Lifestyle News in English

Majority of savers: Do not invest money in porn and gambling industries

A majority of savers oppose bank investments in the gambling and pornography industries, with women demonstrating a higher level of ethical concern than men. The survey findings also indicate that wom...

Neighborhood not surprised by rats in restaurant: "Gross, but very Amsterdam"

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) closed a restaurant in Amsterdam-Oost after social media footage revealed a rat infestation in the kitchen. While local residents expr...

How often and how short to mow? Scarifying? Grass clippings? What to do with your lawn

Farmer Tom answers various reader questions received via Instagram regarding proper lawn maintenance. The column provides advice on mowing frequency and height, scarifying techniques, and how to handl...

Near-record number of applications for home sustainability loans

The National Heat Fund reported a 73% increase in loan applications for home sustainability in March compared to the same month last year. This surge brings the number of requests close to record leve...

Cardi B feels 'reborn' after split from rapper Offset

Cardi B shared that she feels "reborn" following her 2024 divorce from fellow rapper Offset. The American couple had been married for seven years prior to their separation.

No trains between Schiphol and Leiden due to stranded train

Architect Van Bergen on Bergen building plans: Add quality, not just bricks

Architect Michael van Bergen, winner of the 2025 Amsterdam prize for best housing project, shared his insights on housing developments in his hometown of Bergen. He emphasized that construction projec...

At least fifteen homes in Velsen contain carcinogenic UF foam; 'used sparingly' says housing association spokesperson

A survey revealed that at least fifteen homes managed by Brederode Wonen in Velsen contain carcinogenic urea-formaldehyde (UF) foam. While Woningbedrijf Velsen reports no instances of the material in ...

Stuck in a ‘foreign’ city: many people can no longer return to their roots

Many people are finding it increasingly difficult to move back to the regions where they grew up due to a lack of affordable housing. This trend leaves individuals stuck in cities away from their root...

Chocolate company De Bonte Koe looks beyond the holidays: ‘Chocolate connects’

The Schiedam-based family business De Bonte Koe has been nominated for the National Entrepreneur Prize for its innovative approach to chocolate making. The company focuses on year-round customer engag...

Amsterdam bans fatbikes in Vondelpark from May 11

Amsterdam will ban fatbikes in the Vondelpark starting May 11, marking the city's first such restricted area. After a two-week grace period to allow riders to adjust, the municipality will begin enfor...

Amsterdammers can collect free seeds at seed library

Yet another energy crisis, now we’re finally buying that heat pump

A second energy crisis in five years has triggered a significant surge in demand for heat pumps in the Netherlands. The high volume of interest has led some companies to scale back their advertising e...

No more cutting off, wheelies, and close passes: Amsterdam's Vondelpark to ban fatbikes

Amsterdam's Vondelpark will become the city's first area to implement a total ban on fatbikes starting May 11. The measure aims to address dangerous riding behaviors such as wheelies and close passing...

Fatbikes banned in Vondelpark from May 11

Starting May 11, fatbikes with tires wider than seven centimeters will be prohibited from entering Amsterdam's Vondelpark to improve safety and reduce nuisance. Following an initial two-week warning p...

Michael (50) from Bergen lost everything, but now wins Zuiderkerk Prize: ‘This feels like recognition’

Architect Michael van Bergen has been awarded the Zuiderkerkprijs 2025 for designing the best residential building in Amsterdam. After moving to the city following significant personal setbacks, Van B...

How (un)healthy is chocolate really? ‘This variety is sometimes low in sugar’

As Easter approaches, dietician Sanne Mouha explores the health implications of various types of chocolate, noting that the average Dutch person consumes about five kilograms per year. She provides gu...

Weekend tips: things to do in Amsterdam (April 3 to 5)

Amsterdam offers a variety of activities for the weekend of April 3rd through 5th, including local markets, DJ sets, and spring blossom viewing. The city provides options for both those seeking a rela...

No NOC*NSF funding for Zandvoort figure skating pair Tsiba and Danilova, but support for Alkmaar bobsledder Wesselink

NOC NSF has announced the distribution of Olympic winter sport budgets for 2026-2030, with no financial support allocated to figure skaters Michel Tsiba and Daria Danilova. In contrast, Dave Wesselink...

New council debates: Big Left Energy sounds cute, but what about metro 53?

Following local elections, Amsterdam's city council debated the start of coalition negotiations between the PRO alliance and D66, while addressing a record-low voter turnout of 47.1 percent. Oppositio...

House in North closed due to illegal prostitution: "Constant stream of men"

Mayor Femke Halsema has ordered the three-month closure of a residence in Amsterdam-Noord that was being used for illegal prostitution. Neighbors reported constant nuisance, including noise and intimi...

Former SBS6 boss Tina Nijkamp: 'TV world has always been a snake pit'

Former SBS6 director Tina Nijkamp described the television industry as a "snake pit" in a recent interview with Nouveau. She noted that the competitive and challenging nature of the TV world has remai...

Grade 8 students on their school choice: ‘I felt at home immediately, the building is beautiful and the atmosphere open’

Record number of Easter baptisms in Catholic churches

Catholic churches in the Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam are reporting a record 160 baptisms during this year's Easter celebrations. The increase is particularly significant among young adults who are re...

Alternative Passion in Heemstede: Stations of the Cross through Mary's eyes at Our Lady of the Assumption Church

The OLV Hemelvaartkerk in Heemstede will host an alternative version of 'The Passion' on Holy Saturday. This production recounts the traditional Easter story through the eyes of Mary, repeating a succ...

Dylan (16) and Damiën (15) do carpentry for De Vlinder Children’s Center in Heemskerk. Noor is impressed: ‘He’s really not going to make that’

Teenage students Dylan and Damiën from Skills vmbo in Heemskerk built custom storage solutions for Kindcentrum de Vlinder. The project successfully addressed the school's issue with stray bags in the...

Singer Lizzo waited to have sex until she won a Grammy

Singer Lizzo revealed that she vowed at a young age to abstain from sex until she won a Grammy Award. The artist achieved this goal in 2020 when she received her first music prize.

Information sessions on IJ tunnel closure: live and online

The IJ-tunnel in Amsterdam will be closed for major maintenance from July 1, 2027, until November 2028. Information sessions are being organized, both in-person and online, to inform the public about ...

Special stamp marks 25 years of same-sex marriage in the Netherlands

A special stamp was unveiled at De Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam to celebrate the 25th anniversary of same-sex marriage legalization in the Netherlands. The country made history as the first in the world t...

Fort bij Krommeniedijk opens its doors during Defense Heritage Weekend with extra tours

Fort Krommeniedijk will host an extra guided tour on Saturday, April 18, in celebration of the Defense Heritage Weekend. This event offers visitors a special opportunity to explore the historic fortif...