Netherlands News in English

Dancer from Vennep pursues dream on TV show Project Dans: Sophie, you can do this!

Sophie van der Heide, a 26-year-old dance teacher from Nieuw-Vennep, has been selected as one of twelve contestants for the new season of the television show Project Dans on NPO 1. After a rigorous pr...

Controversial plan proceeds: free abortion care for millions of women in Europe

The European Commission will provide funding to support women from EU countries where abortion is illegal by subsidizing care in other member states. Countries like the Netherlands will be able to acc...

No longer able to smell. How bad is it? Jan van der Meer from Haarlem loses his joy of life

Jan van der Meer, a 67-year-old resident of Haarlem, discovered he has a smell and taste disorder after noticing a change in the scent of his coffee. The condition has significantly impacted his quali...

Video | Host Rijk Hofman in promo for new season of Temptation Island: 'Looking forward to it!'

Two men steal car and end up in dangerous police chase in Zwanenburg

Two men, aged 37 and 45, were arrested in Badhoevedorp on Wednesday following a dangerous police pursuit. The suspects, who have no fixed place of residence, had stolen a vehicle earlier that day in Z...

Three years in prison for rape in bushes near Tolhuistuin

Rachid M., 46, has been sentenced to three years in prison for the violent rape and assault of a woman near the Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam-Noord. The victim was followed from the city center and attacke...

Man sentenced to nearly 19 years for strangling and raping ex

A 43-year-old man was sentenced to 18 years and 10 months in prison for kidnapping, raping, and attempting to murder his ex-partner in August 2024. The court in Almelo also ordered the defendant to pa...

His Mexican nickname says it all: Tiloncito must have patience like his father, then things will work out at AZ

AZ defender Mateo Chávez, nicknamed Tiloncito, is following the path of his father, Paulo César Chávez, who was known as El Tilón. The article explains that the young player must be patient as he ...

Fermenting and pickling are popular again. Ode to the hungry gap

Nathalia Tensen is reviving ancient food preservation techniques like fermentation and pickling in Enkhuizen. These methods, which were historically necessary during the "hungry gap" between harvest s...

Velsen-Noorderlicht: light walk through Velsen-Noord on Friday, March 6

A two-kilometer light walk called Velsen-Noorderlicht will take place in Velsen-Noord on Friday, March 6. The community event proceeds from Huis van de Wijk De Stek to the St. Jozefkerk to promote tog...

Bike tour with cultural historian Karen past the heritage gems in Haarlem's suburbs: ‘They have stories just as interesting as the city center’

Cultural historian Karen Schenk is organizing bicycle tours this spring to explore historical heritage sites in the suburbs of Haarlem. These tours aim to demonstrate that areas outside the city cente...

Started with three aldermen and finished together: Jan, René and Judie hope this course continues

Aldermen Jan Schouten, René Oud, and Judie Kloosterman are concluding their terms in Uitgeest as upcoming elections approach. The trio expressed hope that their current policy direction will be maint...

Security for Lale Gül will not be discontinued after objection after all

The security protection for writer Lale Gül will continue after her lawyer successfully challenged a previous decision by the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) to end it. ...

Learn to identify trees during free bud walk in the Haarlemmerhout, the oldest city forest in the Netherlands

IVN Zuid-Kennemerland is organizing a free tree identification walk on March 8th in the Haarlemmerhout, the oldest urban forest in the Netherlands. Participants will learn to recognize trees without t...

Comic artist and illustrator Erik Kriek (59): ‘I’ve long had a penchant for the morbid and the dark’

Geuzenbond member sentenced to two years for illegal weapons possession

A 25-year-old leading member of the far-right group Geuzenbond, Thomas D., was sentenced by a Rotterdam court to two years in prison for illegal weapon possession. One year of the sentence is suspende...

Schipholpoort makes way for Spaarnepoort

Vacant office buildings at the intersection of Schipholweg and Europaweg in Haarlem are being rapidly demolished. This clearing of the site marks the transition from the old Schipholpoort area to the ...

Heat pumps mandatory again? Seeing is believing, say manufacturers

The Dutch government proposes making hybrid heat pumps mandatory starting in 2029 as part of its climate strategy. Heat pump manufacturers remain skeptical, citing previous financial losses and high i...

Zandvoort theater renovation spirals out of control: €600,000 extra costs and noise problems

Theater De Krocht in Zandvoort reopened in mid-February following a major renovation that exceeded its budget by 600,000 euros. The local municipality has also expressed concerns regarding the buildin...

Jetten sees little room to phase out mortgage interest deduction

Prime Minister Rob Jetten stated during a debate on the government's policy statement that there is little chance of further phasing out the mortgage interest deduction. He noted that while the topic ...

Prosecutors demand 13 years for Rico the Chilean on appeal

The Public Prosecution Service has demanded a 13-year prison sentence on appeal for Richard R., known as Rico the Chilean, for leading a criminal organization involved in assassinations, drug traffick...

Fishermen's Union chairman calls for fund for disasters at sea

The chairman of the Dutch Fishermen's Union has proposed that shipping companies and other stakeholders on the North Sea establish an emergency fund for maritime calamities. This initiative aims to en...

A coffee with Wessel Meijer (Party for Affordable Living): Self-reliance is the greatest gift

Wessel Meijer, leader of the Party for Affordable Living, outlined his party's platform for the Amsterdam municipal elections, which includes abolishing district committees and promoting self-sufficie...

New Heemskerk skate park opens March 13: 'Proud of this place'

A new skate park located on Cornelis Geelvinckstraat in Heemskerk is nearing completion and will officially open on Friday, March 13. The opening will be marked with a festive celebration to commemora...

Bar association opposes ban on face coverings at demonstrations

The Dutch Bar Association (NOvA) has expressed opposition to a proposed general ban on face-covering clothing during demonstrations. The organization argues that such a measure would restrict the fund...

BAM reviews Dutch Safety Board recommendations after Lochem accident investigation

Construction company BAM has announced it will study the findings and recommendations released by the Dutch Safety Board (OVV) regarding a bridge lifting accident in Lochem. The safety board's report ...

X skips social media hearing, Dutch Parliament disappointed

Social media platform X has declined an invitation to meet with the Dutch House of Representatives for a discussion on social media. Members of Parliament representing a large majority expressed their...

Tackling social tenants who own a home 'complex', priority given to those with two homes

Housing corporations in Amsterdam are prioritizing enforcement against social housing tenants who own multiple properties, following the eviction of a tenant who was renting out two owned homes. Housi...

Tackling social housing tenants who own property 'complex', priority on those with two homes

Housing associations are prioritizing enforcement against social housing tenants who own multiple properties, particularly those using them for profit. Amsterdam Alderman Zita Pels noted that while ow...

Parties accuse Jetten of 'false start' in cooperation with Parliament

Several political parties have criticized Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten for a "false start" in his cooperation with the House of Representatives due to his rigid stance on pension plans. Critics arg...