Dutch News in English
Latest headlines from the Netherlands in English. Covering Amsterdam, Haarlem, and national Dutch news.

State pension plan to be 'softened': coalition backs SGP and Markuszower Group proposal
Dutch coalition parties have agreed to soften proposed changes to the AOW state pension after supporting a motion from the SGP and Groep Markuszower. The exact details of how the plan will be modified...

Port businesses can still dispose of cardboard despite collector quitting
Entrepreneurs in the Amsterdam port area can still dispose of their cardboard despite the recent closure of the popular Veldman Recycling collection point on Strandweg. The facility had previously ser...
Roads in Velsen and IJmuiden closed for major asphalt maintenance
The municipality of Velsen will begin major asphalt maintenance on several regional roads starting in mid-March. Construction is scheduled to occur overnight between 8:00 PM and 5:00 AM, which may res...
Why we are happier and have more energy when the sun shines: ‘Sun reduces stress’
Sunlight significantly improves mood and energy levels by reducing stress and increasing patience. When the sun shines, people are generally happier and more motivated to participate in enjoyable acti...
In the film adaptation of ‘The Stranger’, Arab characters are also given a face: ‘Reading the book now is shocking’

Initial tests find no toxins in Dutch baby formula
Initial tests on eighteen samples of Dutch baby formula have found no measurable traces of toxins. The research results provide a positive first assessment regarding the safety of the product.

Zelensky expects direct talks with Russia and US in early March
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expects direct negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States to resume in early March. While previous rounds of talks were held in Abu Dhabi and Ge...

Crans-Montana fire victims to receive nearly 55,000 euros each
Switzerland is providing a one-time payment of nearly 55,000 euros to survivors and families of victims of a New Year's fire at a bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort. The incident resulted in 41 fatal...

Area ban for shot troublemaker in Spaarndam, 68-year-old shooter remanded for three months
A 68-year-old man from Spaarndam remains in pretrial detention for three months after shooting his neighbor in the legs in February. He faces charges of attempted manslaughter, aggravated assault, and...

Why more and more children are not going to school and how we are tackling it
The number of children not attending school rose to 821 during the last academic year. Authorities have investigated the causes for this increase and are now implementing measures to address the issue...

Vondelpark now also a nuisance area after significant increase in incidents
Amsterdam has expanded its designated nuisance and dealer enforcement zone to include Vondelpark and surrounding streets following a rise in incidents involving intimidation and drug trafficking. This...
‘The Testament of Ann Lee’ speaks volumes about the role of religion and sex in America

Public Prosecution Service investigates major cyberattack at Odido
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service has launched a criminal investigation into a major cyberattack on telecom provider Odido. The breach resulted in the theft of millions of customer records, though ...

Russian embassy: Jetten makes misstep with support for Ukraine
The Russian embassy in the Netherlands has criticized the Jetten cabinet for issuing a statement of support for Ukraine instead of resuming dialogue with Russia. In a social media post, the embassy st...

Opposition parties seek room with D66, receive no promises
During a debate on the government's policy statement, opposition parties questioned D66 leader Jan Paternotte about potentially adjusting coalition plans. While Paternotte expressed a willingness to r...

Paternotte on poverty due to coalition plans: We don't want that
D66 leader Jan Paternotte has urged the Dutch cabinet to take action to reduce poverty following reports that the new coalition's plans could increase poverty rates. Projections show the poverty level...

Van der Heijden family writes their own book about a gnome: 'Everyone in class wanted to read it!'
The Van der Heijden family has written a book titled "Kabouter Pierewied," inspired by their frequent walks in the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen. The creative project has been well-received by local ...

Help for seniors with moving
The City of Haarlem has reintroduced a moving expense allowance of €1,250 for seniors aged 65 and older who transition from multi-story rental homes to more accessible housing. This initiative, part...

Interior afternoon Haarlem houses
On March 6, 2026, Haarlem will host an event focused on the historical interiors of local houses dating from 1875 to 1945. Experts will discuss architectural details like stained glass and decorative ...

Election liveblog: which debates are coming up?
Amsterdam is preparing for municipal elections on March 18 with a series of debates scheduled to address topics such as housing, transportation, and the local economy. Current polling indicates a clos...