A 42 year-old-woman who allegedly threw her 5-year-old son from the balcony of their fifth-floor apartment in Zuptphen last November has fronted the court.
According to RTL Nieuws, the prosecutor argued Adriana P. was entirely under the influence of a mental disorder at the time.
Her lawyer is pushing for acquittal, or TBS, claiming that while she committed the act, her disorder makes her not punishable for it.
Some offenders have reduced responsibility due to psychiatric or personality disorders. To protect society, they can instead receive a terbeschikkingstelling (TBS) sentence. This alternative to prison gives them psychiatric help with the intention of helping them re-enter society.
A miracle survival
The boy fell about 15 metres, suffering a collapsed lung and other injuries, but was discharged from the hospital just days later. He is now living with a foster family.
Speaking to RTL Nieuws, the prosecutor describes his mother as a ”woman with two faces. ” — battling schizophrenia, PTSD, and substance abuse, yet still caring for her son.
Seeing a risk of the incident repeating, the court ruled that long-term treatment was necessary, imposing TBS with conditions.
Mental health at the centre of the case
P. told the court she acted under instructions from voices in her head and was in a trance-like state at the time of the incident.
”I took him in my arms and said, ‘The time has come Marwan,’ I gave him lots of kisses and then I let him fly. I said, ‘Fly up like a butterfly.”’
Police had visited her apartment about an hour earlier after hearing her screaming from the balcony, but left when she calmed down; an hour later, she allegedly threw her son off the balcony and confessed to police.
Her lawyer argued for acquittal, saying headlines risk painting a false picture of a violent mother. If found guilty, he urged for conditional TBS.
In her closing words, P. told the court she wants to recover and be ”a healthy mother” to her son. The court’s final verdict is expected on August 28.
Police believe they have found the body of a missing 24-year-old Syrian woman from Almere.
The discovery was made yesterday by a bystander in the forest near Almere’s De Kiem car park, roughly one kilometre from where she was last seen. Police say there is strong evidence she was killed.
Her travelling companion, 34-year-old Omar Almahad, is a suspect. Officers are still searching for him, along with his car, a grey Peugeot 307 SW with the licence plate 36-LH-RN.
Police are looking for the suspect and his car, pictured above. Image: Politie
Anyone who sees the suspect or the vehicle is urged to call 112 immediately. For any other information relating to the investigation, contact police on 0800 0600.
How’s everyone doing these past few days? Sleep deprived due to the oppressive wall of heat? Constantly dehydrated? A bit irritable?
Well, just be thankful you don’t live in one of these five Amsterdam neighbourhoods.
According to Het Parool, a simulation study carried out by W/E consultants identified which parts of the capital are most affected by heat. The study comes after Amsterdam set aside €2.5 million to protect neighbourhoods from the sun.
Who are the hotties?
Congrats, you’re literally one of the hottest people in Amsterdam if you live in the Elandsgracht neighbourhood.
According to the study, this one neighbourhood has a whopping 1,715 addresses based in super heat-sensitive buildings.
Runners up in second and third place were the Sarphatipark neighbourhood in De Pijp and the western part of the Scheldebuurt respectively.
Both neighbourhoods have more than 1,500 homes that experience sweat-inducing temps.
In fourth and fifth place, we have the Van der Pekbuurt neighbourhood in the north and the Weesperbuurt in the centre.
So, if your friends start giving you flack for complaining about the heat and you live in one of these unfortunate postcodes, just flash them this article in self-defence.
How are the hottest neighbourhoods determined?
You may be wondering how exactly the experts reached this conclusion. It wasn’t as simple as knocking on doors and standing around in attic rooms while holding ijsjes.
When determining the hottest neighbourhoods, the study looked at factors such as:
Whether the surrounding area was urban or green.
Whether temperatures inside the home would exceed the heat standard that has been in effect for new build homes.
What type of buildings were in the neighbourhood.
The orientation of the buildings relative to the sun.
Whether monumental status would hinder the installation of sunshades.
Whether noise pollution would prevent people from opening their windows at night.
Whether the neighbourhood houses many people in belonging to vulnerable groups.
So, are you one of the unlucky few? If so, sorrows, sorrows, prayers.
One person died last night in a hot air balloon accident in De Hoeve, Friesland, while five others were rushed to the hospital.
According to RTL Nieuws, a sudden gust of wind hit the large balloon carrying 34 people, which later landed in a field.
Sudden gust caused people to fall
A spokesperson for the Royal Netherlands Aeronautical Association (KNVvL) tells RTL Nieuws that the balloon took off from Joure, Friesland, just after 8 PM.
About an hour later, while searching for a landing spot, the wind suddenly picked up.
”A sudden gust of wind caused the balloon to fly forward. With a strong wind, this can reach speeds of 20 to 30 kilometres per hour,” a KNvvL spokesperson says.
The balloon — registered as PH-GPH — carried 32 passengers as well as a pilot and co-pilot.
”Some of them apparently couldn’t hold on properly due to the force and fell out of the basket,” the spokesperson adds.
Ambulances, helicopters, and investigators on the scene
Emergency services were called around 9:00 PM, with two trauma helicopters and at least fourteen ambulances rushing to the scene.
The Friesland Safety Region confirmed the operation was escalated to ”code 10,” mobilising a medical team, two medical officers, the Dutch Red Cross, and a medical van.
Five people are in the hospital with injuries whose severity is still unclear. The other passengers were taken by bus to a shelter.
Lighting has been installed in the field to allow aviation to investigate through the night, with the inquiry continuing today to determine exactly what went wrong.
So, you live or study in one of the Netherlands’ best student cities, and you’re looking for places to work or study in Groningen. Well, lucky for you, we have the low-down.
Steaming cups of coffee, sweat-induced pre-exam stress, and celebratory muffins; cafés, libraries, and coworking spaces are great places to work or study in this beautiful Dutch city. ✍
Got finals coming up? Or are you a freelancer who likes to find a home-away-from-home in the corner of a coffeeshop? (No, not those kinds of coffeeshops! 🌿). Say no more.
The Forum in Groningen offers free access to all, and with long opening hours, it’s a warm and welcoming haven to find a comfy seat and bang out that 3,000-word essay. ✍
While you will need a membership to borrow books, there’s a rooftop you can access for free.
Tip: If you’re under 18, you can get a library membership free of charge.
The library has lots of events, so if you’re looking to hone your writing skills, be sure to check them out (though you will need to buy a ticket!)
There’s even a café on site to get that chai latte fix, and, with free Wifi and lots of places to charge your five-year-old laptop with a bad battery, the library is sure to be a place to spend the day studying or working.
🏢 Type: Library 💰 Price: Free ⏰ Opening hours: 9 AM to 12 AM from Monday to Saturday, and 10 AM to 11 PM on Sunday 📍 Location: Nieuwe Markt 1, 9712 KN Groningen
2. Get in your study time at Hoogkerk library
Got a group project to work on? Hoogkerk is a great spot to get those tasks done and dusted! 💅 Image: Freepik
Another member of the Forum group of libraries here in Groningen, Hoogkerk library is a brilliant place to set down your laptop and study the day away.
This library offers free Wifi, comfortable places to sit and study, and it is completely free to access!
🏢 Type: Library 💰 Price: Free ⏰ Opening hours: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM from Monday to Friday (closed on weekends) 📍 Location: Jan Ensinglaan 29, 9744 GP Groningen
3. Grab a coffee and sit on a cosy couch at Uurwerker
‘The Clock Worker’ in English, De Uurwerker, is a combination of a café, bar, and restaurant. Most importantly, it has lots of cosy couches to plop down on and work to your heart’s content.
Grab yourself a coffee, and if you’re staying for the day, you can even treat yourself to some lunch. With options for all diets, even those vegans (because you go to art college, right?), this is a great spot to work or study in Groningen.
🏢 Type: Café 💰 Price: €3.30 for an Americano ⏰ Opening hours: 12 PM to 11 PM from Monday to Thursday, 11 AM to 12:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12 PM to 10 PM on Sundays 📍 Location: Uurwerkersplein 1, 9712 EJ Groningen
4. Work away at Coffee Break
Prefer a quiet nook to yourself and your book? Dat kan ook! Image: Freepik
Got a freelance job that needs some extra love? Well, you’ll find a cosy seat at Coffee Break, another lovely, laptop-friendly café in Groningen.
Here, you can stay for the whole day, sipping away on your mocha, using up all that free electricity (because we are in an energy crisis, after all).
With a good Wifi connection to top it all off, you won’t be sitting looking at that infamous dinosaur on Google’s error page.
🏢 Type: Café 💰 Price: Starts at €3.10 for an espresso ⏰ Opening hours: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM from Monday to Friday, and 11 AM to 5:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday 📍 Location: Gedempte Zuiderdiep 158, 9711 HN Groningen
5. Stay for the day at Cappunvino (and enjoy a delicious lunch)
Looking for a café to make your home-away-from-home? Cappunvino can offer comfy seats, excellent coffee, and a place to work, study, or procrastinate your heart out.
Plus, the café becomes a vibrant and vintage-looking bar in the evening, so if that essay is particularly stressful, don’t pull your hair out, just close the laptop and grab a glass of vino with friends. 🍷
🏢 Type: Café 💰 Price: €3 for an Americano ⏰ Opening hours: 10 AM to 5:30 PM on Tuesday, 10 AM to 9:30 PM on Wednesday, 10 AM to 10:30 PM on Thursday, 10 AM to 11:30 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 12 PM to 5:30 PM on Sunday 📍 Location: Vismarkt 1, 9712 CA Groningen
6. Study like a straight-A student at Selwerd
It’s the perfect place to sit down, tune out the chaos, and amp up your productivity! ⚡ Image: Freepik
Yet another location part of the Forum group of libraries, at Selwerd you can grab a seat, make use of the books onsite as sources for that history essay, and study away.
If you’re looking to take a short break away from the endless work and study, there are also exhibits at Selwerd. Usually showcasing artwork and photography by local artists, you can take a mental break with a bit of art enjoyment while you work.
Let op: Selward is currently closed from September 1 to October 26, 2025, due to renovations.
The Koffiestation is a café in Groningen that offers some incredible things: wonderful, expertly made coffee and English books to sit and read in between study breaks!
With a calming exterior of beige and wooden undertones, you can find a comfy seat and work away for hours.
You can also enjoy their coffee during your leisure time. You’ll find them, with an on-the-go coffee truck, so you can catch the Koffiestation at markets in Groningen.
Tip: The cinnamon buns in this café are to die for 😍
Are you a student in Groningen? Then drop the fake stethoscope; there’s no need for you to pretend to be a medical student to enjoy the use of Groningen’s Central Medical Library.
The library grants open access to all students in the city, so you can borrow books and make use of their facilities.
Studying with a friend? You can book a study room for two ahead of time and spend the day chatting, ahem, working. 😬
Let op: This library is only open to Groningen University students.
Got exams coming up, or just a remote worker sick of staring at the same old walls? Well, we hope that this list of wonderful places to work or study in Groningen will give you a welcome escape from your stress-riddled desk.
There’s nothing like stressing in a gezellig environment! 😏
Have you checked out any of these spots? Let us know in a comment below! 👇
Dreaming of learning a new language but not sure where to start? Taalhuis Amsterdam might just be the perfect fit.
Located in the heart of Amsterdam, Taalhuis Amsterdam offers a welcoming space where students can dive into new languages and cultures.
But what makes the school so special? To find out, I spoke to Myrte, the founder, and Meredith, a student.
Want to find out for yourself? Taalhuis Amsterdam’s free Open Day on August 30, 2025, is the perfect opportunity to get to know the school. Whether you’re curious about a new language or ready to advance your skills, the Open Day is a great chance to dive in.
Why Taalhuis Amsterdam?
Taalhuis translates to “house of languages” in English — and that’s exactly what it is: a place for language learning, cultural exchange, and, most importantly, fun!
Myrte started the school with a simple yet powerful idea: language learning should be interactive, enjoyable, and deeply connected to culture.
“I’ve loved languages since I was very young,” says Myrte. “I studied Latin and Greek, opened Taalhuis Amsterdam, and then it all kind of got out of hand,” she explains with a laugh.
Today, Taalhuis Amsterdam is a community where people of all ages and nationalities learn the languages they’ve always wanted to learn.
11 language courses
From its humble beginnings of teaching just Greek and Dutch, Taalhuis Amsterdam now offers courses in 11 languages, all taught by passionate teachers. You can choose between:
Dutch
Italian
French
Farsi
Arabic
Turkish
Greek
Hebrew
English
Spanish
Catalan
For children, there are lessons in French, Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew, and English.
In each class, there is a unique international vibe, where people get to share their differences and diversity. And, most importantly, each class gets the students talking. 💪
What do the students say?
Meredith, originally from the United States, has been taking Dutch lessons with Taalhuis Amsterdam for three years. Having previously tried private lessons at another school, she found group courses to be the best fit for her.
“Sitting in a classroom with people from all over the world has expanded my worldview, and there’s a real sense of camaraderie when we don’t understand a difficult concept,” she laughs.
All in this together. 🙌 Image: Taalhuis Amsterdam
“I also really enjoy that the teachers are lifelong students of languages themselves, so there’s a lot of understanding of what the learning process looks like.”
Thinking back to her first lesson, she recalls: “It was full-on in Dutch, and I remember thinking, ‘…is nobody going to give me a little tip here?’ But it’s great that they hold to that.”
“I’ve learned so much because they let you make mistakes and learn from them — and they celebrate your wins.”
Learn by doing, not by cramming grammar
It’s this immersive approach, with a focus on communication from day one, that sets Taalhuis Amsterdam apart.
Each class is taught in the target language, helping you pick up the language naturally as you go. “We don’t talk about the language; we talk in it,” explains Myrte.
By learning this way, “students don’t have to take that intimidating leap from classroom to real life, because they’re already used to speaking and listening.”
Taalhuis Amsterdam takes a conversational approach to language learning. Image: Taalhuis Amsterdam
This method also shifts the focus to what students can do, rather than what they can’t. “It’s important to focus on the words you understand instead of the ones you don’t,” Myrte stresses.
“Similarly, our classes aim to help you do things — like ordering a coffee — rather than getting stuck on complex grammar rules. But, of course,” she adds, “you’ll need the grammar to order your coffee, so the two go hand in hand.”
In other words, practical communication and grammar aren’t separate skills, and you learn them together at Taalhuis Amsterdam by using the language in real-life situations.
The perfect course for everyone
When asked about the typical Taalhuis Amsterdam student, Myrte says that “the one thing everyone has in common is their motivation.”
“Nobody studies a language without a reason,” she says, ”whether you’re trying to integrate, you love travelling, you’re learning for your partner, or to communicate with family.”
Taalhuis Amsterdam has a class for everyone. Image: Taalhuis Amsterdam
To accommodate this diverse group of people, Taalhuis Amsterdam offers classes to suit everyone, from group classes to private and children’s lessons.
Of course, different levels are offered for each language and a choice between intense courses (twice per week) or regular courses (once a week).
A vibrant community in the heart of Amsterdam
At the beginning of 2025, Taalhuis Amsterdam moved to the vibrant neighbourhood of De Pijp, where the language school finally put all its classes under one roof.
Now housed in a historic school building, the old gym has been transformed into a welcoming café, library, and bookstore.
Welkom! Image: Taalhuis Amsterdam
“It has always been our dream to bring the community together in one space where we can all communicate with each other,” Myrte smiles.
The location in De Pijp, just around the corner from the famous Albert Cuyp market, is also an advantage for language learners, says Myrte.
“While the international vibe of Amsterdam can sometimes make it hard to learn Dutch, the city is a great place to practice other languages we teach. You can just walk around the corner and practice Arabic with the Lebanese pita seller, or Italian at one of the many Italian restaurants.”
Get to know Taalhuis Amsterdam at its upcoming Open Day
Want to know more about Taalhuis Amsterdam? Dat kan! (That’s possible!)
Taalhuis Amsterdam’s Open Day on August 30, 2025, is the perfect opportunity to explore the school, meet the community, and experience the learning environment firsthand.
You can even take part in a trial lesson, ask questions, and find the right course to match your goals.
Whether you’re curious about a new language or ready to take the next step in your learning journey, this event is a great time to ask questions and find your perfect course.
It’s also the ideal moment to enrol, with free trial lessons on August 30!
The Netherlands is about to turn into a sauna again, so get ready to sweat through your lunch break and your evening Netflix binge.
For the next few days, the entire country will swelter under one of the KNMI’s code yellow weather warnings for extreme heat. (So wherever you are, prepare to feel the heat!)
Let’s see what it’s all about. 👇
Get ready to bake today
While lucky ducks in Zeeland and South Holland may start the day with low clouds and fog, this will clear by late morning.
The sun will then push the south to 30 degrees by lunchtime, reports RTL Nieuws, with 25 to 29 degrees elsewhere.
This afternoon will be pure summer, with some cloud in the west and southeast but dry conditions everywhere. Inland, it can heat up to 35 degrees, while the coast enjoys a slightly more civilised 25 degrees.
Even the Wadden Islands will reach 29 degrees, which is perhaps the perfect excuse for a brave dip in the Noordzee. 🌊
With humidity turning the air into a sauna, the southwest of the country might even see a late-evening thunderstorm. Tonight is expected to stay warm, with temperatures above 20 degrees.
With all this heat, a National Heat Plan has been in effect since 10 AM yesterday, urging everyone to stay hydrated, seek shade, and check on the vulnerable.
Milder weather? Not till the weekend
Helaas, if you think we’re getting a break tomorrow, we’ve got some bad news for you. 👇
Thursday will keep the heat rolling, with the west enjoying dry, sunny weather, while the east experiences a mix of sunshine and the odd shower or thunderstorm.
And, though the rain might provide some relief, a high of 34 degrees means the air might still feel muggy.
Friday is predicted to be another scorcher, but by the weekend, we can all breathe easier.
Temperatures will settle at a pleasant 22 to 26 degrees — perfect for enjoying drinks on a terrace or going to sleep without feeling like you’re stuck to the sheets.
Just don’t get too comfortable, because early next week, the heat will be back to remind you who’s boss. 😅
How will you survive this round of tropical Dutch weather: beach towel and BBQ, or blackout curtains and ice cubes? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
The Netherlands is known for many amazing things like windmills, bicycles, and cheese! But the Netherlands is also notorious for its (let’s be honest) crappy weather.
If you’ve ever been to the lowlands, you know that it’s rainy, windy, and cold most of the year.
There’s even an app — Buienradar — that the Dutch use just to check when exactly it will rain and how much. 🌧
What was first thought to be a targeted cyberattack on the Dutch cervical cancer screening program has turned out to be far worse — and far broader.
According to an investigation by RTL Nieuws, data from patients who underwent skin, urine, and penis examinations were also stolen.
What does this mean? A large number of people who received medical tests in the Netherlands have had their data stolen. Let’s look at what is known so far. 👇
Half a million cervical screening patients
When the breach first came to light, it was thought to involve no less than 485,000 patients who had taken part in the cervical cancer screening program, either through a Pap smear or a self-test.
The data was leaked after one of the testing labs, Clinical Diagnostics in Rijswijk, was hacked.
NOS reports that the stolen data included the patients’ names, addresses, healthcare provider information, GP referrals, and research data going back to 2016.
Those affected will receive a letter in the coming weeks and be warned about possible targeted phishing attempts. The laboratory has since had its collaboration with the program suspended.
More hospitals and tests involved
However, RTL Nieuws’ investigation reveals that the breach at Clinical Diagnostics also includes results and advice from tests on urine, skin, vagina, penis, anus, and wound fluid.
The stolen records belong to patients whose samples were sent to the laboratory by healthcare providers and independent clinics.
Affected institutions include Leiden University Medical Center, Amphia Hospital, Alrijne Hospital, and numerous GP practices.
Data already on the dark web
A portion of the stolen data has already surfaced on the dark web.
RTL Nieuws confirmed that 53,516 people are named in the files currently online, while the hackers claim to have stolen 300 gigabytes of data.
Only 100 megabytes have been published so far, but the leaked material covers the years 2022 to 2025, meaning many recent tests are included.
Do you think Dutch authorities are doing enough to protect sensitive medical data, or should stronger measures be put in place? Share your thoughts with us. 💬
If you woke up this morning and felt that the heat was even more oppressive than usual, that’s because it is. Today, a National Heat Plan will be in place across the entire country.
With temperatures expected to reach as high as 34 degrees in the south, the RIVM is taking no chances and wants everyone to know that they need to take extra care.
A National Heat Plan will be in effect from 10 AM this morning.
What is the National Heat Plan? Essentially, it is a warning to anyone who is or who is caring for someone in a vulnerable group. For example, the elderly or young children. According to the RIVM:
“The aim of this activation is to send a signal to informal caregivers and (healthcare) professionals that hot weather is on the way. This will help them be aware of the need to pay extra attention to the people they care for.”
Keep the curtains closed, it’s getting hot
Even those of us in the north will feel the heat today, with 29 degrees forecast for the region.
And what does this mean for people in the centre and south? Highs of 31 and 34 degrees respectively.
According to RTL Nieuws, only those who are basking along the coast will have a bit of relief, with temperatures of around 25 degrees expected there.
Tomorrow, you’ll need to take it just as easy. The heat is set to get even more oppressive thanks to a wave of moist air that will hit the country.
Temperatures will remain high on Wednesday, with up to 35 degrees forecast for the southeast. Thursday will be a similar story, with a chance of thunderstorms and temperatures as high as 33 degrees.
Potentially a second nationwide heatwave
These high temperatures mean one thing: we may be about to see the second nationwide heatwave of the summer.
According to RTL Nieuws, a regional heatwave is certain for the southeast and east of the country. However, the rest of us may very well see a nationwide heatwave too.
Yep, it’s about to get oppressively hot in the Netherlands — so take that extra work-from-home day if you can, and maybe skip doing a 10k run.
