News about PFAS, The Voice, street problems, rents and protests (Wednesday, September 30)

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) says that there is less PFAS in Dutch blood. In 2025, it tested 967 donors from Sanquin (the Dutch blood supply organization). The level was too high in 71 percent of them, compared with 99 percent previously; the figure was higher in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen (the southwestern part of the Netherlands).

Snelle (a Dutch singer) and radio DJ Domien Verschuuren are taking on roles in The Voice. RTL (a Dutch television network) says they will strengthen the coaching team. The segment is called The Return; more details will follow later.

In Venlo (a city in the Netherlands), residents are using a points-saving system to earn a gift voucher in exchange for reporting dog fouling. Amsterdam is installing 200 new waste bins with a compartment for bottles and cans. In Utrecht, the municipality will not replace broken bus shelter windows in Overvecht (a district of Utrecht) for the time being.

The Spanish government approved new measures to tackle the housing crisis. The package is called Maricarmen Abascal (the name given to the package) and concerns rents and longer contracts. It also halts evictions until 2030; following protests, she is allowed to return.

During school protests in France, the police detained more than 400 people. Many of those detained are minors; students are protesting long school days, teacher shortages and large classes. Hundreds of schools were blockaded; trade unions also held 170 protests.