Netherlands

Zwolle will probably abandon its plan to ban advertisements for services using fossil fuels, such as long-distance air travel, combustion engine cars and cruise ships, as research has shown that a ban is 'legally impossible'

16 hospitals reported an increase in number of requests for endometriosis examinations, with family doctors increasing referrals to specialists; gynaecologist Klinkert has patients with endometriosis symptoms in first half of 2024 equal to whole of 2023

The number of violent deaths in Amsterdam this year is already higher than the total for 2023, after a fatal shooting under the Westelijke Merwedekanaaldijk bridge brought the total number of violent deaths in the city this year to 12

The Affordable Rent Act has passed the vote of the Eerste Kamer, the Dutch Senate; aimed at reducing rental prices in the medium and social housing sectors, it will be implemented as of next Monday

Almost 60% of electors voted against the municipality's green plans in the Amsterdam referendum; the turnout for the referendum was 37,5%, about 10% lower than the number of voters for the European Parliament

Amsterdam follows the example of Utrecht and Leiden and abandons the central armrest of park benches as this type of bench is increasingly considered hostile architecture and the capital wants to be more welcoming to its homeless residents

Newborn mothers in the Netherlands need more support for breastfeeding, according to the Nutrition Centre: 71% stopped breastfeeding earlier than they had hoped and two-thirds are disappointed because they felt forced to give up

The 'coronavirus pass', a digital certificate introduced in September 2021 that allowed people vaccinated or cured of Covid to access museums and events, did not violate fundamental rights, the Hague judges stated

Amsterdam has launched an experiment that allows cyclists with fast electric bikes to use the road instead of a designated bike lane

There is a decrease in the number of cyclists killed on Dutch roads, although cyclists represent the largest group of road accident victims for the fourth consecutive year; in 40% of cases they were using an e-bike

The Veendam hyperloop test center is ready for use, and in a few weeks, the first vehicle will make a test run on the 420-meter track, made of prefabricated steel pipes