News Archive

On street parking rates Amsterdam centre up 30 percent

Thursday, December 29 2005, 2:08PM

On street parking rates Amsterdam centre up 30 percent

Although most on-street parking rates do not change next year in Amsterdam, or not very much, this is different for the old centre: the hourly rate goes from E 3.40 to E 4.40.
The new rates start on January 1, and apply to a part of the centre of Amsterdam, mainly [....]

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Undercover policemen in Amsterdam taxis

Thursday, December 29 2005, 11:44AM

Undercover policemen in Amsterdam taxis

Amsterdam is going to deploy undercover agents in taxis.
The measure is intended against a group of a few dozen notorious drivers, who break the rules. The rules in question mainly have to do with dangerous driving, speeding, ignoring traffic lights, not wearing [....]

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25000 visitors expected on New Year

Tuesday, December 27 2005, 6:55PM

25000 visitors expected on New Year's party Dam Square

The city of Amsterdam expects about 25,000 people will attend the New Year's Eve party that will be held on Dam Square.
The theme of this year's party on Dam Square is the New Year celebration traditions of the inhabitants of Amsterdam. There will be big video screens [....]

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Free bicycles for students

Tuesday, December 27 2005, 4:45PM

Free bicycles for students

Students can get a free new bicycle next year, with advertisements on them.
The company RedStarMedia has opened a website (in Dutch only) on which students can apply for the new bike.

The advertisements can [....]

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New painting of Rembrandt discovered in Rembrandthuis

Sunday, December 25 2005, 12:47AM

New painting of Rembrandt discovered in Rembrandthuis

A new painting of Rembrandt has been discovered in the Rembrandt House Museum.
The painting is a portrait of Rembrandt's son, Titus. The painting was long thought to be produced by one of Rembrandt's pupils.

The painting can be seen in the Rembrandt House Museum, [....]

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Amsterdam introduces experimental ban marijuana smoking

Thursday, December 22 2005, 11:47PM

Amsterdam introduces experimental ban marijuana smoking

The city of Amsterdam has introduced a police bylaw to minimize problems with weed smoking youths on the street.
Under the new law the mayor can prohibit the smoking of marijuana in a particular area. The marijuana smoking ban is similar to the alcohol probition that [....]

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Amsterdam historic centre to get historic street lights

Thursday, December 22 2005, 11:45AM

Amsterdam historic centre to get historic street lights

A decision has been reached about the new street lights that will be used in the historic centre: the Kroonlantaarn and Ritterlantaarn will both be used.
In the past few months, 2 types of street lights had been 'tested': one called 'Ritterlantaarn' and the other [....]

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Rembrandt 400 year also opened in Amsterdam

Tuesday, December 20 2005, 11:14PM

Rembrandt 400 year also opened in Amsterdam

Today the Rembrandt 400 year was officially opened in Amsterdam, by unveiling the statue group that together form the 'Nightwatch' (the Nachtwacht), the famous painting by Rembrandt.
The statue group is located at the Rembrandtplein square, next to the statue of [....]

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Houseboat tax 30% higher in Amsterdam Centre

Tuesday, December 20 2005, 5:24PM

Houseboat tax 30% higher in Amsterdam Centre

Amsterdam Centre has decided to raise the mooring tax for houseboats in 2006 with 30%. Houseboat owners are furious.
The increase comes on top of another rais, of 25%, one year ago. The rate will now become EUR 8 per m2 per year. The increase is said to be necessary, [....]

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Ice skating rink on Museumplein opened

Monday, December 19 2005, 1:07PM

Ice skating rink on Museumplein opened

The ice skating rink on Museumplein square was opened yesterday.
The rink is located on the large square at the back of the Rijksmuseum.
Using the rink is for free. The rink will be open until February 2006.

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Rembrandt 400 year officially opened by Queen Beatrix

Thursday, December 15 2005, 11:49PM

Rembrandt 400 year officially opened by Queen Beatrix

Yesterday, the official opening of the Rembrandt Year took place, in Leiden, in the presence of Queen Beatrix.
Leiden is the place where Rembrandt was born 400 years ago, in 1606.

In 2006 it will have been 400 years ago that Rembrandt, Holland's greatest 17th-century [....]

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Cinema Bellevue Cinerama closes with classic movies

Thursday, December 15 2005, 6:58PM

Cinema Bellevue Cinerama closes with classic movies

The cinema Cinerama closes with a parade of classical movies.
Cinerama was opened in 1965, and at that time it was one of the most modern cinemas in the Netherlands.
On December 30 is the last movie to be seen, as it has to close down to make place for the new [....]

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Liberals for official gay cruising spots in Amsterdam

Thursday, December 15 2005, 6:12PM

Liberals for official gay cruising spots in Amsterdam

The Liberal party (VVD) in Amsterdam says it is in favour of official recognition of gay cruising places, such as in the Sarphatipark and Oosterpark.
This is one of the recommendations made in the memo 'Amsterdam Gay Capital - Tolerant capital' that is to appear next [....]

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2005 one of warmest years in Holland since 1706

Wednesday, December 14 2005, 6:55PM

2005 one of warmest years in Holland since 1706

The year 2005 will probably be number 5 on the list of warmest years since measurements started in Holland, in 1706.
The average temperature for this year will probably be 10.7 degrees Centigrade (51 Fahrenheit), measured over the whole year, including day and [....]

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Emergency number 112 now for entire European Union

Wednesday, December 14 2005, 2:17PM

Emergency number 112 now for entire European Union

The number 112 is now the emergency phone number for the entire European Union.
Now that Poland as the last member state introduced the special phone number, the whole European Community uses the same number for ambulance, fire brigade and police [....]

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Secret webcam in Amsterdam student house

Wednesday, December 14 2005, 12:25PM

Secret webcam in Amsterdam student house

Two girls in a student house in Amsterdam discovered a webcam that was hidden in their home.
The webcam was connected to a computer in the attic of the adjacent house. The girls discovered the webcam while painting the wall. They had been living there for 2 [....]

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Christmas lights on again in village

Monday, December 12 2005, 5:57PM

Christmas lights on again in village 'Den Ilp'

Like every year, many gardens and houses in the village Den Ilp (just north of Amsterdam) have been extensively decorated with Christmas lights.
And also, like every year, this will lead to an enormous line of slow going traffic on the main road through the village, [....]

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Christmas lights in windmill

Monday, December 12 2005, 4:42PM

Christmas lights in windmill 'De Gooyer'

The chairman of Amsterdam-Centrum has officially lit the Christmas lights in the windmill 'de Gooyer' in the east part of the centre.
The windmill is located in the east part of the centre, a part that Amsterdam-Centrum wants to promote, because it has many [....]

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Christmas tree placed on Dam Square

Friday, December 09 2005, 11:12AM

Christmas tree placed on Dam Square

The traditional Christmas tree has been placed on Dam Square.
The last few years there were several problems with the tree: it was either too small or too ugly, or it would fall.

This year's tree did not go without problems either; originally, an 18 meter tree was [....]

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Amsterdam RAI to host Davis Cup Tennis

Thursday, December 08 2005, 11:36PM

Amsterdam RAI to host Davis Cup Tennis

During the weekend of February 10-12, 2006, the Amsterdam RAI will host top-level international tennis, when the Netherlands team plays a Davis Cup first-round elite World Group tie against Russia.
The Netherlands team is expected to include Raemon Sluiter and Martin [....]

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Amsterdam International Fashion Week to Museumplein

Thursday, December 08 2005, 11:25PM

Amsterdam International Fashion Week to Museumplein

The Amsterdam International Fashion Week is almost certainly to take place on the Museumplein square, in the summer of 2006.
The AIFW is a relatively new regular event in Amsterdam (started in [....]

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More powers and money to Amsterdam for taxi problems

Thursday, December 08 2005, 10:55PM

More powers and money to Amsterdam for taxi problems

Parliament has decided that the 4 big cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht) get more powers and money to solve problems with the local taxi market.
The city government had asked a long time for these powers, but they were never granted a special status, [....]

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Army fills in for striking fire brigade in Amsterdam

Thursday, December 08 2005, 12:56PM

Army fills in for striking fire brigade in Amsterdam

The fire brigade of the army will be called upon to replace the fire brigade staff in Amsterdam that are on strike.
About 125 firemen have called in sick after the outcome of labour negotiations yesterday. According to the new agreement they have to give up their [....]

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Tv and internet in trains Haarlem - Maastricht

Tuesday, December 06 2005, 4:55PM

Tv and internet in trains Haarlem - Maastricht

The Dutch Railways have started a test project to provide tv and (wireless) in the train.
Starting today, the intercity trains between Haarlem and Maastricht (major stops at Amsterdam, Utrecht, 's Hertogenbosch, Eindhoven, Roermond, Sittard) will have tv screens [....]

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Abolishment Amsterdam tourist tax

Monday, December 05 2005, 4:26PM

Abolishment Amsterdam tourist tax 'unthinkable'

Alderman Laetitia Griffith (Economic Affairs) has said not to consider the abolishment of tourist tax in Amsterdam.
Recently the cities of Amersfoort and Rotterdam announced they would abolish the tourist tax altogether. Touris tax is a tax levied to accommodation [....]

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Extra concert by Rolling Stones in Amsterdam Arena

Monday, December 05 2005, 4:14PM

Extra concert by Rolling Stones in Amsterdam Arena

The Rolling Stones will give an extra concert in the Amsterdam Arena.
This was announced by Mojo Concerts, the organizer of the concerts.

After the tickets for the performance of July 30 were sold out in half an [....]

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Tickets Amsterdam Rolling Stones concert on black market

Sunday, December 04 2005, 9:54PM

Tickets Amsterdam Rolling Stones concert on black market

The tickets for the Rolling Stones concert in the Arena Stadium next year, were all sold out yesterday in 30 minutes. Many tickets have already appeared on the black market.

One day later, hundreds of ads have appeared on the websites Marktplaats.nl and [....]

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Flying the flag now official for Princess Amalia

Friday, December 02 2005, 11:13AM

Flying the flag now official for Princess Amalia

Flying the flag for the birthday of Princess Amalia has been made official by the Prime Minister.
Princess Catharina-Amalia is the daughter of Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima, and therefore the most likely candidate to become the future Queen of the [....]

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Politician for abolishment Amsterdam Red Light District

Thursday, December 01 2005, 3:04PM

Politician for abolishment Amsterdam Red Light District

Lodewijk Asscher, the chairman of the social democrats in the Amsterdam city council, has said in his new book that he is in favour of the gradual disappearance of the world-famous Red Light District in Amsterdam.
He wrote this in his new book 'Nieuw Amsterdam', which [....]

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Rolling Stones to perform in Amsterdam Arena Stadium

Wednesday, November 30 2005, 10:20AM

Rolling Stones to perform in Amsterdam Arena Stadium

The Rolling Stones will perform in the Arena Stadium in Amsterdam South-East on July 30 2006.
The concert is part of the European tour 'A Bigger Bang'. Presales in Amsterdam will start on Saturday December 3.

More information is on the Rolling Stones website.

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Minimum of 10 parking tickets per day

Wednesday, November 30 2005, 10:12AM

Minimum of 10 parking tickets per day

The department of the city of Amsterdam that maintains the parking laws (Stadstoezicht) appears to impose a minimum of 10 parking fines and 8 wheel clamps on its employees.
This was written in an internal personnel magazine of the department. The rule causes unrest [....]

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Amsterdam and Rotterdam start safety campaign

Monday, November 28 2005, 10:14PM

Amsterdam and Rotterdam start safety campaign

Amsterdam and Rotterdam have together started a campaign to increase awareness for terrorist threats of public transport users.
The 2 cities decided to cooperate in the campaign, which specifically targets travellers the bus, tram and metro system.

The reason for [....]

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Amsterdam restaurants lose Michelin stars

Saturday, November 26 2005, 4:52PM

Amsterdam restaurants lose Michelin stars

Three restaurants in Amsterdam have lost a Michelin star in the Benelux Micheling guide of 2006. In the Netherlands there are now 3 restaurants with 3 stars.
The restaurants that lost a star are

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Weather creates chaos in Netherlands

Saturday, November 26 2005, 12:57AM

Weather creates chaos in Netherlands

Today's severe weather has caused major problems on roads and railways.
Due to storm, heavy rain, hail, snow and thunderstorms traffic was disrupted today in large parts of the Netherlands.

The morning rush hour traffic jams did not solve and merged into the [....]

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Rotterdam second city to abolish tourist tax

Friday, November 25 2005, 10:52AM

Rotterdam second city to abolish tourist tax

The city of Rotterdam has decided to cancel the tourist tax.
Tourist tax is a tax levied by cities for hotel and other accommodation.

Last week Amersfoort was the first city in the Netherlands to abolish the tourist tax, now followed by

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No porn in Dutch prisons any more

Friday, November 25 2005, 10:27AM

No porn in Dutch prisons any more

Dutch prisoners will soon have to do without pornography on tv in their cells.
Minister of Justice Donner announced this in parliament yesterday.

The pornography is part of the subscription channels that the prisons use for their tv networks. The SGP (a small [....]

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Plan for freight transport in Amsterdam by tram

Wednesday, November 23 2005, 1:14PM

Plan for freight transport in Amsterdam by tram

The city of Amsterdam wants to investigate the feasibility of transporting goods to shops by street tram.
The company City Cargo Nederland came up with the plan.
The idea is to use special freight trams that are loaded in the outskirts of the city, to transport [....]

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Exhibition

Wednesday, November 23 2005, 12:34PM

Exhibition 'Amsterdam by night' in Zuiderkerk church

In the Zuiderkerk church you can see an exhibition of photographs of Amsterdam by night.
The photographers Ton van Rijn and Nico Roodhart chose for poetic pictures of places in Amsterdam that are normally very busy, but photographed in the night, without people and [....]

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Sinterklaas arrival in Amsterdam on November 20

Wednesday, November 16 2005, 7:49AM

Sinterklaas arrival in Amsterdam on November 20

Sinterklaas, the Dutch equivalent of Santa Claus, is to arrive on November 20 in Amsterdam.
From 11 am Sinterklaas will sail with his 'black piets' from the river Amstel to the Scheepvaartmuseum (Maritime Museum), just east of the Central Station.
He will arrive [....]

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Amsterdam policy to tow away cars with valuables

Wednesday, November 09 2005, 2:24AM

Amsterdam policy to tow away cars with valuables

The Amsterdam police will start towing away cars that have valuables visibly lying around in the car, such as laptops, cell phones and navigation systems.
The reason for the initiative is the fact that about 70 victims report thefts from their car, every day. [....]

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Riots as in Paris unlikely in Amsterdam

Wednesday, November 09 2005, 2:07AM

Riots as in Paris unlikely in Amsterdam

Urban sociologist Mr Deben (of the University of Amsterdam) says that riots such as are happening in Paris, are unlikely to happen in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam, like other major cities in the Netherlands, has a sizeable muslim minority, so worries existed that riots might [....]

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Dutch Parliament in favour of controlled marihuana production

Thursday, November 03 2005, 1:54PM

Dutch Parliament in favour of controlled marihuana production

Dutch Parliament is now in favour of experimenting with the controlled production of marihuana.
The right wing/liberal political party VVD is now in favour of experimenting with legalized production of soft drugs, which creates a majority in the Dutch 'Tweede Kamer' [....]

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Wednesday, November 02 2005, 12:54AM

'Terrorists' cause chaos near Amsterdam Central Station

This evening two train passengers on a high-speed train from Frankfurt were arrested. It appeared to be false alarm.
The passengers apparently looked like 'muslim radicals' (wearing traditional Arabic clothes and beards) and apparently behaved suspiciously (wearing [....]

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Amsterdam Centre tomorrow partially closed

Monday, October 31 2005, 4:21PM

Amsterdam Centre tomorrow partially closed

The closure is because of the state visit of President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
Dam Square will be partly closed between 9am and 5pm. Around 1pm there will be a commemorative ceremony at the National war monument on Dam Square.

Part of the canal belt, [....]

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Former apartment Anne Frank in Amsterdam restored

Friday, October 28 2005, 3:59PM

Former apartment Anne Frank in Amsterdam restored

The apartment where Anne Frank used to live has been restored into its original state.
The apartment is located at Merwedeplein 37, in Amsterdam south. Anne Frank used to live here from 1933 (after they escaped from Germany) to 1942, when the family went into hiding [....]

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11 dead in fire in Amsterdam airport prison

Friday, October 28 2005, 8:29AM

11 dead in fire in Amsterdam airport prison

Yesterday 11 people died in a fire that broke out in a prison complex on Schiphol Airport. Fifteen were wounded.
The prison is mainly meant for illegal immigrants, people who are denied access to the country and people who were caught with drugs.

Apparently, the [....]

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Ice skating and Christmas market on Dam Square Amsterdam

Wednesday, October 26 2005, 10:55AM

Ice skating and Christmas market on Dam Square Amsterdam

This year too, there is an ice skating rink on Dam Square, together with a Christmas market.
The skating rink is open from November 14 until January 7 (closed on December 30 and 31). If you don't have your own skates, you can rent them at the site.

From 14 November [....]

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Amsterdam outdoor cafes again open in winter

Monday, October 24 2005, 4:57PM

Amsterdam outdoor cafes again open in winter

The test period with outdoor cafes in the winter period will be extended this year in Amsterdam.
The first time this happened was last winter, and the results were satisfactory.

About 25 percent of the owners of a licence for an outdoor cafe made use of the [....]

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Commemoration of Theo van Gogh assassination

Tuesday, October 18 2005, 8:42PM

Commemoration of Theo van Gogh assassination

On November 2 the assassination of Theo van Gogh will be commemorated at the place where he was killed, 1 year ago.
The ceremony will take place between 8.30 and 9am, on Linnaeusstraat near the Oosterpark in Amsterdam east, the location of the murder.

The [....]

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Hell

Monday, October 17 2005, 9:07PM

Hell's Angels busted in Amsterdam and elsewhere

In one of the largest police operations ever in the Netherlands the police have raided various locations of Hell's Angels in the Netherlands.
The action took place in the middle of the night, in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Haarlem, Kampen, IJmuiden and 64 houses.

E [....]

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ING Amsterdam Marathon won by Haile Gebrselassie

Sunday, October 16 2005, 2:40PM

ING Amsterdam Marathon won by Haile Gebrselassie

Hail Gebrselassie (Kenya) has won the ING Marathon today.
With a time of 2.06.20 he set a personal record and a track record, but did not break the world record of 2.04.55.

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Pelican escaped from Amsterdam Zoo Artis

Sunday, October 16 2005, 2:34PM

Pelican escaped from Amsterdam Zoo Artis

A pelican that escaped from the Artis Zoo has been spotted on various locations in the city.
The pelican was first spotted in Amsterdam south, later in Osdorp, a suburb of Amsterdam. The last time it was seen is in neighbourhood 'de Aker', in Amsterdam west.

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No construction site in front of Royal Palace

Sunday, October 16 2005, 2:30PM

No construction site in front of Royal Palace

The construction work place that was to be built in front of the Royal Palace, will be placed elsewhere after protests.
The Royal Palace will be closed down for major maintenance and redecoration for a few years.
Shop owners and the Amsterdam Tourist Board had [....]

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Second

Sunday, October 16 2005, 2:24PM

Second 'bicycle flat' near Amsterdam Central Station

Alderman van der Horst has promised there will be a second bicycle flat near the Central Station.
The bicycle flat is a large float with several floors for parking bicycles. The structure has become a tourist attraction in itself because of the thousands of bicycles [....]

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Bill Gates donates E 800,000 to Amsterdam hospital

Saturday, October 15 2005, 1:41PM

Bill Gates donates E 800,000 to Amsterdam hospital

The AMC hospital in Amsterdam will receive a E 800,000 donation from Bill Gates' charity foundation.
The money is for research to develop a mouse with an immuno defense system similar to humans. With these mice tests can be carried out, necessary for the development [....]

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Heineken introduces new beer glasses

Wednesday, October 12 2005, 12:35AM

Heineken introduces new beer glasses

Fifteen thousand pubs in the Netherlands, serving beer of Heineken, Amstel or Brand, will get new beer glasses.
Dutch cafes will get the new Heineken glass (the Galaxy) as the first in the world.
The glasses have led to controversy, because the new glasses are [....]

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New street lights in Amsterdam centre

Monday, October 10 2005, 12:41AM

New street lights in Amsterdam centre

Two new types of street lights have been placed along the Herengracht canal, for the public to see and judge.
The street lights have been place along the Herengracht canal, between the streets Wijde Heisteeg and Huidenstraat.

Two types of street lights will be [....]

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Mayor of Amsterdam

Tuesday, October 04 2005, 12:05PM

Mayor of Amsterdam 'European Hero 2005'

Time Magazine has listed Job Cohen, the mayor of Amsterdam, as a European Hero 2005.
He has been listed because of his role after the assassination of film maker Theo van Gogh by a Muslim radical in Amsterdam, last year November.
According to Time Magazine, even [....]

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Renovation of Amsterdam Royal Palace

Friday, September 30 2005, 12:24AM

Renovation of Amsterdam Royal Palace 'a disgrace'

Amsterdam City, an organization of Amsterdam businesses, has protested against the way a redecoration of the Royal Palace on Dam Square is carried out.
Apparently, the construction workers will set up a large building site in front of the

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Amsterdam OLVG hospital voted the best of Holland

Friday, September 30 2005, 12:02AM

Amsterdam OLVG hospital voted the best of Holland

The OLVG Hospital in Amsterdam East has been voted the best hospital of the Netherlands.
The vote was carried out by Elsevier Magazine, and held under nurses, general practitioners and specialists.

The reasons give were the 'very good medical expertise', 'a top [....]

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Partial eclipse of sun visible in Amsterdam October 3

Wednesday, September 28 2005, 5:01PM

Partial eclipse of sun visible in Amsterdam October 3

On Monday October 3 the sun will be partially eclipsed in the Netherlands.
In a narrow region of Portugal and Spain, and north and east Africa, the eclipse will be more complete. A ring of the sun will remain visible.

As the moon moves in front of the sun, it will [....]

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Amsterdam Hermitage Museum gets EUR 9 Million extra

Tuesday, September 27 2005, 5:05PM

Amsterdam Hermitage Museum gets EUR 9 Million extra

The Amsterdam Hermitage Museum is to get € 9.000.000 extra funds from the government.
The Amsterdam Hermitage is a branch of the world-famous St. Petersburg Hermitage.

The Amsterdam Hermitage now [....]

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New type of excursion: Amsterdam Segway Tours

Sunday, September 25 2005, 11:34PM

New type of excursion: Amsterdam Segway Tours

Since this summer a new kind of excursion has become available: Amsterdam by Segway.
The Segway is a relatively new kind of machine, a self-balancing personal transportation device.

Although still rarely seen in [....]

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Statue unveiled of André Hazes on Albert Cuyp market

Friday, September 23 2005, 6:42PM

Statue unveiled of André Hazes on Albert Cuyp market

Today a statue was unveiled of the famous Dutch folk singer André Hazes, at the corner of Albert Cuypstraat and Eerste Sweelinckstraat.
The statue was unveiled on the occasion of the first anniversary of André Hazes' death, exactly one year ago today, in the presence [....]

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Newly discovered works by Rembrandt in Rembrandt House

Thursday, September 22 2005, 3:31PM

Newly discovered works by Rembrandt in Rembrandt House

Four new paintings by Rembrandt have been discovered by museum 'het Rembrandthuis' (the Rembrandt House).
The paintings were discovered during the preparations for a new exhibition. The paintings were always considered to be made by pupils of Rembrandt, but it is now [....]

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Former Amsterdam gay club iT squatted

Wednesday, September 21 2005, 12:09AM

Former Amsterdam gay club iT squatted

The once famed gay club iT has been taken by squatters yesterday evening.
The building (in Amstelstraat, near the Rembrandtplein) had been sitting empty since 2004, when it was closed due to violation of noise legislation.

The IT once was one of the most famous [....]

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IIFA Awards 2006 (

Sunday, September 18 2005, 12:47AM

IIFA Awards 2006 ('Bollywood Oscars') not in Amsterdam

Other than expected previously, the Bollywood Oscars 2006 will not be held in Amsterdam.
After the IIFA Awards 2005 were held in Amsterdam, it was announced that most likely the event was to be repeated in Amsterdam [....]

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Only medieval part Amsterdam centre car-free on Sunday

Friday, September 16 2005, 7:48PM

Only medieval part Amsterdam centre car-free on Sunday

On Sunday September 18 there is the usual yearly car free Sunday in Amsterdam.
However, this year the area in which cars are not allowed is smaller than ever: only the medieval heart of the city centre is barred for cars.

This is the part that is enclosed by [....]

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Tuesday, September 13 2005, 7:04PM

'Dutch Jazz for New Orleans' in Amsterdam Concertgebouw

On Monday September 19 there will be a special charity concert for the jazz musicians in New Orleans.
The concert is intended to help the jazz musicians in New Orleans. Numerous Dutch (jazz) artists will participate.

The entrance fee of E 75.- will go entirely to [....]

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Amsterdam China Festival in October

Tuesday, September 13 2005, 6:56PM

Amsterdam China Festival in October

In October the Amsterdam China Festival will be held.
More than 30 cultural institutions participate, and it is the largest festival with China as a theme that was ever held in the Netherlands.

The Amsterdam China Festival is an initiative of the

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Amsterdam mayor

Monday, September 12 2005, 5:23PM

Amsterdam mayor's house gets commemorative plaque about slavery

The official residence of the mayor of Amsterdam, now inhabited by Job Cohen, will get a plaque commemorating refering to the slavery past of the building.
The building is located at

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Open Monuments Day (Open Monumentendag) attracts 900000 people

Monday, September 12 2005, 5:06PM

Open Monuments Day (Open Monumentendag) attracts 900000 people

The Open Monuments Days have attracted 900,000 people this weekend. The monuments in Amsterdam had 22000 visitors.
The Open Monuments Day is in Amsterdam actually a weekend, in which a number of buildings will open to the public that are normally closed. Entrance is [....]

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Riot near Melkweg theatre Amsterdam

Sunday, September 11 2005, 1:09PM

Riot near Melkweg theatre Amsterdam

Some 200 visitors attending the punk party 'Wasted Festival' were caught up in a big fight with police, yesterday evening.
The trouble started when police addressed a man who was urinating into the canal near the Melkweg theatre, near Leidseplein square, around 10 [....]

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Dutch water protection system big news in US

Saturday, September 10 2005, 6:17PM

Dutch water protection system big news in US

In the aftermath of the Katrina hurricane, officials of water protection works are coping with their own floodings: journalists from all over the world.
Numerous interviews are given by - particularly - spokespersons of the grand water works that were made in Zeeland, [....]

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Amsterdam city beach Blijburg probably saved

Wednesday, September 07 2005, 3:50PM

Amsterdam city beach Blijburg probably saved

The city has started an investigation of the possibilities to move the urban beach Blijburg to another location.
Because of building activities on the IJburg islands, the Blijburg beach had to move. Although the [....]

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Holland sends army ship with help to New Orleans

Friday, September 02 2005, 10:45PM

Holland sends army ship with help to New Orleans

The Dutch government has sent a frigate of the navy to the Gulf Coast, with supplies and rescue materials.
The ship is already in the Caribbean, near the Dutch Antilles. The government has offered help to the US government, but has not yet received an official [....]

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Netherlands has highest gas price

Friday, September 02 2005, 10:37PM

Netherlands has highest gas price

The gas price in the Netherlands is the highest of the world.
With a price of E 1.48 per liter (which is about E 5.6 per gallon, or USD 7 per gallon), the gas price in Holland surpasses the gas price in other European countries.

Gas has always been expensive in [....]

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Oosterpark in Amsterdam East gets cactus for Van Gogh

Wednesday, August 31 2005, 3:29PM

Oosterpark in Amsterdam East gets cactus for Van Gogh

Local authorities in Amsterdam-East have decided that there will be a cactus statue in the Oosterpark, in commemoration of Theo van Gogh, the filmmaker who was assassinated in November last year.
There has been a lot of debate on whether and how the filmmaker would be [....]

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Uitmarkt Junior in Amsterdam Vondelpork allowed

Friday, August 26 2005, 12:20AM

Uitmarkt Junior in Amsterdam Vondelpork allowed

A judge has ruled that the 'Uitmarkt Junior', the Uitmarkt for children can be organized in the Vondelpark.
The 'Vereniging Vrienden van het Vondelpark' (Society of Friends of the Vondelpark) was against it, as it [....]

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Aalsmeer Flower Parade (Bloemencorso) has music as theme

Tuesday, August 23 2005, 11:01PM

Aalsmeer Flower Parade (Bloemencorso) has music as theme

The yearly large flower parade, the famous Aalsmeer Bloemencorso, will have music as a theme this year.
For the first time ever, each float will be resounding with melody. The procession will be divided into six musical sections. The first section will lead off with [....]

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Amsterdam garbage collectors will need 1 week

Monday, August 22 2005, 5:08PM

Amsterdam garbage collectors will need 1 week

Now the strike of the garbage collectors has ended, they expect to need 1 week to catch up.
Garbage has been filling the streets of Amsterdam, after a 1 week strike that started last Monday.
Now that the strike is over, many people put their garbage outside, after [....]

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Sail Amsterdam 2005: 2.5 million visitors

Monday, August 22 2005, 5:01PM

Sail Amsterdam 2005: 2.5 million visitors

The Sail 2005 event has drawn about 2.5 million visitors to Amsterdam.
This morning the Sail-Out took place; all boats that were on Sail Amsterdam left Amsterdam through the harbour of IJmuiden. Other than the Sail-in, on Wednesday, this hardly drew any [....]

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Taxi stand Amsterdam Central Station open again

Sunday, August 21 2005, 10:31AM

Taxi stand Amsterdam Central Station open again

The taxi stand in front of the Central Station has been opened again.
The stand was closed a few days ago, as the traffic police judged the situation and behaviour of taxi driver dangerous, with a view to the thousands of visitors of Sail 2005.

The re-opening is a [....]

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Train service around Amsterdam Central Station normal again

Friday, August 19 2005, 11:00PM

Train service around Amsterdam Central Station normal again

The problems with the train service around Amsterdam Central Station have been solved.
Five of the 6 train tracks on the west side of the Central Station are in use again. This means that normal train service has been resumed.

The problems were caused by a train [....]

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Taxi stand Amsterdam Central Station closed

Friday, August 19 2005, 10:58PM

Taxi stand Amsterdam Central Station closed

The taxi stand in front of Amsterdam's Central Station is closed by the traffic police until further notice.
The reason is (according to city officials) that taxi drivers entered the street behind the Central Station from the taxi stand, although this street is a [....]

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Sail 2005 succesfully started

Wednesday, August 17 2005, 11:18PM

Sail 2005 succesfully started

The first day of Sail 2005 has ended in a good atmosphere, and without serious problems.
The train problems turned out to be rather acceptable, as 2 tracks on the west side of Central Station are in use again. Continuous trains go to and through between Central [....]

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Exhibition

Wednesday, August 17 2005, 4:38PM

Exhibition 'Footsteps of Elvis' in Amsterdam (Beurs van Berlage)

The exhibition 'Footsteps of Elvis' will be in the Beurs van Berlage, from August 27 to September 18.
The exhibition is the biggest Elvis exhibition that has ever been organized outside Graceland.
Visitors can see the biggest private collection of Elvis' personal [....]

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Train problems around Amsterdam Central Station partially fixed

Tuesday, August 16 2005, 9:14PM

Train problems around Amsterdam Central Station partially fixed

As of this evening, two of the six railway tracks on the West side of Central Station are available for train service again.
This means that train service can be partially resumed between Amsterdam Central Station and destinations West and North of Amsterdam, such as [....]

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Garbage still collected around Dam Square

Tuesday, August 16 2005, 8:56PM

Garbage still collected around Dam Square

The garbage collectors in Amsterdam, who are on strike this week, have agreed to make an exception for the Dam Square area.
With the Sail event approaching (2.5 million visitors are expected between August 17 and 22), there were fears that the pollution may form a [....]

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Trains between Central Station and Schiphol still disrupted

Tuesday, August 16 2005, 8:33AM

Trains between Central Station and Schiphol still disrupted

The Dutch Railways are still not able to resume train services between Amsterdam Central Station and Schiphol airport.
The disruption is due to the train derailment that happened yesterday. It is expected that service will not be resumed during the entire day, and it [....]

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Train derailed near Amsterdam Central Station - services affected

Monday, August 15 2005, 8:55PM

Train derailed near Amsterdam Central Station - services affected

This morning a train has derailed close to the Central Station of Amsterdam.
The derailment (the third this year) means that services into western direction, including Haarlem, Schiphol Airport, The Hague and Alkmaar may suffer delays.

The derailment is [....]

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Garbage collectors strike 1 week in Amsterdam

Monday, August 15 2005, 8:49PM

Garbage collectors strike 1 week in Amsterdam

Starting today, garbage collectors in Amsterdam will strike for a week.
This means that during Sail 2005 most of Amsterdam will become quite a mess, as garbage is not collected and the streets are not cleaned.

Protest by the City of Amsterdam did not help. [....]

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Amsterdam outdoor cafes (Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein) most expensive

Friday, August 12 2005, 3:59PM

Amsterdam outdoor cafes (Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein) most expensive

A test has shown that the outdoor cafes on the squares Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are the most expensive in the Netherlands.
Two beers, two wines and two cola cost E 14.48 on the 2 famous squares, whereas in the town of Eindhoven the same beverages cost E [....]

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Ship of ice cream sticks in Amsterdam for Sail 2005

Thursday, August 11 2005, 5:44PM

Ship of ice cream sticks in Amsterdam for Sail 2005

A ship made of recycled ice cream sticks (the Sea Heart Ship will attempt to sail with 20 persons on board, for 1.5 hours in the Amsterdam waters, on Tuesday August 16.
A former Hollywood self-styled independent stuntman and world record holder, 'Captain Rob' is using [....]

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Politicians worry about terrorist risks Google Earth

Thursday, August 11 2005, 10:51AM

Politicians worry about terrorist risks Google Earth

Politicians in the Netherlands have asked questions in parliament about the program Google Earth.
The website provides satellite images of many locations around the world. Also strategic objects in the Netherlands, which may be of interest (for example) to terrorists [....]

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Civil servant strike announced during Amsterdam Sail 2005

Monday, August 08 2005, 10:54PM

Civil servant strike announced during Amsterdam Sail 2005

Civil servants of the city of Amsterdam have announced a strike during Sail 2005, August 17 to 21.
So far, not all kinds of workers seem to participate and the effect seems to be limited.

The strikers have announced they will not collect 'harbour tax' from boats [....]

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Two meter Victoria Cruziana to flower in Amsterdam botanical garden

Friday, August 05 2005, 12:21AM

Two meter Victoria Cruziana to flower in Amsterdam botanical garden

In the Amsterdam Hortus Botanicus a flowering Victoria Cruziana can be seen, probably on August 10 or 11.
The leaves of Victoria can reach a diameter of 2 meters. These water lilies flower at night. Each flower blooms for just two consecutive nights: white the first [....]

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KartRai Amsterdam - world

Friday, August 05 2005, 12:10AM

KartRai Amsterdam - world's longest indoor karting track

Starting Friday, the world's longest indoor karting track will open in Amsterdam, in the RAI Congress Centre.
The track will be 1.6 kilometer long (1 mile), and it will be open for more than 2 weeks, until August 21. It is open from 11 am until 11 pm.

Five of the [....]

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Floating train during Amsterdam Sail 2005: the SailTrain

Thursday, August 04 2005, 3:16PM

Floating train during Amsterdam Sail 2005: the SailTrain

The Dutch Railways will be using a floating train during the Sail 2005 event, to transport people between the Central Station and Java Island.
The SailTrain (

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One of Gay Pride parties cancelled

Thursday, August 04 2005, 3:06PM

One of Gay Pride parties cancelled

The party in the Halvemaanssteeg, to be held this weekend during Gay Pride, has been cancelled due to security concerns.
Halvemaanssteeg is a small street, just off Rembrandtplein square. In an emergency situation the exit to Rembrandtplein was supposed to be an [....]

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Restaurant Wilhelmina-Dok to reopen on Friday

Wednesday, August 03 2005, 5:41PM

Restaurant Wilhelmina-Dok to reopen on Friday

Restaurant Wilhelmina-Dok, which was rammed by a cruise ship on April 3 this year, is to reopen on Friday August 5. From August 6 you can eat there again.
The restaurant is located at the North side of the IJ, the water at the back of the Central Station.

After the [....]

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First elephant ever born in Amsterdam zoo Artis

Wednesday, August 03 2005, 5:29PM

First elephant ever born in Amsterdam zoo Artis

Yesterday evening the first elephant baby ever was born in Amsterdam's Zoo, Artis.
The baby, probably a girl, was born at 22.22 (10.22 pm) in the evening.
It is the first elephant ever born in Artis.

At this point, the baby can only be seen through the monitoring [....]

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New type of beer invented: Iki bier (green tea beer)

Saturday, July 30 2005, 11:33PM

New type of beer invented: Iki bier (green tea beer)

Arjen Hemelaar (from Haarlem, near Amsterdam) has invented a new type of beer, brewed from green tea. It is called Iki bier.
He got the idea when he lived in Japan for a long time. He has produced 200,000 bottles of the new beer, that are on sale in a few places in [....]

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Fraud with market stalls at Albert Cuyp street market

Saturday, July 30 2005, 11:16PM

Fraud with market stalls at Albert Cuyp street market

Research has shown that about a third of the market stalls of the famous Albert Cuyp street market are illegally sublet to others.
To rent a place for a market stall on the Albert Cuyp, a fee of Euro 505 for 3 months is due to the city. Owners of a licence often [....]

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Fire in Amsterdam hotel at Damrak

Saturday, July 30 2005, 11:07PM

Fire in Amsterdam hotel at Damrak

Because of a large fire in a hotel at Damrak, 80 guests were evacuated.
The fire (yesterday evening) was apparently caused by some young Italian guests, who had set fire to a mattress in the hallway.

The hotel has arranged alternative accommodation for the guests. [....]

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New open-air antique market in Amsterdam, named

Wednesday, July 27 2005, 10:10PM

New open-air antique market in Amsterdam, named 'Mont Martre'

This summer a new open-air market has started in Amsterdam, on the Amstelveld.
The market will have collectible items and antiquities, and is named 'Mont Martre'. It is located at the Amstelveld, which is a square at the corner of the Prinsengracht and Reguliersgracht [....]

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Insectarium opened in Artis, the Amsterdam zoo

Friday, July 22 2005, 7:52PM

Insectarium opened in Artis, the Amsterdam zoo

Today the new Insectarium was opened in Artis, Amsterdam's zoo.
Thousands of insects have been moved to the renovated monumental building. The collection contains 70 different kinds of insects, including some endangered species. Artis takes part in the European [....]

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Taxi stand redesign Amsterdam Central Station appears to work

Friday, July 22 2005, 7:39PM

Taxi stand redesign Amsterdam Central Station appears to work

The redesign of the taxi stand area in front of the Central Station appears to have a positive effect.
It is now less crowded with taxis, and clients are not approached by taxi drivers any more.

It still happens that taxi clients get refused for short rides, [....]

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City and police Amsterdam deny Al-Qaeda threat Sail 2005

Wednesday, July 20 2005, 9:50PM

City and police Amsterdam deny Al-Qaeda threat Sail 2005

This morning one of the big Dutch newspapers, the Telegraaf, wrote on its front page that Al-Qaeda had threatened European cities with 'London like' attacks if Western countries don't withdraw from Iraq.
According to the Telegraaf,

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Taxi stand Amsterdam Central Station redesigned - drivers angry

Tuesday, July 19 2005, 11:48PM

Taxi stand Amsterdam Central Station redesigned - drivers angry

Today the newly designed taxi stand in front of the Central Station was opened.
As of today, a maximum of 15 taxis are allowed to wait on the taxi stand. If the stand is full, taxis are supposed to drive around.

New rules have been implemented: clients can choose [....]

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Kwakoe festival opened in Amsterdam South-East

Monday, July 18 2005, 4:54PM

Kwakoe festival opened in Amsterdam South-East

Yesterday, the yearly Kwakoe festival was opened, in Amsterdam South East.
The Kwakoe Summer Festival is the biggest multicultural festival in the Netherlands and is held every Saturday and Sunday in the months July and August. It originates largely from the black [....]

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More souvenirs on Amsterdam Flower Market

Monday, July 18 2005, 4:38PM

More souvenirs on Amsterdam Flower Market

The business owners and the city authorities have reached a new agreement about how many souvenirs they can sell.
In the old rules it was laid down that at least 85 percent of goods on offer must be flowers. This will now become 75 percent.

Amsterdam-Centrum [....]

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Amsterdam airport, GVB and Connexxion commemorate London victims

Wednesday, July 13 2005, 2:19PM

Amsterdam airport, GVB and Connexxion commemorate London victims

Tomorrow at 1 pm, Schiphol airport, Connexxion (regional buses) and the GVB (the Amsterdam public transport company) will have a 2 minutes' silence to comemmorate the victims of the attack in London.
The Dutch government had called upon everyone to comemmorate the [....]

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Statue unveiled of Anne Frank on Merwedeplein

Sunday, July 10 2005, 11:55AM

Statue unveiled of Anne Frank on Merwedeplein

This weekend a new statue of Anne Frank was unveiled by the mayor of Amsterdam, Job Cohen.
The bronze statue of Anne Frank is located on the Merwedeplein square in Amsterdam-Rivierenbuurt, South of the city centre, between the river Amstel and the RAI Congress [....]

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Amsterdam on general alert after London bombings

Thursday, July 07 2005, 5:05PM

Amsterdam on general alert after London bombings

Amsterdam is in a state of general alert after the terrorist attacks that took place in London this morning.
The mayor, Job Cohen, said information is being gathered on the highest levels, in cooperation with the government.
In Amsterdam there will be more police on [....]

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Free breakfast Rembrandt

Thursday, July 07 2005, 4:54PM

Free breakfast Rembrandt's 399th birthday at Rijksmuseum

To commemorate the fact that the Dutch painter Rembrandt was born 399 years ago, the Rijksmuseum organizes a party breakfast.
The breakfast will be on Friday July 15, in the garden of the Rijksmuseum, between 7.30 and 9.30. July 15, 1606, is the date Rembrandt was [....]

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Van Gogh exhibition highlights rarely seen drawings

Wednesday, July 06 2005, 5:14PM

Van Gogh exhibition highlights rarely seen drawings

Before he put paint to canvas, Vincent van Gogh worked with pencil and ink, training himself in perspective, composition and the human form.
Now known for the vibrant colors of his paintings, Van Gogh continued sketching throughout his brief career, producing [....]

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Forged festival and concert tickets on the market

Wednesday, July 06 2005, 1:17PM

Forged festival and concert tickets on the market

Organizers of large concerts and festivals warn against fake tickets that are on the market.
Research shows that organized crime is increasing on the market of forged concert tickets. Mostly hit are large concerts, parties and festivals, which are likely to be sold [....]

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Amsterdam premiere of

Sunday, July 03 2005, 12:18AM

Amsterdam premiere of 'Sleeping Beauty on Ice' postponed to Monday

The European premiere of the show 'Sleeping Beauty on Ice', due to take place on Saturday July 2, has been postponed to Monday.
The cancellation of the premiere happened because of technical problems with the ice floor. There was a leakage of cooling fluid, so the ice [....]

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Delugan Meissl chosen as architects for new Filmmuseum Amsterdam

Sunday, July 03 2005, 12:09AM

Delugan Meissl chosen as architects for new Filmmuseum Amsterdam

The Austrian architect firm Delugan Meissl has been chosen to design the new Filmmuseum in Amsterdam.
The new museum is to be located behind the Central Station, directly across the IJ (the water behind the station).

The current location of the

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Longest bicycle bridge to be installed in Amsterdam

Friday, July 01 2005, 12:02AM

Longest bicycle bridge to be installed in Amsterdam

Amsterdam will get the longest bicycle/pedestrian bridge of the Netherlands, on July 9.
On July 9 the bridge (which is already built in parts) will be installed, or 'sailed in'.
It will connect the new islands of IJburg, in the east of Amsterdam, with Diemen (a [....]

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Increase in tourism to Amsterdam

Thursday, June 30 2005, 11:33PM

Increase in tourism to Amsterdam

The past year has seen a growth of 5% of the number of visitors.

Four million tourists came to Amsterdam, an increase of 5% compared to the year before.
In the past few years the number of visitors went down, but this year has been good so far.

Especially [....]

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More police at Sensation dance parties in Amsterdam Arena Stadim

Thursday, June 30 2005, 11:30PM

More police at Sensation dance parties in Amsterdam Arena Stadim

On July 2 and 9 there will be the large dance parties 'Sensation White' and 'Sensation Black' again.
This year, the police have announced more checks for illegal possession of drugs and drug trade.

All visitors will be checked upon entering the stadium.

This [....]

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Amsterdam Arena Stadium gets escalators

Thursday, June 30 2005, 11:23PM

Amsterdam Arena Stadium gets escalators

Mayor Job Cohen opened the first escalators in the Arena Stadium in Amsterdam today.
The escalator stairs lead to the second ring of the stadium.
Climbing the stairs proved to be too difficult for many elderly people or people with physical restrictions.

By 2006 [....]

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Strikes may be continued during Sail 2005 in Amsterdam

Thursday, June 30 2005, 8:38AM

Strikes may be continued during Sail 2005 in Amsterdam

The unions have announced that the strikes by city civil servants may be continued in a more serious form, such as 24 or 48 hours during large events, such as Sail 2005.
Sail 2005 takes place in Amsterdam from August 17 [....]

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Oldest person on earth celebrates 115th birthday

Wednesday, June 29 2005, 10:06AM

Oldest person on earth celebrates 115th birthday

The oldest person currently alive lives in Holland, and her name is Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper. She celebrates her 115th birthday today.
Mrs van Andel-Schipper lives in Hoogeveen, in the North of the Netherlands. She will be visited by princess Laurentien, the mayor [....]

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Deserted tram and bus stops in Amsterdam because of strike

Wednesday, June 29 2005, 9:29AM

Deserted tram and bus stops in Amsterdam because of strike

The tram and bus stops in Amsterdam remain empty today, as most people seem well informed about the public transport strike that is going on today.
In the city of Amsterdam there are no buses, trams, metros or ferries, because of a strike by city civil servants.
The [....]

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Alderman for free prescription of cocaine to Amsterdam drug addicts

Wednesday, June 29 2005, 9:23AM

Alderman for free prescription of cocaine to Amsterdam drug addicts

Alderman Hannah Belliot (health care) has said she is in favour of giving cocaine for free to severe drug addicts.
The free prescription would be for the 'hopeless cases', the drug addicts who are not expected to be able to get off their addiction. They are people who [....]

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Minister of Immigration not welcome at commemoration abolishment of slavery

Tuesday, June 28 2005, 8:16PM

Minister of Immigration not welcome at commemoration abolishment of slavery

The commemoration of the end of slavery in the Netherlands will be held in the Amsterdam Oosterpark this Friday. Minister Verdonk of Immigration and Integration is to visit, but not everyone is happy with that.
The official commemoration of the abolishment of slavery [....]

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Princess Máxima gives birth to second daughter

Sunday, June 26 2005, 5:12PM

Princess Máxima gives birth to second daughter

Princess Máxima, wife of Crown Prince Willem Alexander, has given birth to her second child, this afternoon.
The child (of which the name is still unknown) was born in the Bronovo Hospital in Den Haag (The Hague), at 2.40 pm today. The baby and her mother are in good [....]

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Tickets online for Amsterdam Grachtenfestival 2005 (Canal Festival)

Sunday, June 26 2005, 5:01PM

Tickets online for Amsterdam Grachtenfestival 2005 (Canal Festival)

Tickets for the famous Grachtenfestival can now be bought online.
The Grachtenfestival is a yearly event, now in its 5th year, of which the main event is the Prinsengracht Concert. This concert is on a pontoon in front of the Pulitzer hotel, on August 21, at 4.30 [....]

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Amsterdam police looking for

Saturday, June 25 2005, 5:28PM

Amsterdam police looking for 'serial kisser'

A 'serial kisser' has been active in Amsterdam for the past few weeks.
The man (black, about 20 years old, slim build) approaches young women, taps them on the shoulder, and when they turn around he kisses them on the mouth. Or better, he kisses them in the mouth, [....]

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Building Amsterdam City Archives will become Oriental cultural institute

Saturday, June 25 2005, 5:21PM

Building Amsterdam City Archives will become Oriental cultural institute

The current building of the Amsterdam City Archives (Gemeentearchief) will become an Oriental cultural institute in 2006.
The city archives are going to be moved to a new building in the centre of Amsterdam (building De Bazel at Vijzelstraat) in 2006.

The [....]

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Public transport strike in Amsterdam on June 29 final

Friday, June 24 2005, 12:30PM

Public transport strike in Amsterdam on June 29 final

The unions have announced that the public transport strike on Wednesday June 29 is final.
The strike means that local public transport (buses, trams, metros and ferries) will not function in Amsterdam, Utrecht and Rotterdam. The strike will last 24 hours.

The [....]

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Amsterdam wants to be Gay Capital of Europe again

Friday, June 24 2005, 10:34AM

Amsterdam wants to be Gay Capital of Europe again

After a few serious violent incidents against gays, the image of Amsterdam as Gay Capital has suffered damage.
On a discussion evening, that took place yesterday, a new initiative was presented, called 'the 10 [....]

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New public transport strike in Amsterdam, June 29

Wednesday, June 22 2005, 4:52PM

New public transport strike in Amsterdam, June 29

Unions have announced a new local public transport strike in the cities Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht, for Wednesday June 29.

The strike (which is not yet completely certain), is the result of failed negotations for a collective labour agreement for city civil [....]

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Exhibition on old Jewish quarter of Amsterdam

Wednesday, June 22 2005, 4:40PM

Exhibition on old Jewish quarter of Amsterdam

On Friday June 24 a new exhibition will be opened about the old Jewish quarter of Amsterdam, in the Jewish Historical Museum.
From 24 June until 4 September 2005, the Jewish Historical Museum is presenting the summer [....]

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Mourning letters Theo van Gogh in Amsterdam City Archives (Gemeentearchief)

Wednesday, June 22 2005, 4:26PM

Mourning letters Theo van Gogh in Amsterdam City Archives (Gemeentearchief)

The letters and drawings that were placed on the location where film maker Theo van Gogh was killed last year will be preserved by the Amsterdam City Archives.
On the spot where Theo van Gogh was killed last year (November 2 2004) many hundreds of letters, drawings, [....]

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Amsterdam gone up on list cost of living

Monday, June 20 2005, 5:27PM

Amsterdam gone up on list cost of living

According to Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Amsterdam has gone up 2 places on the list of 144 cities world-wide.
Amsterdam now ranks 24, as compared to 26 last year.

The most expensive city remains Tokyo, followed by Osaka and London.

Within Europe (and above [....]

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Beautiful weather causes traffic jams to all beaches

Sunday, June 19 2005, 11:59PM

Beautiful weather causes traffic jams to all beaches

Due to the nice weather this weekend, all roads to the beaches along the Dutch North Sea coast line were full of cars.
To popular places such as Zandvoort and Bloemendaal (main beach resorts for Amsterdam), several miles of traffic jams formed on all roads.
This is a [....]

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Rabbits increasingly a plague in Amsterdam

Sunday, June 19 2005, 11:51PM

Rabbits increasingly a plague in Amsterdam

While the rabbit population is decreasing in the rest of the Netherlands, the number of rabbits in Amsterdam has increased dramatically.
The churchyard Sint Barbara in Amsterdam West complains that the rabbits eat the flowers and plants that are placed by the graves. [....]

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Saturday, June 18 2005, 1:08AM

'Gay Day' (Pink Monday) on Fun Fair Boulevard

The Fun Fair Boulevard organizes a special gay day on Monday June 20.
Fun Fair Boulevard is a large fair, with attractions such as a big roller-coaster, a ferris wheel, a mobile wild-water ride track, a free fall tower, and many others. It is located next to the Arena [....]

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Fences and barricades removed around American consulate in Amsterdam

Friday, June 17 2005, 11:39PM

Fences and barricades removed around American consulate in Amsterdam

The fences and road blocks that are now placed around the American Consulate will be removed.
This has been decided by Amsterdam Oud-Zuid, which governs the part of Amsterdam in which the consulate is located. The American consulate is located at the Museumplein [....]

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Taxi check at Amsterdam Central Station: 122 fines

Friday, June 17 2005, 11:33PM

Taxi check at Amsterdam Central Station: 122 fines

A large police check of taxis at the Central Station of Amsterdam has resulted in 122 fines, orders and reports.
Twenty six vehicles had technical flaws, and 3 drivers lost their driver's licence.
Because of the police check the taxi stand near the station became [....]

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Train strike does not lead to many problem

Friday, June 17 2005, 10:16AM

Train strike does not lead to many problem

Today's railway-strike appears not to lead to many traffic problems.
All train services in the Netherlands are cancelled for today (until 11pm), but as most people are well-informed there don't seem to be many problems.

Traffic around Amsterdam seems to be ok too [....]

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Queen pays surprise visit to Amsterdam Albert Cuyp Markt

Thursday, June 16 2005, 1:18PM

Queen pays surprise visit to Amsterdam Albert Cuyp Markt

This morning, Queen Beatrix paid a surprise visit to the Albert Cuyp Market.
The visit took place on the occassion of the 100 year anniversary of the most famous street market of the Netherlands.
The Queen bought some hand-made children's clothes for her [....]

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Queen Beatrix opens Amsterdam theatre

Thursday, June 16 2005, 12:51AM

Queen Beatrix opens Amsterdam theatre 'Muziekgebouw aan het IJ'

This evening the Queen has officially opened the new theatre Muziekgebouw aan het IJ.
The Queen opened the building by sounding a large Chinese gong.

The Muziekgebouw building replaces the old IJsbreker [....]

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Rainbow Square new event on Rembrandtplein during Amsterdam gay pride

Wednesday, June 15 2005, 2:36PM

Rainbow Square new event on Rembrandtplein during Amsterdam gay pride

Rembrandtplein square will be renamed 'Rainbow Square' during gay pride in Amsterdam, on August 5, 6 and 7.
From about 4pm till midnight there will be music and other performances on a big stage in the middle of the square. The event promises to become a major [....]

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Dutch train stations get wireless internet (WiFi)

Tuesday, June 14 2005, 5:41PM

Dutch train stations get wireless internet (WiFi)

Thirty Dutch train stations will offer a wireless internet connection.
The first train station to get WiFi internet is Utrecht, starting today.
By the end of September 30 larger train stations will have a wireless connection, amongst which Amsterdam Central Station [....]

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Aqeela Sherrills in Amsterdam youth centre Argan

Tuesday, June 14 2005, 1:35AM

Aqeela Sherrills in Amsterdam youth centre Argan

On Saturday June 18, Mr Aqeela Sherrills from Los Angeles will speak at the youth centre Argan.
Aqeela Sherrills grew up in the notorious, war-torn neighbourhood Watts, in South Los Angeles. He lost 13 friends and his son in gang wars. In 1992 he managed to let the [....]

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Amsterdam street markets - Antique market Nieuwmarkt opened again

Monday, June 13 2005, 10:33PM

Amsterdam street markets - Antique market Nieuwmarkt opened again

The antique market on the Nieuwmarkt square is opened again.
The well-known market, which is held every summer, has all sorts of antiques, books and other antiquarian items. The location on the Nieuwmarkt square is very appropriate, as the

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Reguliersdwarsstraat becomes pedestrian zone during summer

Monday, June 13 2005, 10:17PM

Reguliersdwarsstraat becomes pedestrian zone during summer

The famous Reguliersdwarsstraat will be closed off for traffic during this summer.
The Reguliersdwarsstraat is a street lined with (mainly, but not only, gay) cafe's, restaurants and clubs. On warm summer evenings the street can be packed with people.

Tests in [....]

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Amsterdam Admirals football team wins World Bowl

Monday, June 13 2005, 7:01PM

Amsterdam Admirals football team wins World Bowl

On Saturday evening, the Amsterdam Admirals (the Amsterdam football team) won the World Bowl title.
The World Bowl is the European version of the Superbowl. In the finals the Amsterdam Admirals beat the German team Berlin Thunder.

It is the first time the Amsterdam [....]

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Second Catholic procession held in Amsterdam since 1578

Monday, June 13 2005, 9:56AM

Second Catholic procession held in Amsterdam since 1578

Yesterday a catholic procession took place in the centre of Amsterdam, from the Keizersgracht Church to the Begijnhof.
Last year the procession also took place, and that was the first time since 1578. In that year, Amsterdam became a protestant city and catholic [....]

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Bollywood Oscars (IIFA Awards) in half full Amsterdam Arena

Monday, June 13 2005, 9:43AM

Bollywood Oscars (IIFA Awards) in half full Amsterdam Arena

This weekend the IIFA Awards ceremony took place in the Amsterdam Arena. Not all seats were filled.
The spectacular show was broadcast to 400 million viewers worldwide, but the tickets for the show in the Arena Stadium did not sell as well as expected.
Probably this [....]

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Another urban beach (Strand Zuid) opened in Amsterdam

Saturday, June 11 2005, 6:42PM

Another urban beach (Strand Zuid) opened in Amsterdam

A fourth urban beach has been opened in Amsterdam, near the Rai Congress Centre.
The beach was opened today, and will be accessible to the public starting tomorrow, June 12. It is open until August 21.
The beach [....]

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Fun Fair Boulevard opened near Amsterdam Arena Stadium

Saturday, June 11 2005, 1:20PM

Fun Fair Boulevard opened near Amsterdam Arena Stadium

Yesterday the first mobile attraction park was opened, next to the Arena Stadium.
Fun Fair Boulevard is a large fair, with attractions such as a big roller-coaster (the biggest mobile rollercoaster in [....]

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Train strike in the Netherlands on Friday, June 17

Friday, June 10 2005, 1:21PM

Train strike in the Netherlands on Friday, June 17

As an ultimatum passed today without a reaction by the employers, there will be railway strike in the Netherlands on June 17.
The strike will last 24 hours. Because the railway workers strike, no train services are possible anywhere in the country.

If you travel on [....]

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Again train derailed near Amsterdam Central Station

Friday, June 10 2005, 10:21AM

Again train derailed near Amsterdam Central Station

This morning another freight train has derailed, close to the Central Station of Amsterdam.
A similar accident happened a few days ago, also with a freight train, and also on the West side of the Central Station.

Other than with the previous accident, this time [....]

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Hany Abu-Assad key guest on IDFA Amsterdam

Thursday, June 09 2005, 4:14PM

Hany Abu-Assad key guest on IDFA Amsterdam

The Dutch-Palestinian documentary maker Hany Abu-Assad will be the key guest on IDFA Amsterdam (International Documentary Festival Amsterdam).
He will present his personal top 10 favourite documentaries. The festival will screen his own films as well.

Hany [....]

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Amsterdam (COBRA) painter Corneille placed under guardianship

Wednesday, June 08 2005, 11:46PM

Amsterdam (COBRA) painter Corneille placed under guardianship

A French judge placed Mr Corneille under guardianship on request of his Russian wife, after a mental breakdown.
His apartment along the Amsterdam Prinsengracht canal has been emptied, and friends worry about what has happened. His whereabouts are currently [....]

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Less train delays Amsterdam Central Station to Schiphol Airport

Wednesday, June 08 2005, 11:22PM

Less train delays Amsterdam Central Station to Schiphol Airport

The train accident that happened a few days ago still causes some delays in train services to the airport, but less than yesterday.
The rail maintenance company expects service will resume to normal on Thursday morning.

Currently, travellers should expect delays of [....]

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First

Wednesday, June 08 2005, 11:17PM

First 'Bollywood' stars arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

This morning the first 'Bollywood' stars arrived at the airport, and were greeted by enthusiastic fans.
Some 700 admirers had gone to the airport to cheer their idols, most of the girls and women from India.
The first star to arrive was IIFA Chairman Amitabh [....]

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Open air concert Concertgebouworkest not in open air

Tuesday, June 07 2005, 1:41PM

Open air concert Concertgebouworkest not in open air

The traditional open air concert that is normally given on the Museumplein square, is this year in the Concertgebouw.
The reason is that the building of a stage for the open air concert is too expensive.
The open air concert took place for the past 17 years.

The [....]

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Train service to Amsterdam Schiphol airport still affected

Tuesday, June 07 2005, 10:12AM

Train service to Amsterdam Schiphol airport still affected

The train accident near Amsterdam Central Station, that happened yesterday, still affects train connections to Schiphol and other destinations.
The accident took place just west of the Central Station, so train services to destinations such as Schiphol airport, [....]

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Train derailed near Amsterdam Central Station - Airport connection affected

Tuesday, June 07 2005, 12:11AM

Train derailed near Amsterdam Central Station - Airport connection affected

This evening, a freight train has derailed close to the Central Station of Amsterdam.
The train services to and from Schiphol Airport are affected - there are hardly any trains.
Also trains to Haarlem, Alkmaar and Zaandam are affected.
Travellers should count on [....]

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Amsterdam-Beijing Classic Car Endurance Rally 2006 starts on Dam Square

Monday, June 06 2005, 4:29PM

Amsterdam-Beijing Classic Car Endurance Rally 2006 starts on Dam Square

The Amsterdam-Beijing Classic Car Endurance Rally, the biggest ever such rally across the Euro-Asian continent, will start on July 15, 2006, organizers announced on Sunday.
The route will start in front of the Royal Palace on Dam Square. The rally ends in Beijing, on [....]

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Vondelpark Open Air Theatre (

Monday, June 06 2005, 12:55AM

Vondelpark Open Air Theatre ('Openluchttheater') opened

Today the open air theatre in the Vondelpark in Amsterdam has opened.
The opening performance was by Freek de Jonge, a famous Dutch comedian.

The theatre is in the middle of the park, and entrance is free to all performances. As tradition requires, the theatre will [....]

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Friday, June 03 2005, 10:38PM

'Legalize' demonstration in Amsterdam, against war on drugs

Tomorrow (Saturday) is the ninth Legalize 'streetrave' in Amsterdam. The demonstration is allowed, the afterparty has been prohibited by the authorities.
The demonstration does not go through the centre of Amsterdam, but mainly through Amsterdam East.
The

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Amsterdam metro struck by lightning

Friday, June 03 2005, 10:21PM

Amsterdam metro struck by lightning

The metro in Amsterdam has come to a standstill from 7.30 pm this evening. The cause is the thunderstorm that went over Amsterdam this afternoon and evening.
All metro stations have been closed, and only line 51 to RAI is partially in service.

It is unclear at this [....]

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Amsterdam Partners raises E 50000 for

Friday, June 03 2005, 3:29PM

Amsterdam Partners raises E 50000 for 'Bollywood Oscars' (IIFA Awards 2005)

Just a week before the Bollywood Festival starts, it turns out that only E 50,000 of sponsor money has been found.
It was hoped that 1 million Euro of sponsor money could be raised.

Amsterdam Partners, [....]

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Netherlands highest broadband internet penetration in EU

Friday, June 03 2005, 1:15PM

Netherlands highest broadband internet penetration in EU

The latest figures from the European Union show that Holland has the highest penetration of broadband internet in households.
The number of broadband lines in the EU is now over 40 million (total population is about 350,000) and take-up is growing faster than a year [....]

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Amsterdam Culinair 2005 starts Nieuwmarkt square

Thursday, June 02 2005, 5:04PM

Amsterdam Culinair 2005 starts Nieuwmarkt square

Amsterdam Culinair is a new event, intended to be a yearly recurring event, on which Amsterdam presents its culinary qualities.
The event takes place on the Nieuwmarkt Square, where restaurants present their culinary art in about 22 tents.

The Nieuwmarkt square is [....]

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Amsterdam also votes No against EU Constitution

Wednesday, June 01 2005, 11:16PM

Amsterdam also votes No against EU Constitution

The Dutch have voted massively against the Constitutional Treaty for the European Union.
About 62 percent have voted 'No', 38 percent have voted 'Yes'. Together with the (to Dutch standards) high turn-out of 63.4%, the resounding 'No' vote has baffled politicians and [....]

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Sea lions born in Amsterdam Zoo

Wednesday, June 01 2005, 4:46PM

Sea lions born in Amsterdam Zoo 'Artis'

In the past few days, two sea-lions were born in Amsterdam's Zoo, Artis.
The two mother and their puppies are both doing well. The babies have not yet been named, as it is unknown at the moment what their gender is.
Sea-lions are not born in the water. In the coming [....]

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Man cycles into Oosterpark pond and drowns

Wednesday, June 01 2005, 4:32PM

Man cycles into Oosterpark pond and drowns

Tuesday evening a man drowned in the pond in the Oosterpark, located in Amsterdam East, after cycling into it.
Bystanders have seen him go into the pond, swim around for a bit and wave to people. Then he went under, and because he didn't come up any more the emergency [....]

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Euro currency drops against Dollar

Tuesday, May 31 2005, 10:32PM

Euro currency drops against Dollar

The Euro has dropped below to almost 1.23 US Dollar in the past few days.
Experts say this has to do with the outcome of the referendum in France about the new constitutional treaty of the European Union. The French 'No' result kindles fears in the market that [....]

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Amsterdam police evicts house squatters

Tuesday, May 31 2005, 9:32AM

Amsterdam police evicts house squatters

This morning the police have vacated some houses that were occupied by squatters.
The houses are located at Rokin, in the centre of Amsterdam. In the early morning the police surrounded the buildings, and evicted the inhabitants.

Later on the day, the villa '

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Today

Monday, May 30 2005, 10:45AM

Today's Amsterdam public transport strike ended

The public transport strike that was planned for this morning, has ended at 8.30am.
The strike did not lead to many problems, most people seemed to be informed and had arranged for alternative transportation.

In the afternoon there is a meeting of city workers near [....]

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Amsterdam gets its own speakers corner in Oosterpark

Saturday, May 28 2005, 7:39PM

Amsterdam gets its own speakers corner in Oosterpark

Starting today, everyone can speak his/her mind in the Oosterpark in Amsterdam East.
The idea to have a speakers corner ('Spreeksteen') in the Oosterpark originated after the assassination of filmmaker Theo van Gogh, last year November. He was killed near one of the [....]

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Man shot down in Chinese restaurant in Amsterdam

Friday, May 27 2005, 5:39PM

Man shot down in Chinese restaurant in Amsterdam

This afternoon, a man has been shot in the Chinese restaurant 'Nam Tin' at Jodenbreestraat, in the centre of Amsterdam.
The gunman walked into the restaurant and fired at the victim. Then he ran out. He has not yet been caught. The victim is severely injured and has [....]

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Extra trains from Amsterdam to Zandvoort beach

Friday, May 27 2005, 1:37PM

Extra trains from Amsterdam to Zandvoort beach

From May 28 to September 4 there will be extra trains between Amsterdam Central Station and Zandvoort beach.
There will be 2 extra trains per hour, between 9.25am and 7 pm.
The last train from Zandvoort back to Amsterdam leaves 0.56 in the night.
The trains take [....]

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World Naked Bike Ride also in Amsterdam

Thursday, May 26 2005, 7:50PM

World Naked Bike Ride also in Amsterdam

This year, Amsterdam is also amongst the more than 50 cities in the world where the World Naked Bike Ride is held.
The day is held on Saturday, June 11th.
The ride is 'the worlds largest naked protest against oil dependency and car culture in the history of [....]

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Action for more space bicycles in new tram 26 to IJburg

Thursday, May 26 2005, 7:23PM

Action for more space bicycles in new tram 26 to IJburg

The cyclist union, together with inhabitants of IJburg, will protest against the lack of space for bicycles in the new tram to IJburg.
There will be a special 'ticket window' where you can reserve bicycle places in the tram. Currently it has been decided that a [....]

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ING Amsterdam Marathon 2005 attracts Haile Gebrselassie

Wednesday, May 25 2005, 1:12PM

ING Amsterdam Marathon 2005 attracts Haile Gebrselassie

Haile Gebrselassie will appear on the startline of the 30th Amsterdam Marathon on 16 October this year.
The 32-years old Gebrselassie – worldwide recognized as the best long distance runner all times – will run his second marathon ever. “Haile Gebrselassie received [....]

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Tree behind Anne Frank House can stay for the time being

Wednesday, May 25 2005, 1:03PM

Tree behind Anne Frank House can stay for the time being

The chestnut tree in the garden behind the Anne Frank House can stay for some time.
The tree, which has become famous because it was the tree that Anne Frank could see from her hiding place, and which she described in her diary, has a disease.

Because it is the [....]

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Darkrooms in Amsterdam gay bars safer and cleaner

Wednesday, May 25 2005, 12:54PM

Darkrooms in Amsterdam gay bars safer and cleaner

The city of Amsterdam expects to have an agreement with the gay bars and saunas to make the bars cleaner and promote safe sex more.
The agreement has been reached together with the city's health department and the Schorerstichting (a gay/lesbian health [....]

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Faster security checks for travellers between Amsterdam airport and New York JFK

Monday, May 23 2005, 10:46PM

Faster security checks for travellers between Amsterdam airport and New York JFK

Starting this autumn a trial will be held allowing faster security checks for travellers between the Netherlands and the US.
The test will be held on 2 airports: Schiphol Amsterdam and New York Kennedy airport.

In order to make use of the faster checks, passengers [....]

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Public transport in Amsterdam probably to strike

Saturday, May 21 2005, 3:54PM

Public transport in Amsterdam probably to strike

Due to failed negotations about labour conditions, civil servants employed by municipalities will probably go on strike.
The first actions by the public transport workers in Amsterdam are planned for May 30 (6am to 9am and 1pm to 4pm) and June 9 the entire [....]

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Flower bulbs on Amsterdam Flower Market of inferior quality

Saturday, May 21 2005, 1:02AM

Flower bulbs on Amsterdam Flower Market of inferior quality

Three flower bulb dealers on the famous Flower Market in Amsterdam have been prohibited to continue the sale of flower bulbs.
The 3 shop owner run 5 of the 15 flower bulb stands on the market, which is located in the Singel canal in the centre of Amsterdam.

On May [....]

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Free open day new tram 26 to IJburg (IJtram to new Amsterdam islands)

Wednesday, May 18 2005, 10:21PM

Free open day new tram 26 to IJburg (IJtram to new Amsterdam islands)

The new tramline 26 to IJburg, the new islands in Amsterdam East, will be officially opened on May 28.
Everyone can have a free ride on that day.

On May 28 the new fast tram line between Central Station and IJburg will be officially opened by transport minister Mrs [....]

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Amsterdam taxi chaos tackled

Wednesday, May 18 2005, 6:55PM

Amsterdam taxi chaos tackled

The city of Amsterdam is going to introduce a plan to do something about the persisting chaos on the taxi market, which is a result of the liberalization, a number of years ago.
With the 'Actieplan Taxi', the city wants to improve the quality of the taxi market in [....]

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Tickets Concertgebouw and Stadsschouwburg valid on Amsterdam public transport

Wednesday, May 18 2005, 12:06PM

Tickets Concertgebouw and Stadsschouwburg valid on Amsterdam public transport

Starting September 1 2005, tickets for the theatres Concertgebouw and the Stadsschouwburg are valid as transport tickets on Amsterdam buses, trams and metros.
The 2 theatres have agreed this with the GVB, the municipal [....]

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Wednesday, May 18 2005, 10:42AM

'Amsterdam' not in parade of tall ships Sail Amsterdam 2005

The ship 'Amsterdam', will not take part in the 'grand parade' of tall ships that will sail to Amsterdam at the beginning of Sail Amsterdam 2005.
The 'Amsterdam' is a replica of the 17th century tall ship 'Amsterdam', that sank on its maiden voyage. The ship is moored [....]

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Half of Amsterdam government now of non-Dutch origin and female

Tuesday, May 17 2005, 1:02PM

Half of Amsterdam government now of non-Dutch origin and female

With the replacement of alderman Frits Huffnagel (responsible for financial affairs) by Laetitia Griffith, 50% of the aldermen of the city of Amsterdam is a member of an ethnic minority.
Also, half of them are women.

Amsterdam is run by the College of Aldermen and [....]

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Amsterdam on the beach: this year 4 beaches in Amsterdam

Monday, May 16 2005, 7:18PM

Amsterdam on the beach: this year 4 beaches in Amsterdam

This year, the city of Amsterdam will have 4 urban beaches - even 5 if you support a wide interpretation of the word 'beach'.
(see also: Extra trains to Zandvoort beach)

The first beach is the Blijburg beach [....]

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Amsterdam hockey team wins European Hockey Cup

Monday, May 16 2005, 6:38PM

Amsterdam hockey team wins European Hockey Cup

The Amsterdam men's team won the finals today of the English team from Reading, with 1-0.
The Amsterdam team won the 32nd edition of the hockey tournament on their own field, the Wagener Stadium in the Amsterdam Wood (Amsterdamse Bos).

It is the first time in its [....]

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Fire in Amsterdam disco Kingdom Venue

Monday, May 16 2005, 12:21PM

Fire in Amsterdam disco Kingdom Venue

In the night of Saturday on Sunday a fire broke out in the well-known Amsterdam disco Kingdom Venue.
In the club, located at Jan van Galenstraat in Amsterdam West, there were still some 200 people present when the fire broke out around a quarter to 5 in the [....]

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Anti homophobia demonstration after violent attack against gay couple

Saturday, May 14 2005, 12:33PM

Anti homophobia demonstration after violent attack against gay couple

The attack that happened on April 30 on a gay couple walking hand in hand in the centre of Amsterdam has led to many concerned reactions in the Netherlands and Amsterdam.
On May 17 there is a short ''queer love and peace'' demonstration (a ''

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Water management Amsterdam against illegal canal tour boats

Friday, May 13 2005, 7:12PM

Water management Amsterdam against illegal canal tour boats

Inspectors of the Water management Authority of Amsterdam are going to prosecute canal tour boats that operate without a licence.
For a company to legally organize cruises for tourists in the Amsterdam canals, a licence is needed.
The Water Authority says this law [....]

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Architects doubt whether they will continue with Rijksmuseum

Thursday, May 12 2005, 11:41PM

Architects doubt whether they will continue with Rijksmuseum

The two architects Cruz and Ortiz are having doubts on whether they want to make a new design for the Rijksmuseum redecoration.
The Rijksmuseum (famous for the Nightwatch and other Dutch masters) is currently under reconstruction. The architects in charge are Mr Cruz [....]

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Unesco monument

Tuesday, May 10 2005, 8:02PM

Unesco monument 'Defence Line of Amsterdam' restored

The province of Noord-Holland will invest E 9 million to restore the Stelling van Amsterdam (Defence Line of Amsterdam).
The Defence Line of Amsterdam is a circular defence around the [....]

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Amsterdam metro gets central camera security system

Tuesday, May 10 2005, 7:30PM

Amsterdam metro gets central camera security system

The GVB (the Amsterdam municipal public transport company) opened a central observation and control system today.
The centre, located at Arlandaweg near the Sloterdijk train station, is a traffic control system and central observation point.

Four employees will [....]

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KLM Airlines not wait for late passengers

Monday, May 09 2005, 5:14PM

KLM Airlines not wait for late passengers

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will start taking tests with not admitting passengers any more who are late for their flight.
The measure is first going to be tested on some flights, in order to see how passengers react.
KLM says that often passengers are only late because [....]

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Amsterdam not most dangerous city any more

Sunday, May 08 2005, 1:41PM

Amsterdam not most dangerous city any more

The latest list of crime statistics shows Amsterdam as nr 4 on the list of most dangerous cities - after Rotterdam, Arnhem and Eindhoven.
This means that in Rotterdam you have the highest possibility to fall victim to some form of crime. For Rotterdam this is caused [....]

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Historic army vehicles parade today in Amsterdam

Saturday, May 07 2005, 10:47AM

Historic army vehicles parade today in Amsterdam

Approximately hundred historic army vehicles will enter Amsterdam, in a parade that commemorates the liberation of Amsterdam on May 7 1945.
For some time the parade was uncertain, as the mayor indicated that was not enough police capacity to guide the parade. This has [....]

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Security cameras central Amsterdam successful, problems spread elsewhere

Saturday, May 07 2005, 10:34AM

Security cameras central Amsterdam successful, problems spread elsewhere

The placement of security cameras in the streets of central Amsterdam has helped to reduce crime and drug trade.
In several streets near the Central Station and in and near the Red Light District police monitored security cameras have reduced the crime problems in [....]

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Gay man from US beaten up on Leidseplein square

Saturday, May 07 2005, 10:25AM

Gay man from US beaten up on Leidseplein square

On Queensday, April 30, a gay man was attacked and beaten up by 7 men.
The victim, Mr Chris Crain, editor in chief of the gay magazine Washington Blade, was walking hand in hand with his boyfriend, in the morning of April 30, near the famous Leidseplein square in [....]

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Escape club at Rembrandtplein gets enormous tv screen

Thursday, May 05 2005, 11:14PM

Escape club at Rembrandtplein gets enormous tv screen

After 3 years of court battles, the night club Escape is allowed to place the biggest tv screen in Europe above the entrance door.
The Escape is one of the biggest and most well-known clubs in Amsterdam.

The tv screen is supposed to make the Rembrandtplein square [....]

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Dogs massacre sheep in Amsterdam North

Thursday, May 05 2005, 10:51PM

Dogs massacre sheep in Amsterdam North

Two dogs attacked a flock of sheep in a meadow in Amsterdam North, near the Durgerdammerdijk.
Three sheep were killed, and 15 others - of which 8 lambs - were wounded.

The dogs belonged to Spanish tourists, who are vacationing in Amsterdam with a recreational [....]

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Remembrance Day and Liberation Day (May 4 and 5) in Amsterdam

Wednesday, May 04 2005, 12:34PM

Remembrance Day and Liberation Day (May 4 and 5) in Amsterdam

May 4 and 5 are Rembrance Day and Liberation Day in the Netherlands.
On May 4 the victims of the second World War are commemorated throughout the Netherlands.
At 8pm there is a 2 minutes' silence observed everywhere. Cafe's will switch off the music, traffic will [....]

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Tanker destroys sailing yacht in IJ

Monday, May 02 2005, 12:58PM

Tanker destroys sailing yacht in IJ

A tanker has hit a sailing yacht in the IJ, the water behind the Central Station.
A family of 4 was on the sailing yacht, but they could jump into the water before the tanker hit the yacht.
The yacht was completely destroyed.

The family (with 2 children) was saved [....]

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Queensday in Amsterdam without problems

Monday, May 02 2005, 12:43PM

Queensday in Amsterdam without problems

Queensday 2005 has been a nice day, according to all parties involved.
Some 400,000 people visited Amsterdam on April 30, compared to 500,000 last year.
All hotels and apartments were fully booked, the tourist office had to resort to accommodation outside [....]

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Digital Jewish monument for Jews in the Netherlands

Saturday, April 30 2005, 12:13AM

Digital Jewish monument for Jews in the Netherlands

A digital monument website has been opened, commemorating all Jews who were persecuted in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation.
The Digital Monument to the Jewish Community in the Netherlands is an Internet monument dedicated to preserving the memory of all men, [....]

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Preparations Queen

Friday, April 29 2005, 1:21AM

Preparations Queen's Day Amsterdam in full swing, city turns orange

Amsterdam is gearing up for the Queen's birthday celebrations on April 30.
All over town there are signs of the big flea market that is traditionally part of the Queen's birthday celebration. The city will be flooded by some 500,000 to 1,000,000 visitors, looking for [....]

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Muziekgebouw theatre has open day on May 1

Wednesday, April 27 2005, 12:25PM

Muziekgebouw theatre has open day on May 1

The new music theatre building 'Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ' has an open day on May 1.
The building will be open from 12noon to 9pm.

There will be several free concerts, an information market, tours, and the new cafe Star Ferry will be open all day.

The theatre is [....]

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Mayors of 30 large towns for legalization soft drugs production

Wednesday, April 27 2005, 11:59AM

Mayors of 30 large towns for legalization soft drugs production

A survey by newspaper Trouw has shown that the mayors of the 30 largest cities of the Netherlands are in majority in favour of legalization of the production of soft drugs.
Twenty of the 30 mayors are in favour of legalization, 4 are against, 6 have not given their [....]

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Public participation Amsterdam houseboats results in chaos

Tuesday, April 26 2005, 4:31PM

Public participation Amsterdam houseboats results in chaos

An evening for public participation, organized by the authorities of Amsterdam Centrum resulted in chaos, yesterday.
The public meeting, in the City Hall, attracted many more visitors than expected. The atmosphere before the meeting grew so aggressive, that it was [....]

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Gay fair Rainbow Experience only gets 3500 visitors

Monday, April 25 2005, 1:59PM

Gay fair Rainbow Experience only gets 3500 visitors

The gay consumer fair 'Rainbow Experience' has drawn far less visitors than expected.
The fair was held in the RAI Congress Centre this weekend, and at least 20,000 visitors were expected.
However, the fair has almost ended and only 3,500 visitors attended the fair [....]

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Commemoration at Ravensbrück monument in Amsterdam

Sunday, April 24 2005, 10:08PM

Commemoration at Ravensbrück monument in Amsterdam

More than 200 survivors of the Ravensbrück concentration camp commemorated the liberation of the camp today.
The commemoration was held at the Ravensbrück monument, located on the Museumplein square.

Between 1935 and 1945 92,000 women and children were killed in [....]

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Massive general police check in Amsterdam

Friday, April 15 2005, 11:50PM

Massive general police check in Amsterdam

Yesterday, police held a large check of drivers and cars, in Amsterdam.
Three hundred police staff, and staff of the Social Service, the City Transport Company and the Tax Department worked together to check on hundreds of car drivers at various points in [....]

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Falcons with nest in chimney of electricity plant get webcam

Thursday, April 14 2005, 12:11AM

Falcons with nest in chimney of electricity plant get webcam

A falcon pair (peregrines) have decided to nest in the chimney of an electricity plant, the Hemwegcentrale.
The falcons are one of the fastest birds of prey in the world, and very rare in the Netherlands.
The electricity plant is located in the wester harbour area of [....]

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Levi Strauss refuses jeans to America Today

Tuesday, April 12 2005, 9:04PM

Levi Strauss refuses jeans to America Today

The American jeans producer Levi Strauss refuses to supply the clothing stores of America Today with new jeans.
America Today is locally known for selling Levi's below the standard retail price. Also, America [....]

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Dutch politician Hirsi Ali on Time Magazine list of 100 most influential people

Monday, April 11 2005, 11:57AM

Dutch politician Hirsi Ali on Time Magazine list of 100 most influential people

The Dutch politician Ayaan Hirsi Ali has been placed on the list of 100 'most influential people' by Time Magazine.
The list ('TIME's list of the men and women whose power, talent or moral example is transforming the world') is published yearly.

Hirsi Ali is a [....]

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Urilift (new type of urinal) opened on Rembrandtplein square

Sunday, April 10 2005, 9:27PM

Urilift (new type of urinal) opened on Rembrandtplein square

Alderman Guido Frankfurther opened the new Urilift on the Rembrandtplein square, last Friday. It will replace its plastic predecessor.
The Urilift is a special kind of urinal (men only) that can sink into the ground, [....]

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Skeletons found at archeological site - Open days Monday and Tuesday

Friday, April 08 2005, 11:25PM

Skeletons found at archeological site - Open days Monday and Tuesday

Skeletons were found today at the graveyard that was uncovered last week, at the archeological dig at Rokin.
At the location of the graves that were

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17th century Frankendael Mansion not inhabited any more

Thursday, April 07 2005, 11:41PM

17th century Frankendael Mansion not inhabited any more

The last remaining 17th century mansion in Amsterdam, 'Frankendael', will lose its last inhabitant.
Frankendael is a beautiful large house, located in the East part of Amsterdam in burrough [....]

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Power outage and explosions in centre Amsterdam

Wednesday, April 06 2005, 12:32AM

Power outage and explosions in centre Amsterdam

Large parts of the centre of Amsterdam and neighbourhood 'de Pijp' were hit by a electricity outage this evening, between 9pm and 11 pm.
Probably the outage has to do with a fire that broke out around 8.30pm in a transformer kiosk of the electricity network, in [....]

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Printable Van Gogh Museum tickets for sale online

Tuesday, April 05 2005, 9:40AM

Printable Van Gogh Museum tickets for sale online

The Van Gogh Museum has started to sell admission tickets through its website. The tickets can be printed at home.
Ordering tickets online has a major advantage: you can print out your own ticket and when you come to the museum, you can enter without having to stand [....]

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Amsterdam Pass has become

Tuesday, April 05 2005, 9:35AM

Amsterdam Pass has become 'I Amsterdam Card'

Starting this season, the Amsterdam Pass has become the 'I Amsterdam Card'.
The 'I Amsterdam Card' is a special pass (which looks like a credit card) developed for tourists, which gives access to many museums and attractions. Also, a canal boat tour is included and [....]

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Amsterdam Dungeon horror attraction set up on old graveyard

Monday, April 04 2005, 5:59PM

Amsterdam Dungeon horror attraction set up on old graveyard

Archeologists of the city of Amsterdam have found an old graveyard that belonged to the former 'Nieuwezijds Chapel', located near the Rokin, near Dam Square.
The find is apparently one of the largest of the last years. The floor that was found contains hundreds of [....]

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Cruise ship rams restaurant along IJ in Amsterdam

Monday, April 04 2005, 12:33AM

Cruise ship rams restaurant along IJ in Amsterdam

The cruise ship 'River Duchess' rammed the restaurant Wilhelminadok today, located along the IJ water just behind Central Station.
The ship was sailing out when it was discovered that the steering mechanism failed. It could only go straight on and rammed the Italian [....]

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Amsterdam Opera House goes commercial

Friday, April 01 2005, 11:33AM

Amsterdam Opera House goes commercial

The Muziektheather, Amsterdam's main opera theatre, will be rented by Joop van den Ende's theatre company to stage 'Sleeping Beauty on Ice' this summer.
Because of subsidy cuts, the ballet performance that was originally planned for July had to be cancelled.

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Amsterdam Liberation Day without old army vehicles

Thursday, March 31 2005, 2:31PM

Amsterdam Liberation Day without old army vehicles

The mayor of Amsterdam has decided not to give permission for the parade of old army vehicles, that has been part of the Liberation Day festivities in earlier years.
In 2000 and 1995 the foundation 'Keep them Rolling' [....]

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Protest against special pier for cheap flights

Wednesday, March 30 2005, 5:03PM

Protest against special pier for cheap flights

Environmentalists have protested against a new pier that Schiphol Airport is building for the cheap air companies.
They attached a large banner to Schiphol Plaza, saying 'The sky has a limit. Clean air now'.
The contend that the new pier is not in accordance with European rules for air quality.
The new pier enables more flights to and from Schiphol Airport, and thus creates more pollution caused by the planes, and by the passenger cars (58% of the transport to and from the airport is by car).

Schiphol Airport denies that the new pier is against any rules.

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Amsterdam doctor can not be barred because of age

Tuesday, March 29 2005, 9:40PM

Amsterdam doctor can not be barred because of age

A general practitioner in Amsterdam has won a case against 2 health insurance companies.
The doctor - 81 years old - was refused a contract with 2 major health insurance companies. The companies say he is too old to function as a general practicioner and do not want [....]

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Smell of smoke because of Easter fires

Monday, March 28 2005, 10:14AM

Smell of smoke because of Easter fires

The smell of smoke that is present in large parts of the Netherlands, also in Amsterdam, appears to be caused by Easter fires.
Because of fog and lack of wind, the smell doesn't get blown away.

In many parts of Europe, huge bonfires are lighted on hilltops and in [....]

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Daylight Saving Time (Summer time) started in Europe

Sunday, March 27 2005, 11:06AM

Daylight Saving Time (Summer time) started in Europe

In the night of March 26/27, Daylight Saving Time has started in Europe.
At 2am in the night the clocks were moved forward to 3am. This happened in all member states of the European Union (except in Britain, where clocks were moved forward at 1am).

The change will [....]

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IIFA Awards 2005 (

Friday, March 25 2005, 5:05PM

IIFA Awards 2005 ('Bollywood Oscars') to Amsterdam

The International Indian Film Academy Award ceremony will take place on June 9, 10 and 11.
The ceremony is a major event in the Indian film industry (nicknamed 'Bollywood' as the industry is located near Bombay), expected to attract some 400 million tv viewers [....]

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First IMAX screen in Amsterdam opened

Friday, March 25 2005, 4:40PM

First IMAX screen in Amsterdam opened

Pathé Arena (cinema in Amsterdam South-East) opened the first IMAX screen in Amsterdam, yesterday.
The first film to be shown on the screen is 'Robots'.

IMAX shows the movie on a very large screen, with extremely clear images and sounds.

The cinema is located in [....]

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Price of gas (petrol) hits record height

Friday, March 25 2005, 4:30PM

Price of gas (petrol) hits record height

Shell, market leader in the Netherlands for gas (petrol), raised the price at the gas stations for the third time this week.
'Euro unleaded' will now cost EUR 1.319 per liter, and 'Super plus' will be EUR 1.373 per liter.

The new price record is caused by the [....]

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Keukenhof flower park opens today

Thursday, March 24 2005, 8:50AM

Keukenhof flower park opens today

Today the famous Keukenhof flower show park opens its doors to the public.
Yesterday, the official opening was performed by HRH Princess Margriet.

It will be open from today until May 20.

The flower park attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world [....]

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Amsterdam shop for last minute tickets opens today

Thursday, March 24 2005, 8:34AM

Amsterdam shop for last minute tickets opens today

Starting today, Amsterdam will have a Last Minute Ticket shop for theatre and music performances.
This is located at Leidseplein 26 (at the Uit Bureau office), and is open from 12pm to 7.30 pm, 7 days a week.

In the shop you can buy tickets for performances that [....]

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Four Tops and Temptations in Amsterdam Heineken Music Hall

Wednesday, March 23 2005, 12:18AM

Four Tops and Temptations in Amsterdam Heineken Music Hall

The Four Tops and the Temptations will perform in the Heineken Music Hall, on November 15.
The Four Tops and the Temptations are well-known music groups of the sixties. On November 15 they will perform together in the Heineken Music Hall, in Amsterdam South-East (near [....]

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Box of smoked bats seized on market

Tuesday, March 22 2005, 1:20PM

Box of smoked bats seized on market

Inspectors of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food quality have seized a box of smoked bats on an open air street market in Amsterdam South-East.
The inspectors say the bats are from Ghana. There they are used as medicine against asthma and bronchitis. The [....]

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Big fire near Rijksmuseum

Monday, March 21 2005, 11:52PM

Big fire near Rijksmuseum

On a building site near the Rijksmuseum, a large fire has broken out.
On a construction site, at the front of the building, building materials have cought fire.

A thick black smoke spread over large parts of the inner city.

The fire department closed off part of [....]

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Stadhouderskade closed for traffic for 6 weeks

Saturday, March 19 2005, 9:29AM

Stadhouderskade closed for traffic for 6 weeks

The entire Stadhouderskade (between Amsteldijk and Overtoom) will be closed for traffic between March 18 and April 29.
Stadhouderskade is a main road around the centre of Amsterdam, close to the Leidseplein, and passing in front of the Rijksmuseum.

The closure is [....]

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Mayor unhappy about ITEC 2005 arms fair in RAI Congress Centre

Friday, March 18 2005, 8:55AM

Mayor unhappy about ITEC 2005 arms fair in RAI Congress Centre

The mayor (Mr Job Cohen) calls it 'undesirable' that this event takes place in the city, since it conflicts with tackling aggression and violence in Amsterdam.
Since the convention ('Exhibition & Conference for [....]

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Waterlooplein market salesmen against public lavatory

Monday, March 14 2005, 11:35PM

Waterlooplein market salesmen against public lavatory

The market salesmen of the famous fleemarket at Waterlooplein in Amsterdam are furious about the plan of the Amsterdam Centrum authorities to place a public toilet at the entrance of the market.
The plan is to place the toilet near the

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Acoustics Muziekgebouw spectacular

Monday, March 14 2005, 4:31PM

Acoustics Muziekgebouw spectacular

The acoustics of the new concert building 'Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ' (formerly known as the IJsbreker) get wide acclaim from experts.
Just a little bit of music performed by the Schönberg Ensemble, last weekend, proved for specialists that the acoustics of the new hall [....]

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Silent Procession (

Sunday, March 13 2005, 10:13PM

Silent Procession ('Stille Omgang') attracts 8000 pilgrims

The yearly silent procession in Amsterdam, has drawn 8000 pilgrims last nights.
The procession is held every year, in veneration of the Miracle of Amsterdam. The procession takes place in the [....]

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Amsterdam out of top 10 cities

Saturday, March 12 2005, 1:12PM

Amsterdam out of top 10 cities 'quality of life'

Amsterdam has dropped out of the top 10 of cities with the best quality of life, according to Mercer.
It is now number 12 on that list.

In the Worldwide Quality of Living Survey (carried out annually), Zürich (Switzerland) is number 1, followed by Vancouver (Canada), [....]

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Rijksmuseum organizes Open Day

Thursday, March 10 2005, 12:52PM

Rijksmuseum organizes Open Day

In a reaction to the decision of the Oud Zuid authorities that the main entrance of the new Rijksmuseum building can not be inside the arch of the building, the Rijksmuseum organizes an open day on Tuesday March 15 (between 1 and 6 pm).
On this day the Rijksmuseum [....]

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Dutch gay couples to adopt foreign children

Wednesday, March 09 2005, 5:11PM

Dutch gay couples to adopt foreign children

Dutch law will be changed so as to make it possible for homosexual comples to legally adopt foreign children. Presently, only adoption of Dutch children is allowed.
Although gay marriage is already possible for some years in the Netherlands, adoption of children from [....]

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Wednesday, March 09 2005, 11:53AM

'Norma' gets dramatic premiere in Amsterdam Opera House

Yesterday Bellini's opera 'Norma' had its first public performance in the Opera House in Amsterdam. The star soprano Nelly Miricioiu had to give up her performance to her replacement Lucia Aliberti.
Miricioiu got an acute problem with her voice, so after the break she [....]

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No entrance in arch of Rijksmuseum

Wednesday, March 09 2005, 11:37AM

No entrance in arch of Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum, currently undergoing a major reconstruction, will not get an entrance in the arch in the building.
The arch is a passage under the Rijksmuseum building, originally intended for a tram line. The tram line never came, but there has always been a road [....]

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American Hotel Amsterdam sold to Eden Group

Sunday, March 06 2005, 5:40PM

American Hotel Amsterdam sold to Eden Group

The American Hotel, one of the most famous hotels of Amsterdam, has been sold to the Eden Group.
The Eden Group is a group of 7 hotels run by the Dijkstra family.

The American Hotel (built in 1902) is famous for its architecture, a beautiful example of Art Nouveau [....]

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Weather back to normal - hardly any flights delayed

Sunday, March 06 2005, 5:20PM

Weather back to normal - hardly any flights delayed

The problems caused by the snowfall, in the past few days, appear to be over.
Road traffic and public transport are not experiencing problems any more.

Schiphol airport has resumed its normal service and all runways are in use again. There are still some (a few) [....]

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Mayor of Amsterdam wins title

Sunday, March 06 2005, 5:15PM

Mayor of Amsterdam wins title

Mr Job Cohen, mayor of Amsterdam, has won the title 'Best Mayor in the Netherlands'.
The title could be won as part of a tv programme, in which viewers could also vote.
Although he got somewhat fewer votes from the viewers, the jury gave him so many points that he [....]

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Amsterdam gay pride to be organized by Gay Business Association

Saturday, March 05 2005, 2:52PM

Amsterdam gay pride to be organized by Gay Business Association

The Gay Business Association can start organizing the yearly Canal Pride boat tour, after withdrawal of the second applicant for a licence.
The Canal Pride is one of the largest events in Amsterdam, normally [....]

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Weather problems on airport continue

Friday, March 04 2005, 1:29PM

Weather problems on airport continue

Schiphol airport continues to have problems with the weather.
Fog deteriorated this morning the problems already caused by the heavy snowfall, and the cold.

It is expected that delays and flight cancellations will continue during the day, also because more snow is [....]

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Extra accommodation for Amsterdam homeless because of frost

Friday, March 04 2005, 12:32AM

Extra accommodation for Amsterdam homeless because of frost

The homeless people in Amsterdam will not have to spend the night outside in the coming cold night.
Temperatures are expected to drop to -9 degrees Celsius in Amsterdam, causing various help institutions to create extra sleeping places for the homeless.
'We can not [....]

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Public transport starting again - problems at airport

Thursday, March 03 2005, 10:19AM

Public transport starting again - problems at airport

Public transport in Amsterdam is running again, after a day with the worst snowfall in decades.
Trains to and from the airport may still be affected.

Thousands of travellers were forced to spend the night on the airport, as many flights were delayed or cancelled. [....]

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Public transport halted by snowfall

Thursday, March 03 2005, 12:00AM

Public transport halted by snowfall

On Wednesday evening most pubic transport in the country came to a standstill because of the snowfall.
In Amsterdam buses and most trams stopped as the GVB judged it would be irresponsible to keep on driving. Also, the night buses will not ride.

Whether bus and [....]

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Delays at Schiphol airport because of snowfall

Wednesday, March 02 2005, 10:42AM

Delays at Schiphol airport because of snowfall

Snowfall is causing delays at the Amsterdam Schiphol airport.
Because of the snow only one landing strip can be used. At the time of writing the Schiphol website was unreachable, so we can not supply further information.

The [....]

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E 75 million jewellery robbery Schiphol leads to security concerns

Tuesday, March 01 2005, 10:47AM

E 75 million jewellery robbery Schiphol leads to security concerns

The robbery of E 75 million worth of diamonds and other jewellery has led to concerns by politicians and air companies.
The robbery happened last Friday, at Schiphol Airport. The robbers were able to seize a transport of valuables, and leave the airport area after [....]

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Student occupation of university building ended

Tuesday, March 01 2005, 10:39AM

Student occupation of university building ended

The occupation of the main building of the University of Amsterdam (located at Spui, in the centre of Amsterdam), was ended by the police today.
The student occupation was carried out by students, who wanted to protest against the increase of enrollment fees, and the [....]

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Amsterdam Antiquarian Book & Print Fair in PTA for next decade

Saturday, February 26 2005, 10:00PM

Amsterdam Antiquarian Book & Print Fair in PTA for next decade

The 26th Amsterdam Antiquarian Book & Print Fair will open on Thursday March 3, in the Passengers Terminal Amsterdam.
The Fair announces on its website that it has reserved the PTA building for the next 10 [....]

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February strike Amsterdam of 1941 commemorated

Friday, February 25 2005, 6:14PM

February strike Amsterdam of 1941 commemorated

Today there was the traditional commemoration of the February strike in Amsterdam, that took place in 1941 in occupied Amsterdam.
The February strike was started by train workers, on February 25 1941, as a protest against the arrest of Jewish citizens by the Nazis. It [....]

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New national public transport chip-card closer by

Friday, February 25 2005, 12:21AM

New national public transport chip-card closer by

With the official opening of the new electronic doors in the metro station Waterlooplein, the introduction of the new national public transport chip-card has come closer by.
In 2006, the chip-card will replace the well-known (notorious)

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Miffy (

Wednesday, February 23 2005, 9:36PM

Miffy ('Nijntje') celebrates 50th anniversary in Madurodam

From 24 February until 31 May 2005 Madurodam is celebrating the fiftieth birthday of miffy, writer and illustrator Dick Bruna's most famous creation.
For half a century now, Miffy, in Holland known as Nijntje, has [....]

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Flu epidemic spreads into direction of Amsterdam

Wednesday, February 23 2005, 4:41PM

Flu epidemic spreads into direction of Amsterdam

The flu epidemic is spreading in the Netherlands. It is now on a level of 27 cases per 10,000 inhabitants (going up from 15 cases, a week earlier).
Worst hit are the provinces in the South of the Netherlands, but the flu is spreading into Northern direction.
At the [....]

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Amsterdam shop-lifters receive invoice

Tuesday, February 22 2005, 5:13PM

Amsterdam shop-lifters receive invoice

Shop-lifters in Amsterdam may have to pay for damage they cause.
The city is going to have trial with letting the thieves pay for direct and indirect damage.
Indirect damage is (for instance) the cost of closing the shop temporarily, the cost of the security [....]

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Chanel opens shop in Amsterdam

Tuesday, February 22 2005, 5:08PM

Chanel opens shop in Amsterdam

Chanel has opened its first boutique in Amsterdam, in the PC Hooftstraat.
The shop is the first Chanel Boutique to open in the Netherlands. The PC Hoofstraat seems a natural location, as it is commonly known as the most upscale shopping street in Amsterdam.

The [....]

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Amsterdam not pleased with soft drug promotion in Barcelona

Monday, February 21 2005, 8:38PM

Amsterdam not pleased with soft drug promotion in Barcelona

Mr Frits Huffnagel and the Amsterdam Tourist Board are 'not pleased' about the latest promotion by Transavia Airlines, containing a hemp plant leaf.
Transavia Airlines runs the promotion in Barcelona, Spain. The hemp leaf appears on the city buses.
The City of [....]

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Amsterdam jazz centre Bimhuis reopens at IJ shores

Sunday, February 20 2005, 12:42PM

Amsterdam jazz centre Bimhuis reopens at IJ shores

Today is the first day that the new Bimhuis stages performances in their new building along the IJ (the water behind the Central Station).
The Bimhuis is the Netherlands' most important centre for jazz and improvised music. Its building at the Oudeschans in the [....]

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EnergeticA Museum perhaps closed down

Sunday, February 20 2005, 1:13AM

EnergeticA Museum perhaps closed down

The museum EnergeticA may close, due to lack of funding.
The museum has collected artefacts about energy technique and household appliances. Built up by volunteers, it now has lost virtually all funding by the former public utility works. These gas and electricity [....]

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Antique trams and buses have to move

Friday, February 18 2005, 10:33PM

Antique trams and buses have to move

A judge has ruled that the tram garage in Amsterdam Old-West and the bus garage in Amsterdam East have to be vacated as of March 1 and April 1.
The buildings are now occupied by the MUSA foundation (with [....]

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Foxes found in Amsterdam

Friday, February 18 2005, 12:45PM

Foxes found in Amsterdam

Within the last year, three dead foxes have been found just East of the Centre of Amsterdam.
The dead foxes were found by Martin Melchers, city ecologist of Amsterdam, and by the Animal Ambulance (Dierenambulance).

Foxes live on the Zeeburger Island, in the East of [....]

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Compensation flight delays and overbookings in European Union

Wednesday, February 16 2005, 10:08PM

Compensation flight delays and overbookings in European Union

Air passengers who are unable to board because of overbooking or flight cancellation will be entitled to more compensation from tomorrow.
New EU rules set compensation at between 250 [....]

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Fired because of HIV - EUR 6000 damages awarded

Wednesday, February 16 2005, 5:00PM

Fired because of HIV - EUR 6000 damages awarded

A court of law in Utrecht has ruled that a hairdresser, who had said to his boss he has the HIV-virus, should not have been fired.
The hairdresser had not said during the job interview that he has HIV (the virus that can cause AIDS). He did not experience any medical [....]

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Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam sponsored by Audi

Tuesday, February 15 2005, 3:49PM

Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam sponsored by Audi

The German car manufacturer Audi will sponsor the Stedelijk Museum (the Amsterdam museum of modern art). Though plans for sponsoring date from 1999, the plans have now been finalized.
In 1999 a lot of commotion existed because of the sponsor plans by the Stedelijk [....]

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Valentine present: sterilization

Monday, February 14 2005, 10:06PM

Valentine present: sterilization

At the occasion of Valentine's Day, the Animal Protection Society in the Netherlands has started a campaign for cat castration.
According to the Society, there are too many cats, resulting in a growing number of stray cats, abandoned cats and full animal [....]

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Dutch flower bulbs welcome again in Russia

Monday, February 14 2005, 9:31PM

Dutch flower bulbs welcome again in Russia

After a boycot of almost a year, Russia will admit Dutch flower bulbs (and other agricultural produce) again, starting February 15.
The flower export from the Netherlands to Russia (worth EUR 500 million per year) was prohibited by the Russians, because they had found [....]

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Amsterdam Historical Museum opens Johnny and Jones showcase

Monday, February 14 2005, 9:07PM

Amsterdam Historical Museum opens Johnny and Jones showcase

The two Jewish jazz singers Johnny and Jones now have their own display in the Amsterdam Historical Museum.
The 2 boys (real names: Max Kannewasser and Nol van Wesel) became famous with their hit song 'Mijnheer Dinges, weet niet wat swing is!!', before the second [....]

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Amsterdam wants return of car-free Sunday

Monday, February 14 2005, 11:52AM

Amsterdam wants return of car-free Sunday

Amsterdam proposes the return of the car-free Sunday, on September 18 2005.
Car-free Sunday is a one-day event, on which cars are not allowed in a part of the inner city. In the past the car-free Sunday has been held several times, but last year the city was not one [....]

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New Amsterdam metro line causes lot of problems

Sunday, February 13 2005, 11:00AM

New Amsterdam metro line causes lot of problems

The new North-South line, the metro line connecting Amsterdam North with the Amsterdam World Trade Center, leads to a lot of damage and extra cost.
Shop owners along the line are entitled to reparation of damages, but complain the city is slow with payments, and the [....]

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Racing bus from Amsterdam to Groningen?

Saturday, February 12 2005, 7:16PM

Racing bus from Amsterdam to Groningen?

Former astronaut Mr Wubbo Ockels (now professor at the Technical University of Delft) has said a 'superbus' may well be an alternative for the magnetically levitated fast train between Amsterdam and the town of Groningen.
The so-called '

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Everland Skatepark opened in Amsterdam North

Friday, February 11 2005, 1:47PM

Everland Skatepark opened in Amsterdam North

The first official indoor skateboard park in Amsterdam has been opened yesterday by Alderman Ahmed Aboutaleb.
The skateboard park (in Dutch) is located in the North part of Amsterdam, in a former dockyard [....]

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World Press Photo 2004 about tsunami

Friday, February 11 2005, 1:32PM

World Press Photo 2004 about tsunami

The World Press Photo 2004 has been awarded to Arko Datta (from India).
The winning picture shows an Indian woman mourning the death of a relative who was killed in the Asian tsunami catastrophe.

This year the World Press Photo contest broke two records: the number [....]

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Amsterdam accommodation agencies busted

Thursday, February 10 2005, 1:44PM

Amsterdam accommodation agencies busted

Several illegal housing agencies have been closed down by the police.
The agencies intermediate for long term accommodation in Amsterdam, many of the properties being regulated under social housing law.
Since there is a shortage of cheap accommodation, the city tries [....]

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Amsterdam history lessons by mobile phone

Thursday, February 10 2005, 9:04AM

Amsterdam history lessons by mobile phone

Children of the Montessori School got history lessons yesterday, by playing a game in which they contact the Middle Ages with their cell phones.
The cell phones are UMTS phones (cell phones with fast internet connections), which also have GPS (Global Positioning [....]

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Bicycle and motor taxi to stay in Amsterdam

Wednesday, February 09 2005, 11:25AM

Bicycle and motor taxi to stay in Amsterdam

The bicycle taxi and motor taxi that now operate in the centre of Amsterdam, are allowed to stay.
Officially, the motor taxis and bicyle taxis were on trial. Research shows that citizens and tourists appreciate the taxis. The Amsterdam Centre authorities have now [....]

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Honorary doctorate Leiden University for Queen Beatrix

Tuesday, February 08 2005, 6:18PM

Honorary doctorate Leiden University for Queen Beatrix

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has today been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Leiden.
She received the doctorate for the fact that, since her accession to the throne almost 25 years ago, she has continued to give freedom a central role in the [....]

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Chemistry club advertises on the homeless

Monday, February 07 2005, 9:57PM

Chemistry club advertises on the homeless

The ads are placed on the backside of the coat of several homeless persons. The ads are an idea of the Augustinian Nuns in Amsterdam, and a source of income for the homeless. They call it Streetvertising.
The new club evening is called 'The Outcast' ('Holland's first [....]

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Accommodation for Amsterdam students in empty offices

Monday, February 07 2005, 1:22AM

Accommodation for Amsterdam students in empty offices

The City of Amsterdam investigates the possibility of housing students in the vacant office spaces in Amsterdam.
At the moment there is a shortage of cheap housing possibilities for students in Amsterdam. At the same time, there is about 1,000,000 square meters of [....]

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HEMA store gets Sikkens Prize

Sunday, February 06 2005, 12:34PM

HEMA store gets Sikkens Prize

The Hema has won the Sikkens Prize 2004. The prize was handed over yesterday evening in the Beurs van Berlage.
The prize is awarded every year to an architect, artist or organization that uses colour in a characteristic, creative or independent way.

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U2 tickets Amsterdam Arena sold out in 20 minutes

Saturday, February 05 2005, 12:28PM

U2 tickets Amsterdam Arena sold out in 20 minutes

The tickets for the U2 concert in the Amsterdam Arena Stadium for July 13 were sold out in 20 minutes today.
Two extra concerts will be given, on July 15 and 16, and all 150,000 tickets are already sold out.
The normal prices for the tickets are E 50 to E 70, but it [....]

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Prices U2 Tickets Amsterdam hit the roof

Friday, February 04 2005, 8:25PM

Prices U2 Tickets Amsterdam hit the roof

The concert that will be given by the famous group U2 from Ireland in the Amsterdam Arena has led to outrageous prices on the black market.
Official questions have been asked in the Dutch Parliament about the phenomenon of black marketeering of tickets for big [....]

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Oldest children

Friday, February 04 2005, 7:32PM

Oldest children's playground saved

The oldest children's playground of Amsterdam (U.J. Klaren) will not have to make way for a parking garage.
The playground is located at the 2e Weteringplantsoen in the centre of Amsterdam, near the De Pijp neighbourhood.
It has been in existence for 125 years, but a [....]

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Pathé Arena cinema gets IMAX screen

Friday, February 04 2005, 2:52PM

Pathé Arena cinema gets IMAX screen

Pathé Arena cinema (in Amsterdam South-East) will get an IMAX screen this spring.
An IMAX screen is a very large movie screen (around 200 m2 / 2150 sq.ft.), designed to give the viewer the ultimate movie experience.

It is expected to be ready this spring.

Pathé [....]

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3300 fines for not carrying identification papers

Wednesday, February 02 2005, 4:51PM

3300 fines for not carrying identification papers

3300 fines have been given in the Netherlands since January 1, the date from which everyone older than 14 is obliged to carry a valid id.
Police can ask everyone for valid identification if there is a situation of unrest or danger. For instance, this may happen in [....]

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Schiphol: cheap travellers, cheap treatment

Wednesday, February 02 2005, 2:45PM

Schiphol: cheap travellers, cheap treatment

Schiphol Amsterdam airport will create a new gate, especially for low budget flights.
The new gate (H gate) will not connect the planes with a special covered corridor, so that passengers will have to walk from the plane to the airport building in the open air.
This [....]

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VU University can set up imam school

Wednesday, February 02 2005, 2:33PM

VU University can set up imam school

The VU University in Amsterdam will be granted a subsidy to set up an imam curriculum for imams in the Netherlands.
As yet, there is no religious education for muslim clergy in the Netherlands.
Imams are now educated in muslim countries (such as Turkey and Morocco), [....]

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VHS soon out of business because of DVD

Tuesday, February 01 2005, 8:50AM

VHS soon out of business because of DVD

Videoland, the market leader in the Netherlands for video rentals, announced it will soon only rent dvd's.
Around 90 percent of all rentals are now DVD's, and competitors like Moviemax, BVDO/Filmstation, Filmclub and Ster report similar figures.
Exact dates are not [....]

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Ice skating on Dam Square

Monday, January 31 2005, 5:51PM

Ice skating on Dam Square

The construction of the ice-skating rink has finally started. The rink will open on Wednesday.
After a lot of problems with the city authorities, the Stuy brothers finally have managed to obtain a licence for the ice-skating rink on Dam Square, the central square in [....]

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Queen Beatrix celebrates 67th birthday

Monday, January 31 2005, 5:46PM

Queen Beatrix celebrates 67th birthday

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (1938) celebrates her 67th birthday today.
The birthday is celebrated in private, at home with her family.

The public celebration is traditionally held on April 30 (Queen's Day), which is really the birthday of her mother, the late [....]

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Bicycles illegally removed by authorities?

Sunday, January 30 2005, 11:08PM

Bicycles illegally removed by authorities?

The authorities of Amsterdam Centre remove bicycles that are not properly parked, but apparently this is against the law.
It removes bicycles that are parked outside the special parking racks that are placed on the streets.
Amsterdam Centre (Amsterdam is partitioned [....]

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60 Years Auschwitz commemmorated in Amsterdam

Sunday, January 30 2005, 2:05PM

60 Years Auschwitz commemmorated in Amsterdam

A few thousand people gathered today in the Wertheim Park in Amsterdam, to commemorate the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz.
The liberation happened 60 years ago, by the Russian army. Like every year, the commemoration took place in the Wertheim [....]

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Pacemaker sends sms messages

Saturday, January 29 2005, 12:18AM

Pacemaker sends sms messages

Cardiologists of the VU Medical Centre have implanted the first pacemaker in the world that sends an sms message to the mobile phone of the cardiologist in case something is wrong.
The heart patient needs to carry with him a special kind of cell phone, that will [....]

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Hard hat tour enormous success

Thursday, January 27 2005, 6:08PM

Hard hat tour enormous success

The so-called 'Hard hat tour' in the Rijksmuseum turns out to be an enormous success.
The Rijksmuseum (famous for i.a. the Rembrandt painting 'the Nightwatch') is currently undergoing a major [....]

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Unknown photographs by Prince Bernhard on display

Thursday, January 27 2005, 12:45AM

Unknown photographs by Prince Bernhard on display

Photographs by Prince Bernhard will be exhibited in the Verzetsmuseum/Resistance museum.
Starting on Thursday January 27, some 150 photographs and some films taken by the late Prince (who died recently and was the husband of Queen Juliana) can be seen in the

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Tickets Concertgebouworkest more expensive

Thursday, January 27 2005, 12:34AM

Tickets Concertgebouworkest more expensive

Due to cuts in funding by the government and the city, some tickets of the Concertgebouworkest will become more expensive.
The world-famous Concertgebouw Orchestra, having its home in the equally well-known

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Thursday, January 27 2005, 12:26AM

'9/11' Air marshalls cancelled

The so-called air marshalls (special under-cover police officers travelling on planes, to prevent hijackings) are temporarily cancelled.
They were deployed on flights of KLM and Martinair to and from the United States, as a reaction on the 9/11 plane attacks. The [....]

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AutoRai Car parade in Amsterdam

Tuesday, January 25 2005, 3:47PM

AutoRai Car parade in Amsterdam

On Sunday a parade of extraordinary cars went through Amsterdam, to promote the Autorai convention.

The parade included a Bentley Continental GT , a Cadillac XLR, but also a simple Ford Ka, painted by the artist Clemens Briels.
All cars that were in the parade will [....]

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Michelin stars for Amsterdam restaurants

Monday, January 24 2005, 4:49PM

Michelin stars for Amsterdam restaurants

Today the yearly Michelin stars have been awarded for the Benelux, on a conference in Maastricht.
Amsterdam lost one star (Restaurant Vermeer went down from 2 stars to 1), and gained one (

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Slaveships in new street names?

Monday, January 24 2005, 4:49PM

Slaveships in new street names?

The City of Amsterdam proposed names of old ships for new streets in the centre of Amsterdam. They are said to be names of ships that were used to transport slaves in the 18th century.
The new streets are part of a new development just West of the Central Station [....]

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Chocalate factory new attraction in Amsterdam

Sunday, January 23 2005, 12:00AM

Chocalate factory new attraction in Amsterdam

A new attraction is scheduled to open in Amsterdam in 2007: a chocolate factory.
The attraction will be a mix of a museum and a theme park for children. The attraction is based on a children's book called 'Sjakie en de Chocaladefabriek', and will be located in a [....]

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Sail 2005 Amsterdam officially opened

Friday, January 21 2005, 12:00AM

Sail 2005 Amsterdam officially opened

Sail 2005, the grand event with tall ships that takes places in Amsterdam from August 17 to 22, has been officially opened.
In the presence of the Mayor (Mr Job Cohen) and Elderman Frits Huffnagel, the year of Sail 2005 was officially opened. The marine fregat 'Hr. [....]

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