Monday brings a mixed set of stories, from a canal crossing near Utrecht that won’t be built to a quiet change at the blood bank. Here is what people living in the Netherlands are reading today.
A gentler speculum doubles its crowdfunding target
A redesigned speculum, the instrument used in gynaecological examinations, has raised 223,210 euros through crowdfunding. That is more than twice the amount the campaign first set out to collect. The strong response shows how many people want a more comfortable version of a routine but often unpleasant check-up.
Source: NL Times
Kockelmann honoured for his Schoof interview
Journalist Sven Kockelmann has won the Sonja Barend Award for his interview with former prime minister Schoof, broadcast on 20 February in a special edition of the WNL programme Café Kockelmann. Broadcaster BNNVARA, which presents the prize, praised him for making it “not a political cross-examination, but a personal conversation about a turbulent premiership.” A jury of fifty journalists picked the winner. If you are still getting to know Dutch television, Kockelmann is a name you will see often.
Source: NOS
Promised hip-hop venue in Amsterdam still waits for the city
In Amsterdam, time is running out for a hip-hop venue that was promised for the Amsterdamse Poort, and the municipality has still not responded. Residents waiting on new cultural space in the area should watch for a decision from the city.
Source: Het Parool
Car burns out overnight in Barendrecht
A parked car on the Bachlaan in Barendrecht, near Rotterdam, burned out completely during the night from Sunday to Monday. Witnesses reportedly heard one or more bangs.
Source: Rijnmond
No more pink cakes for blood donors
Donors who give half a litre of blood usually get a roze koek, the classic pink-iced Dutch cake, to bring their blood sugar back up. That treat has now disappeared from the table, and according to the report, visitors helping themselves too freely are to blame. If you donate, don’t be surprised to find the table looking different.
Source: Omroep West
Cycle bridge near Breukelen shelved, ferry’s future unclear
In the province of Utrecht, a planned cycle bridge over the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal at Nieuwer Ter Aa has been put on hold because the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management considers other projects more important. Villagers say they don’t mind, since they thought the bridge was too expensive, as long as the small ferry to Breukelen keeps running. Whether it will is still an open question, which matters for anyone who cycles that route.
Source: RTV Utrecht
Netherlands Today is a curated digest: we summarise and link, the reporting belongs to the publications named. Something wrong or missing? Tell us.
Sources
- NL Times: Crowdfunding for gentler gynecological exam tool raises over €220,000, accessed 26 October 2026
- NOS: Sven Kockelmann wint Sonja Barend Award voor interview met oud-premier Schoof, accessed 26 October 2026
- Het Parool: Tijd dringt voor de beloofde komst hiphoppodium in De Amsterdamse Poort, maar gemeente geeft nog steeds niet thuis, accessed 26 October 2026
- Rijnmond: Geparkeerde auto in Barendrecht gaat in vlammen op, accessed 26 October 2026
- Omroep West: Graaiende bezoekers verpesten het bij bloedbank, roze koeken van tafel, accessed 26 October 2026
- RTV Utrecht: Fietsbrug bij Nieuwer Ter Aa van tafel, maar wat betekent dat voor het pontje?, accessed 26 October 2026
The Netherlands, for internationals
One email a week: the week's news for internationals in the Netherlands, new practical guides and what changed in the cities. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Comments 2