Page 5 - Het Parool News Today

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema received over 22,000 signatures against the proposed erotic center in Amsterdam, Het Parool reported on Thursday. A delegation representing an alliance of about 30 groups opposed to the plan met with her on Thursday to voice their opposition.

About 124,000 parents have taken paid parental leave within a year, making use of the new system introduced in August 2022. Under the new rules, parents are allowed to stay with their baby for another 9 weeks after the first 6 weeks of maternity leave and receive 70% of their salary during that time, Het Parool reports.

Rapid delivery service Getir is set to close five dark stores in Amsterdam due to zoning disputes, Het Parool reported on Wednesday. In Breda, Delft, Eindhoven, Groningen, Leiden, and Tilburg, the Turkish-origin company will cease operations.

Police arrested 40-year-old Mohamad E. in November on suspicion of involvement in threats against Princess Amalia, the daughter of King Willem-Alexander and heir to the thrown. This was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Office following reports from Het Parool on Friday. However, he is no longer considered a suspect in that case, but is still being held in pre-trial detention on several other serious charges.

An additional eleven girls and women have come forward claiming they were harassed by an English-speaking man on a fatbike in Amsterdam and Amstelveen, Het Parool reported on Thursday. The total number of cases being examined by the prosecution has now reached 16. A suspect was taken into custody in late July.

Following a successful experiment in Utrecht, the Amsterdam drugs museum Poppi is considering launching a mobile "XTC store." Machteld Busz, the initiator, revealed in an interview with Het Parool on Monday that they are looking for creative talents to collaborate on the new design.

Amsterdam police chief Frank Paauw called on The Hague for an additional 200 specialized police officers to combat the rising tide of explosions, shootings, and other drug-related crimes plaguing the city.

Cleaners removed about 53 tons of trash on Saturday night after the Canal Parade, according to a spokesperson for the city administration. In 2022, the city had to remove 66 tons of waste from the capital's streets. That's 13,200 full garbage bags, according to Het Parool. "This year there were fewer bottles on the streets and there was less glass," the spokesperson explained.

Older people in the Netherlands have been urged to wear helmets when using e-bikes because of fears that the heavier, faster bicycles have contributed to a rise

The Pride festival Queer & Pride kicks off in Amsterdam on Saturday. The first week that Queer Amsterdam is responsible for, will start with the Pride Walk, demonstrating for equal rights for the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide. The festive demonstrations will take place throughout Amsterdam for two weeks, including the Canal Parade boat parade, Het Parool reported.