Today’s digest covers a broken promise on student loan interest, a two-week break in regional transport strikes, and new claims about Dutch military intelligence. Closer to home, Rotterdam is acting on drug nuisance in one of its northern neighbourhoods.
Student loan interest will go above the promised 2.5% cap
The Dutch government has said it cannot afford to limit interest on student loans to 2.5 percent, as it had promised. Former students will eventually pay a higher rate. If you studied in the Netherlands and are repaying a DUO loan, expect your monthly costs to change once the new rate applies.
Source: NL Times
Regional buses and trains run normally for two weeks
The unions FNV and CNV have suspended their weekly strikes in regional public transport for two weeks after employers came back with new proposals. Commuters who rely on regional buses and trains get a break from the disruption for now. The pause is temporary, so keep checking for updates before the two weeks end.
Source: DutchNews
Book claims Dutch intelligence watched Kushner’s phone
A new book by American investigative journalist Matthew Cole claims that the Dutch military intelligence service MIVD monitored the phone of Jared Kushner from 2018 onwards. Kushner is the son-in-law of US President Trump and his negotiator on the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Iran. According to an excerpt published by Vanity Fair, the MIVD did this with the help of a Russian hacker who had previously worked for the Russian military intelligence service GRU.
Source: NOS
NPO faces obstacles on the road to Eurovision in Bulgaria
Dutch public broadcaster NPO faces a series of obstacles before it can take part in the Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria, Het Parool reports.
Source: Het Parool
Rotterdam steps up enforcement in the Agniesebuurt
Rotterdam is sending extra enforcement officers and care workers to the Agniesebuurt in Rotterdam-Noord to tackle ongoing nuisance. The pick-up point for transport to the night shelter will also move away from the Vijverhofstraat. The measures follow urgent calls from residents and business owners about drug dealing, fights and litter.
Source: Rijnmond
Fatbike rider injured in collision with taxi near Hazerswoude-Dorp
A fatbike rider was injured on Thursday evening in a collision with a taxi on the N455 in Hazerswoude-Dorp. The crash happened at the cycle crossing near the Karwei DIY store, and two ambulances and a trauma helicopter were called to the scene. It is a reminder to take extra care at cycle crossings on busy regional roads.
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: Dutch government can't afford to limit interest on student loans to 2.5% as promised, accessed 23 October 2026
- DutchNews: Unions call off bus and regional train strikes for two weeks, accessed 23 October 2026
- NOS: Boek: MIVD keek mee met telefoon van Trumps schoonzoon Kushner, accessed 23 October 2026
- Het Parool: De NPO wacht een parcours vol hindernissen op de route naar Songfestivaldeelname in Bulgarije, accessed 23 October 2026
- Rijnmond: Dit is hoe Rotterdam de drugsoverlast aanpakt in de gevreesde Agniesebuurt, accessed 23 October 2026
- Omroep West: Traumahelikopter opgeroepen na botsing tussen fatbiker en taxi, accessed 23 October 2026
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