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Two men have been sentenced to 100 hours and 120 hours of community service for attacking a camera crew for the broadcaster PowNed, during the Ameland party Sunneklaas in December 2023. The summary judge in Leeuwarden found that the two men were guilty of coercion and threats by forcing the journalists’ car to stop, climbing onto it, and then following it for an extended period.

Rob K., 33, and 24-year-old Jesse V. attacked and threatened the film crew when they were attempting to report on Sunneklaas, a celebration with elements of both Sinterklaas and pagan traditions. The event is shrouded in secrecy, with strict rules that no outsiders, especially the press, are allowed to witness or document the ceremonies.

The summary judge described it as "understandable and relatable" that the suspects wanted to honor the tradition of never allowing outsiders to be present, but said they were not entitled to take matters into their own hands. The judge added that by harassing the camera crew, the men crossed a line.

The two were acquitted of public violence due to a lack of evidence. The OM had also recommended a conditionally suspended three-month jail sentence, but the judge did not deem this necessary. Among other reasons, this is due to the low risk of reoffending and the fact that a significant amount of time has passed since then. Additionally, a new Sunneklaas celebration has already taken place, during which the press was able to record footage.

The judge also decided against the prosecutor’s recommendation to issue a driving ban to the men. The summary judge took into account that both suspects have been unable to perform their work as taxi drivers for 18 months, because their taxi pass was revoked as a result of the accusations.

PowNed chairman Dominique Weesie is not satisfied with the sentence the two men received. He told the ANP news agency that he considers the punishment disappointingly light. “Given the seriousness of the offense, the sentence should at least have matched the prosecutor’s recommendation. This was a missed opportunity to send a clear message: journalists are off-limits,” Weesie said.

Home prices in the Netherlands would be significantly lower if the government cut the mortgage interest deduction, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in its annual report on the state of the Dutch economy. The international economic organization called mortgage interest deductions one of the main causes of the high home prices and inequality in the housing market, and said it was “essential” that it be addressed.

“Generous tax incentives, including tax deductibility of mortgage interest payments, combined with low taxation of imputed rents, exemptions from capital gains taxes, state guarantees for buyers, and high loans-to-value mortgages have promoted homeownership as a favourable investment, driving up prices and widening wealth inequalities,” the OECD said in its report.

If the government cuts mortgage interest deductions, households will have less borrowing capacity, which would also reduce overbidding on homes. The OECD suggested that the Dutch government starts by limiting the mortgage interest deductions for high-income earners, following the Danish example, where the deduction depends on the value of the home.

The reduction in transfer tax and the National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG) also contribute to homeownership being an attractive investment. These regulations also “drive up demand and push home prices even higher as sellers price in these advantages in the asking price,” the OECD said.

According to the OECD, Dutch homeowners are the most subsidized in Europe. No other European country encourages homeownership so strongly. Chilean homeowners rank second on the list, and they receive less than half of the benefits Dutch homeowners receive.

The organization urged the government to urgently intervene in the mortgage interest deduction, but also cautioned that it should be reduced gradually. “As the Dutch housing market is highly regulated and complex, policy changes are challenging, as any reform will create both winners and losers. This calls for careful planning, clear communication, and strategic timing.”

The OECD noted that the housing shortage is the main cause of high home prices in the Netherlands. “Continuous efforts to increase housing supply are needed to sustainably achieve housing affordability.”

The 170th edition of the Nijmegen Vierdaagse, known as the Nijmegen Four Days Marches, kicked off at 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday with over 45,000 participants from 82 nationalities. They will walk 30, 40, or 50 kilometers each day for four days.

The largest group of participants, almost a quarter, are in their sixties, NOS reported after crunching the numbers. People in their 20s are also well represented at 19.4 percent. The oldest participant is 94 this year, the youngest 11 - the age limit for entry.

This year, 210 people are walking the Vierdaagse for the 25th time. 34 are participating for the 40th time, and 62 for the 50th time. The record for completed Vierdaagse is held by Bert van der Lans, who died early this year. He completed the marches 71 times.

Willie Heij (82) is now the living person with the most completed Vierdaagse under his belt. He completed the Vierdaagse 64 times. “I was 15 years old when I first participated,” he told NOS. “I’ve participated every year since then. During the coronavirus pandemic, when the event was canceled, I even ran the alternative Vierdaagse. I’ve caught the Vierdaagse fever: the crowds, the people along the sidelines, the conviviality.”

Heij would like to break the record of 71 times. “I’d also like to run a Vierdaagse when I’m 100. That would be unique.”

This week, 363 Red Cross volunteers will be ready along the route to help participants with blisteres and other physical ailments. Due to expected rain, the Red Cross urged marchers to bring an extra pair of dry socks with them.

A majority in parliament wants the government to do more to combat the online misuse of people’s images. Parliamentarians Hanneke van der Werf (D66), Jesse Six Dijkstra (NSC), Barbara Kathmann (GroenLinks-PvdA), and Ingrid Michon-Derkzen (VVD) propose following the Danish example and granting people copyrights on their appearance and voice.

This expansion of copyright could help in the criminal prosecution of deepfakes, images edited using artificial intelligence (AI). These photos and videos, often pornographic in nature, are usually virtually indistinguishable from the real deal. Denmark recently became the first European country to introduce such legislation.

The four parties want to know whether copyright law in the Netherlands is also suitable for tackling deepfakes. They also want the government to take tougher action against large technology companies, which are doing too little to prevent the distribution of such fake images via their platforms.

Van der Werf points to the “devastating effects” that fake pornography has on victims and their families. “If major tech companies refuse to act, then politicians must take action. That’s why the Netherlands, like Denmark, must expand copyright. Everyone must be able to retain control over their own face, body, and voice.”

U.S. President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced a new weapons deal for Ukraine on Monday in Washington. According to officials, European countries will cover the cost of the military aid. Trump also warned that Russia would face heavy sanctions if it fails to reach an agreement with Ukraine within 50 days, RTL reported.

The announcement came as Rutte visited Trump for the first in-person meeting since the NATO summit in The Hague. The weapons package includes air defense systems, missiles, and ammunition, all financed by European countries, Rutte said.

Sitting beside Rutte during a press conference, Trump praised the Dutch NATO chief, saying, “Mark is highly respected by everyone who knows him, especially European countries,” RTL reported. Trump then expressed his frustration with Russia. “I am very unhappy with Russia. I am disappointed in President Putin. We will impose severe tariffs if they do not reach a deal with Ukraine within 50 days,” he said.

Last week, Rutte had a phone conversation with Trump discussing support for Ukraine, after which Trump hinted at new arms shipments. During the Washington visit, Rutte also met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The pilot and co-pilot of the small plane that crashed Sunday afternoon near London Southend Airport were Dutch nationals, Sky News reported. According to the British broadcaster, the families of the two Dutch crew members have been notified.

Authorities confirmed Sunday that all four occupants of the aircraft died in the accident. During a news conference, police said the identities of the victims had not yet been officially established, but they believed all four were foreign nationals.

Sky News reported the victims were three men and one woman. Their ages were not yet known. The woman was said to be a nurse from Chile, while one of the men was a doctor from another European country. The remaining two men were identified as the Dutch pilot and co-pilot.

Other British media outlets, including The Guardian, reported that the aircraft was equipped with medical systems and configured for transporting patients.

The plane belonged to the Dutch aviation company Zeusch Aviation and was on its way to Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands at the time of the crash.

Earlier on Sunday, the aircraft had flown from Athens, Greece, to Pula, Croatia, before continuing to Southend with a planned return to Lelystad that evening.

The British Air Accidents Investigation Branch is leading the investigation into the crash. The Dutch Safety Board said Monday it is part of the investigation team but does not have personnel on site in England.