Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Applause and boos for homecoming footballers

The returning Dutch football squad were welcomed by no more than few dozen fans at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on Monday. Boos mingled with the applause.

There were shouts of “money grabbers”, and one fan calle...

Dutch see less urban decay

The Dutch are experiencing less and less urban decay in their neighbourhoods.

Figures published by Statistics Netherlands, the Dutch statistics office, show that they report fewer buildings covered in graffiti, fewer vandalised phone b...

Foreign ministry launches travel app

Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal launched a new travel app at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Monday.

The app will provide the latest travel advice as well as contact information for all Dutch embassies and consulates.

A spokespers...

Dutch housing market improving

The Dutch housing market appears to be improving.

May saw the sale of 10,182 houses, an increase of 2.7 percent compared to the same period last year. Compared to April, the increase was even as big as 23.6 percent.

The increas...

Amsterdam protest against 'weed pass'

Thousands of cannabis users, sellers and other interested parties are reported to have taken part in a protest in Amsterdam against government plans to limit the sale of hashish and marijuana in the Netherlands. The annual Cannabis Liberation D...

Cruise ship evacuated after fire

A cruise ship travelling on the Rhine river from Amsterdam via Germany to France has had to be evacuated after a fire.

The fire was discovered in the engine room after the vessel docked in Krefeld in Germany, just over the border near V...

Greeks send Advocaat packing in Euro 2012

The outgoing trainer of the Russian football squad, Dutchman Dick Advocaat, appears to be putting a brave face on his team’s surprising early exit from the Euro 2012 soccer championships. He still maintains the Russians were a better team...

Dutch ‘forest boy’ free to go

Police in Berlin say they are taking no further action against ‘forest boy’ Robin.

On 5 September, he presented himself to police in Berlin with a tent and a sleeping bag, saying that his name was Ray. He claimed he had liv...

Dutch drugs trafficker caught in Argentina

A Dutch man has been arrested at Buenos Aires airport in possession of 15,000 ecstasy pills.

Argentinian media report that he flew in from Spain and has dual Dutch and Dominican nationality. The drugs are said to have been hidden in hi...

Return of 1,300 Iraqi refugees problematic

Iraq’s Migration Minister Shafiq Duski arrives in the Netherlands on Sunday evening for talks with Dutch Immigration Minister Gerd Leers.

Their discussions will centre on the problems surrounding the repatriation to Iraq of about ...