Friday brings a mixed picture across the Netherlands: a major court case in Meerstad, a shooting in The Hague and delays on two motorways. Here is what you need to know before the weekend.
Prosecutors rule out online group in Meerstad case
In Meerstad, prosecutors said on Friday that a sadistic online group was not behind the killing of a couple. Their 15-year-old daughter is suspected of murdering them. Prosecutors reached this conclusion after the first procedural hearing in the case.
Source: NL Times
Showers and sunshine for the weekend
The Dutch meteorological institute, KNMI, expects a weekend of showers with some spells of sunshine. If you are planning time outdoors or a bike ride, take a rain jacket.
Source: DutchNews
Growing concern over Russian threat to Europe
NOS current affairs programme Nieuwsuur looked at fears that tensions with Russia could escalate, possibly into direct armed conflict. Polish prime minister Donald Tusk says Russia is preparing direct “hybrid” attacks on countries that support Ukraine, and the Institute for the Study of War warns that Russia is stepping up actions against critical infrastructure in Europe. The Netherlands is a member of both the EU and NATO, so how those organisations respond matters to everyone living here. The programme also covered elections in Russia, held amid banned parties and fears of mass mobilisation.
Source: NOS
Film Academy staff raise concerns about their director
In Amsterdam, staff at the Filmacademie have raised concerns about the school’s director, according to Het Parool. Staff told the paper that people have been in tears during meetings.
Source: Het Parool
Crash and breakdown slow traffic on A27 and A15
Rotterdam regional broadcaster Rijnmond reported delays on two motorways on Friday. On the A27, four cars ran into each other, and on the A15 a lorry broke down. Check the traffic information before you leave if you use either road.
Source: Rijnmond
Jewellery shop shot at in Schilderswijk
In The Hague, someone fired shots at a jewellery shop on the Hobbemastraat in the Schilderswijk district. Police say it happened during the night from Thursday to Friday. There are four bullet holes in the windows, and several bullet casings were found in the street.
Source: Omroep West
Netherlands Today is a curated digest: we summarise and link, the reporting belongs to the publications named. Something wrong or missing? Tell us.
Sources
- NL Times: Prosecutors: Sadistic online group not behind girl's murder of parents in Meerstad, accessed 18 September 2026
- DutchNews: Weekend will be mix of sun and showers, accessed 18 September 2026
- NOS: 18/9 in Nieuwsuur: Direct conflict met Rusland? • Russen bang voor mobilisatie • Frankrijk in de ban van De Gaulle, accessed 18 September 2026
- Het Parool: Medewerkers Filmacademie slaan alarm over directeur: ‘In vergaderingen vloeien tranen’, accessed 18 September 2026
- Rijnmond: Vier auto's op elkaar en vrachtwagen met pech leiden tot vertraging op snelwegen, accessed 18 September 2026
- Omroep West: Kogelgaten in raam van juwelierszaak, meerdere hulzen op straat, accessed 18 September 2026
