An arrest in the Hajar case, pricier trains, and a minister under fire over abuse at a home in Spain

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• Train fares rise again: NS is raising fares by an average of 4.7% in January 2027, above the 2.7% inflation forecast. (DutchNews.nl, NOS)
• Arrest in the killing of Hajar: Police have arrested a 23-year-old man seen cycling with her before her body was found in the Amstel. (NL Times, NOS)
• Abuse at a Dutch-run care home in Spain: Sixteen former residents told Nieuwsuur about abuse at Huize Soria, a home near Alicante paid with Dutch care money. (NOS)
• Takeaway apps stop hiding fees: Thuisbezorgd and Uber Eats will show service and packaging fees upfront after pressure from the Consumentenbond. (DutchNews.nl, NL Times)
• PostNL wants more money, and a village goes without mail: PostNL is asking the government for an extra €80 million for 2027, saying mail volumes have fallen 70% in 20 years. (NOS, NU.nl)
• Churches offer shelter to refugees with permits: Dutch churches are being asked to house refugee families with permits for three months, freeing up asylum centre beds. (DutchNews.nl, NOS)
• A 20km/h trial for Amsterdam cyclists: There’s a 20km/h cycling limit on 300 metres of the Amstelveenseweg until 13 November, but nobody will be fined. (DutchNews.nl)
• Gerard Joling leaves De Toppers: After more than 21 years, the 66-year-old singer is quitting to focus on TV and his farewell shows at Ahoy. (NOS, NU.nl)
• ADE turns thirty: More than 3,600 artists play over 1,300 events from 21 to 25 October, and GVB is running extra night services. (NL Times, Het Parool)

What’s on in Amsterdam (Wednesday 21 October 2026)

• Heliotrope by Heleen Blanken & Daniel de Bruin: This free installation of turning mirrored slats in Westerpark reflects the park around it and changes from day to night. (Wednesday 21 October, open all day (on until Sunday 25 October), Westerpark, Amsterdam-West)
• Swan Lake Remixed for ADE: Dutch National Ballet dancers mix ballet and urban dance to new electronic music by Rik Ronner in a former gasholder. (Wednesday 21 October, 19:00–20:00, Gashouder, Westergas, Amsterdam-West)
• Jean-Michel Jarre: 50 years of Oxygène: The electronic music pioneer marks his debut album’s anniversary with a live show full of light and visuals at ADE. (Wednesday 21 October, 20:00–23:00, AFAS Live, Amsterdam-Zuidoost)

More on in Amsterdam

• ADE Opening Concert: KYBBA & Metropole Orkest + special guests: This sold-out show pairs Italian dancehall producer Kybba with the Metropole Orchestra at Melkweg. (18:30, Melkweg)
• ADE: Kara-Lis Coverdale & Lia Kohl: Canadian composer Kara-Lis Coverdale plays piano alongside Lia Kohl’s experimental sounds, with DJ Fenna Fiction mixing. (20:15 - 22:15, The Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam)
• Dome Concerts presents: THYLACINE - visuals by Julius Horsthuis: French producer Thylacine plays cinematic electronica with fractal visuals by Julius Horsthuis at Fabrique des Lumières. (19:30 - 20:45, Fabrique des Lumières)
• Sovereign Son: In this documentary, Marcus van Belkum looks into the life of the father who was found dead in a tent near Amsterdam. (At various times, De Balie)

Also in the news

• Dutch gas storage reaches the 64% minimum target for winter: State energy company EBN finished filling Dutch gas storage to the EU target after the government stepped in. (NL Times, DutchNews.nl)
• Albert Heijn refunds online customers with €10 credit; experts put cyberattack cost at up to €150 million: Online customers hit by the parent company Ahold Delhaize’s cybersecurity incident will get their money back. (NL Times, NU.nl)
• Twenty road deaths: Amsterdam’s traffic is still not getting safer: The city recorded 3,950 traffic casualties as well as twenty deaths. (Het Parool)
• Videoland cleared to take over Viaplay, bringing Formula 1 and darts: Competition watchdog ACM approved the deal, so Videoland gets Viaplay’s subscribers and rights including English football and hockey. (NOS, NU.nl)