Lifestyle News in English

Dutch people pay less often with cash at the checkout

Cash payments in the Netherlands have dropped significantly, now accounting for only 17% of point-of-sale transactions. Even among individuals aged 75 and older, there is a clear trend toward using de...

Rosie O'Donnell open about expensive facelift: 'Cost more than my car'

American television host Rosie O'Donnell revealed she underwent a facelift in January that cost more than her car. The presenter decided to have the cosmetic procedure after losing 23 kilograms.

Drake sets record for most songs on US charts

Canadian rapper Drake has set a new record for the most simultaneous entries on the Billboard Hot 100 in a single week. Following the release of three new albums, he surpassed the previous record held...

Wednesday cooler after Tuesday's record heat, then temperatures rise again

Have your passport or ID card delivered to your home for free before the summer holidays

Residents can have their new passports or ID cards delivered to their home or workplace for free throughout June and early July. This service aims to provide convenience and eliminate the need for in-...

More passengers via Eindhoven Airport despite Middle East unrest and rising fuel costs

Eindhoven Airport recorded its busiest first quarter ever, seeing a significant increase in passenger numbers despite higher kerosene prices and Middle East unrest. While Schiphol faces setbacks, the ...

Singer Maluma struggled with panic attacks: 'Changed my life'

Colombian singer Maluma revealed during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show that he suffered from panic attacks in late 2024. He described the experience as life-changing during the interview.

Boating on the canals: 7 canal cruises in Haarlem

Haarlem offers several canal cruise options for those looking to explore the city's historic center from the water. Visitors can enjoy guided tours that provide insights into Haarlem's history while r...

‘You have London, you have Paris and you have Lelystad,’ they say outside the station – but then the spectacle begins

Commercial waste in East ends up in household bins far too often

Authorities in the Amsterdam-Oost district are implementing stricter enforcement against business owners who dispose of commercial waste in household containers, leading to littered shopping streets. ...

Pickleball takes over Haarlem, popular with disabled athletes: ‘It’s accessible’

Pickleball is gaining popularity in Haarlem and across the Netherlands as an accessible alternative to tennis and padel. Bernadette Snijders Blok, chairperson of Pickleball Holland, notes that the spo...

Joy or heartbreak: which regional clubs still face a play-off battle?

Several football clubs are entering promotion and relegation play-offs as the regular season comes to an end. While many players have already begun their summer break, these regional teams must contin...

Overveen water treatment plant to reopen in a few years as water conservation trend stalls

PWN is set to reactivate its historic drinking water purification site in Overveen within a few years to address stagnating water conservation trends. The facility, which originally opened in 1898 to ...

Drug 3-MMC is almost never what it seems, Trimbos Institute finds

The Trimbos Institute reports that drugs sold as 3-MMC in the Netherlands rarely contain the actual substance. Data from the Drugs Information and Monitoring System reveals that only 3 percent of samp...

Number of homes worth at least a million increases significantly

The number of homes in the Netherlands valued at one million euros or more reached 273,000 in 2025. This marks a significant increase of nearly 50,000 homes compared to the previous year.

A €150,000 prefab home for first-time buyers? ‘At Landal you see the most beautiful cottages’

Knowledge organization Platform31 is advocating for factory-built homes as an affordable and rapid solution for starters in the housing market. The group suggests that allowing individuals to purchase...

Hundreds of residents desperate as heating systems fail for years in Haarlem and Amstelveen

Hundreds of residents in Haarlem and Amstelveen have faced persistent failures with their gas-free heat and cold storage (WKO) systems for years, leaving many without heating or cooling. The issues hi...

Forgot to reserve a loaner car? No problem at Garage Majoor

Garage Majoor offers loaner cars to customers bringing their vehicles in for repairs, even if they have forgotten to make a prior reservation. The service aims to provide a positive experience for cli...

Will it be another hot summer and why (not)? And four more questions about the heat

The Netherlands recently experienced record-breaking temperatures, with May 26 being the hottest ever recorded at 31.2 degrees Celsius. While temperatures are expected to cool temporarily, meteorologi...

Floortje (44) never felt at home in the ‘normal’ dance world — until she taught seniors to dance: ‘Now I can make a difference with something I’m good at’

Majority of Amsterdammers interested in neighborhood library of things

Parool readers’ favorite trees: ‘This tree brings a touch of Paris to Amsterdam’

Sioe Jeng (34) met Nafiesa (42) through mutual friends on Instagram: ‘I noticed I got jealous when she said she had someone in mind’

Higher education students satisfied with programs and teachers

The National Student Survey (NSE) 2026 reveals that 75% of the 248,000 participating students are satisfied with their higher education programs in the Netherlands. The survey also measured student sa...

Support for climate policy erodes, one-third of population feels they are ‘no longer allowed to enjoy anything’

Support for climate change policies in the Netherlands is declining as a growing portion of the population prioritizes other issues. While a majority still favors reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ma...

Lots of litter and glass after busy day at Marineterrein: Everyone needs to step it up a bit

Following a busy day at the Marineterrein in Amsterdam, cleaners collected large amounts of litter and glass left behind by visitors seeking cool water. Site manager Pieter van Dijk highlighted the sa...

No needles, but light and sound: these are the latest techniques for more beautiful skin

Dr. Marguerite van Randwijck examines modern cosmetic techniques that use light and sound energy rather than needles to enhance skin appearance. This guide details how laser and energy-based treatment...

Irene de Bel on the fairy tale of inclusive education

Irene de Bel uses a metaphorical story about a triangle struggling to fit in among circles to illustrate the challenges of the Dutch inclusive education system, known as 'passend onderwijs.' The piece...

20 km/h on Amsterdam bike paths soon? "That’s quite slow for a bike"

Starting in September, the City of Amsterdam will launch a pilot program limiting bicycle speeds to 20 km/h to improve traffic safety and reduce accidents. Traffic Alderman Melanie van der Horst noted...

Haarlem residents revive 't Scheepje brewery: 'We make modern beer with a strong historical twist'

Paul Rutte and Lex Wertien are reviving the historic 17th-century brewery 't Scheepje in Haarlem at its original location on Houtmarkt 7. The duo plans to produce modern beers with a historical twist,...