nuNov 9, 2026, 13:25

King and Queen visit Qatar for first state visit to Middle East

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will travel to Qatar from December 9 to 11 for a state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional stability. The royal couple will be joined by Dutch government ministers to discuss cooperation in sectors such as security, energy, and innovation.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands are scheduled to conduct a state visit to Qatar from December 9 to 11. At the invitation of Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the royal couple aims to strengthen bilateral ties during a period of significant regional instability. This marks the first Dutch state visit to the Middle East since 2012. The royal delegation will be accompanied by several high-level government officials, including the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Foreign Trade, as well as the State Secretary for Agriculture. Key areas of focus for the discussions include enhancing cooperation on regional security, energy and food security, sustainable growth, and innovation. This visit serves as a formal reciprocal follow-up to the Emir of Qatar's official trip to the Netherlands earlier in 2024. The official mission reflects a strategic effort to foster closer partnerships to address shared global challenges.

Politics Culture Netherlands World

Read original ↗

Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Museumplein fills up with Red Line protesters

Protesters have gathered at Amsterdam's Museumplein for the fourth Rode Lijn demonstration, demanding that the Dutch government cut all ties with Israel. The event, which follows a major protest in October 2025, has led to local traffic disruptions and adjusted public transport schedules throughout the city.

Halsema calls homeless shelters a magnet: does repealing the outdoor sleeping ban attract homeless people to Amsterdam?

The Amsterdam city council is set to decide on Wednesday whether to abolish the local ban on sleeping outdoors. The debate centers on a disagreement between parties advocating for more humane policies and those who fear the change will attract more homeless people to the city.

Study: Moroccan names lead to fewer rental housing chances, many rental agents participate in discrimination

Research from the Verwey-Jonker Institute reveals that renters with Moroccan-sounding names face discrimination in most Dutch regions, with Amsterdam being a notable exception. Furthermore, mystery calls suggest that nearly 80 percent of rental agents are willing to facilitate discriminatory requests from landlords, often by using indirect selection criteria.

NATO chief Mark Rutte to be a guest on Pauw & De Wit on Thursday

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will appear on the Dutch television show Pauw & De Wit this Thursday to discuss global tensions, the Russian threat, and the impact of the US midterm elections on NATO. Rutte, who took over the leadership role in October 2024, will be interviewed by Jeroen Pauw about these critical international developments.

Mayor closes Rhôneweg party venue after dance floor shooting and assault

Mayor Femke Halsema has ordered a three-month closure of a party venue on Rhôneweg following a shooting incident and a violent assault. The decision was made due to an ongoing pattern of safety concerns and the risk of further public disorder at the location.