Netherlands News in English

Bloemendaal struggles with housing 150 asylum seekers. Problem-free reception of 28 girls in mini asylum center on Sparrenlaan

The municipality of Bloemendaal is currently facing challenges in fulfilling its requirement to house 150 asylum seekers. While the broader task remains difficult for local political parties, an exist...

Time travel impossible? In Leiden it is. At the wildly popular Museum Escape, you come face to face with your ancestor

The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden hosts a popular 'Museum Escape' experience where participants solve mysteries after closing hours. Visitors interact with historical figures from various eras, s...

Hans (71) stops delving into Castricum’s past after online hate: ‘I’m done for now’

Seventy-one-year-old Hans van der Himst has decided to stop researching and sharing the history of Castricum on social media due to persistent online hate speech. Although he misses the hobby and his ...

Velsen residents say Telstar fans should pay KNVB fireworks fine: ‘Start a crowdfunding campaign’

Residents of Velsen are calling for Telstar supporters to cover a €7,500 fine imposed by the KNVB for setting off fireworks in the stadium. The display was a tribute to a deceased fan, but locals su...

The Jetten method takes shape: straightforward, plenty of personal life, and a touch of Rutte

Prime Minister Rob Jetten held his first weekly press conference, showcasing a direct and optimistic communication style. His approach, dubbed the "Jetten method," combines clear language with glimpse...

Too open and exposed

A data breach involving the telecom provider Odido and the hacker group ShinyHunters has resulted in the exposure of user data. The author humorously notes how modern technology now facilitates the pu...

Israel travel advice tightened over US-Iran tensions

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated its travel advice for Israel, categorizing most of the country as code orange due to rising tensions between the United States and Iran. This classifi...

Tennis player Griekspoor reaches sixth career final in Dubai

Dutch tennis player Tallon Griekspoor has reached the sixth ATP final of his career. He achieved this milestone during a tournament held in Dubai.

DJI employee data also leaked due to software vulnerability

Personal data of employees at the Dutch Custodial Institutions Agency (DJI) were accessed by hackers due to a software vulnerability. The leaked information includes names, phone numbers, and location...

Global politics with Amsterdam taxpayer money

The Amsterdam municipal government is criticized for frequently engaging in international political issues using local taxpayer funds. This practice reportedly occurs with predictable regularity from ...

Vondelpark residents relieved by extra measures: "I feel unsafe on my bike"

The City of Amsterdam has expanded its designated nuisance and drug-dealing zone to include Vondelpark and surrounding streets following a rise in crime and safety concerns. This new status allows pol...

Margareth (76) trapped for hours in Hoofddorp parking garage with dozens of others: 'People were trapped like rats'

A 76-year-old woman and dozens of other motorists were trapped for hours inside the Polderplein parking garage in Hoofddorp when the exit gates failed to open. The technical malfunction caused a long ...

More reports to animal cruelty hotline in 2025

The Dutch animal abuse and neglect hotline, 144, received over 155,000 reports in 2025. This marks a 10 percent increase in the number of calls compared to the previous year.

Man struck in neck with glass shards during Amsterdam night out: three years in prison

A 31-year-old man has been sentenced to three years in prison, with one year suspended, for attempted manslaughter after striking a victim in the neck with a glass shard at Amsterdam's Leidseplein in ...

COA: Estimate of reception spots provides clarity

The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) stated that the newly published estimates for the number of reception places needed by provinces and municipalities provide clarity and dir...

Asylum Minister: 11,400 more reception places needed in South Holland

Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink announced that South Holland must provide 11,400 additional reception places for asylum seekers to address a regional shortage. Nationwide, the Netherlands faces a t...

Jetten files weekly police reports for homophobic hate and threats

Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Rob Jetten revealed during a weekly press conference that he files police reports for homophobic hate speech every week. Jetten stated that he receives daily threats specif...

She is unbeatable, yet Esther Kiel (29) is retiring: 'Natural ice is fantastic, but you don't want to train all year for just those few races'

Speed skater Esther Kiel has announced her retirement from the sport at the age of 29, despite her recent string of victories on natural ice in Sweden. Kiel, who is from Overveen, explained that the i...

Voting aid for undecided Velsen youth, but questions are too general. Asylum shelter for LGBTQ+ people?

The municipality of Velsen has introduced a specialized voting aid designed to help young undecided voters prepare for the upcoming elections. However, the effectiveness of the tool has been questione...

Singer PinkPantheress to perform at AFAS Live on June 1

British singer-songwriter and producer PinkPantheress will perform a concert at AFAS Live in Amsterdam on June 1. The performance is part of her upcoming tour titled 'An Evening With... PinkPantheress...

After-school activity provider shuts down already, and critics are not surprised: ‘They had never done anything like this before’

Jetten wants ministers to think carefully before posting

Prime Minister Rob Jetten has advised cabinet ministers to be more cautious with their social media activity. The statement comes after an Instagram post by Minister Hans Vijlbrief sparked public cont...

Amsterdam's Ella van der Woude to score Charlie Kaufman film

NU.nl offers behind-the-scenes look at politics in The Hague with new podcast

Dutch news site NU.nl has launched a new weekly podcast titled De Wandelgangen, which provides a behind-the-scenes look at politics in The Hague. Political reporters Edo van der Goot, Sanne Oving, and...

Irene Schouten's pilates empire is growing fast: already the sixth location in six months. 'I hope it becomes a nationwide concept'

Former Olympic speed skating champion Irene Schouten is rapidly expanding her pilates chain, RFRMR, with the opening of its sixth location in Heemskerk. Alongside partner Suus Bakker, Schouten aims to...

Vijlbrief retracts remark, will scale back state pension plan

Minister of Social Affairs Hans Vijlbrief announced he will weaken the coalition's proposal to accelerate the increase of the state pension age, retracting an earlier denial. Vijlbrief admitted follow...

Toy from Haarlem wins international Toy Award

The Haarlem-based toy brand Waytoplay Toys has won the Toy Award 2026 in the Sustainability category at the international Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg. This recognition highlights the brand's commitme...

Former PVV buddies Gidi and Geert now fight it out on stage

Former PVV colleagues Gidi Markuszower and Geert Wilders engaged in a political confrontation during a recent event. Rob Jetten also made his debut in a leadership role, where he remained calm during ...

Actress Annet Malherbe doesn't want an allotment, but it’s the ideal setting for her new MAX series

Actress Annet Malherbe stars in the new Omroep MAX television series 'Rust en Vreugd', which explores the dynamics of an allotment garden complex. Although the actress has no desire to own an allotmen...

Politics on the Amstel: Halsema shocks with controversial plan and Ramadan could influence elections

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema's controversial proposal to repatriate addicted homeless individuals has sparked debate among local political commentators. The discussion also addresses the potential in...