Netherlands News in English

NS passengers faced an unprecedented number of disruptions last year

NS CEO Wouter Koolmees acknowledged in the annual report that train passengers faced an unprecedented number of unexpected disruptions over the past year. Additionally, the report noted that trains we...

Amsterdam Red Light District business owners: Do not implement coffeeshop ban for foreigners

Entrepreneurs and residents in Amsterdam's Red Light District have urged the city council not to implement a ban on foreign tourists in coffeeshops. They warn that the proposed measure would lead to a...

NS records profit from passenger transport for first time since 2019

Dutch Railways (NS) recorded a profit from passenger transport in 2023 for the first time since 2019. The financial recovery was driven by higher ticket and subscription prices, a slight increase in p...

Mayor closes home on Archipelstraat after explosion

Mayor Jos Wienen has closed a residence on Archipelstraat in Haarlem following a series of incidents, including an explosion, to restore public order. The residents have been relocated while police in...

Students invite elderly for iftar: Great to make seniors happy

Students from the Islamic primary school Elif in Amsterdam-Zuid invited local elderly residents to join them for an iftar meal to break the Ramadan fast. The initiative, now in its second year, serves...

Sneevliet Committee holds commemoration for resistance fighters at Westerveld cemetery again this year

The Sneevliet Commemoration Committee is organizing a memorial service on April 12 for revolutionary socialist resistance fighters executed during World War II. The event will take place at the Wester...

Haarlem council committee members set for 30 percent pay raise: 'Better reflects the weight of the work'

The Haarlem city council is considering a 30 percent pay increase for committee members to better reflect the demands of their work. If approved during Thursday's meeting, compensation will rise to 22...

Discover how to reuse items

Starting March 19, 2026, Haarlem will participate in the Week of the Circular Economy with various sustainability activities such as workshops and a clothing swap. The event aims to inspire residents ...

Wendy and Frank still unable to leave Qatar as loud explosions are heard

Wendy and Frank Hoorn from Haarlem have been stranded in Doha, Qatar, for nearly a week due to airspace closures caused by regional conflict. While the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs organizes repa...

Moerdijk residents demand perspective and compensation from politicians

Residents of the village of Moerdijk met with the Dutch House of Representatives to demand clarity regarding the future and livability of their community. They advocated for financial compensation for...

Female judges discriminated against by lower salaries

The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights ruled that female judges in training were previously discriminated against by receiving lower salaries than their male counterparts. The institute declared t...

Opposition seeks concessions from cabinet on healthcare cuts

Dutch opposition parties are calling on the cabinet to reconsider planned healthcare budget cuts during the national budget debate. Several parties requested that Minister Sophie Hermans show willingn...

Heintje Hoekssteeg to be closed at night after years-long campaign: ‘Surprised it worked’

The new Dame aan de Kade is an accessible neighborhood bar with a chef from Michelin-starred restaurants

Council of State gives green light for construction at De Hangkous site in Hillegom: 'No parking nuisance feared'

The Dutch Council of State has approved the construction of an apartment complex at the former site of the De Hangkous restaurant in Hillegom. The ruling clears the way for the project after concludin...

Simone Weimans explores colonial past in new docuseries

NOS presenter Simone Weimans explores the colonial history of the Netherlands in her new documentary series 'Simone en de Roofstaat.' Premiering on April 2, the show follows Weimans as she visits four...

Possible conflict of interest in investigation into Muslim discrimination

An investigation by the newspaper Trouw suggests a possible conflict of interest in recent research focused on the discrimination and exclusion of Muslim youth. The findings raise concerns about the o...

City air getting cleaner, yet quality still comparable to passive smoking 4 cigarettes a day

Air quality in Amsterdam has improved significantly since 2010, yet current pollution levels are still equivalent to smoking four cigarettes a day. The city aims to achieve zero-emission mobility by 2...

Groninger Bodem Beweging: reopening Groningen gas field is not an option

The Groninger Bodem Beweging (GBB) has rejected a proposal by the political party JA21 to maintain the Groningen gas field as a strategic reserve. The group argues that reopening the field for extract...

Comedian Andries Tunru only flourishes when making songs based on audience suggestions

Entrance to apartment complex in Amsterdam-West destroyed by explosion

Advocacy group: major differences in cold-weather shelters for the homeless

A study by the coalition 'Dakloosheid Voorbij!' reveals significant inconsistencies and implementation failures in winter shelter provisions for homeless people across various Dutch municipalities. De...

Bart Overkamp (Pirate Party) warns against runaway AI: ‘People must continue to make the rules in Haarlem’

Bart Overkamp, leader of the Pirate Party, warns against the risks of artificial intelligence and digital dependency in Haarlem, emphasizing the need for human-led regulation. He also advocates for ke...

Elly wants to breathe new life into Creative Café in Het Terras community center. 'Who’s joining us?'

Elly Schot, a hostess at the Het Terras community center, is seeking to revitalize the Creatief Café following a decline in attendance after the pandemic. She is inviting more participants to join th...

More neighborhood enforcement officers, less for low-income: Haarlemmermeer VVD expects to be the largest party again

The VVD party in Haarlemmermeer aims to remain the municipality's largest political group, emphasizing a platform focused on extensive housing construction and increased neighborhood enforcement. The ...

Companies eye 178 billion mega-pot for defense contracts, but one hurdle remains

The Dutch government's plan to invest 178 billion euros in defense has triggered a surge in interest from companies seeking military contracts. Economists from Rabobank predict that revenue for these ...

Heritage of the Week | Post-65 architects in Amsterdam

The 'Heritage of the Week' feature highlights Post 65 architecture located in Amsterdam. This recognition focuses on architectural designs and heritage preservation within the city.

Boijmans welcomes works by female artists on Women's Day

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has expanded its collection by acquiring new artworks from female artists Laure Prouvost, Tai Shani, and Mandy El-Sayegh. The announcement of these additions coincides wi...

More repatriation flights from Oman and Egypt on Friday

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced additional repatriation flights for Friday from Muscat, Oman, and Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt. Operated by KLM and TUI, these flights require passengers ...

Terraces fill up again: what about the prices this year?

As sunny weather returns, terraces across the Netherlands are filling up with customers enjoying outdoor dining and drinks. The article highlights the seasonal shift while raising questions about how ...