Pot-loving Euro-trippers, start checking Priceline if you want one final hurrah in Dutch "coffeeshops"—the Netherlands are poised to start banning tourists from cannabis-selling cafes with the goal of "combating drug tourism and the accompanying public nuisance." What will Woody Harrelson do?! more ›

This week, we learned that NYC has now become the "marijuana arrest capital of the world." The NYPD arrested 50,383 people for low-level marijuana offenses last year, making low-level pot possession the number one cause of arrest in NYC. But it's important to note who was getting arrested: according to the Drug Policy Alliance’s report, "86 percent of those arrested are Black or Latino, even though research consistently shows that young whites use marijuana at higher rates." more ›

We here at Gothamist are not normally in the business of international news unless it is of the utmost political and social importance. Which this story obviously is: The Dutch government has decided that they've had it up to here with stoned tourists using their cities as a backdrop for their perpetual spring break, and may soon decide that only those with a national passport can smoke their pot. Which means we'll now just have to visit for their beautiful scenery, interesting museums and great food. Oh, and the red light district. more ›

Spain's 1-0 overtime victory over the Netherlands to win the 2010 World Cup meant celebration—and sadness—at bars and other gathering places in the city. Here are some photographs of the revelry from Gothamist readers. more ›

Paul the Psychic Octopus from Germany's Oberhausen Sea Life Aquarium correctly predicted that Germany would win its third-place World Cup match against Uruguay yesterday, making it his sixth correction prediction. As Der Spiegel explains, "He 'predicts' by choosing a mussel from one of two possible containers, both marked with national flags." However, Paul is not popular in his home country, with people threatening to grill him. Spain's environmental minister said Spain might offer asylum "so that the Germans don't eat him." After all, Paul did predict that Spain would beat the Netherlands in today's match (on ABC at 2:30 p.m.!); video of his prediction after the jump. Update: Spain defeated the Netherlands, 1-0. Long live, Paul! more ›

This morning the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions invaded our subways, and presented straphangers with a special performance by the brass section of the Amsterdam-based Royal Concertebouw Orchestra. The above scene took place on the Holland-themed, and wrapped, Grand Central-Times Square shuttle; and while we're told by the Dutch that this "delighted" passerby, we're guessing there was at least one person annoyed they didn't get a seat. more ›

A nationwide ban that has kept HIV-positive travelers from visiting the United States since 1987 will come to an end today when Hugo Bausch and Clemens Ruland are expected to arrive in the city from the Netherlands. Last fall, President Obama reversed the policy and stated it was "rooted in fear, rather than fact," according to the Huffington Post. The regulation, which many derided as discriminatory, separated families and turned members of the scientific community against the United States, according to the Daily News. Ruland, who will be landing at Kennedy Airport today, wrote in an essay: "Free to travel, to hug, share, love and once more be united . . . Alive and proud . . . I turn to you, America. America, here I come; Come as I am." Foreigners with HIV are still barred from visiting about a dozen other countries. more ›

New York City welcomed royalty yesterday, as Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of Orange and Crown Princess Maxima were greeted by a 21-gun salute and welcomed by Mayor Bloomberg and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a ceremony at the USS Intrepid. It's all part of the 400th anniversary celebration of Henry Hudson's arrival in the New York Harbor; the Crown Prince said, "It's an honor to be welcomed here by the Secretary of State and the mayor of this great city. Arriving in New York is always a great pleasure, and the pleasure increases with every visit." more ›

Yesterday, New Amsterdam Village, the miniature Dutch village, opened up in Bowling Green Park as part of the ongoing festivities surrounding the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's arrival. Dutch ambassador to the United States Renée Jones-Bos and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe made the village's opening formal by cutting a Gouda cheese! more ›

At a press conference with Dutch officials to announce plans for the joint Dutch- more ›

Last month a Queens couple was caught tagging international property, as well as plenty of surfaces in NYC. Now , WNBC reports that authorities said "a resident of the Netherlands who came to New York as a 'graffiti tourist' has been indicted on charges of spray painting a subway car and leading police on a dangerous chase." The chase occurred down the subway tracks! And the 23-year-old Robbert Boxem (aka KRAE) now faces charges of criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. Boxem was allegedly here for the international graffiti event Meeting of Styles. more ›