Topic: Amsterdam

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3 novels about family, crime, and love

In this week's fiction roundup, two girls try to hide the deaths of their parents, two American writers fall in love (at least in a novel), and an international bestseller explores the lengths a family will go to clean up after a crime.

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Global News Blog Did Romanian mom torch Monet, Matisse, and Picasso along with her slippers?

The art world fears that the mother of a man suspected in the theft of seven masterpieces from a Dutch art museum burned the priceless evidence.
The Manor

A grand Long Island manor – inhabited by members of the same family since 1735 – offers a glimpse into the forgotten history of Northern slavery.
Editor's Blog Public schools, private beliefs

Separation of church and state is enshrined in the US Constitution. But here's what's sometimes overlooked: While the state must not back any particular faith -- or even faith itself -- it also must not restrict expressions of faith. That distinction is crucial to how public schools treat religion.
Latin America Monitor What does genocide conviction of Ríos Montt mean to Guatemalans abroad?

Many in the Guatemalan diaspora celebrated the historic conviction of ex-dictator Ríos Montt. But some say one conviction alone can't resolve the aftermath of the 36-year-long bloody conflict.
Dutch welcome Willem-Alexander's ascension to Dutch throne

A cheering public welcomed the new king, the Netherlands' first since 1890, after his mother, Beatrix, abdicated on her birthday, a national holiday.
As Dutch prepare for new king, republicans ask to abolish monarchy (+video)

On Tuesday, Queen Beatrix will abdicate and her son will ascend to the Dutch crown. But some Dutch see the monarchy as an unwanted anachronism in an otherwise modern democracy.
Was Boston Marathon bombing a US 'intelligence failure'? (+video)

House and Senate intelligence committees will ask that question of FBI officials during closed hearings Tuesday about the Boston Marathon bombing. They will want to know if any red flags popped up when Tamerlan Tsarnaev traveled to Russia in 2011-12.
In the City of Bikes

How biking mania put down deep roots in the Netherlands.
Hijack an airplane with a phone? Security specialist says it can be done.

German security analyst Hugo Teso has found vulnerabilities in fight system software and hardware.
Modern Parenthood Maria Sibylla Merian: Inspired her love of nature and art in her daughters

Maria Sibylla Merian, today's Google Doodle, was a naturalist, entomologist, botanical illustrator, and importantly, a mother of two. Ms. Merian took her daughters into nature with her and their collective work was featured in an art show.
Maria Sibylla Merian: Why her art changed how we see nature (+video)

Maria Sibylla Merian was not just an extremely talented artist. She was also a scientific pioneer.
3 novels about family, crime, and love

In this week's fiction roundup, two girls try to hide the deaths of their parents, two American writers fall in love (at least in a novel), and an international bestseller explores the lengths a family will go to clean up after a crime.
Kenyatta declared winner of Kenyan presidential election by tiny margin

On Saturday, with 50.07 percent of the vote, Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner of Kenya's presidential elections. Kenyatta is accused of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.
A 1:30 a.m. line... for Van Gogh

The works of Vincent Van Gogh are still a vibrant part of pop culture more than a hundred years after his death.
Sarai Sierra missing in Turkey, police detain Internet contact

Sarai Sierra, a mother of two, went missing while vacationing alone in Turkey. Sarai Sierra went on a photography trip, but hasn't been heard from since Jan. 21. Police are questioning a man who had been in contact with Sarai Sierra during her stay in Istanbul.
Saving Money 13 best, cheapest, and weirdest travel destinations of 2013

Decide where to take your next vacation with this compilation of "best of" travel destinations for the coming year, from Amsterdam to New Zealand.
Why Amsterdam is banning marijuana use in schools

The Dutch are getting tough on smoking pot: On Jan. 1, weed-smoking will be banned from schools and playgrounds in Amsterdam. Marijuana usage rates are lower in the Netherlands than in France, Britain, or the United States.
Global News Blog A traditional Sinterklaas debate: Is 'Black Pete' racist?

Every Dec. 5, Sinterklaas – the Dutch and Belgian Santa Claus – is celebrated. And the debate over Black Pete, his helper who is usually portrayed by whites in blackface and curly wigs, is rekindled.
Horizons iPad Mini launches to middling lines, muted expectations

The iPad Mini is here. So what kind of sales performance will the new Apple device turn in?
Dutch art heist 'a nightmare for any museum director' (+video)

Seven paintings – including works by Picasso, Monet, and Matisse – were stolen from the Kunsthal Rotterdam museum early Tuesday morning in a Dutch art heist that could be worth tens of millions of dollars.
Uruguay takes 'war on drugs' in new direction: The state as dealer

The South American country is proposing a state monopoly over marijuana in part to curtail drug-related violence. But it's getting pushback – even from those in favor of legalization.
Global Viewpoint America should not apologize for values that clash with hostile Islam

In an interview, 'Infidel' author Ayaan Hirsi Ali says violent protests against an anti-Islam video stem from a religion and culture with no room for criticism. 'Westerners should quit the moral relativist posturing and get down to the hard work of defending their values,' she says.
Dutch voters go centrist, shun euroskepticism

The center-right Liberals and the center-left Social Democrats won the most seats in yesterday's parliamentary election, setting the two parties as likely coalition partners.
Euro debt crisis top of mind as Dutch head to polls

As The Netherlands feel the pinch from austerity measures, Wednesday's Dutch parliamentary election will likely turn on the degree to which voters are willing to commit to the eurozone.
Astronauts, family remember Neil Armstrong

Astronauts from the Apollo era and forward joined Neil Armstrong's family to celebrate the life of the first human to set foot on the moon.