Netherlands News in English
Netherlands news in English — Dutch national headlines covering politics, housing, immigration, the economy, transport and daily life, translated and updated throughout the day for the international community.
Meta pulls controversial AI feature after days of criticism
Meta has withdrawn a new AI feature on Instagram after only a few days following widespread criticism regarding potential privacy violations. The tool allowed users to generate images based on the pho...
Rock 'n Roll Junkie Herman Brood died 25 years ago: AT5 looks back
This article commemorates the 25th anniversary of the death of Dutch musician and artist Herman Brood, who passed away on July 11, 2001. It reflects on his significant influence on the Dutch cultural ...
More reports of stolen packages: Thieves just walk right into the hallway
Police reports indicate a 15% increase in package theft across Amsterdam over the first four months of the year, with a notable spike in the Oost district. Authorities and legal experts clarify that s...
Abundance of blue-green algae this summer: NH follows sample from lake to lab
High temperatures have led to an increase in blue-green algae in various open water locations across the Netherlands, prompting regular safety testing. Water samples from areas like the Westeinderplas...
Major fire in barn along A4 near Weteringbrug
A large fire broke out in a shed near the A4 and A44 highways at Weteringbrug, subsequently spreading to a neighboring furniture workshop. Emergency services are on-site to control the blaze, and resi...
Many Western companies have left, but new Spar stores are still opening in Moscow: ‘Difficult situation’
Despite EU sanctions against Russia, Spar supermarkets continue to operate and even open new locations within the country. The Dutch-based retail chain claims it is unable to terminate existing contra...
Flames erupt during house fire in Holendrecht
A large residential fire broke out at an apartment complex on Ophemerthof in Amsterdam-Zuidoost around 10:00 p.m. Firefighters are currently working to extinguish the blaze, and all residents have bee...
Boat fire in Badhoevedorp, one injured taken to hospital
A passenger boat sank in Badhoevedorp this evening after catching fire near the Akerdijk. One person was injured in the incident, and while a witness suggested a barbecue was the cause, authorities ha...
Cabinet goes on recess, but these ministers have homework this summer
The Dutch cabinet has entered its summer recess period. While some ministers can enjoy time off, others face significant challenges and ongoing work that must be addressed during the break.
Ajax cruise past Larnaca in friendly but miss chances for a bigger win
Ajax defeated AEK Larnaca 1-0 in a pre-season friendly match held at VV Hulshorst. Although the Amsterdam-based club secured the victory, they struggled to convert multiple scoring opportunities into ...
Water returns to the Museumplein pond after five years
The pond at the Museumplein in Amsterdam has reopened after five years of closure due to leakage problems and extensive reconstruction. Visitors and tourists are welcoming the return of the water, whi...
De Jonge still stands by firm remarks on the unvaccinated: 'A minister cannot be neutral'
Former health minister Hugo de Jonge defended his controversial statements regarding unvaccinated individuals during his first parliamentary hearing on the COVID-19 pandemic. Although he acknowledged ...
More Haarlem residents in addiction care than ten years ago
The number of Haarlem residents seeking medical treatment for addiction has increased compared to ten years ago. Despite this rise, current figures from the National Alcohol and Drugs Information Syst...
Supermarket chain Lidl hacked: customer phone numbers and email addresses stolen
Supermarket chain Lidl has confirmed that hackers gained access to customer data, including phone numbers and email addresses. The company has notified the Dutch Data Protection Authority, although th...
How Jetten managed to quickly get rid of Erdogan's revolver
As the Dutch parliament enters its recess, the ministerial cabinet is preparing for its summer break. This period serves as an opportunity to reflect on the events and political developments of the pa...
Housing shortage requires not just more homes but also better choices
While new housing construction in the Netherlands has reached its highest level since 2015, sales of these properties have declined by approximately 7 percent. Real estate experts argue that the natio...
Tensions in cabinet over taxes? Jetten says no, but irritation persists
There is speculation regarding potential disagreements within the Dutch cabinet over proposed tax increases on wealth. While Minister Rob Jetten denies any internal divide, conflicting statements from...
Kris Kross on Yuki's abrupt departure: 'There were conflicts for a while'
The remaining members of the DJ collective Kris Kross Amsterdam have addressed the sudden departure of Yuki Kempees in March. Brothers Jordy and Sander Huisman stated that there had been underlying co...
Michiel de Ruijter Tunnel closed again following camera system failure
The Michiel de Ruijtertunnel in Amsterdam has been closed to traffic due to a failure in its camera system, which compromises safety. Authorities are working to resolve the issue, but it remains uncle...
Thousands of beachgoers took the free beach bus to Zandvoort
About three thousand people used a free pilot shuttle bus service between Hoofddorp and the beach in Zandvoort during the first two weekends of June. The province of North Holland is testing the servi...
New advisory board must ensure higher national labor productivity
The Dutch government has established an independent advisory board tasked with increasing national labor productivity. This initiative aims to address economic efficiency across the country.
Woman stabbed in arm by unknown man on Prinsengracht
A woman was stabbed in the arm by an unknown man while waiting for a taxi on the Prinsengracht in Amsterdam early Thursday morning. Police have since arrested a 40-year-old suspect and are actively se...
Timmermans becomes Minister of State, Remkes and De Graaf also receive title
Former GroenLinks-PvdA leader Frans Timmermans, along with Johan Remkes and Thom de Graaf, have been appointed as Ministers of State. This honorary title is awarded to these prominent politicians in t...
Celebrate Pride Haarlem
Pride Haarlem will be held from July 11 to 19, focusing on diversity, equality, and the freedom to be oneself within the LGBTQIA+ community. The week features various activities throughout the city, i...
Cabinet wants 500-meter distance between houses and goat farms
The Dutch government has proposed a 500-meter buffer zone between new residential developments and goat farms to mitigate potential health risks. This decision follows a recommendation from the Health...
Hugo de Jonge faces tough questioning, name already came up frequently
Former Dutch Health Minister Hugo de Jonge is set to conclude the parliamentary inquiry into the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic today. Throughout the hearings, witnesses have scrutiniz...
Netherlands powerless now, but military could soon board and seize Russian shadow ship
The Dutch government is amending legislation to allow military personnel to board and seize suspected Russian shadow fleet vessels. These new legal powers will enable authorities to take action agains...
ING customers experience much less discrimination, but the problem is not solved
ING customers with minority ethnic backgrounds continue to report experiencing discrimination during bank compliance checks aimed at preventing money laundering and terrorism financing. However, the b...
Cooling mist from the Dom Tower: the remedy for urban heat?
As the Netherlands experiences high temperatures, researchers are debating whether spraying cooling mist from tall structures like the Dom Tower could serve as an effective solution against urban heat...
Instagram and Facebook are too addictive according to European rules
The European Commission has found that Meta's Instagram and Facebook apps violate European regulations due to their addictive design. The company faces potential fines unless it can demonstrate that i...