Netherlands News in English

State pension plan seems like a lightning rod

Labor unions are questioning whether the Dutch cabinet's long-term AOW pension plan is a political distraction from other immediate budget cuts. Reporter Hans van Soest highlights concerns that focusi...

Why ministers cheered when Mona Keijzer broke away

Dutch labor unions are questioning whether a government pension plan is a strategic distraction from other budget cuts currently being implemented. Political reporter Hans van Soest examines the impli...

'Voting rights alone are not enough', Conny Braam looks back on her activist past in new memoirs

Author Conny Braam reflects on her career as an anti-apartheid activist in her new book, 'Memoires van een activiste.' The memoir details her experiences leading the Anti-Apartheid Movement Netherland...

Box 3 saga continues: search for a fair wealth tax

The Dutch government is revising its wealth tax system, known as 'box 3', following significant criticism and legal challenges. While the House of Representatives aims to establish a fairer taxation m...

Play Perfect Girl exposes influencer world: ‘Everything for clicks’ ‘If you only care about image, you lose your essence’

The psychological thriller 'Perfect Girl' by theater group Mevrouw Ogterop explores the tension between reality and the curated lives of social media influencers. Focusing on themes of identity and th...

Travel advice tightened for five more countries near Iran

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated the travel advice for Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Qatar to orange due to increasing regional tensions. This change indicates that travel to these cou...

Cable car over the IJ seems far off; more and more global cities already have one

The Amsterdam city council has voted against a long-standing proposal for a cable car over the IJ river, citing concerns that it would attract too many tourists rather than serving local commuters. Wh...

Mexican man surprised in Uitgeest: 'No monument for Cornelis Corneliszoon, how is it possible?'

Mexican history enthusiast Jaime Dávila expressed surprise during a visit to Uitgeest at the lack of a monument for Cornelis Corneliszoon. Corneliszoon's invention of the wind-powered sawmill was a c...

Bollenstreek Flower Parade to tour region with fifteen floats in April

The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek flower parade will take place on Saturday, April 18th, featuring 15 floats traveling through the Bollenstreek and Zuid-Kennemerland regions. Although there are slightly f...

Dull bang shocks Hoofddorp neighborhood: Afraid it will happen to me too

An explosion at a home in Hoofddorp left three residents hospitalized for smoke inhalation and caused significant distress in the local neighborhood. Police are currently searching for two young suspe...

Shoppers flout bicycle parking ban: 'It’s raining. No enforcement seen'

Shoppers in Haarlem's Grote Houtstraat are frequently ignoring bicycle parking bans, opting for convenience over designated parking zones. Cyclists interviewed cited a lack of enforcement and unclear ...

Extra NOS news bulletins on Iran this Sunday morning

The Dutch public broadcaster NOS will air extra five-minute news bulletins every hour on Sunday morning. These broadcasts are scheduled to provide updates on the ongoing developments in and around Ira...

Briefly the highest point in Amsterdam: a 208-meter crane at a shipyard in North

Stabbing and hostage situation in Heerhugowaard prison, danger over

An inmate at a prison in Heerhugowaard was involved in a stabbing incident and a subsequent hostage situation on Saturday afternoon. The police reported that the situation has been resolved and the in...

Husam Alhasan’s family finally celebrates Ramadan together in Bussum after years of uncertainty

After three years of separation, Husam Alhasan has been reunited with his wife and two daughters who recently arrived in the Netherlands from Syria. The family is now celebrating Ramadan together in B...

Who needs sleep? Haarlem celebrates the night for a week

The fourth edition of the Week of the Haarlem Night will take place from March 2 to March 8, 2026. During this period, the city of Haarlem will transform into a playground for night owls, celebrating ...

Travel warning for Iraq, Israel, Lebanon and Palestinian territories

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a red travel advisory for Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories due to extreme safety risks. Citizens are strongly advised not to trav...

Speed skater Conijn withdraws from Dutch Allround Championships in protest

Olympic silver medalist Merel Conijn withdrew from the Dutch Allround Championships in Heerenveen as an act of protest. After completing the 500-meter race, she decided not to participate in the 3000-...

Viktoriia fled the war: The past four years really feel like a nightmare

Viktoriia, a 25-year-old Ukrainian refugee, has been living in Haarlem for four years after fleeing the war and leaving her family behind. She currently resides on a cruise ship and works at a local s...

Malieveld gathering turns into celebration over possible death of Khamenei

A demonstration against the Iranian regime at the Malieveld in The Hague turned into a celebration on Saturday following reports that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have been killed in Israeli and US atta...

A coffee with Ozan Turkdogan (Anti-Racist Muslim Party): Activism is being a pain in the ass to others

Ozan Turkdogan, leader of the Anti-Racist Muslim Party, outlined his party's goals for the upcoming municipal elections in Amsterdam, including increasing the visibility of Islamic history and severin...

CIDI: Attack on Iran is continuation of existential struggle

Naomi Mestrum, director of the Center for Information and Documentation Israel (CIDI), stated that the Israeli-American attack on Iran was anticipated following weeks of high alert. She described the ...

Choosing between the classic tournedos or chef's surprise, Het Graanpakhuis in Vijfhuizen even has fans from Lelystad (8+)

Het Graanpakhuis in Vijfhuizen is recognized for its menu that balances traditional classics like tournedos with creative dishes by chef Bob Goossens. The restaurant's reputation for quality, includin...

Iranians in the Netherlands follow attacks closely: 'People cheer but I hear their voices trembling with fear'

Iranians residing in the Netherlands have reacted with a mix of hope and anxiety following Israeli and American strikes on Iran this past Saturday. While some individuals see the military action as a ...

Yara is only 17 but eager to join the city council. A massive banner draws votes: 'My classmates aren't really into politics yet'

Seventeen-year-old Yara den Haan is running for a seat on the Heemskerk municipal council as a candidate for the Hart voor Heemskerk party. Despite being too young to vote herself, she aims to become ...

Iranian protest against regime at Malieveld Saturday afternoon

On Saturday afternoon, Iranians are demonstrating at the Malieveld in The Hague against their country's regime and recent military actions by Israel and the United States. Protesters seek to highlight...

KLM avoids Middle East airspace Saturday, Sunday still unknown

KLM has suspended flights over Middle Eastern airspace and cancelled several routes to cities such as Tel Aviv and Dubai as a precaution following attacks on Iran. The airline is currently monitoring ...

Was Verspronck’s ‘Girl in Blue’ named Catharina? Expert investigates further after reader tip

Johannes Verspronck’s famous 1641 painting, ‘Girl in Blue,’ will soon be exhibited at the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem alongside portraits of her parents. Despite extensive research by expert Fr...

Dear Old Friend II: Shivering on the Afsluitdijk

Lottie Hellingman, a multi-talented artist and single mother, reflects on her life and career while living in Amsterdam. The piece, titled 'Lieve oude vriend II,' explores her personal history and exp...

Old Floradorp residents vote for neighbor's party: "Because that's not for the yuppies"

Longtime residents of Floradorp in Amsterdam are turning to the local party 'Stem van Amsterdam' for the upcoming municipal elections in response to gentrification and rising housing costs. Voters exp...