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.
Inquiry hearings with Arib and Van Dissel next week
The parliamentary inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic will continue next week with public hearings featuring former House Speaker Khadija Arib, Jaap van Dissel, and Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg. These sessi...
Take grandpa or grandma out for dinner for free? Soon possible in Haarlem
On Thursday, June 4th, Haarlem will celebrate Grandparents' Day by offering free meals for elderly residents when they are accompanied to local restaurants. This initiative encourages people to take t...
Construction plan for 88 homes on Koekoeksbloem one step closer
The Castricum city council has unanimously approved a zoning change for the Koekoeksbloem site, moving the development project forward. This decision paves the way for the construction of 88 new homes...
De Achterklap Podcast | Anger over drug documentary and 'AI presenter' Kids Top 20
The Achterklap Podcast discusses controversy surrounding the introduction of an AI presenter for the Kids Top 20 program. Additionally, a new documentary about youth drug use is sparking significant p...
This is why COVID inquiry chair Daan De Kort is wearing an earpiece
Daan de Kort, the chairman of the Dutch parliamentary inquiry committee into the COVID-19 pandemic, explained why he wears an earpiece during public hearings. He addressed the topic on Friday after re...
Labor Inspectorate closes two souvenir shops for repeated violations
The Dutch Labor Inspection has closed two souvenir shops in Amsterdam's city center for one month after the owner repeatedly failed to track employee working hours. Despite previous fines totaling 21,...
Emergency ordinance in Zandvoort all weekend: 'Immediate action against nuisance'
The municipality of Zandvoort has implemented an emergency ordinance for the weekend to allow police to act immediately against public disturbances following a series of violent incidents. The measure...
Cabinet working on solution for Ter Apel, possible tent camps on government land
The Dutch cabinet is considering setting up tent camps on government land to alleviate overcrowding at the asylum seeker registration center in Ter Apel. This measure is being evaluated as local munic...
Lecture at Heimanshof on the importance of drifting dunes
Ecologist Mark van Til from Waternet will deliver a lecture on the importance of shifting dunes on Sunday, June 7. The event will be hosted at the Heimanshof botanical garden.
A fine for a stumble. Handball player Sarah Dekker doesn't mind: 'It pays for the team outing'
Dutch handball player Sarah Dekker is currently competing for the Danish league title with her team Odense, who won the first game of the final series. Dekker, whose time in Denmark is coming to an en...
Sophie (17) and Levi (18) became friends at the Coornhert: 'There is a kind of awkwardness between us, but we're both fine with that'
Sophie Tappin and Levi Decaster from Haarlem share the story of their friendship, which began at the Coornhert Lyceum. They describe a unique bond characterized by a comfortable sense of awkwardness t...
James can already use the toilet, but not every 3-year-old can. Forte Childcare helps children get out of diapers earlier
Forte Kinderopvang is implementing the "De Pot Op" potty training method across all its locations to help children become toilet trained at an earlier age. The initiative aims to reverse the trend of ...
Significant damage in Heemskerk shed fire
A fire broke out in a shed in Heemskerk on Friday afternoon, resulting in significant property damage. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
Arrest in security risk zone near Zandvoort beach
A person was arrested on Thursday for insulting behavior within a designated security risk area at Zandvoort beach. During the police operation, approximately one hundred individuals were stopped and ...
Jetten also shocked by cost of ministers' private jets
Dutch Minister Rob Jetten expressed shock at the nearly 2 million euros spent by the government on private jet rentals for ministerial travel over the past five years. According to reports, the Minist...
Cabinet finds Netanyahu's Gaza plan extremely concerning
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen has described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to occupy more of the Gaza Strip as extremely concerning. The cabinet maintains that the proposal co...
Haarlem redesigns Kleine Houtweg for more greenery and safety
The municipality of Haarlem will begin the redevelopment of the Kleine Houtweg at the end of this year to improve safety and increase greenery. The project involves narrowing the road and converting i...
Investigation into Badhoevedorp express cycle route halted: 'We take residents' concerns seriously'
The municipality of Haarlemmermeer has halted its investigation into a proposed fast-cycle route in Badhoevedorp between Sloterweg and Schipholweg. Alderman Marja Ruigrok cited resident concerns and t...
Monitoring of municipal bridge conditions falls seriously short: ‘Keeping this bridge open would be negligent’
A joint investigation has revealed that the safety of 66,000 municipal bridges across the Netherlands is uncertain due to a lack of national legislation and oversight regarding inspections. There are ...
More room for greenery and cyclists on the Kleine Houtweg
The Haarlem city council has approved a redesign of the Kleine Houtweg to prioritize cyclists, pedestrians, and green space, with construction scheduled to begin in late 2026. The project will convert...
Cheap train connection to Paris announced: ‘Expect this to go through the roof’
Starting late this year, Dutch company GoVolta will launch a new daily train service from Amsterdam to Paris via Brabant. Tickets for the route will be available starting at 19 euros.
Koopmans critical of Dutch pandemic preparedness
Virologist Marion Koopmans testified during a parliamentary inquiry that the Netherlands remains inadequately prepared for future pandemics. She emphasized that a similar lack of urgency existed prior...
Koopmans: politicians fueled ‘bizarre’ threats
Virologist Marion Koopmans testified before the Dutch parliamentary inquiry committee on COVID-19, stating that certain politicians fueled "bizarre" threats against her. She criticized the spread of c...
Kaj Gorgels and Jessie Jazz Vuijk welcome second child: 'Our golden boy'
Presenter Kaj Gorgels and model Jessie Jazz Vuijk have welcomed their second child, a son named Xandro Rio. The couple announced on Instagram that the baby was born on May 21.
Marcel (56) has skin cancer and won't get better: ‘Worked outside in the sun all week’
Marcel Moerkerk, a 56-year-old former infrastructure technician, has been diagnosed with incurable melanoma after years of working outdoors without sun protection. He frequently worked shirtless durin...
Haarlem Bowls marks 30 years. Surprisingly fun for young and old. 'It’s mainly a tactical game'
Haarlem Bowls is celebrating its 30th anniversary and hosting introductory clinics every Wednesday evening in June at its facility in Haarlem-Noord. The club aims to increase awareness of the sport, w...
Haarlem man (23) who extorted money mule will not return to jail; victim was forced to withdraw cash
A 23-year-old man from Haarlem has been sentenced for extorting a young money mule and forcing him to withdraw cash. The defendant will not return to prison as his 166-day sentence was already served ...
'Why do Bachplein and Europaplein get a blue zone?' Frustration among residents and business owners in Heemskerk after council decision
Residents and business owners on Rijksstraatweg in Heemskerk are frustrated after the local council rejected their request for a blue zone parking area. The community proposed the measure to address p...
Police treat falling foam block as accident
Police have concluded that a large foam block falling from a window onto a pedestrian on the Bloemgracht was an accident and have closed the investigation. An elderly woman was hospitalized with injur...
End of OV-chipkaart nears: new public transport pass now on sale at all Primera stores
The new OV-pass is now available for purchase at all 550 Primera stores across the Netherlands, establishing a national physical retail network for the OVpay system. This rollout marks a significant s...