The money had been concealed inside the toy as it passed through the facility during routine sorting. Officials have not released details about the sender, recipient or criminal charges; an investigation is ongoing to determine ownership and intent.

GeneralSecurityRemarkable

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