|
Friday 31 August 2012
Van der Vaart, De Jong out of Oranje for World Cup qualifiers
National football coach Louis van Gaal has left Rafael van der Vaart, Nigel de Jong, Ibrahim Afellay and Gregory van der Wiel out of his squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Turkey and Hungary.  
PSV to face Napoli, Twente face Hannover 96 in Europa League
Less than 24 hours after sealing their places in the group stage of the Europa League competition, both PSV and Twente know who they will face in the group round.
Prostitutes' lobby group bankrupt
A lobby group dedicated to turning prostitution into an acceptable profession while working to combat violence and exploitation has gone bankrupt, BNR radio said on Friday.
Greece can leave eurozone, says Stork chief
Greece could leaving the eurozone without it having much effect, the chief executive of engineering group Stork said during a debate on Thursday evening.
Shopkeepers report a run on old-fashioned light bulbs
With just one day to go before they start disappearing from the shelves, shopkeepers in the Netherlands are reporting a run on old-fashioned light bulbs.
Child porn found on priest's computer
What is described as a 'small amount' of child pornography has been found on the computer of a 50-year-old priest from Veldhoven, RTL news reported on Friday.
Increased security for Utrecht mayor following threats
Utrecht's mayor Aleid Wolfsen has been given extra protection following threats against his person, RTL news reports on Friday.
Heavy rain, wind causes problems in north and west
Heavy overnight rain and wind caused problems in north and western parts of the country, various media reported on Friday.
Animated film budget quadruples in four years
The amount of subsidy for animated films has quadrupled over the past four years, according to figures from the culture ministry and the Netherlands Film Fund.
Migrant workers feel unwelcome in the Netherlands
Around 40% of Poles questioned in research among eastern Europeans say their image of the Netherlands has changed since the introduction of a hotline to report problems caused by migrant workers.
DE Master Blenders moves onto AEX, TomTom downgraded
Coffee and tea company DE Master Blenders is to replace satnav-makers TomTom on the Amsterdam stock exchange blue chip AEX index in September.
No clear signs, no speed checks
There will be no speed checks on the latest batch of roads where the limit is being raised to 130 kph because the signs indicating the new speed limit have not yet been put in place, the Telegraaf reports on Friday.
Minister opts for 'no cure no pay' for some new medicines
Health minister Edith Schippers is to introduce the principle of no cure no pay for certain medicines, following advice from the health insurance council CVZ.
Election: Labour leader Samsom wins second television debate
Labour leader Diederik Samsom was judged the winner of the second television debate of the election campaign by both viewers and experts on Thursday night.
PSV and Twente move into Europa League group phase
PSV Eindhoven and Twente both made it through to the group stage of this year’s Europa League competition but AZ, Heerenveen and Feyenoord are out.
Thursday 30 August 2012
Ajax draws Man City, Real Madrid in Champions League group round
Amsterdam football club Ajax will meet Real Madrid, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund in the group round of this year's Champions League competition.
Eagle ray produces young at Burgers' Zoo
An eagle ray has given birth to two young at Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem, the only zoo in Europe with a successful breeding programme for these fish.
Dutch customers unimpressed by Deutsche Bank service
Business customers of the Dutch branch of Deutsche Bank are complaining loudly about the migration of their internet banking from ABN Amro to the German-owned bank, according to media reports on Thursday.
Ocean acidification faster and greater than expected
The oceans are becoming acidic faster and to a greater extent than expected, according to research carried out by scientists at Utrecht university with their international colleagues.
Extra lessons for Rotterdam pupils
Rotterdam school pupils are attending an extra ten hours of lessons a week from Thursday, according to press reports.
FrieslandCampina books rise in profit and turnover
Dutch dairy combine FrieslandCampina on Thursday announced a net profit rise of 8.7% to €138m in the first half.
Fall in household spending slows
Household spending fell 0.6% in June compared with the year-earlier period, but the fall was noticeably less severe than in the earlier months of this year, the central statistics agency CBS said on Thursday.
Minister fears Dutch isolation if Wilders has his way
The Netherlands will become isolated if anti-immigration party PVV has any say in government, foreign affairs minister Uri Rosenthal told nu.nl in an interview on Thursday.
Shop thieves are getting more violent
Robberies of shops are becoming increasingly violent where the thieves are interrupted and many owners are too scared of reprisals to report cases to the police, retail sector organisation Detailhandel Nederland reports.
Investigation begun into hijack false alarm, Arabic music heard
Air traffic police have begun an investigation into events in the cockpit surrounding the suspected hijacking of a Spanish plane carrying holidaymakers to the Netherlands.
Library membership stable despite closures
While the number of public libraries has gone down sharply in the Netherlands over the past few years, the number of library members remains fairly stable, according to new research by national statistics office CBS and library association VOB.
One-third of holidaymakers are still in touch with work
Some 35% of workers are still in touch with the office during their holidays and 7% of the total have regular contact, according to online research by ING quoted in the Telegraaf.
Speed limit goes up to 130 kph on more roads this weekend
The maximum speed limit will go up to 130 kph on more Dutch motorways this weekend but motorists face a plethora of differentiated limits, motoring organisation ANWB warns.
Gas extraction group NAM 'should investigate earthquakes'
Gas and oil extraction company NAM should launch an investigation into the earthquakes which hit northern parts of the country, government mining inspectors say in their annual report, according to news agency Novum.
Schiphol bomb blown up safely
The unexploded World War II bomb which led to the closure of part of Amsterdam's Schiphol airport on Wednesday, delaying flights, was safely detonated by explosives experts in the early evening.
Election: Second poll shows sharp drop in Socialist Party support
A second opinion poll has shown a sharp drop in support for the Socialist Party in the wake of the first television debate between the four main party leaders.
ING sells Canadian online banking operations to 'sharpen focus'
ING is to sell its Canadian online banking operations to Canada’s Bank of Nova Scotia for C$3.1bn as part of its strategy to 'sharpen' the financial services group's focus.
Wednesday 29 August 2012
Breweries drive up prices, limit cafe goers choice: bar owners
Hospitality sector organisation Horeca Nederland is asking competition authority NMa to take action against the big beer breweries.
False alarm at Schiphol after plane accompanied by F-16s lands
A plane flying from Malaga to Amsterdam was intercepted on Wednesday afternoon by two F-16 fighter jets after radio contact with the pilot could not be established.
CD booklets with swastika destroyed by German printer
A booklet to accompany the new CD by popular 'farmers rock' band Normaal has been destroyed by its German printers because it features a swastika, Nos television reports.
Elections: entrepreneurs lose faith in politicians
With the election just two weeks away, a survey of 10,000 entrepreneurs by the national chamber of commerce shows 57% have little or no faith in politics.
Cabinet agrees 2013 spending plans, budget deficit below 3%
The cabinet has 99% finalised its 2013 spending plans and will meet European financial targets, caretaker finance minister Jan Kees de Jager said on Wednesday.
'Somali students recruited in Pakistan for The Hague terror attack'
A Pakistan newspaper is claiming terror organisation Al-Qaeda recruited two young Somali students in Karachi to carry out a terrorist attack on The Hague.
Police to issue computerised fines, not paper ones, from 2014
The justice ministry is working on plans to replace current paper-on-the-spot fines from police officers with digital ones, justice minister Ivo Opstelten said in a briefing to MPs.
World War II bomb closes part of Schiphol airport, flights delayed (update)
Building work at Schiphol airport led to the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb on Wednesday, causing delays and flight cancellations.
Telegraaf takes over free newspaper Metro
The Telegraaf Media Group is taking over Metro Holland, which publishes the free daily paper Metro, as part of its strategy to strengthen its leading role in print publications.
Insurer Achmea says health spending under budget this year
Spending on healthcare services covered by insurance has remained within its budget this year, according to calculations by Achmea, the country’s biggest heath insurance company, in Wednesday’s Financieele Dagblad.
Tuesday 28 August 2012
Maastricht scientists test breast cancer breathalyser
Doctors and researchers at Maastricht University’s teaching hospital are running trials with a machine which screens women for breast cancer on the basis of a breath test the NRC reports.
Election: SP loses support but 50% of voters are undecided
Support for the Socialist Party may be falling following the first televised debate between the leaders of the four biggest parties contesting the September 12 general election.
NS rapped over knuckles for privacy invasion
Dutch Rail (NS) has invaded the privacy of owners of the public transport smart payment card by using their personal information for marketing purposes without permission, privacy watchdog CBP said on Tuesday.
Doctors and chemists agree joint euthanasia guidelines
Doctors and dispensing chemists have agreed a joint guideline on euthanasia, doctors' federation KNMG and dispensing chemists' organisation KNMP said on Tuesday.
Albert Heijn opens two stores in Germany
Supermarket concern Albert Heijn is opening its first store in Germany on September 12, with a second to follow within a few weeks, the company said on Tuesday.
'Rape seldom results in pregnancy' says SGP leader
'Women seldom get pregnant as a result of rape and that is a fact,' orthodox Christian party SGP leader Kees van der Staaij told a tv programme on Tuesday.
Tax breaks for home owners doubles to €33bn in 12 years
The cost to the treasury of tax relief on privately owned houses has nearly doubled since 2000, rising from €16.9bn to €33bn in 2011, the central statistics office CBS said on Tuesday.
Election: GroenLinks and D66 'humanist', VVD score worst
Green party GroenLinks and the left-wing liberals D66 score highest when measured against humanist values, the humanist union said on Tuesday.
Election: Roemer calls Rutte a liar on healthcare plans
Socialist party leader Emile Roemer is furious with liberal VVD leader Mark Rutte, accusing him of 'bare-faced lies about healthcare', according to the Algemeen Dagblad.
Douwe Egberts sees profits fall
Tea and coffee company DE Master Blenders 1753 on Tuesday announced a drop in profit to €118m, compared with €267m in the year-earlier period.
Nearly 50,000 Dutch expats sign up to vote
Almost 50,000 Dutch expats who live abroad have signed up to vote in the September 12 general election.
The Netherlands' brand is worth $872m
The Netherlands as a brand has been valued at $872m by US company Brand Finance but has fallen from 12th to 15th place in the rankings.
FNV to set up members parliament in attempt to end conflict
The country's biggest trade union federation on Monday agreed to set up a members' parliament in an effort to solve internal conflicts which have torn it apart.
Social security claims stabilise after 22% rise in three years
The number of people claiming social security benefits appeared to have stabilised at around 1.2 million by the end of 2011, according to the national statistics office CBS.
Austria completes investigation into prince Friso's skiing accident
The Austrian authorities have completed their investigation into the skiing accident which left Dutch prince Friso in a coma for the past six months, according to media reports.
Election: SP on pensions, income dependent for richer retirees?
There is confusion about the Socialist Party’s plans for the state pension despite pledges not to increase the official retirement age, news agency Novum reports on Tuesday.
Dutch banks dump southern European state bonds
Dutch banks and insurance companies have dumped large volumes of state bonds issued by southern EU countries and Ireland over the past 12 months, according to research by the Financieele Dagblad.
Monday 27 August 2012
Unilever expects return of poverty to Europe.
Anglo-Dutch food to detergents group Unilever expects poverty to return to Europe and is adapting its strategy accordingly, European chief Jan Zijderveld told the Financial Times Deutschland on Monday.
Tourist numbers rise
The number of tourists making overnight stays in the Netherlands rose 2.2% last year to 30.7 million, national statistics office CBS said on Monday.
FNV goes to court to ensure equal pay for migrants
Trade union group FNV is to go to court in an effort to ensure foreign workers are paid the same as the Dutch for doing the same work, news agency ANP said on Monday.
Children's ombudsman sets up hotline for kids with no school
The children's ombudsman Marc Dullaert has launched a special alarm line for youngsters without a school to register their problems, news agency Novum reports.
Samsung follows Intel, TSMC with investment in ASML
South Korea's Samsung has followed Intel and TSMC by taking a stake in Dutch chip machinery maker ASML.
China's Youngman invests €10m in Spyker, sets up joint ventures
Spyker has agreed to sell almost 30% of its shares to Chinese car group Youngman for €6.7m, the Dutch luxury car maker said in a statement on Monday.
Election: party policies will not eradicate budget deficit: CPB
None of the main parties’ policies will eradicate the budget deficit, but the right-wing VVD will deliver the best results, according to calculations by the government’s macro-economic policy unit CPB.
Election: prime minister fears long formation process
Changes to the process of putting together a new government after the general election may lead to a long formation process, prime minister Mark Rutte says in Monday's AD.
Wins for Twente, Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV
FC Twente continued their 100% start to the new season in this weekend’s football action with a 3-1 win at NEC Nijmegen.
Divided FNV rules out social accord with employers
The FNV trade union federation is in no position to hold talks on a new social agreement with employers because it is in too much chaos internally, interim chairman Ton Heerts told the NRC at the weekend.
Drivers who marginally break speed limits have higher accident risk
Drivers who persistently break the speed limit by a small margin also run a higher risk of being involved in an accident than those who keep to the rules, according to research by traffic safety institute SWOV.
Record numbers visit Parade travelling theatre festival
A record 267,000 people visited this year's Parade, a travelling theatre festival which moves between Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Amsterdam.
Suspended jail term for man who threatened queen via Twitter
A man who 'insulted and threatened' queen Beatrix using the microblogging service Twitter has been given a six month suspended jail term.
Election: Labour leader Samsom clear winner in first tv debate
Labour leader Diederick Samsom emerged the clear winner from Sunday night’s television debate between the leaders of the four biggest parties.
Saturday 25 August 2012
Election: Strong words as 'invisible men' kick off PVV, VVD campaigns
The right-wing VVD and anti-immigration PVV have both formally launched their campaigns for the September general election by attacking the Socialist Party.
Election: employers' leader attacks SP as bad for exports
The leader of the country's biggest employers' organisation on Saturday attacked the Socialist Party, saying if the party's polices are enacted, exports will collapse.
Election: new poll puts the VVD in the lead but gap narrows
The latest Ipsos Synovate opinion poll continues to put the right-wing VVD in first place, but shows the gap with the Socialist Party is narrowing.
Election: healthcare insurance changes opposed by most voters
Some 79% of Dutch voters oppose any increase in the healthcare own-risk charge and 63% are against changes in the basic insurance package, according to research for television show EenVandaag.
VU teaching hospital chairman quits, independent probe to be held
Outside experts are to be asked to look into recent events at the VU university teaching hospital in Amsterdam after claims that patient safety is at risk because of a dispute between specialists.
Friday 24 August 2012
More bad news on housing as potential buyers get cold feet
Two-thirds of potential home buyers are delaying making a move because of the economic situation and fears about job security, according to a new report by ING researchers.
Catholic church abuse: victims make formal complaints about three monks
A foundation representing victims of sexual abuse by Catholic church officials has made a police complaint against three monks who worked in the former Bleijerheide residential school in Kerkrade.
Arts spending cuts less severe than expected, funding down 10%
Cuts in spending on the arts and culture are likely to be less severe than expected as local councils fail to follow the tough line taken by national government, the Volkskrant reports on Friday.
ABN Amro profits drop 30%, pressured by bad debts and property
State-owned bank ABN Amro booked a 30% drop in net profit in the second quarter of this year, as the economic crisis prompted it to make more write-offs.
Biggest mortgage lender Rabobank warns of looming housing shortage
The Netherlands’ biggest mortgage lender on Friday warned problems on the housing market could lead to a housing shortage when the economy picks up again.
New border surveillance system in line with EU rules, says minister
A new camera-based surveillance system used by immigration police at Dutch national borders allows the Netherlands to carry out stringent checks on who is coming into the country without breaking EU free movement rules, according to immigration minister Gerd Leers.
Mixed European football fortunes for Dutch clubs
An extra-time goal from Anass Achahbar kept Feyenoord’s hopes of reaching the group round of the Europa League alive on Thursday evening.
Minister pledges to cut civil service trips to the Caribbean
Dutch civil servants make so many official visits to the Netherlands’ former Caribbean colonies that home affairs minister Liesbeth Spies is calling for a sharp reduction.
Thursday 23 August 2012
Students accuse MPs of being 'like children' over slow student fine farce
Student groups on Thursday said MPs have behaved like small children after failing to agree on how to finance halting the introduction of higher college fees for students who take too long to complete their degree.
Five arrested for smuggling 2,100 kilos of cocaine in cacoa beans
Five men have been arrested in connection with the smuggling of at least 2,100 kilos of cocaine from Ecuador to the Netherlands, news agency ANP reports.
Rabobank first half net earnings fall 29%
Unlisted cooperative bank Rabobank booked net profit of €1.3bn over the first six months of this year, down 29% on the year-earlier period.
Utrecht reaches financial settlement with bullied gay pair
A gay couple who were driven from their home in Utrecht by a gang of local youths have reached a compensation deal with the city council and police, the Telegraaf reports on Thursday.
Football, radio station sales cut RTL Nederland profit 36%
Media group RTL Nederland booked net profit of €208m in the first six months of this year, down 36% on a year ago.
Five clubs in action in European football campaigns
Five Dutch clubs on Thursday evening continue their campaigns for a place in the Europa League group stage.
Support for redundancy law reform ebbs away
Two out of three Dutch people oppose plans to make it easier to sack people and say it is not the best way to help the country out of the economic crisis, according to a TNS Nipo poll for the Financieele Dagblad.
First Sinterklaas goodies hit the supermarket shelves
There may still be over 100 days before the Sinterklaas festivities on December 5 but a supermarket in Groningen is already selling the traditional gingernut biscuits known as pepernoten, the AD reports.
Budget deficit forecast to drop to 2.7% but caution still needed
The Dutch budget deficit will go down to 2.7% next year, below the eurozone target of 3%, according to the latest estimates from the government's macro-economic forecasting agency CPB.
Election: home nursing centre stage as campaign heats up
People should be prepared to organise and pay for help at home themselves and government support should be seen as a last resort, health minister Edith Schippers says in an interview with the AD.
Ahold describes Albert Heijn supermarket performance as 'weak'
Supermarket group Ahold on Thursday described the performance of Dutch market leader Albert Heijn as 'weak', blaming a failed football campaign and discounting.
Teaching hospital suspends doctor at centre of safety row
The VU teaching hospital in Amsterdam has sent home the doctor who went public about problems in the lung department.
Wednesday 22 August 2012
'Westernised' Somali refugees may get right to stay in Holland
A 'foreign accent' when speaking Somali or other signs of westernisation which cannot be kept hidden may be enough for some Somali refugees to be given residency in the Netherlands, immigration minister Gerd Leers told MPs in a briefing on Wednesday.
Electricity imports reach record levels
The Netherlands imported a record 8,732 million kilowatts of electricity in the second quarter of this year, with imports in May and June reaching record levels.
Rotterdam port busier in 2012 first half
The volume of goods shipped through Rotterdam port rose 3.2% to 222 million tonnes in the first six months of this year, the port authority said on Wednesday.
Teenage arson suspect arrested for torching 50 cars
A 19-year-old youth has been arrested in Maastricht on suspicion of setting fire to at least 50 cars in the Limburg town of Weert since 2009.
Police to stop creating traffic jams to catch crooks
Police officers were wrong to create a traffic jam on the A2 in October last year in order to catch a petrol thief, the public prosecution department in Utrecht said on Wednesday.
No action against tram workers accused of anti-Jewish remarks
Amsterdam's public transport company GVB said on Thursday it will not be taking action against two tram workers accused of making derogatory remarks about Jews.
Lung ops cancelled at VU hospital because of specialists' dispute
The board of the VU university teaching hospital in Amsterdam has pledged to do ‘whatever it can’ to end a conflict between medical specialists which has led to a halt in lung operations.
EasyJet angry at being cut out of Schiphol commission
EasyJet CEO Carolyn McCall is ‘really surprised’ that KLM is the only airline involved in discussions on the future of Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Wednesday.
Heineken books higher revenues, beer volumes disappoint
Dutch brewing group Heineken, currently embroiled in a takeover battle for Thai beer group Asia Pacific Breweries, reported higher first-half revenues on Wednesday but expected volume growth was below target.
Election: this time VVD and SP are head-to-head in poll
The latest TNS Nipo opinion poll says both the Socialist Party and right-wing VVD are on target to win 34 seats in the September general election. The VVD currently has 31 and the SP 15.
High fees hit railway freight firms
The amount of freight transported on the Dutch railways has fallen by 10% over the first six months of the year, according to cargo company association Spoorgoederenvervoer.
Election: Prime minister breaks his silence, calls for lower taxes
Prime minister and VVD leader Mark Rutte broke his silence in the election campaign in the Telegraaf on Wednesday by calling for a €1,000 tax break for workers.
Civil service pension fund ABP may cut pay outs by up to 15%
One of the biggest pension funds in the world, the Dutch civil service fund ABP, may have to cut pensions next year and again in two years time in order to keep its finances in order, the Volkskrant reports on Wednesday.
Tuesday 21 August 2012
Gang of 12, mostly from same family, arrested in Tilburg drugs raids
Police in Tilburg have arrested 12 people, mostly from the same family, in a major investigation into drugs dealing in the southern city.
'Election: manifestos largely ignore foreign policy, self-interest dominates'
Most political party manifestos for the September general election have little to say about foreign policy and give low priority to international affairs, according to researchers at the independent Clingendael institute.
Dutch workers confident about retirement finances
The Dutch are the biggest savers towards their retirement in Europe and a majority are not worried about having enough money when they stop work, according to a new survey by ING economists.
Suicide rate rises slightly
In total, 1,647 people committed suicide in the Netherlands last year, up marginally on 2010, but it is unclear if there is a link with the financial crisis, the national statistics office CBS said on Tuesday.
Two 14-year-olds arrested in Rotterdam murder probe
Rotterdam police have arrested two 14-year-old boys in connection with the murder of 17-year-old Sehriban Akpinar earlier this month.
House prices fell 8% in June, sharpest drop in 18 years
Dutch house prices fell 8% in July compared with the year earlier period, the sharpest drop since a new way of calculating the change was introduced in 1995, the national statistics office CBS said on Tuesday.
Election: slash defence spending, scrap JSF, say voters
More cuts in defence spending, in particular abandoning plans to buy the JSF fighter jet, top voters’ suggestions of how the government could save money, according to Maurice de Hond research for the Clingendael foreign policy institute.
New rent rules cut availability of cheap housing
New rules for social housing rents have made it virtually impossible to find cheap homes in places like Amsterdam and Utrecht, according to tenants’ rights organisations.
Railway operator NS opens new stations, increases services
The new railway timetable which comes into effect on December 9 means 30% of departure times will be changed and more services will operate, Dutch Rail said on Tuesday.
Etten-Leur cockroaches were probably reptile food
Hundreds of cockroaches found in a new residential area in Etten-Leur were probably meant to be fed to reptiles and may have been dumped by their owner, entomologist Dennis Oonincx from Wageningen University told Monday evening’s Nieuwsuur current affairs show.
School drop-out rate halved in 10 years
The number of teenagers leaving school without any qualifications has fallen by almost 50% over the past few years, according to new education ministry figures.
Some 60 investigations into motorbike gangs under way: minister
Justice ministry efforts to clamp down on motorcycle gangs are paying off and some 60 investigations into gang-related crime are now under way, justice minister Ivo Opstelten has said in a written briefing to MPs.
MPs to debate slow student fine on Thursday
MPs from parties opposing higher university fees for slow students are meeting on Tuesday in an effort to come up with a joint proposal to scrap the plan.
Minister pledges action as special benefit fraud may reach €80m
Tax inspectors last year identified fraudulent claims for healthcare, housing and child benefits totalling €40m and another potential €40m-worth of cases are still under investigation, according to new finance ministry figures.
Monday 20 August 2012
Teen contract killer appears in Facebook murder trial
The murder trial of a 15-year-old boy, accused of killing a 15-year-old girl for cash, was held in public on Monday although cases involving juveniles are usually closed sessions.
Just three football clubs remain in financial danger zone: KNVB
Just three professional clubs remain under the supervision of the Dutch football association because of their troubled finances, the KNVB said on Monday.
Election: Aid budget could be 'a little less, but better', says CDA leader
The development aid budget could be ‘a little’ below current levels after 2015, Christian Democrat leader Sybrand van Haersma Buma told an election meeting in Breda on Monday.
Consumer confidence index has not been positive for five years
Dutch consumers remain somber about the economy and their own spending power, according to new figures from the national statistics office CBS.
Weekend football: Ajax thrash NEC, Twente win again
Amsterdam football club Ajax thrashed NEC of Nijmegen 1-6 in their first meeting of the new season.
Election: Reform care of the elderly to keep costs under control: minister
Reforming care of the elderly is the way to keep Dutch healthcare costs under control, caretaker health minister Edith Schippers says in Monday’s Financieele Dagblad.
Dutch pension funds lose millions on Facebook investments
The two biggest Dutch pension funds may have lost millions of euros investing in internet company Facebook, the Financial Dagblad reports on Monday.
First Dutch JSF jet fighter undergoes tests in the US
The first Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) jet destined for the Dutch market underwent three test flights in the first half of this month, the defence ministry has confirmed to news agency ANP.
The phone book may have had its day
A campaign by internet entrepreneur and journalist Alexander Klöpping to stop the paper phone book being automatically distributed to every household in the country has the support of a large number of MPs, Nos television reports.
Election: wide variation in opinion poll support continues
The Socialist party remains the biggest in the latest Maurice de Hond weekly poll but is down one seat on a week ago with 36. The right-wing VVD rose one seat to 32.
Laura Dekker sets sail for new home in New Zealand
Teenage solo around-the-world sailor Laura Dekker is on her way to New Zealand which she plans to make her home, according to local media.
Friday 17 August 2012
Mayors hope new government will end Afghan asylum stalemate
The next government must take speedy action to end the uncertainty surrounding some 150 Afghan asylum seekers who have been officially branded as war criminals, according to mayors in towns where the men are living.
Election: small parties angered by television debate policy
Small parties contesting the September general election are angry that only large, established parties are being invited to take part in television debates, the Volkskrant reports.
The Netherlands gears up for the year's warmest weekend
With temperatures set to reach up to 34 Celsius this weekend, the Netherlands is gearing up for the hottest weekend of the year, various media report on Friday.
Schiphol net profit falls in 2012 first half
The state-owned Schiphol airport group booked a 5% drop in net profit in the first six months of this year, but passenger numbers rose 3.7%, the company said on Friday.
Telegraaf Media Group withdraws 2012 forecast
The Telegraaf Media Groep on Friday published first half figures showing a sharp drop in net profit and withdrew its 2012 financial forecasts.
Compulsory drugs tests on their way for violent crime suspects
Justice minister Ivo Opstelten has drawn up new legislation which would force people arrested for violent offences to undergo drugs and alcohol testing.
Second minor earthquake hits Groningen (update)
The north of Groningen province was hit by a second minor earthquake on Thursday evening, this time measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale.
Welfare claimants are not serious enough about jobs: minister
People claiming welfare benefits (bijstand) are not serious enough about finding work and councils should do more to make sure they do apply for jobs, according to junior social affairs minister Paul de Krom.
Liverpool snaps up Heerenveen striker Assaidi
Friesland football club Heerenveen has sold striker Oussama Assaidi to Liverpool for an undisclosed transfer fee.
Thursday 16 August 2012
Light plane crashes, killing pilot
A light plane has crashed into fields near Biddinghuizen, near Lelystad, killing the pilot. Eyewitnesses say the plane spiralled to the ground and crashed nose-first.
Ajax finalises Vurnon Anita sale to Newcastle United
Ajax has agreed the sale of midfielder Vurnon Anita to Newcastle United for €8.5m, the Amsterdam football club confirmed on Thursday.
SNS Reaal doubles net profit, 'explores restructuring options'
Financial services group SNS Reaal more than doubled its net profit in the first six months of this year - from €53m a year ago to €115m.
Brother who killed baseball's Gregory Halman freed on psychiatric advice
The man who killed his brother, the US baseball star Gregory Halman, during a fight over loud music last year is to be immediately released from prison, judges in Rotterdam said on Thursday.
Election: Socialist leader under fire for 'ridiculous EU fine comments'
Politicians from across the political spectrum on Thursday slammed Socialist Party leader Emile Roemer for saying he would refuse to pay an eventual fine if the Netherlands did not meet EU budget targets.
Sensible attitude to sex drives Dutch teen pregnancy rate to record low
Just 2,365 girls under the age of 20 had a baby in the Netherlands last year, the lowest figure ever, according to new figures from the national statistics office CBS.
Jobless total breaks 500,000 barrier for first time since 1996
Latest employment figures show the Dutch jobless total rose to 500,000 or 6.5% of the working population in July, the national statistics office CBS said on Thursday.
Ikea has designs on Dutch student flats
Swedish furniture giant Ikea plans to invest heavily in student accommodation in the Netherlands and hopes to sign a deal for an initial 200-room complex before the end of this year, the Volkskrant reports on Thursday.
Van Persie moves to Manchester United
Dutch international Robin van Persie is moving from Arsenal to Manchester United for some £24m, according to British media reports.
Oranje lose 4-2 to Belgium in Van Gaal's debut
Louis van Gaal’s debut as national football coach failed to produce fireworks on Wednesday night, as Oranje lost 4-2 to Belgium in a friendly.
Europe's last cathode ray-maker closes down
The last cathode ray tube company in Europe, Heerleen-based Cathode Ray Technology, is closing down, local broadcaster L1 reports.
Election: Labour wants to keep ABN Amro partly in state hands
The Labour party wants to keep all or part of the ABN Amro banking group in state hands, party leader Diederik Samsom says in the party’s plans for the financial sector.
Suriname president denies bailing out Amsterdam festival
Suriname president Desi Bouterse has denied giving €50,000 to bail out a financially troubled festival in Amsterdam.
Election: Socialist leader is ready to fight Brussels over budget deficit
SP leader Emile Roemer, currently riding high in the opinion polls ahead of the September general election, has criticised the EU’s 'accountants' obsession with a maximum budget deficit of 3%.
Wednesday 15 August 2012
Train services reduced ahead of early evening storm
Much of the country may be hit by severe weather early on Wednesday evening as storms move in from the south west, weather forecasters said.
MPs turn against slow student fine
A majority of MPs on Wednesday backed calls to scrap the controversial fine for students who take more than four years to complete their degrees, following last-minute protests from student groups.
New York auction house to sell Otto Frank archive
New York auction house Doyle is to auction an archive of letters and photos from Otto Frank, father of World War II diary writer Anne.
KPN drops plan to sell Belgian unit Base
Telecoms company KPN on Wednesday scrapped plans to sell its Belgian mobile phone unit Base after failing to attract a good enough offer.
Suriname's controversial president bails out ailing Dutch festival
The controversial president of the former Dutch colony of Suriname has offered €50,000 to bail out a Dutch summer festival, which is on the verge of bankruptcy, according to media reports.
Youth fined €220 for kicking hedgehog
A 17-year-old youth has been fined €220 for kicking a hedgehog on the Wadden Sea island of Vlieland, news agency ANP reports.
EU demands will cripple Dutch pension funds: social affairs minister
New rules for pension funds planned by Brussels will make the Dutch pension system unaffordable, caretaker social affairs minister Henk Kamp says in Wednesday's Elsevier magazine.
Government has no plans to order new probe into Indonesia
The Dutch government has no plans to commission a new investigation into the Indonesian struggle for independence between 1945 and 1949, foreign minister Uri Rosenthal has told MPs.
Students demand clarity on fines for slow students
Student organisations and youth union bodies have called on the government to come clean about its plans to make slow students pay higher fees, now the Christian Democrats have said they will do away with the fine.
Economic growth figures fail to impress election campaigners
A second quarter of marginal economic growth has failed to impress party finance experts, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Wednesday.
Election: battle for third place heats up with four parties in the running
With the Socialists and right-wing VVD competing to become biggest party after the September 12 election, there is also a four-party battle for third place, according to a new analysis of the latest opinion polls.
Wesley Sneijder is Oranje's new captain
Coach Louis van Gaal has asked midfielder Wesley Sneijder to captain the Dutch national football team, ahead of Wednesday night's match against Belgium.
Utrecht slips out of Shanghai university rankings top 50
Utrecht university has fallen five places to 53rd in this year's Academic Ranking of World Universities, a list of the world's best research universities compiled by Jia Tong University in Shanghai.
Tuesday 14 August 2012
Locals faced with medieval tax to pay for castle renovations
The owners of a medieval castle east of Utrecht are pressing ahead with plans to make dozens of locals pay towards the upkeep of the property – using a local tax dating back at least five centuries.
Neo-nazi faces community service for anti-foreigner demo
The chairman of Dutch neo-nazi party Nederlandse Volks-Unie should get 40 hours community service and a two-week suspended jail sentence for his role in an anti-foreigner demonstration in 2011, the public prosecution department told a court on Tuesday.
Ombudsman will not investigate kicking policewoman
The national ombudsman Alex Brenninkmeijer will not be carrying out an investigation into an incident in which a policewoman was filmed kicking a drunken man but does plan a wider probe into police violence.
A hot weekend ahead
The KNMI weather bureau said on Tuesday it expects the temperature to reach as high as 30 Celsius on Sunday - which would make it the first official tropical day of summer.
Dutch economy grows again in Q2 but eurozone contracts
The Dutch economy showed quarter on quarter growth of 0.2% in the second three months of this year, the national statistics office CBS said in initial estimates published on Tuesday.
WOL investors to get their money back, with interest
Thousands of investors who lost money during the disastrous stock exchange launch of internet company World Online in 2000 will get their money back, the AD reports on Tuesday.
Six out of 10 students get money from their parents
Some six out of 10 students in the Netherlands are helped financially by their parents, according to research by the family spending institute Nibud.
Election: Christian Democrats do a u-turn on childcare
Cuts in spending on childcare agreed by the five-party coalition earlier this year should not go ahead, according to Christian Democrat leader Sybrand van Haersma Buma, who is one of the signatories to the deal.
Utrecht cancels its marathon in 2013
Utrecht will not stage a marathon in 2013 because of a lack of city council funding, the organisers said on Tuesday.
Olympics: Dutch team greeted by thousands of supporters
The Dutch Olympics team arrived back in the Netherlands by special train from London on Monday afternoon to be given a hero's welcome in Den Bosch.
Monday 13 August 2012
Retail trade sees growth of 1%
Turnover in the retail trade increased 1% in June compared with the year-earlier period, the central statistics office CBS said on Monday.
Infrastructure budget cuts will damage Holland's economy
Pushing through the planned €200m cuts to the infrastructure budget will sound the death knell for the Netherlands' economy, three organisations said on Monday.
Bankruptcies rise 30%
The number of bankruptcies in the first seven months of 2012 rose 30% to 4,475, the central statistics office CBS said on Monday.
Housing market crisis to last another eighteen months: Rabobank experts
The housing market is set to continue in its current situation for another eighteen months, according to Rabobank economists in their quarterly bulletin published on Monday.
Accountants sign up to tougher supervision
The tax authorities and the financial services watchdog AFM are toughening up their supervision of inadmissable behaviour by accountants, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Monday.
Labour attack on socialists has adverse affect in latest poll
The attempt by the labour PvdA to frustrate the rise of the socialist SP had an adverse affect in the latest poll by Maurice de Hond, with the SP rising from 34 to 37 seats and the PvdA falling from 17 to 15 seats.
Ajax keeps financial problems secret
Amsterdam football club Ajax has enormous financial problems which have been kept secret, the Telegraaf reports on Monday without naming its sources.
Expensive medicines should be made in the EU, says Erasmus professor
The European Union should develop its own medicines for treating rare diseases and not rely on the pharmaceutical industry, professor Hans Büller, executive board chairman of the Erasmus medical centre in Rotterdam, said at the weekend.
D66 wants to halve the number of councils
Left-wing liberal party D66 wants to halve the number of councils from 400 to around 200 and create one mega-province for the Randstad, the party said on Monday.
Silver-winning horse seized from stables in London
The horse London, which won two silver medals with his rider Gerco Schröder at the Olympic Games in London, has been seized from his stables by creditors, according to press reports at the weekend.
Prince congratulates Dutch Olympic team
Prince Willem-Alexander on Sunday congratulated the Dutch team for their performance at the Olympic Games in London.
Mixed results for opening of new football season
The opening of the new football season began on Saturday with a loss for the Eindhoven club PSV and a draw for PEC Zwolle, back in the premier division after eight years.
Saturday 11 August 2012
Olympics: Men's hockey team wins silver medal
The Dutch men's hockey team took silver at the Olympic Park on Saturday evening, losing to defending champions Germany 1-2 in a hard-fought battle.
Friday 10 August 2012
Olympics: Gold for women's hockey; bronze for BMX
The Dutch women's hockey team retained their Olympic title with a 2-0 win over Argentina at the Riverbank Arena on Friday evening, following a bronze medal for Laura Smulders in the BMX final earlier in the day.
Old mine detonated in Westerschelde channel
A World War II mine was detonated in the main channel of the Westerschelde in Zeeland on Friday, the defence ministry told news agency Novum.
Lawyer loses case to stop welcome home party
The lawyer in Den Bosch who went to court to stop the welcome home party for the Dutch Olympic team withdrew his case on Friday afternoon.
Olympics: Dutch sailors win bronze medal
Sailors Lisa Westerhof and Lobke Berkhout won the gold medal in the 470 class at the Olympic regatta in Weymouth on Friday afternoon.
Football association considers suing state on extra taxes
The Dutch football association KNVB is considering taking legal steps against the state because of the imposition of extra taxes to deal with the government deficit, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Friday.
Incontinence pads-maker stops calling patients
Incontinence pads-maker Tena on Friday said it has stopped calling patients about their incontinence problems.
Expensive medicines will be paid for, says minister
Expensive medicines will continue to be paid for in the future, health minister Edith Schippers told Radio 1 on Thursday evening.
Sailors use drone to search for pirates
The Dutch navy is using a new unmanned aircraft to search for pirates in the Gulf of Aden, the Telegraaf reports on Friday.
Fugro books profit of €115m
Geotechnical survey group Fugro on Friday announced a rise in profit of 14.9% to €115.4m in the first six months of 2012.
A quarter of Dutch homes are in negative equity
Nearly 25% of Dutch house owners will be in negative equity by the end of 2012, ING economists forecast in their quarterly monitor on the housing market.
Healthcare costs could be slashed, says former minister
Millions of euros could be saved on healthcare if doctors stopped giving patients unnecessary and ineffective treatment, former health minister Ab Klink says in a report published on Friday.
Dutch rider makes final Olympic appearance on medal-winning horse
Anky van Grunsven, the Netherlands' most successful dressage rider, made her final appearance on her horse Salinero at this year's Olympic Games in London.
Olympics: Silver for dressage, final for men's hockey team
Dutch rider Adelinde Cornelissen won the Olympic silver medal at the individual dressage final at Greenwich Park on Thursday afternoon, while the men's hockey team beat the British team to go through to the final.
Thursday 09 August 2012
Lawyer wants to stop the party for Dutch Olympians
A lawyer in Den Bosch is going to court on Friday to stop the welcome home party for the Dutch Olympic team on Monday.
Top sport needs more priority: report
Top sport in the Netherlands is going backwards compared to other countries, research carried out by Utrecht university for the Dutch Olympic Committee shows.
Central bank says not enough older workers are in employment
The Dutch central bank DNB said on Thursday it wants more reform in the jobs market in order to keep more older people in work.
Over 20 companies hit by computer virus
At least 20 companies and organisations have been affected by a virulent computer virus spread by email.
Golden treasure found in Staphorst
Amateur archeologists have found a treasure trove of gold and silver in the Overijssel town of Staphorst.
Ikea becomes a Dutch brand
The Ikea brand name has been bought by the Dutch company Inter Ikea Systems in Amsterdam, the company announced on Thursday.
Aegon sees net profit halve
Insurance group Aegon saw net profit halve in the second half after setting aside €265m in the second quarter in compensation for profiteering policies.
Holland's prison cells criticised, too many female prisoners
Prison cells in the Netherlands do not meet the required European standard and there are questions over the doubling of the number of female inmates, according to a report published on Thursday by the EU committee for the prevention of torture.
Incontinence pads-maker using patient information without permission - Update
Health minister Edith Schippers said on Thursday that dispensing chemists should not be passing confidential patient information to commercial companies and must keep within the privacy laws.
Olympics: Silver for show jumping, hockey women through to final
Gerco Schröder riding London won the silver medal in the men's individual show jumping after a jump off with Cian O'Connor of Ireland on Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday 08 August 2012
Healthcare and social security spending hits €186bn
The Dutch state spent €11,130 per person in 2011 on health and social security, figures from the central statistics office CBS show on Wednesday.
Fox Networks buys Dutch football tv rights for premier league
Rupert Murdoch's Fox Networks has taken a 51% controlling interest in tv channel Eredivisie Live which broadcasts premier league matches, say press reports on Wednesday.
ING profit falls 22.3%
Financial services group ING on Wednesday announced a fall in profit of 22.3% to €1.17bn in the second quarter of 2012, compared with €1.51bn in the year-earlier period.
The Dutch are good at physical exercise
The Dutch do well at taking physical exercise, a survey into 122 countries by the British scientific magazine The Lancet shows.
Entrepreneurs to start up credit unions
Entrepreneurs are fed up with the difficulty of getting bank credit and are planning to set up credit unions to solve the problem, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Wednesday.
Growing protest at 100 kph speed limit on key ring roads
The local council of Leidschendam-Voorburg is sending an official appeal to the transport ministry against the raising of the speed limit to 100 kph on its ring road, the A12.
Socialists pull ahead of right-wing liberals in latest poll
The socialist party SP is pulling ahead of the right-wing liberal VVD, according to the latest poll from TNS Nipo on Wednesday.
Crime hotline records record number of calls
The number of people calling crime hotline Meld Misdaad with tips about criminal activity reached a record 7,400 in the first six months of this year.
Feyenoord out of Champions League
Rotterdam football club Feyenoord is out of the Champions League after a 0-1 defeat at home on Tuesday evening by Dinamo Kiev for a place in the play-offs.
Tuesday 07 August 2012
Olympics: More medals for Holland
The Netherlands won three more medals at the Olympic Games in London on Tuesday afternoon.
No newsletter
We apologise to all our subscribers, but there is no newsletter today because of technical problems. We hope to have it up and running again from Tuesday.
Holland has best refuse policy in Europe
The Netherlands' policy on refuse collection and waste disposal is the best in Europe, according to a list released on Tuesday by the European Commission in Brussels.
Olympics: Surfer Dorian van Rijsselberghe collects his gold medal
Surfer Dorian van Rijsselberghe was officially declared gold medal winner in the RS-X class at the Olympic regatta in Weymouth on Tuesday afternoon.
NS 'heroes' are suspended for their helpfulness
A number of Dutch railway (NS) workers have been suspended recently for helping keep the trains running or helping passengers, reports the Telegraaf.
Dutch diplomat appointed Nato representative in Afghanistan
Dutch diplomat Maurits Jochems was on Tuesday appointed Nato's
senior civilian representative in Afghanistan by secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
Bankrupt bank boss liable for €20m
The official receivers have made the owner and CEO of bankrupt DSB Bank liable for €20m in damages for the bankruptcy of his management company, DSB Beheer.
Air France-KLM reports mixed results
Air France-KLM announced on Tuesday that passenger traffic increased 1.1% in July compared with the year-earlier period. However, cargo traffic fell 5.5%.
DSM to scrap 1,000 jobs worldwide, profits drop 90%
Limburg-based chemicals group DSM on Tuesday announced it is to scrap 1,000 jobs worldwide.
Heavy rains increase insurance premiums
The number of damage claims due to this summer's heavy rains have shot up so much that insurance premiums will have to rise.
Row jeopardizes Schiphol airport expansion
Amsterdam Schiphol airport and the Dutch airlines are involved in a conflict that could jeopardize further expansion of the airport.
Olympics: Silver medal for Dutch equestrian team
The Dutch show jumpers won the silver medal at Greenwich Park on Monday afternoon after a thrilling jump-off against the British team.
Monday 06 August 2012
Dutch car-maker Spyker sues GM for $3bn
Dutch car-maker Spyker is suing General Motors for $3bn in compensation for frustrating a deal between itself and Chinese investor Youngman, reports the NRC.
Olympics: Marit Bouwmeester wins silver in sailing
The Netherlands won its second silver medal during the Olympic regatta at Weymouth when Marit Bouwmeester came in second in the Laser Radial class on Monday afternoon.
Dutch coral reappears in Zeeland
The Netherlands' only variety of coral, dead man's thumb, has reappeared in the Oosterschelde in Zeeland, having appeared to have died out in 2011.
Complaints about discrimination rise
Anti-discrimination agencies and call centres saw complaints rise 5% in 2011 compared with the year-earlier period.
Dutch researcher cheers Mars landing
Inge Loes Ten Kate cheered when the rover Curiosity landed safely on Mars on Monday morning, reports the Nos.
PostNL struggles with reorganisation costs
Postal delivery group PostNL on Monday announced a fall in turnover in the first half of 0.2% to €2.1bn and net profit of €116m.
Dutch judo fighter floors bottle thrower at Olympics
Judo fighter Edith Bosch slammed a man in the back at the Olympics in London on Sunday when he threw a bottle at the competitors in the men's 100 metre sprint.
Olympics: Surfer assured of gold with two more races to go
Dorian van Rijsselberghe is assured of the gold medal in the surfing with two more races to be sailed during the Olympic regatta in Weymouth.
TU students win prize for electric racing car
Students from the TU in Delft won the electric category for their racing car at the Formula Student competition in Hockenheim at the weekend.
TSMC takes 5% stake in chip machinery maker ASML
The Taiwanese chip giant TSMC is to buy a 5% stake in Dutch chip machinery maker ASML, the two companies announced on Sunday.
Shrub named after Dutch biologist
A recently discovered shrub in Costa Rica has been named after the Dutch biologist Maarten Kappelle, the World Fund for Nature said at the weekend.
Saturday 04 August 2012
Gay Pride boat parade passes off without problems, despite weather
Some 100,000 people turned out to watch this year's Gay Pride boat parade through Amsterdam on Saturday, Nos television reports.
Kromowidjojo wins gold in 50m freestyle, completing double
Ranomi Kromowidjojo took her second gold medal of the Olympics in London on Saturday evening, winning the 50 metres freestyle swimming event in a new Olympic record of 24.05.
Friday 03 August 2012
Olympics: Chance for medals at the weekend
Swimmer Ranomi Kromowidjojo, who won gold on Thursday evening, is through to the semi-finals of the 50 metre freestyle.
The Netherlands cannot afford the SP to win the election: Labour party chairman
If the socialist party SP wins the election on September 12, it will cause the Netherlands great financial problems which the country cannot afford, chairman of the labour PvdA party Hans Spekman told the Algemene Dagblad on Friday.
Complaints by migrant workers double in a year
The number of complaints from migrant workers about their treatment has nearly doubled to 200 over the past year, according to figures from the legal labour association SKIA, quoted in the Volkskrant.
Majority for adding sexual discrimination to the constitution
A majority of MPs is now in favour of changing article 1 of the constitution to include a ban on discrimination on the grounds of sexuality, gay rights lobby group COC told nu.nl on Friday.
Healthcare insurers unhappy with expensive medicines advice
The healthcare insurers organisation ZN said on Friday expensive medicines for the rare diseases Pompe and Fabry must remain in the healthcare package.
Websites are breaking the cookie law, says watchdog
Many of the most popular websites in the Netherlands are not operating within the new cookie law introduced in January, communications watchdog Opta said on Friday.
Heineken takes control of Asia Pacific Breweries
Beer brewer Heineken has been given the go-ahead to buy a further 18% of Asia Pacific Breweries, news agency Reuters reports on Friday, quoting anonymous sources.
Dutch backpacker found not guilty by Australian court
Dutch backpacker Linda Huiskamp was found not guilty by an Australian court on Friday of causing death by dangerous driving, say press reports.
Secret grave in Srebrenica finally found
A secret grave in the former Dutch enclave in Srebrenica has revealed the bodies of two women, two men and a baby.
New protest website from anti-immigration party
Geert Wilders' anti-immigration party PVV has launched a website where people can protest against European Union civil servants and politicians who earn too much.
Shell criticised for avoiding leakage responsibility
Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell was criticised on Friday by Amnesty International for ducking its responsibility for leaks in its oil drilling activities in Nigeria.
Olympics: Gold for Kromowidjojo
Swimmer Ranomi Kromowidjojo won the gold medal in the 100 metre freestyle at the Aquatics Centre in London.
Thursday 02 August 2012
Olympics: Upset for judo fighter Henk Grol - Update
Judo fighter Henk Grol, widely tipped for gold in the under 100 kilogram category, could only manage a bronze medal at the Olympic Park in London on Thursday.
Shipping firms are using armed guards against pirates
Shipping firms whose ships pass areas where pirates operate are using private armed guards, despite the risk of criminal prosecution, the NRC reports.
Political parties are listed for election
The electoral council on Thursday published the rankings for the 22 parties that are taking part in the election on September 12.
Solving the euro crisis is a dilemma, says finance minister
Finance minister Jan Kees de Jager said on Thursday that solving the euro crisis is a dilemma because of the behaviour of the southern euro countries.
Growing numbers of foreign students head for Holland
The number of foreign students arriving in the Netherlands to study this year is expected to rise, particularly from Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal, according to internet site StudyPortals.
Olympics: Women's eight takes rowing bronze
The Dutch women's eight rowing team won the bronze medal on the lake at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
Large haul of antibiotics found in Noord-Brabant
The food safety authority said on Thursday it had found a haul of 1,000 kilograms of illegal antibiotics at a shipping company in Noord-Brabant.
Somali asylum seekers leave their camp in Den Bosch
The Somali asylum seekers who have been camping out on the steps of the immigration service offices in Den Bosch since Monday started breaking up their camp on Thursday morning.
Delta Lloyd puts in resilient performance
Financial services group Delta Lloyd on Thursday announced a drop in operational profit but an increase in gross wirtten premiums for the first half year.
Care home owners tell families they must help with patients
Care home owners Vierstroom on Thursday launched a pilot scheme aimed at getting the families of dementia patients more involved in their care.
Coffee company DE Master Blenders finds fraud, lowers profit forecast
Tea and coffee company DE Master Blenders 1753 has discovered fraud in the book-keeping of its Brazilian subsidiary and lowered its profit forecast for 2012 by €45m to €55m.
Arcadis forecasts 20% profit increase for 2012
Civil engineering group Arcadis on Thursday announced strong profit and turnover for the second quarter and an expectation of further growth in profit of 20% to 25% in 2012.
Olympics: Bosch wins bronze in the judo
Judo fighter Edith Bosch won the bronze medal in the under 70 kilogram class on Wednesday evening.
Wednesday 01 August 2012
Arts cuts begin to bite
Just 40% of all the requests for cultural subsidies have been honoured for the coming four-year period and 70 organisations will lose their funding, the performing arts fund announced on Wednesday.
Rabobank tips Wolters Kluwer and Philips
Rabobank analysts are tipping the shares of publishing group Wolters Kluwer and electronics giant Philips in their latest Conviction List, published on Wednesday.
Olympics: Vos and Bosch disappoint, Van Rijsselberghe still on course for gold
Marianne Vos, who gave the Netherlands its only gold medal so far, could only manage 16th place in Wednesday's individual women's time trial.
Dutch industry still shrinking
Dutch industry shrunk in July for the fifth month in a row, the Dutch purchasing managers Nevi index reports on Wednesday.
Pharming obtains €10m credit facility
Biotechnology company Pharming accounced on Wednesday it has obtained a credit facility to the tune of €10m.
Minister told to adjust Somali asylum seekers policy
The Council of State has told immigration minister Gerd Leers he must adjust his deportation policy in the case of Somali asylum seekers, say press reports.
Expensive medicines advice starts national discussion
Organisations representing genetics experts, pediatricians and patients are calling on health minister Edith Schippers not to act hastily on the health insurance council's advice that expensive medicine payments should be scrapped.
First Utrecht asbestos scare evacuees allowed home
The first of hundreds of people forced to leave their homes in Utrecht because of an asbestos scare will be allowed back on Thursday.
Dutch novel The Dinner well-received by British reviewers
Best-selling Dutch novel Het Diner by Herman Koch has been released in an English translation to glowing reviews under the title The Dinner.
First Airbus A380 lands at Schiphol airport
The first commercial flight of the Airbus A380 is expected to land at Amsterdam Schiphol airport on Wednesday afternoon at 13.30.
|
