Dutch political party ChristenUnie, wants to ban every youngster’s favourite app, TikTok, in the Netherlands — but… why?
The app’s Chinese ownership has made politicians around the world grow wary as it continues to steal the attention of basically every young person out there.
In fear that their citizens’ data will end up in the hands of the Chinese government — ChristenUnie wants to prohibit the Dutch from using the app for good.
“Our job is to protect civilians. TikTok in this form must be removed from the market,” parliament member of ChristenUnie, Don Ceder, tells RTL Nieuws.
Make sure to flick through DutchReview’s TikTok — before it gets banned. (We only just got the app. 🥲)
TikTok on the hit list
Currently, there are more than 3.5 million folks in the lowlands who use the app on a regular basis — making it the most popular platform for Dutch youngins to date.
“Our whole class is on TikTok. The app is cool because there are all kinds of fun dance videos on it and very funny videos,” an 11-year-old student of the Zuidwalschool in The Hague, Mballu, tells RTL Nieuws.
“We know there is criticism surrounding the app, and we also get lessons on it at school about protecting your privacy. But I’m not worried”, Mballu’s classmate, Dominik, tells RTL Nieuws.
Dutch politicians’ solution? Ban the app!
TikTok has been a cause for concern for years, as many Dutch experts and educators fear the app’s alleged ties to the Chinese government, and worry that their citizens’ data is being handled wrongly.
American politicians also have the urge to ban their citizens from using the app, and it could become stronger after the mid-term elections.
“Our job is to protect the privacy of citizens. It is undesirable for a Chinese company, which cannot be separated from the Chinese government, to receive such a large bulk of data and send it to young people”, a politician of ChristenUnie tells RTL Nieuws.
A teen-led protest against the ban
Well, the children of the Zuidwalschool disagree, stating that it would be a pity if the app were banned, and we’re sure many youngsters probably feel the same.
“Leave everyone free to choose whether you use the app or not. I would find a ban really dumb. We’re having a lot of fun with TikTok”, Dominik tells RTL Nieuws.
While we can’t deny the app’s lack of privacy laws and its ability to cause addiction is concerning — it’s hard to imagine a world without all those cute dog videos (RIP Owa Owa Pudgy). 🥺
Do you think TikTok should be banned in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
Being vegan in any city can be tricky. Trying to find the best spots for breakfast, dinner, or even where to pick up a quick wrap to eat on the go turns into quite the challenge— but not when you’re looking for vegan food in Amsterdam.
All your problems are about to be solved if you’ve come across this handy little article. We’ve compiled some great vegan restaurants to satisfy every vegan’s craving! 😜
From cheesecakes to pink (yes, pink!) burgers, there’s so much Amsterdam can offer in terms of vegan cuisine.
At the Vegan Junk Food Bar, you’ll have a litany of options for a filling vegan meal. From burgers just oozing with tasty toppings to some classic ‘dirty fries’, this vegan restaurant in Amsterdam is sure to leave you full — and raving back to your friends! 🍔
With three locations in Amsterdam, you’re sure to find a free table. We’d recommend coming in the early evening, or try to avoid peak dinner times, as these guys don’t take reservations.
Be careful; one location is alcohol-free, so if you want a glass of red with your meal, make sure you know which one you’re headed to! 🍷
🍔Location(s): Three locations in Amsterdam 📞How to book: No reservations here! It’s first come, first served! € Price Range: Mid-range
2. Check out Flower Burger for some pinktastic food
Homemade buns, burgers made from real ingredients. Flower Burger is an all vegan burger bar concept, originally from Italy. They opened this summer in the Negen Straatjes!https://t.co/d6wuX2lrDdpic.twitter.com/3FeHrqq2a6
Well, Flower Burger has so much to offer. With lots of surprisingly coloured burgers, (think pink, purple and even green!) this vegan restaurant in the centre of Amsterdam can offer not only a yummy meal but also an aesthetically pleasing dish. 😍
Set in a relaxed dining setting, you can order at the counter and get an automated tag that beeps once your food is ready — perfect for those of us who want a chill evening out in the Dutch capital.
3. Satisfy your pumpkin soup cravings at SOIL Vegan Café!
Riz, kimchi, edamame, haricots verts et de Lima, carotte, petit pois, courgette, poivron, oignon frit, radis blanc, oignons verts et furikake. + Burger végane, mayonnaise de miso, salade de chou asiatique, sauce fromage végane, mesclun et tonkatsu.
And, with more than just one vegan restaurant in Amsterdam, you’ll have better luck in nabbing a table on a Friday night.
🍔Location(s): Two locations in Amsterdam 📞How to book: Book online between the hours of 5 PM to 8.30 PM € Price Range: Mid-range
4. Tantalise your tastebuds at TerraZen Centre
Enjoy some Japanese and Caribbean food at the TerraZen centre. Image: @terrazencentre/Instagram
Specialising in a mix of Japanese and Caribbean cuisine, this vegan joint in Amsterdam is as vibey as they come.
Take a seat at their low-lying table before the window, cross your legs and dig in. For a taste of something new, and wonderfully sweet, we’d recommend you try their vegan spring rolls! Rather than the usual taste you might expect, these guys have a bit of a sweet-and-sour tang. 🤯
Just be aware that they close for two hours between 3 PM to 5 PM!
Just one example of the many Wok to Walks in Amsterdam city. Image: Depositphotos
If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly bite to eat on the go in Amsterdam, Wok to Walk is the spot for you.
Order at the counter for egg-free noodles, and enjoy your own choice between various vegetables and sauces. The teriyaki is always a win in our books! 🍜
There are usually a few free spots to sit inside, though the restaurants tend to be quite small. We’d recommend grabbing your noodles and heading to a nearby park!
🍔Location(s): Six wonderful locations in Amsterdam 📞How to book: No reservations here! € Price Range: Affordable
6. Grab a grubby dinner at Vegan Temple Bar
Vegan junkfood is not an original concept anymore, but Vegan Temple Bar is aiming mostly at tourists, as they are located at Lange Leidsedwarsstraat. They opened in June, before it was a non-vegan pizzeria by the same owners. https://t.co/i4de7Kl1iupic.twitter.com/gnRAU3pvaf
Specialising in yummy vegan burgers and finger food, this is the place to go for a meal that will leave you feeling full but wanting more. 🤤
And, no, you haven’t found your way to Dublin’s famed Temple Bar if you head here — you can be assured this vegan restaurant in Amsterdam is actually in the Dutch capital after all! 🇳🇱
7. Discover ramen in a way you’ve never seen before at Men Impossible
Grab a steaming bowl of yummy ramen at Men Impossible! Image:@menimpossible/Instagram
Are you a fan of ramen? Men Impossible brings vegan ramen to a whole new level, so if you’ve been craving some good noodles, this is the place to go! 🥢
Also, be sure to check out their set menus for an easy choice with lots of different foods to please those greedy tastebuds.
There are two things to remember when choosing to go here; book ahead, as these guys don’t do walk-ins, and if you want to bring more than two people to dinner, you’ll have to send them an email to request a larger table. 🚶♀️🚫
Little Plant Pantry is Amsterdam’s first plastic-free shop. Here you can shop for all your sustainable goods to your heart’s content — and enjoy a delicious vegan meal!
While vegan restaurants serving sushi can be a little hard to find, you’re sure to discover something you’ll love at the Vegan Sushi Bar in Amsterdam.
The first vegan sushi restaurant in the Netherlands, they are making active efforts to improve the world we live in.
From donating profits to ocean-cleaning charities and organising river and beach clean-ups, the founders of Vegan Sushi Bar really care about our little Earth. 🌎❤
A restaurant hidden inside 0T301, a cultural centre for everything arts, De Peper is an amazing vegan restaurant in Amsterdam that offers some real gourmet vegan meals.
Go raving back to your friends, and maybe even join them after dinner for drinks and a second rave inside OT301’s club.
Got a craving for cheesecake? This vegan restaurant in Amsterdam is the place to go for all those sweet cravings — while also being assured you’re eating completely vegan.
Mr and Mrs Watson also sell the world’s first vegan cheese wheel (yes, that’s a thing! 🧀) and offer an array of different vegan cheeses.
The Meets is an excellent place to enjoy a vegan dinner in Amsterdam. Image: @themeetseatery/Instagram
Having been fully plant-based since 2021, The Meets is the place to get a tasty vegan brunch and enjoy a lazy Sunday in Amsterdam.
However, brunch isn’t all they offer. Serving all-natural dishes with delicious wine pairings, The Meets is also a great option if you’re looking for a classy place to go for dinner!
If you’re all about class, then we have to mention Bonboon. Located by the water on KNSM island in Amsterdam, at Bonboon you can enjoy a luxury vegan meal from a set menu. 🥂
Near to lots of hotels, perhaps this is an idea for a great weekend treat — a night away, and a luxurious meal out!
14. Live your dreams of vegan soft-serve at Deer Mama
Had a really great time with lovely friends. Been to a vegan restaurant called Deer Mama in Amsterdam. First time trying vegan food and it was delicious. Will definitely go there again! pic.twitter.com/ISXid9m66y
Cakes, brownies, burgers, and more, can be found at Deer Mama.
Craving a bit of soft serve ice cream? They’ve got it! And, that’s something poor vegans often go without — but you’re in Amsterdam schat, and here, your dairy-free dreams come true. 🍦
With a beautiful pink and blue interior that will leave you feeling calm and content, here you can enjoy the vanilla ice cream of your dreams. Yum!
Satisfy your taco and tequila craving at Madre, Amsterdam. Image: Unsplash
Got a desire for some vegan-friendly tacos, tequila, and top cocktails? Madre has all that and more, with great vegan options on its sustainably-focused menu.
As the Netherlands’ first vegan-only Mexican restaurant, they’ve got meat-free burritos down to a tee! 🌯
Amsterdammers will not be allowed to watch live public screenings of the World Cup group phase in Qatar, says Mayor Femke Halsema.
Usually, when an important match happens, you’ll find Dutchies and internationals alike gathered on canals and terraces in front of a huge public screen, swaying, screaming, laughing, and crying together.
However, this will not be happening during this year’s World Cup, at least not in the Dutch capital. This, according to NH Nieuws, is due to Amsterdam’s strict “winter policy.”
The “winter policy” leaves football fans cold
Amsterdam municipality regulations state that TV screens are not allowed to be placed on the terraces during winter.
This is entirely different to the policy during summer, which permits TV screens to be set on terraces, provided these screens are not watchable from the road.
Of course, terraces are much larger during summer and open until much later.
Fortunately, there’s some wiggle room
Halsema did mention that if the Dutch national team were to get further than the group phase, then she’d be open to a second opinion.
This restriction may likely disappoint D66, which hoped for the World Cup to be used to make viewers aware of the human rights violations currently taking place in Qatar.
Horeca could score a goal
If Amsterdam’s winter regulations about terraces were overturned, this would draw football fans to bars, cafés, and restaurants in order to follow the matches.
In turn, this would give those businesses a big boost in income.
VVD group chairman Claire Martens pointed out that replenishing the “piggy bank” would be much deserved after how much the Horeca sector suffered during the pandemic.
While we may hope for a change of heart in Amsterdam, for now, Amsterdammers are going to have to keep the foam fingers and orange fedoras indoors for this World Cup.
What do you think of this move? Tell us all about it in the comments below!
Tourism in the Netherlands has been on the rise, bringing visitors from all over the world to the land of windmills, stroopwafels, and cheese. Which nation was most excited to pay us a visit? Well, the UK, of course!
In the third quarter of the year, which includes the entire summer period, the Netherlands saw a record 14.6 million tourists take their holidays in Dutch cities, reports CBS.
That is a lot of people, especially considering that the population of the Netherlands is 17.5 million.
British tourists make the Netherlands their playground
We’ve all experienced it on the streets of Amsterdam: a ragingly drunk collection of British women embarking on a hen party, cycling through the streets in skimpy bride and bridesmaid paraphernalia, can of gin and tonic in hand.
And, if you hadn’t seen it before this year, you most definitely did during the summer.
British tourists come in their thousands to enjoy all that Amsterdam has to offer. Image: Unsplash
The number of tourists visiting from the UK rose to 464,000. That figure is seven times the number of British tourists who visited the Netherlands during the same period in 2021.
Perhaps the Brits are trying to get as many trips in as they can before 2023, when things will get a heck of a lot more complicated for them.
Germans try out the Dutch way of life
But, not only did the Netherlands play host to thousands of Britons, it also hosted nearly 2.2 million German tourists over the course of the third quarter this year.
This was a 74% increase compared to the number of German tourists who visited in the third quarter of 2021.
Amsterdam is a popular tourist choice
Tourism in North Holland rose by a grand 57% as compared to figures from the same quarter in 2021. And, what major city resides in that part of the country?
Amsterdam, of course! The city hosted thousands of guests over the third quarter. We can just imagine all the hen parties, bachelor celebrations, family getaways, and drug-infused college trips the city was host to. 🥴
But, while North Holland saw an increase in tourism, cities such as Overijssel, Gelderland, and Zeeland saw a decrease in visitors.
Cities such as Groningen and Utrecht saw an 8% increase, and the South of Holland was host to 17% more tourists in the third quarter.
Dutch hotels under pressure
Hotels in major Dutch cities saw a massive increase in the number of foreign guests they hosted. In Amsterdam, there was an 88% increase in the number of tourists who stayed in the hotels, while in Utrecht, there was a 25% increase.
But, though tourism figures from people abroad doubled during the third quarter, the amount of Dutch citizens holidaying on Dutch soil decreased. This was especially clear in the number of domestic tourists who visited cottage sites in the Netherlands, as this number decreased by 18.4%.
Chances are, you have a lot of knowledge worth sharing about life here in the lowlands. To make sure that migrant workers are being heard in the places that matter, Share My Voice is once again launching an extensive survey across the Netherlands.
You probably hear it all the time — the Netherlands is a lovely place to live as an international. Migrant workers and expats flock to this tiny country to enjoy the many benefits of living in the land of bikes, dikes, and stroopwafels.
But, let’s face it, life is not always rosy red, even in the Netherlands. Costs of living are high, the weather is usually rather depressing — and don’t even get us started on the housing market.
Living in the Netherlands has its pros and cons. Image: Freepik
And, on an even more concerning note, only one-quarter of the migrant workers feel welcome in their local community, according to the January 2021 version of the Share My Voice survey.
What is the Share my Voice Survey?
Share My Voice is a research panel by migrant workers, for migrant workers. Their task is to map out the experiences of international people working and living in the Netherlands, for one simple reason: they want the Netherlands to become the best possible host country.
A few times a year, surveys are run questioning things like life satisfaction, living situation, and levels of integration into Dutch society for migrant workers. This makes for systematic and thorough research on what it’s really like to live and work in the Netherlands, as a non-Dutch person.
The next survey runs from November 10 until December 16 — so you’ve got just over a month to share your voice about living in the Netherlands.
There are currently many hundred thousand migrant workers in the Netherlands, a number that’s only likely to increase in the coming years. But that’s not all: migrants and migrant workers have always played a crucial part in shaping Dutch culture, society and economy — making it all the more important to hear what this group has to say.
Yet, although a lot of politicians and decision-makers talk about migrant workers in the Netherlands, there’s still some work to be done when it comes to talking with migrant workers in the Netherlands.
Share My Voice is the perfect way to let your voice be heard as an international in the Netherlands. Image: Freepik
If you want a safe, anonymous space to voice exactly how much, or how little, you like living in the Netherlands, well, then the Share My Voice surveys should be just your thing.
Best of all, you’re not just talking to the wall — the research panel will shed light on the issues you care about, for the people that can actually do something about them.
Oh, also, the survey can be conducted in a bunch of different languages, in case doing it in English (or, God forbid, Dutch!) sounds a bit stressful.
How can I share my opinion?
Now that you’ve been convinced of the importance of letting yourself be heard in Dutch society, there’s just one step left: signing up!
The next survey is all about housing and living conditions for migrant workers, and given the current housing situation, we bet there are a few people out there with something to say.
The German police made their biggest illegal firework catch ever; not less than 350,000 kilos were hidden in the German city of Kevelaer. 🧨
The ten criminal suspects from Nieuwegein were arrested after the police found an old NATO bunker full of boxes of illegal fireworks piled up to the ceiling. The biggest warehouse was in Kevelaer, near the eastern Dutch city of Enschede, reports the NOS.
Most of the fireworks were intended for the Dutch market, and according to the police, the storage locations did not meet any safety requirements. 🤦♀️
The police tracked down the trade by gaining access to encrypted messages via Encrochat in 2020, a rather popular chatting service used by criminals who want to keep a low profile.
They discovered that fireworks were transported to the Netherlands from countries such as Poland, Italy and China via Germany since rules against fireworks are less strict there.
Why are fireworks illegal in the Netherlands?
Police say that life-threatening illegal fireworks are not only used for traditional purposes but also in riots and demonstrations. After several incidents, the Dutch police started taking the matter more seriously.
Not only is it violent, but expensive too. For instance, last New Years’ Eve, firework-related damages cost €10 million to repair, which was bound to fire up some security concerns.
Relative calm returned to cities in the Netherlands after three days of anti-lockdown riots, where roaming groups threw fireworks and rocks, and looted stores https://t.co/3qH5F0uvVKpic.twitter.com/Iq7dvYbLiM
Nowadays, police are catching more and more illegal fireworks than ever before. In 2020 alone, 122,815 kilos worth of fireworks were found, as opposed to 61,429 kilos in 2019 and 56,522 in 2018, writes theNOS.
For now, only three out of the ten who got arrested are seen as the main suspects. And, the illegal fireworks are currently still under investigation but will be destroyed afterwards. Better safe than sorry!
A man in South Holland was fired after his wife refuelled her car with his company pass.
The man — a project manager at a fire prevention firm — even took the case to the subdistrict court, reports RTL Nieuws. The court, however, would prove entirely unsympathetic.
Setting the scene
The company had provided him with a Renault Megane in May, as well as a fuel card to pay for the vehicle’s fuel expenses.
On Friday, June 17, the man injured his ankle and was unable to drive himself to work until the Wednesday of the next week.
However, a day before the man went back to work, his employer discovered that the company fuel card had mysteriously been used.
And the evidence says…
Camera footage from the petrol station showed a woman in a Volkswagen Golf refuelling her car with the card.
He had wanted to tell his employer about his wife using his fuel card but had forgotten about it. If only there had been a certain time at which he could have come clean to his employer before being fired…
I want my job back! (or €52,000)
After being fired, the man decided to take things up to the subdistrict court, demanding either his job back or a severance pay of €52,000.
However, the court found that the man was not allowed to have a private car refuelled with the company card, even if it was taking him to work.
As such, he was not entitled to the €52,000 severance pay or his old job.
What do you think of man’s firing? Tell us all about it in the comments below!
As life expectancy goes up, so does the number of years (or months apparently) you have to work before retiring, according to the Dutch system.
Since folks here in the lowlands are getting healthier and living longer, the retirement age has also gone up by three months.
Now, people celebrating their 67-years-and-three-months birthday in the Netherlands have the right to receive AOW money, writes RTL Nieuws.
So… how does this work exactly?
Before 2019, the Dutch retirement age increased parallel to the increase in life expectancy. That turned out to be a bit pricey, however, so the Dutch government constructed a new formula for pension payments.
That is, every time the Dutch life expectancy has increased by 4,5 months, the Dutch retirement age goes up by three months. Once again, the Dutch bureaucracy amazes us with its complexity.
Can I still retire at 67?
The new system only takes effect in 2028, five years from now (yeah, we know, how crazy is it that 2028 is only five years away).
In other words, if you’re close to celebrating your 67th birthday, don’t worry. You’ll still be entitled to AOW funds at that age, and don’t have to wait an excruciatingly long three months.
What do you think of the Dutch retirement calculations? Tell us in the comments below!
A new law will make it obligatory for every municipality to take in asylum seekers, and those who voluntarily take in at least a hundred of them will receive an additional €2500 reward per person.
In 2022, 48,210 to 55,170 asylum seekers are expected to come to the Netherlands. To manage the large influx of people, municipalities will be obliged to receive them.
And, now that the VVD (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy) has given the green light for the new “asylum law”, it will soon come into effect, reports RTL Nieuws.
After weeks of debate, the Dutch governing party hopes to solve the problem of unequal distribution of asylum seekers by ensuring that every municipality participates in the asylum procedure.
EU guideline
According to EU law, every member state must help asylum seekers with a fair procedure and provide them with a safe place to live.
Due to the large number of asylum seekers in the Netherlands, the cabinet introduced the new law to encourage municipalities to receive asylum seekers on their initiative.
The Hague may also oblige municipalities to receive asylum seekers if there are still insufficient places. The Secretary of State for Justice and Security will be responsible for the coercion for the first four years.
Goed dat er eindelijk een knoop is doorgehakt over de betere spreiding van asielopvang. https://t.co/Z53G2Mnmdc
“The reward makes it more attractive for municipalities to invest in sustainable reception locations,” said Van der Burg, the State Secretary for Justice and Securit.
Drama in the VVD
Several prominent figures of Mark Rutte’s party openly criticised his promise to manage the high influx of asylum seekers and the new law:
“It looks like a lot of rush work. There are still so many questions and ambiguities, and yet the VVD group suddenly changes,” says Paul Slettenhaar, VVD member from Amstelveen, to RTL Nieuws.
Klaas Kwint, another critical VVD member, says, “The group does not think carefully. This is not the solution. It is mop with the tap open, goes against the principles of freedom, and it is also not good for asylum seekers.”
In two weeks, there will be a party congress for the VVD. According to Bert Homan, VVD councillor in Assen, “many VVD members are critical and will stir during the congress.”
What do you think of the new “asylum law”? Tell us in the comments below!
Ah, October. The month of rain, cold weather, and hiding inside. No sorry, scrap that; October was the month of… sunshine and droughts?
While we here in the Netherlands have all gotten used to cold October weather and dreary autumn days, this October was one to remember.
Recorded as being the hottest October in Europe ever, temperatures were two degrees higher than the European average recorded between 1991 to 2020, reports the EU agency Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Sun, droughts, and a whole lotta rain
With higher-than-average temperatures across Europe, many countries faced droughts. In the Spanish Doñana Nature Reserve, the droughts have caused wetlands to dry up completely.
But, in other countries, there was more rain than usual. We can attest to that one; it felt like our umbrellas never got the chance to get dry in the Dutch weather this October. 🙄☔
October 2022 beats October 2020
The previous heat record for the hottest October was in 2020, but this high temperature was beaten last month by 0.5 degrees.
However, Europe wasn’t the only part of the world to beat heat records. In Canada, a heat record was also measured, and temperatures were higher in Greenland and Siberia.
In countries such as Russia, Australia, and parts of Antarctica though, it was colder than the average this October.
Europe is on a get-hot-fast mission
Europe has been getting warmer significantly faster than other continents. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) pointed out that temperatures in Europe have risen faster than other parts of the world over the last 30 years.
In a report by the EU climate agency Copernicus, it was revealed that temperatures in Europe have risen twice as fast as compared to other continents.
