Start as you mean to go on; for lightweight women Julia Edward and Sophie MacKenzie it'd be hard to find a more appropriate motto.

Nearly 200 cabin crew resigned from Malaysia Airlines following its double tragedy this year, causing crew shortages among staff.

Reports that land mines have been laid near the MH17 crash site in Ukraine are "utterly despicable", Australia's Foreign Minister says.

Parents of an MH17 passenger are threatening to sue anyone who suggests, without evidence, that their daughter is dead.

After two tragic incidents within months involving Malaysia Airlines, hundreds of Kiwis have gained refunds for flights with the company.

News organisations have forever struggled with determining the line where news value ends and shock value and sensationalism begin.

If history is anything to go by, the downing of Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine could trigger a dangerous chain reaction.

While big banks in China and the US are reluctant to do business with ventures focused on virtual currency, the Netherlands is now home to banks that are open to bitcoin.

A new restaurant in Amsterdam is catering for solo dinners only - no families, couples or annoying gangs of laughing friends.

A 14-year-old Dutch girl who sent a terror threat to American Airlines as a Twitter “joke” has been arrested by police in Rotterdam.

Serving world leaders their lunch is a serious affair. No room for "blondes" or women in dresses then, it appears.

Brown cafes and rooftop bars are the Dutch answer to the pub, writes Paul Davies.

It was a homecoming of sorts for Netherlands captain Peter Borren this week at the International Cricket Council's World Cup qualifying tournament.

Every region in The Netherlands is known for its own special sweets. Bernd Meier heads out to sample a selection.

Dutch museums are trying to trace the owners of a unexpectedly high number of art pieces that were confiscated by the Nazis over 70 years ago.

"I placed the suitcase containing the paintings in the stove." The mum of an art heist suspect says she "destroyed any evidence" - quite permanently.

Julia Shallcrass visits Amsterdam, which colours its history with fun and interactive museums.

A Kiwi has been identified as the mastermind behind a viral internet invitation that led to more than 3000 people gatecrashing a Dutch teenager's birthday and trashing the town.

Anne D'Innocenzio discovers a love for river cruising on an eight-day trip on the Rhine, starting in Basel, Switzerland and ending in Amsterdam.

This fascinating museum houses thousands of examples of body art from around the globe and through history.

For further information see amsterdamtattoomuseum.com.

Graham Reid ditches Amsterdam's famous museums for a journey into tattoo history.

Increasing the minimum wage and paid parental leave to a minimum of 18 weeks are recommended in a report on how New Zealand can improve the quality of life for children.

Graham Reid has his breath taken away by a discreet museum in the Netherlands.

Amsterdam's Museum of Bags and Purses offers an eclectic collection of the beautiful, the historic, and the just plain crazy.

For further information see tassenmuseum.nl.