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Friday 30 November 2012
'America may have access to Dutch digital patient records'
The American authorities may have access to information stored in the new Dutch digital patient record system because it is being built by a US firm, Nos television reports.  
Police officer who shot 17-year-old youth questioned as a suspect
The police officer who shot dead an unarmed 17-year-old youth at a railway station in The Hague last weekend is being questioned as a suspect, the public prosecution department said on Friday.
Dutch police arrest three men who planned to fight in Syria
Three radical Muslims who planned to travel to Syria to take part in ‘armed jihad’ have been arrested in Rotterdam, the public prosecution department said on Friday.
Amsterdam plans caravan exile for nasty neighbours
Problem families who engage in long-running and structural intimidation of their neighbours face being moved to caravans in isolated parts of the city under a new plan drawn up by Amsterdam mayor Eberhard van der Laan.
Police clear Amsterdam refugee camp
A protest camp in Amsterdam that was home to around 100 failed asylum seekers was cleared by police on Friday morning following a court order.
Hopeful home buyers rush to beat mortgage change deadline
Home buyers are rushing to beat the January 1 deadline which will end tax relief on all but repayment mortgages, the Financieele Dagblad reports.
Four arrested as police raid nets 36 tonnes of illegal fireworks
At least four people have been arrested for trading in illegal fireworks following police raids on a warehouse in Emmen.
Public sector salary ceiling will slash central bank chief's pay
Central bank president Klaas Knot will have to hand in almost half his salary while the chairman of the financial services authority will lose more than half his when new rules on public sector pay come into effect.
TNT, UPS suggest divestments in hunt for Brussels merger approval
Parcel delivery firms TNT and UPS have made suggestions to the European Commission about various concessions they are willing to make in order to win approval for their merger.
Fox takeover of football broadcaster approved, may start new channel
Fox International, the broadcasting group owned by media magnate Rupert Murdoch, has been given the green light to take over Eredivisie Media & Marketing, the broadcast arm of Dutch premier league football.
Thursday 29 November 2012
Fundamentalist Christian party may allow women MPs - on paper
The fundamentalist Protestant party SGP is considering allowing women to stand for political office, on paper at least, the party chairman said on Thursday.
The Netherlands to abstain on Palestine UN motion: minister
The Netherlands will abstain from voting during a vote on raising the status of Palestine with the United Nations, foreign minister Frans Timmermans told MPs on Thursday.
Young ChristenUnie members warn party on Greece-out-of-euro report
The youth organisation of the ChristenUnie warned the main party on Thursday not to jump to the conclusion Greece should leave the euro.
Groningen HIV injection retrial returns lower sentences
The two men jailed for infecting others with HIV at sex parties were sentenced to eight and five years in jail at their retrial on Thursday.
Court jails 75-year-old for two years in latest property fraud case
A 75-year-old man has been jailed for two years by a court in Haarlem for his role in a massive property development fraud.
Liberal MPs question Turkey's accession to the EU
Turkey's accession to full membership of the EU was called into question by the governing Liberal party VVD on Thursday during a parliamentary debate on EU expansion.
Sinterklaas collapses at football club party
A Sinterklaas party at a football club in Apeldoorn went wrong on Wednesday afternoon when the man playing St Nicholas collapsed with a heart attack.
Big money haul at Schiphol
Customs officers at Amsterdam Schiphol airport arrested two men last weekend who were caught smuggling €348,500 between them.
Van Gogh letter expected to be biggest auction earner
A letter written in 1890 by Vincent van Gogh is set to be the high point in an auction of historical documents in New York next month.
Netherlands bucks positive EU trend
While confidence in the European economy has grown over the past month, in the Netherlands the reverse is true, according to European Commission figures.
Netherlands is only eurozone land in 'where-to-be-born' top 10
While five of the top 10 countries on the Economist Intelligent Unit's new 'where-to-be-born' ranking are European, the Netherlands is the only one from the eurozone.
State-owned insurer worried for reputation, drops health plan
Insurance company ASR has withdrawn its new health insurance product Zorgeloos from the market after just one day, the Telegraaf reports.
The Netherlands is added to Brussels' macro-economic reviews
The European Commission is to include the Netherlands in its latest batch of in-depth reports on countries with potential macro-economic imbalances.
Ahold to tighten belt in renewed cost savings programme
Supermarket group Ahold said on Wednesday it is increasing its cost savings programme from €350m to €600m to fuel further investments.
Cabinet plans extra energy tax to ensure we meet climate targets
Energy bills are set to go up again next year as the government introduces a new tax to help ensure the Netherlands meets climate change targets, RTL news reports.
Chilly weather on the way
Weather forecasters say there will be light frost over most of the country on Thursday night, as more wintry weather hits the Netherlands.
Some tattoo ink could be carcinogenic, warns health body
Research should be undertaken into tattoo ink as some of it could be carcinogenic, say the food safety body NVWA and the public health institute RIVM.
Youngsters with a record need helping hand with jobs: minister
Youngsters with a criminal record who then go straight should qualify for an official certificate of good behaviour within two years rather than four, says junior justice minister Fred Teeven.
Tv cancer show nets 40,000 new donors
The tv show Stand up to Cancer, which went out on Wednesday evening, netted nearly 40,000 new donors, Nos reports.
Digital patient record system in doubt
The new attempt to introduce digital patient records has met a stumbling block in the form of the Labour PvdA, reports the Telegraaf on Thursday.
Greece should leave the euro, says independent report
Greece should leave the euro is the conclusion of an independent commission which looked at the future of the currency on behalf of the ChristenUnie party.
Wednesday 28 November 2012
Move immigrant and female convicts to the north, says official
Criminal immigrants, long-term prisoners and female convicts should be transferred to the northern provinces to stop planned prison closures there, Drenthe queen's commissioner Jacques Tichelaar says in the Dagblad van het Noorden.
Report into fraudulent researcher damns lack of critical culture
A report into how a Dutch university professor was able to fake research data for years blames the absence of a critical scientific culture at academic institutions.
Samsung ordered to compensate Apple by Dutch court
Samsung Benelux must pay any profits it makes on the sale of some older Galaxy phones to Apple, a court in The Hague said on Wednesday, in the latest stage of the two companies’ long-running patent dispute.
Amsterdam refugee camp to be cleared by Friday
Some 130 failed asylum seekers who have set up camp in Amsterdam's Osdorp have been told to clear their tents by Friday.
Are the Netherlands' gold reserves real? MPs want answers
Questions have been asked in parliament about the location and value of the country's gold reserves, most of which is said to be in foreign vaults, news agency ANP reports on Wednesday.
Court halts neurologist court case pending defence demands
Almelo district court on Wednesday halted the trial of a neurologist facing 21 charges in relation to patient abuse and neglect until December 17.
Texel coastline reinforced with 5.8 million cubic metres of sand
Enough sand has been blasted onto the coast of the Wadden Sea island of Texel to ensure the stability of the coastline for the next three or four years, BNR radio reports on Wednesday.
Free to a good home: four elephants from Emmen zoo
A power struggle within a group of elephants at Emmen zoo has grown so out of hand that the zoo has decided to give away four of the herd free, the AD reports on Wednesday.
Senate agrees to delay accountancy changes until 2016
The senate on Tuesday voted to bring in new rules forcing large firms to switch auditors but agreed to delay the changes until 2016.
Fewer teaching jobs at Dutch schools
The number of people employed at Dutch primary and secondary schools fell by over 7,000 last year, according to education institute DUO.
Seven in 10 older unemployed are jobless for at least a year
Seven out of 10 people aged 55 and over who lose their jobs are unemployed for at least a year, according to job centre figures.
Rabobank buys Vitesse stadium
Cooperative bank Rabobank has bought the Gelredome stadium - home of Arnhem football club Vitesse.
Plans to sell Nazi camp barbed wire dropped after protests
The foundation in charge of a former Nazi concentration camp in the Netherlands has scrapped plans to sell pieces of barbed wire dug up at the site following protests from Jewish groups.
Antibiotic use in factory farming almost halved
Sales of antibiotics for use on farm animals fell by 51% in the first half of 2012, making it likely the Netherlands will reach its 50% reduction goal a year early, farm minister Co Verdaas said on Tuesday.
Dutch Waffen SS member aged 91 charged with 1944 murder
A Dutch national who joined the Nazi Waffen SS and now lives in Germany has been charged with the 1944 murder of a Dutch resistance fighter, according to international news agency AP.
Liberal VVD ensure majority support for scrapping blasphemy laws
There is now majority support in parliament for an end to the ban on blasphemy because VVD Liberal MPs have thrown their weight behind the plan.
13 patients in Twente may have undergone unnecessary brain ops
Thirteen patients at the Medisch Spectrum Twente hospital may have been referred for unnecessary brain surgery by former neurologist Ernst Jansen Steur, local broadcaster RTV Oost reports on Wednesday.
Tuesday 27 November 2012
New cabinet cleans up pending legislation list, drops 14 draft laws
The new government has ditched 14 pieces of draft legislation drawn up by the previous administration, the Volkskrant reported on Tuesday.
Prime minister admits Greek deal will cost the Netherlands cash
Prime minister Mark Rutte on Tuesday admitted he had not been able to ensure the new rescue deal for Greece would not cost the Netherlands money, as promised in the general election.
Transshipments are growing but add little to Dutch economy
The onward shipment of goods imported into the Netherlands delivers relatively little added value to the economy, despite accounting for an increasingly large share of exports, according to the national statistics office CBS, quoted by website nu.nl
Gap between rich and poor in Holland among narrowest in Europe
The Netherlands has one of the narrowest income gaps between rich and poor in Europe, according to new research from the national statistics office CBS.
AutoRAI 2013 car show in trouble
There is a very real chance the 2013 AutoRAI car show will be cancelled because 75% of the stands have not yet been filled, the Parool reports on Tuesday.
Project X-feest and grexit are in new word of the year vote
Project X-feest, grexit and inbrekersrisico are among 10 new words nominated by the Van Dale dictionary group for the 2012 word of the year competition.
Holland Casino to cut 450 jobs
The Dutch state-owned casino group Holland Casino is cutting a further 400 to 450 jobs and compulsory redundancies are unavoidable, the company said on Tuesday.
KLM faces damages claim for refusing to fly seriously obese woman
KLM faces a multi-million dollar damages claim after refusing to transport an ill, very obese New York woman, according to American media.
The Netherlands will miss out on €1bn through new Greek deal
The new rescue package for Greece agreed between the eurozone and International Monetary Fund will cost the Netherlands around €70m a year in lost interest over a period of 14 years, finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem said after the meeting.
Senate to vote on controversial accountancy switch rules
The upper house of parliament will today vote on plans to force large companies to change their accountant every eight years and ban them from providing commercial advice to companies which they also audit.
Convicted fraudsters may be banned from company ownership
Company executives convicted of corporate fraud could be banned from setting up a new firm or restarting a bankrupt business under draft legislation being prepared by justice minister Ivo Opstelten.
Justice ministry needs to be less repressive, say Labour MPs
The justice ministry needs to change its over-emphasis on repression and ministers should moderate their tone when speaking about legal issues, the Labour party’s parliamentary spokesman on legal issues say in Tuesday’s Volkskrant.
The Netherlands offers opt out clause to health insurance objectors
Some 11,000 people in the Netherlands do not have health insurance on principle, mainly very strict Protestants who oppose all forms of insurance, news agency ANP reported on Tuesday.
Reduced trains around Amersfoort
A fire in an escalator at Amersfoort railway station on Monday afternoon damaged cables essential for train services, leading to cancellations in the region on Tuesday morning.
Monday 26 November 2012
'Shell fails to meet €1bn Nigeria oil clean-up fund commitments'
Shell and the Nigerian government are failing to meet joint commitments to clean up oil spillages in the Nigerian delta, BNR radio reports on Monday.
Tank storage group Odfjell faces legal action over safety rules
Troubled tank storage group Odfjell is to be taken to court for shortcomings in safety standards at its Rotterdam Botlek operations.
Four in 10 Dutch households don't have enough savings
Two out of 10 Dutch households do not have enough savings to pay for emergency purchases and a further two out of 10 have no savings at all, according to research by the family spending institute Nibud.
Dredging group Boskalis bids to take over Dockwise
Dredging group Boskalis has made a €682m bid to take over maritime services group Dockwise.
New Michelin guide gives Holland three new two-star restaurants
The number of two-star restaurants in the Michelin guide to the Netherlands has gone up by three to 18.
Digital patient record backers reduce doctor payments after protests
Plans to financially reward doctors and pharmacists whose patients sign up for the new electronic patient record system have been revised, the organisations behind the plan said on Monday.
ING repays more state support, cuts debt to €2.25bn plus interest
Financial services group ING has repaid a further €750m of the €10bn in state support it received during the 2008 crisis year.
Merge natural heritage groups to cut costs, says ANWB chief
Dutch nature organisations should merge into a single body known as Natural Heritage in order to cut costs, the head of the motoring and tourism organisation ANWB says in Monday’s Trouw.
Biofuels are pushing up food prices: aid groups
Aid group Oxfam Novib is calling on the Netherlands and rest of the EU to top mixing fuels made from grain and vegetable matter with petrol and diesel.
Youth shot dead by police at The Hague train station was unarmed
The 17-year-old youth shot dead by police on a platform at Hollands Spoor railway station in The Hague on early Saturday morning was unarmed, the public prosecution department confirmed on Monday.
Sunday 25 November 2012
Vitesse beats league leaders PSV
A 2-1 win over PSV Eindhoven put Arnhem club Vitesse within two points of the premier division leaders in this weekend’s football action.
Minister dismisses 'halal homes' fears
Home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk told a television programme on Sunday he has no problem with housing corporations renovating homes and taking the wishes of Muslim tenants into account.
20,000 chickens killed in factory farm fire
Twenty thousand chickens were killed in a fire at a barn on a factory farm in Overijssel province at the weekend.
Police shoot dead 17-year-old on railway station
Police shot dead a 17-year-old youth on a platform at the Hollands Spoor railway station on Saturday morning.
Doctors face financial pressure to agree to electronic record plan
Health insurance companies are planning to give financial incentives to family doctors and pharmacists who encourage their patients to sign up for the new digital patient records system, the NRC reported at the weekend.
Rotterdam neighbourhood pays tribute to prolific knitter
Rotterdam resident Loes Veenstra has been knitting since 1955, building up a collection of 500 jumpers which have never been worn.
Storm-force winds hit Holland
The Netherlands was hit by an autumn storm on Sunday, bringing strong winds particularly to coastal areas and the north.
Friday 23 November 2012
Dutch prime minister 'cautiously hopeful' of EU deal next year
The EU summit aimed at agreeing a new multi-year budget for the community broke up on Friday without result, leading Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte to say he is ‘cautiously hopeful’ a deal will be reached early next year.
DSM, Macintosh and Schiphol win best financial report awards
Specialty chemicals group DSM has won this year's Henri Sijthoff award for the best financial report by a Dutch blue-chip company.
Man sets himself on fire in front of Haarlem hospital
A man set himself on fire in front of the Kennemer Gasthuis hospital in Haarlem on Friday, according to local television station RTV Noord-Holland.
Minister confirms 18 age limit for buying tobacco products
Junior health minister Martin van Rijn confirmed on Friday he plans to introduce legislation to increase the legal age to buy tobacco from 16 to 18.
Judges cleared of perjury
Two former court judges were on Friday cleared on charges of perjury and conflict of interests in connection with the sale of land around Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport.
The Netherlands to keep EU rebate but budget deal unlikely
The Netherlands will keep its €1bn rebate from the EU as a major net payer, under new budget proposals put forward by European Council president Herman Van Rompuy.
Download ban back on the table
Junior justice minister Fred Teeven is to revive plans for a formal ban on the illegal downloading of books, films and music from the internet, now it appears there is majority support from parliament.
Toy shop sector in serious trouble as crisis and online retail bite
This may be the traditional time of year for buying presents but many of the Netherlands’ toy shops are in serious financial trouble, Nos television reports on Friday.
Secret service was wrong to phone tap journalists, says court
The Dutch secret service was wrong to tap the telephones of two Telegraaf journalists and demand the return of documents, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled.
Four-year-old boy removed from school following abuse claims
A four-year-old boy has been removed from his primary school in Rotterdam after claims that he attacked two girls, the AD reports on Friday.
PSV, Twente out of Europa League
The Netherlands' two remaining representatives in football's Europa League competition are both out after failing to pick up the necessary points in Thursday evening's action.
Thursday 22 November 2012
Mathematical model unravels secret of a successful relationship
If you’ve ever wondered why your relationships flounder, mathematicians at Radboud University in Nijmegen may have the answer – it’s all about the oscillations in your relationship dynamics.
Prime minister says 'complex' EU budget may not be agreed
Prime minister Mark Rutte warned on Thursday he is not sure European leaders will reach agreement on the EU's next multi-year budget, saying the talks will be a 'real battle'.
Project X Haren rioters will have to help pay for the damage
Youngsters convicted of vandalism and violence during the Project X Haren riots will have to pay towards repairing the damage caused, the Leeuwarden appeal court ruled on Thursday.
Deposits on plastic bottles will go, says minister
Ministers plan to press ahead with scrapping deposits on plastic bottles, despite concerns from Labour MPs, junior environment minister Wilma Mansveld told parliament on Thursday.
'Dutch banks pay their staff €2bn a year too much'
The gap in salary between ordinary workers and average bank staff has increased from 17% in 1987 to 81% nowadays, according to research by Somo, an agency which focuses on researching multinationals.
Man suspected of 1999 schoolgirl murder remanded in custody
A Frisian village farmer who is suspected of the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl in 1999 has been remanded in custody for 14 days by judges in Leeuwarden.
Jail for speed camera bombers
Two men who used home-made explosives to damage a speed camera last year, seriously injuring one man, have been jailed for 2.5 and two years.
Minister pledges changes to make it easier to report crime
Justice minister Ivo Opstelten is to take steps to make it easier to file a police report and ensure police keep crime victims up-to-date with progress on their cases.
Ajax out of Champions League
A 1-4 home loss against German side Dortmund ended Amsterdam football club Ajax' hopes of remaining in the Champions League competition on Wednesday night.
Dutch ready to take hard line on EU spending plans and rebate
The Dutch parliament has sent prime minister Mark Rutte to a crucial two-day EU summit in Brussels with two mandates: to cap the EU’s spending plans and ensure the €1bn Dutch rebate continues.
Market leader Rabobank opens mortgage advice price war
Cooperative bank Rabobank, market leader in the Dutch mortgage market with around 40%, is planning to charge sharply lower tariffs than its competitors for handing out mortgage advice from next year.
KLM chief wants railways and airports to help pay for delays
Dutch Rail should be made to pay towards the cost of flight departure delays caused by problems on the trains, KLM chief executive Peter Hartman said in Thursday's Telegraaf.
6,500 motorists fined for just breaking 130kph speed limit
Since the introduction of a new 130 kph speed limit on some Dutch motorways, 6,500 motorists have been fined for driving one, two or three kilometres too fast, according to infrastructure ministry figures.
Justice ministry considering closing 11 jails in major shake-up
Justice ministry plans to cut spending on prisons by €100m will lead to the closure of 11 out of 29 jails, 700 job losses and 800 prisoners being sent home to finish their sentences, according to documents in the hands of television show Nieuwsuur.
Dutch foreign minister closes his Facebook page
Foreign minister Frans Timmermans has closed his Facebook page following a stream of negative comments about his foreign policy, the Telegraaf reports.
Fundamentalist Christian party big winner in local by-elections
The fundamentalist Christian party SGP emerged as the biggest party in two of the three local elections which took place on Wednesday, with the Christian Democrats winning the third.
Wednesday 21 November 2012
Dutch cabinet is considering sending Turkey Patriot missiles
The Dutch cabinet is considering the ‘desirability and possibilities’ of contributing to Turkish military defences after Ankara made a formal request to Nato for Patriot defence missiles.
New pension rules delayed until 2015, due to 'complexity'
The introduction of new rules for Dutch company pension schemes has been delayed until 2015 because of the complexity of the subject, junior social affairs minister Jetta Klijnsma told MPs on Wednesday afternoon.
Chemical plant near Rotterdam partly closed on safety concerns
Government inspectors have closed down part of the Organik Kimya chemicals plant on the Botlek industrial park near Rotterdam because it cannot guarantee safety in its control room.
Dutch foreign minister silent on Turkey Patriot missile plans
Foreign minister Frans Timmermans on Wednesday declined to comment on speculation that the Netherlands will send its Patriot defence missiles to the Turkish-Syrian border.
D66 MPs want to relax tough Dutch cookie law
MPs from the Liberal democratic party D66 have submitted an amendment to the Netherlands' tough new cookie laws to make it easier for websites to place functional tracking software.
Dentist fees go up 4.5% but orthodonists are cheaper
The fees which dentists are officially allowed to charge next year will be based on 2011's fees plus 4.5%, the Dutch health authority said on Wednesday.
Europe's biggest golf complex is in financial trouble
A downturn in the number of people playing golf has led the Spaarnwoude golf complex west of Amsterdam to ask for court protection from creditors, RTL news said on Wednesday.
House prices fell 8% in October
House prices fell by an average 7.8% in October compared with the same period in 2011 and continuing the steady downward trend, according to figures from the national statistics office CBS and the land registry.
Europe's only phosphorus firm Thermphos declared bankrupt
Europe’s only phosphorus producer, Vlissingen-based Themphos, was declared bankrupt on Wednesday, with the possible loss of 450 jobs in Zeeland.
Amsterdam mayor intervenes in refugee tent dispute
Amsterdam’s mayor Eberhard van der Laan has identified 10 local authorities which are prepared to provide accommodation to failed asylum seekers, putting him on a collision course with the government, the Volkskrant reports on Wednesday.
Europe's only phosphorus firm Thermphos on verge of banruptcy
The survival of Europe’s only phosphorus producer, Vlissingen-based Themphos, is unlikely, according to the Financieele Dagblad on Wednesday, quoting economic affairs ministry documents.
Make changes or we'll vote to keep student grants, says GroenLinks
The new government’s plans to scrap student grants and replace them with loans may stall in the upper house of parliament, Nos television reports on Wednesday.
Deposits on plastic bottles should stay, say Labour MPs
The previous cabinet’s plans to ditch deposits on plastic bottles cannot count on majority support in parliament, Nos television reports on Wednesday.
Nine more people arrested in Dutch-British sham marriage probe
Nine more people have been arrested in connection with a Dutch-British investigation into sham marriages, bringing the total so far this month to 32, the public prosecution department said in a statement.
Police bust 'very dangerous' international drugs gang
Seven people were arrested on Tuesday in connection with an investigation into what police say is ‘a very dangerous drugs gang’, Nos television reports.
The Netherlands may increase legal age to buy cigarettes to 18
The legal age for buying cigarettes in the Netherlands is ‘very likely’ to be increased to 18, the Telegraaf reports on Wednesday.
Tuesday 20 November 2012
One-third of colleges and universities trade in risky derivatives
One-third of the Netherlands' colleges, training schools and universities invest in complicated financial products known as derivatives, the education ministry said on Tuesday.
New cabinet not aiming to redistribute wealth, says finance minister
Redistributing wealth is not the main aim of the new government, finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem told the upper house of parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
Popular Amsterdam statue has legs broken
One of the most popular statues in Amsterdam was knocked over on Tuesday afternoon when a lorry reversed across the square on which it stands.
Many Rembrant etchings were printed after his death, say experts
Many of the Rembrandt etchings in public collections around the world were not printed by the master or in his studio but by others after his death, according to art experts Erik Hinterding and Jaco Rutgers.
The biggest Christmas tree in the world is back
The transformation of the 367 metre-high Lopik transmitter into a giant Christmas tree will happen again this year because most of the necessary cash has been raised, news agency ANP reports.
Public prosecutor to stop publishing witness photographs
The public prosecution department has agreed to stop publishing photographs of witnesses to crimes online in the hope of tracking them down, the NRC said on Tuesday.
Medical implant register to be set up
The health ministry is to set up a new register with details of everyone with some form of medical implant, be it a new hip or breast implants.
The gloom sets in: pessimism mounts and burn-out on the rise
The consumer confidence indicator dropped five points in November to -37, figures from the national statistics office CBS show on Tuesday.
Nout Wellink moves to Bank of China
Former central bank president Nout Wellink has been appointed a commissioner responsible for supervision at Chinese state bank Bank of China.
DNA arrest in 1999 school girl murder raises many questions
The arrest of a 45-year-old Frisian farmer in connection with the rape and murder of a schoolgirl 13 years ago continues to dominate Tuesday's front pages.
EU pensions boss tries to soothe Dutch feathers
Brussels is not going to force Dutch pension funds to increase their buffers from one day to the next, Gabriel Bernardino, chairman of the European pension authority Eiopa told the Financieele Dagblad in an interview.
ING to sell Thai investment house
Financial services group ING has reached agreement to sell its investment management business in Thailand to UOB Asset Management for €10m in cash.
Retail trade under pressure from financial crisis
Figures from the retail trade show a dramatic drop in turnover and a rise in the number of bankruptcies in the first half of 2012, particularly in non-food outlets, according to ABN Amro economists.
Railway projects money goes into roads budget
Billions of euros are being redirected away from major railway projects and into the government's roads budget, according to sources in the rail sector and the infrastructure ministry.
Aegon's CFO to retire next year, Darryl Button set to replace him
The chief financial officer of insurance group Aegon, Jan Nooitgedagt, is retiring next year, the company said on Tuesday.
Bring back traditional light bulbs, says PVV MP
Anti-immigration PVV MP Machiel de Graaf wants the EU ban on traditional light bulbs lifted, saying the ban is a green-socialist argument for removing people's freedom.
Don't speculate with public money, minister tells councils
The cabinet wants local authorities to be more open about their financial affairs, especially their role in risky derivatives trading, home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk told RTL news.
Animal porn films try to sue Dutch state for lost earnings
Two companies which used to produce animal porn films are hoping to sue the government for millions of euros for loss of earnings, the Telegraaf reports on Tuesday.
Pensioners better off than 20 years ago, says report
Pensioners are finding it easier to make ends meet than 20 years ago, according to figures released on Tuesday by the government's socio-cultural policy unit SCP.
Council property taxes still rise as house values fall
Property prices may be falling but council property taxes are still going up, according to research by home owners lobby group VEH.
Dutch to classify super strong marijuana alongside heroin
The government is planning to classify strong strains of marijuana and cannabis as a Class A drug alongside heroin and cocaine, justice minister Ivo Opstelten told parliament in briefing on Monday.
Monday 19 November 2012
Health inspectors are slow, and poor at communicating, says report
A commission set up to investigate the role of the health ministry inspectorate IGZ has produced a damning report, saying complaints take too long to be dealt with and communication is poor, Nos television reports.
The Netherlands may send Patriot missiles to Turkey-Syria border
The Netherlands and Germany are considering sending soldiers armed with Patriot air defence missiles to the Turkish border with Syria, the Volkskrant reports on Monday.
Dutch skin cancer death rate among highest in EU
The Netherlands has one of the highest rates of death from skin cancer in the European Union, according to new Eurostat figures quoted by news agency ANP.
Prince Friso, nine months in a coma, shows signs of awareness
Prince Friso, who has been in a coma since a skiing accident in February, is showing ‘signs of limited awareness,’ the state information service RVD said on Monday.
Dutch Caribbean men 14 times more likely to be murdered
There were 165 murders in the Netherlands last year, an increase of seven on 2010 but still well below the levels in the early 2000s, the national statistics office CBS said on Monday.
Basic health insurance package could be made smaller
The government is considering removing more items from the basic healthcare package, including some psychiatric help and physiotherapy, the Telegraaf reports on Monday.
Biggest ever trade mission kicks off in Brazil
The biggest ever Dutch trade mission – a 170-company delegation – heads off for Brazil on Monday under the leadership of trade minister Liliane Ploumen, Nos television reports.
Crisis leads Brussels to give ING more time to break itself up
The European Commission has given ING more time to divest its insurance and other activities and pay back state support, the Dutch financial services group said on Monday.
Raymond van Barneveld wins darts grand slam title
Raymond van Barneveld has won the Grand Slam of Darts in an all-Dutch final in Wolverhampton in England. Van Barneveld beat Michael van Gerwen 16-14 in the final to take home the main prize of €125,000.
Man arrested following dna tests to solve 1999 schoolgirl murder
Police in Friesland have arrested a local man in connection with the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl in 1999.
Sunday 18 November 2012
Almost 1.4 million Dutch rental homes may have asbestos, says Nos
Some 60% of Dutch rent-controlled housing contain asbestos, but this is mostly not dangerous unless drilled or damaged, Nos television reports.
PSV extends premier league lead with 6-1 win
PSV Eindhoven emphasised their current lead in the Dutch premier division with 6-1 win over ADO Den Haag in this weekend's football action.
Elderly mugging victim floors attacker with martial arts
A would-be mugger got more than he bargained for when he tried to rob an elderly man who had just used an ATM machine in Almere on Sunday morning, the Telegraaf reports.
DigiNotar hack made possible as 30 software updates were ignored
Last year’s hack of Dutch digital security company DigiNotar was due to aging software which was at least 30 updates out of date, website nu.nl reported on Sunday.
Investigation into high death rate at Spijkenisse hospital
An investigation has opened into the deaths of 15 patients at the Ruwaard van Putten Ziekenhuis in Spijkenisse following what may be mistaken diagnoses by heart specialists.
Police absenteeism rate reaches 'extremely high' 11%,
Some 11% of serving police officers are off work sick at any one time, according to calculations by RTL news.
Sinterklaas is back in the Netherlands
An estimated 50,000 people were in the Limburg town of Roermond on Saturday to witness the official arrive of Sinterklaas – marking the start of the three-week countdown to the main Dutch present-giving celebration on December 5.
Friday 16 November 2012
Income effects of revised coalition deal 'less extreme' figures show
The effect of the government's revised economic strategy for the coming four years will still have an impact on spending power but the net effect will be 'less extreme', calculations from the family spending institute Nibud show.
Dutch Probo Koala toxic waste cases finally settled out of court
The Dutch public prosecution department and oil trading group Trafigura have finally settled their legal dispute, ending years of proceedings surrounding the dumping of oil waste in Ivory Coast by the Probo Koala ship in 2006.
Dutch government gives €10m to help Syrian refugees
The Dutch government is contributing an extra €10m to help look after thousands of Syrians who have fled the civil war in their country, aid minister Lilianne Ploumen said on Friday.
New cabinet to stop registering second nationalities
The new cabinet is planning to stop the registration of second nationalities in the official births register, home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk has announced.
House sales shoot up 19% in October
A race to beat the January 1 changes to mortgage tax relief helped boost house sales 19% in October compared with the previous month.
Jobs go at GroenLinks after poor election showing
Left-wing green party GroenLinks is being forced to slash its workforce by over one-third following financial troubles stemming from the party's poor performance at the September general election.
Smelly colleagues are workers’ biggest bugbears
An online survey into work hygiene by jobs website NationaleVacaturebank.nl shows that colleagues who smell of sweat are the number one irritant, the Telegraaf reports on Friday.
TNT Express sells airline operations to ASL Aviation
Package delivery group TNT is selling its airline operations to the ASL Aviation Group, the Dutch firm said in a statement on Friday.
Free peppermints would boost road safety, say researchers
Distributing free peppermints to motorists would improve road safety, according to the Dutch mobility institute Kennisinstituut voor Mobiliteitsbeleid.
Illegal waste processed at biogas plants, posing a threat to health
Large amounts of illegal waste is being processed in fermentation plants used to generate biogas which could pose a risk to health, according to television current affairs show Reporter.
ABN Amro returns to Q3 profit, warns of unfavourable Q4
State-owned ABN Amro bank booked net profit of €302m in the third quarter of 2012, compared with a loss in the same quarter a year ago.
Tobacco firms say age for buying cigarettes should go up to 18
Dutch tobacco companies have written to the health ministry urging the new government to put up the age limit for buying cigarettes and rolling tobacco from 16 to 18.
'New rent rules threaten student housing'
A company which specialises in housing students says the new government’s plans to change the way rents in the social housing sector are calculated will make it impossible to break even.
Thursday 15 November 2012
Dutch economy contracts over 1%, jobless total rises again
The Dutch economy contracted by a 'considerable' 1.1% in the third quarter of this year compared with the second, the national statistics office CBS said on Thursday.
Groningen HIV injection retrial opens with lower jail demands
The trial of two men charged with infecting others with HIV at sex parties restarted again on Thursday with the public prosecution department lowering its sentencing demands.
Cabinet will not support higher UN status for Palestinian Authority
The Netherlands will not support a request to boost the status of the Palestinian Authority within the UN, foreign minister Frans Timmermans said on Thursday.
Deer cull halted because the wildlife bridge is 'not finished'
Plans by Gelderland province to shoot 15 out of a herd of 25 red deer which live close to a new wildlife bridge have been put on ice because the bridge will not be completed before the end of the hunting season, Nos television said on Thursday.
Dutch hockey stars sign up for Indian competition
A number of former Dutch hockey internationals are planning to play in an Indian competition in January and cash in on their reputations, BNR radio reports on Thursday.
Green group threatens government with court over climate change
A pressure group is threatening to take the Dutch government to court unless it starts acting seriously to prevent climate change, Britain's Guardian newspaper reports.
SNS Reaal to cut 750 jobs
Banking group SNS Reaal said on Thursday it is cutting its workforce by 750 jobs, which will generate €75m in savings by May 2015.
Economy contracts 1.1% in third quarter, jobless total hits 6.8%
The Dutch economy contracted by a 'considerable' 1.1% in the third quarter of this year compared with the second, the national statistics office CBS said on Thursday.
Dozens of multinationals base their brand rights in Holland
Dozens of multinational companies have based their branding rights in the Netherlands in order to reduce their tax bills, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Thursday.
Government gives €167m to six university research projects
The education ministry is giving €167m to fund six major Dutch university research projects, over a 10-year period.
Eramus University to investigate illegal organ trade
Researchers at the Erasmus teaching hospital EMC in Rotterdam are beginning a major project to investigate the illegal international trade in organs, the Volkskrant reports on Thursday.
Listless performance as Oranje-Germany ends in goalless draw
The football friendly between the Netherlands and Germany ended in a goalless draw on Wednesday night in a match described as 'uninspiring' by the Dutch media.
We're ready for business, says Rutte, extending a hand to the opposition
The cabinet is raring to get down to business and will work together with the opposition, unions, employers and other organisations, prime minister Mark Rutte said at the end of a two-day debate on the new government’s strategy.
More firms embroiled in workers' financial woes
Eight out of 10 companies have workers who are in financial difficulties and 75% have workers whose salary has been sequestered by a company which is owed money, says family spending institute Nibud.
Dutch gas firm Noordzee in Russian hands
Russian gas giant Gazprom has taken over BASF’s 50% stake in Dutch natural gas company Noordzee as part of a major asset swap.
Nearly every Dutch household has internet access
Some 96% of Dutch households now have an internet connection, while 42% of the population have access to mobile internet via smart phones, according to new research by Twente University.
Ahold sales rise 3.7% in third quarter 'despite difficult conditions'
Supermarket group Ahold faced difficult conditions in the third quarter of 2012 but managed to increase overall sales by 3.7% to €7.6bn, the company said on Thursday.
Many people are clueless about what their health insurance covers
Many Dutch people have no clue about what their health insurance policy covers and excludes, according to research by comparison website Verzekeringsite.
Wednesday 14 November 2012
2012 pay rises average 1.9%
Wages in the Netherlands have risen by an average 1.9% so far this year, below the rate of inflation, according to research by HR advisory group Human Capital Group.
Three jailed for €19m rare wine investment scam
Three people have been jailed for their role in an investment fraud based on allegedly rare wines, the Financieele Dagblad reported on Wednesday.
Further public sector pay limits on the cards, 5,000 may be hit
Up to 5,000 people would be affected if the government reduced the maximum salary in the public sector to that of a government minister, home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk told the NRC on Wednesday.
High-speed Thalys train caught up in Belgian strike
A high-speed Thalys train from Amsterdam, carrying over 300 people, was stranded at Brussels North station because of a railway strike on Wednesday morning.
Prime minister defends new government policies
Prime minister Mark Rutte will on Wednesday defend his new government’s policies against a storm of criticism from opposition MPs on the second day of a general debate on cabinet strategy.
Gelderland to press ahead with deer cull
Gelderland province is to press ahead with plans to shoot most of a herd of 25 red deer to ensure not too many animals use a new wildlife bridge over a motorway and railway, despite a storm of angry reactions.
Internet broker suspends risk managers for taking risks
Internet broker BinckBank has suspended five of its eight risk managers, including the department head, for breaking the rules they are supposed to enforce, the Financieele Dagblad reports.
Run on mortages as buyers beat end-of-year deadline
Mortgage providers are experiencing an end-of-year rush as house buyers rush to beat changes in the rules, RTL news reports on Wednesday.
Unions threaten KPN with industrial action in support of pay claim
Unions at telecoms group KPN have threatened to take industrial action unless there is progress in ongoing pay talks by the coming weekend.
After 10 years, maximum level for public sector pay enshrined in law
Salaries in the public and semi-public sector are to be restricted to a maximum of 130% of a government minister’s pay packet under new legislation passed unanimously by the senate on Tuesday evening.
Nearly 50,000 chickens killed in farm fire
Some 48,000 chickens were killed in a fire at a poultry farm in the Utrecht village of Hekendorp early on Tuesday evening.
Vocational colleges want compensation for loss of integration courses
Four vocational training college groups are demanding €100m in damages from the social affairs ministry to compensate them for losing lucrative contracts to provide civic integration courses, the Volkskrant reports on Wednesday.
Tuesday 13 November 2012
Hand grenade found in potatoes
A World War II hand grenade was found in a load of potatoes at a potato processing plant in Dronten on Tuesday.
'Everyone will feel the pain', prime minister tells parliament
‘Everyone will feel the pain’ of the government’s strategy to get the budget deficit under control, prime minister Mark Rutte told parliament on Tuesday at the start of a debate on the new coalition’s plans.
Cutting infrastructure budget is the 'easy option'
The new coalition has chosen an easy solution to its budget problems by making an extra €280m in cuts to the infrastructure fund, transport sector firms said on Tuesday.
Deadline to prosecute serious crimes scrapped
The senate voted on Tuesday to scrap the statute of limitations for crimes carrying a 12-year prison sentence, including those concerning serious child abuse.
Dutch economic growth to remain fragile for years: report
The Dutch economy will grow by just 0.25% in 2013 and by no more than 0.5% in the foreseeable future, Rabobank economists write in a report presented on Tuesday.
Plan to scrap student grants may also be in trouble: FD
The government’s plan to replace student grants with loans may run into trouble in the upper house of parliament, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Tuesday.
Univé to pay damage claims for Haren riots
Insurance company Univé said on Tuesday it will pay all its clients' claims for damage done at the Project X Haren riots, even damage that is not covered.
Pc and laptop sales down by 33%
Sales of pcs and laptops fell 33% in the Netherlands in the third quarter of this year, website nu.nl reports, quoting figures from the Gartner group.
Dog walkers set to catch thieves
Dog owners are in an ideal position to catch thieves when out walking their pets, Almere mayor Annemarie Jorritsma told the Telegraaf on Tuesday.
Starbucks under fire in Britain over Dutch tax deal
US coffee giant Starbucks came under attack in a British parliamentary commission on Monday for using the Netherlands to get round British taxes.
SNS Reaal 'saviour' accused of requesting sweeteners
The man who was in charge of restructuring the loss-making property arm of financial services group SNS Reaal has been accused of fraud, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Tuesday.
Vitesse star Bony wants to quit Holland for family visa reasons
Dutch premier division top scorer Wilfried Bony wants to leave the Netherlands as soon as possible because the government refuses to allow his family from Ivory Coast to visit him, the striker says in an interview with Nu.nl.
Aegon stops Ajax shirt sponsorship
Insurance group Aegon will stop its shirt sponsorship of Amsterdam football club Ajax in the summer of 2014, one year earlier than agreed in the contract.
Opposition divided on new coalition plans, debate set for today
Parliament will on Tuesday debate the new cabinet’s strategy for the next four years after a tumultuous two weeks in which one major plank of the Liberal-Labour alliances plans has been scrapped.
Finance minister will not be rushed on Greece bailout
The Netherlands will not be rushed into a decision on releasing the next tranche of bailout funds for Greece, finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem told the press ahead of Monday evening's meeting of EU finance ministers.
Prime minister apologises for healthcare premium commotion
Prime minister Mark Rutte on Monday evening apologised for the confusion over his new cabinet’s plans to introduce income-related heathcare insurance, saying ‘I have made a mistake’.
Many hbo students unsuitable for jobs market
Hbo college graduates are not ready for the jobs market and either have difficulty finding a job or need extra training from employers, according to research by students' jobs agency StudentenBureau.
Vestia wants millions of euros back from former CEO
Rotterdam housing corporation Vestia wants its former CEO Erik Staal to pay back millions of euros, according to the Telegraaf on Tuesday.
Monday 12 November 2012
Prime minister, senior officials in talks on coalition crisis
Prime minister Mark Rutte, Labour leader Diederik Samsom and other senior party officials are holding talks on Monday afternoon in an effort to get the new coalition government back on track.
German police track dangerous Dutch internet dater
German police have had 30 tips about a Dutch national who is believed to attack women he meets online.
Export growth remains slow in September
The increase in Dutch exports was just 2% in September, the third month in a row that exports have barely changed, the national statistics office CBS said on Monday.
Four arrested for trading in rare wild birds
Detectives in Limburg and Utrecht provinces have arrested four men in connection with an investigation into illegal animal trading, the public prosecution department said on Monday.
The Dutch need to improve their German: minister
The Dutch need to improve their standard of German if they want to keep the good relationship between the Netherlands and Germany at the same level, foreign affairs minister Frans Timmermans said in an interview with German paper Die Welt.
Elephants to be moved from Emmen zoo after family dispute
A mother elephant, her two sons and a daughter are to be found a new home by Emmen zoo officials after a power struggle within the herd.
Two more teenagers jailed for Facebook murder
A 16-year-old girl and her 18-year-old boyfriend have been given two years in youth custody followed by three years in a psychiatric clinic (one suspended) for their role in the murder of another teenager after a dispute on Facebook.
Financial sector angry at extra central bank regulatory costs
Insurance companies and banks are embroiled in a conflict with the Dutch central bank about increases in the cost of regulatory supervision, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Monday, quoting market sources.
Opposition wants rethink on student travel plans
The government’s plan to scrap free travel for students and replace it with a discount card should be dropped, according to all the main opposition parties.
Speed skating season kicks off with Dutch championships
This winter's speed skating season kicked off at the weekend with the Dutch distance championships, which saw the return of Sven Kramer in the 5,000 metres and a new 10,000 metres champion.
PSV moves into premier divison lead as Twente draws
A 5-1 win over Heerenveen put PSV Eindhoven in the lead of the premier division in this weekend’s football action after Twente was held to a goalless draw by league number three Vitesse.
Dutch Farc guerilla admits attacks, says no-one was hurt
Dutch Farc guerilla Tanja Nijmeijer has admitted her involvement in an attack on a bus during interviews with several Dutch media outlets.
Police break up Schiphol airport drug smuggling ring
At least 20 people have been arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport as part of a six-month investigation into a drug smuggling ring.
One shot dead, another seriously injured at kickboxing gala
One man was shot dead and another, possibly his brother, seriously injured in a shooting incident at a kickboxing event in the Brabant village of Zijtaart on Sunday.
Sunday 11 November 2012
Support for coalition plummets in new poll
The continuing row over the new Dutch government’s now-cancelled plan to redistribute wealth via health insurance has led to a further drop in support for both parties in the latest Maurice de Hond opinion poll.
Saturday 10 November 2012
Education ministry wants answers on mosque school allegations
Hundreds of children are living in boarding houses run by mosques, some of which are not fire-safe and others which are illegal, the NRC reported on Saturday.
Tax increase likely option to replace health insurance plan
An increase in income tax is likely to replace the new coalition's plans to reduce the income gap between rich and poor, according to media reports at the weekend.
Scrapping the health insurance reforms: What the papers say
The decision by the new cabinet to drop its plans to make health insurance premiums income-dependent created a great deal of comment in the weekend papers.
Friday 09 November 2012
Crisis talks on health insurance continue, plan set to be ditched
The new Dutch coalition is set to drop its controversial plan to make health insurance premiums income-related after an unprecedented backlash from supporters and party elders.
Supermarket association wants to scrap Sunday pay rates
The extra pay for supermarket staff who work on Sundays should be scrapped, supermarket owners' association Vakcentrum Detailhandel said on Friday.
Frisian gene linked to heart problems in northern provinces
A gene mutation identified in more than 100 Dutch families from northern parts of the country is thought to be linked to heart muscle problems, Nos television reports on Friday.
Riot police claim damages for Project X Haren injuries
Eleven members of the elite riot police ME are attempting to claim damages for injuries received during the September Facebook riots in Haren, Nos television reports.
Dna and tv crime show tip-off solves 15-year-old double murder
Two men, suspected of murdering two elderly Amsterdammers in 1997, have admitted the killing, the public prosecution department said on Friday.
Small firms want changes to sick pay rules
Small firm bosses say they should not be made to foot the bill if workers take unnecessary risks with their health and end up claiming sick pay, the Telegraaf reports on Friday.
Rail users complain to competition watchdog over Belgian routes
Train users group Rover has made a formal complaint to the competition authority NMa about the sharp increase in fairs on the Rotterdam to Antwerp route from next month.
Civil servant arrested in super rich robbery probe
A civil servant who works for The Hague city council has been arrested as part of an investigation into a gang of burglars who preyed on wealthy people on the Quote 500 rich list, news agency ANP said on Friday.
Firms warn government on innovation cuts: we won't fill the gap
Companies do not plan to fill up the gaps left by the government’s €110m cut in innovation subsidies, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Friday.
Disappointment for PSV and Twente in Europa League
PSV Eindhoven is now bottom of Group F in the Europa League football competition after losing 1-0 away to AIK of Sweden on Thursday night.
Dozens arrested as Dutch, British police break up sham marriage gang
At least 23 Dutch nationals of Antillean origin and dozens of people in Britain have been arrested this week in an ongoing joint operation to break up a sham marriage ring, the Dutch public prosecution service said on Friday.
Ministers silent after crisis talks to solve health premium row
The new Dutch coalition is to amend its controversial plan to make health insurance premiums income-related after an unprecedented backlash from supporters and party elders.
Thursday 08 November 2012
Deer cull planned in case 'too many' use wildlife bridge
Gelderland provincial council has agreed to cull a number of wild deer to ensure that only manageable numbers use the special wildlife bridge over a motorway and railway, local paper De Stentor reports on Thursday.
Volendam drugs consumption high in European terms
An analysis of waste water from the Noord-Holland town of Volendam shows its inhabitants use more cocaine and ecstasy than in major European cities such as Milan, Paris and London.
Income-dependent health premiums may conflict with Brussels rules
The new government's plans to make health insurance premiums largely income-dependent and paid for via tax receipts may conflict with EU rules on state support for industry, the head of the health insurance company association said on Thursday.
Insurance group Delta Lloyd says operating profit may slip 10%
Banking and insurance group Delta Lloyd on Thursday said its operating profit may be down 10% this year, compared with 2011.
Private school for 'vulnerable' children shut following sex scandal
A private school in Valkenswaard which caters to 'vulnerable' and autistic children aged eight to 18 has been closed following a sex scandal.
Aegon underlying earnings rise by almost one-third in Q3
Aegon boosted underlying profits by almost one-third to €472m in the third quarter of this year, the insurance company said in a statement on Thursday.
Inflation reaches 4-year high
The official Dutch inflation rate rose to 2.9% in October, its highest level in four years, the national statistics office CBS said on Thursday.
Heijmans cuts 200 jobs in house building division
Building company Heijmans said on Thursday it is cutting 200 out of 875 jobs at its residential housing division because of falling orders and thin margins.
Dutch Farc rebel addresses news conference
The Dutch Farc guerrilla Tanja Nijmeijer has taken part in a news conference in Cuba on behalf of the Colombian rebel group.
No-one missing after blast at power plant in Nijmegen: update
No-one is missing following the explosion at a power plant in Nijmegen on Thursday morning, according to a police update.
CZ, VGZ cut cost of basic health insurance by a fraction
Health insurance giant CZ said on Thursday it is cutting the cost of its basic health insurance policy by €2.20 a month to €105.60.
Enviroment ministry tells staff to work at home
The infrastructure and environment ministry is taking steps to discourage 13,000 civil servants from driving to work, Nos television reports on Thursday.
Dutch doping authority can't catch big cheats, says director
The Dutch doping authority, which aims to catch sport cheats who boost their performance using drugs, does not have the capacity to trace serious cases, director Herman Ram says in Thursday’s Trouw.
Dutch foreign minister condemns Israel's new settlement plans
New foreign affairs minister Frans Timmermans made it clear on Wednesday the Dutch government does not support Israel’s plans to build new housing in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Wednesday 07 November 2012
Parents of Farc rebel Nijmeijer have phone call with their daughter
The parents of a Dutch woman who joined Colombia’s Farc rebels 10 years ago had a short telephone conversation with their daughter on Tuesday night.
Letter bomb sent to ABN Amro branch in Rijswijk
Explosives expert have dismantled a letter bomb sent to a branch of ABN Amro bank in Rijswijk, news agency ANP reports.
Oranje sinks again on Fifa world rankings
The Netherlands has slipped to seventh place in the Fifa rankings of the world's best football teams after being overtaken by Italy.
The Dutch economy is recovering slowly, says Brussels
The Netherlands is 'slowly emerging from the economic doldrums' but the recovery in 2013 and 2014 will be modest as domestic demand remains weak, the European Commission said in its autumn growth forecast on Wednesday.
Cabinet plans will hit more households harder than forecast
Nearly six in 10 people will have less money to spend each month because of the new cabinet’s policies, according to calculations sent to parliament by social affairs minister Lodewijk Asscher.
Obama is re-elected US president: What the Dutch papers say
Too late for the morning editions, how have the Dutch media reacted to Barack Obama's re-election as president of the US?
Dutch PM congratulates Obama, looks forward to four more years
Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte has congratulated Barack Obama on his re-election as president of the United States and says he looks forward to continuing their ‘excellent’ working relationship, news agency ANP reports on Wednesday.
ING to cut 2,350 jobs as Q3 earnings drop sharply
Financial service group ING on Wednesday announced plans to cut its workforce by 2,350, describing the plan as ‘painful’.
Project X Haren arrest total set to reach 100
Ten more people were arrested on Tuesday night in connection with the Project X Haren riots, after a party announced on Facebook went viral in September.
Ajax draws second Manchester City leg
Amsterdam football club Ajax drew its second Champions League match against English league champions Manchester City 2-2 on Tuesday evening.
'SNS Reaal in talks on converting state aid to major shareholding'
Financial services group SNS Reaal is talking to the finance ministry about how to deal with its loss-making property subsidiary, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Wednesday.
Tuesday 06 November 2012
The latest diet advice: take smaller mouthfuls to feel full sooner
Taking smaller mouthfuls of food improves the taste and leads to lower levels of consumption, food scientists at Wageningen University have found.
Court cases and reports as spending power row rumbles on
The traditional first debate between the new cabinet and parliament may not take place on Thursday as confusion over the effect of the coalition agreement on spending power rumbles on.
Dutch cyclists named in drugs report
Two professional Dutch cyclists are named in legal documents drawn up following informal questioning of a suspected Austrian doping dealer, the NRC reports.
Princess stamps sell well
A set of stamps featuring the three daughters of prince Willem-Alexander and princess Máxima have brought in a record €11.6m, compared with €10m last year.
'Wietpas' costs Maastricht €500,000 in lost income
Maastricht council has lost out on over €500,000 in fines and parking tickets, mainly as a result of the marijuana or 'wiet' card, a council spokesman confirmed on Tuesday.
Exports back at pre-crisis level
The Netherlands is importing and exporting goods and services at a similar level to pre-crisis 2008, according to research by ING economists.
OFT looks into ING Direct UK takeover
The Office of Fair Trading has opened an inquiry into the effects of the takeover of ING Direct UK by Barclays, the British watchdog said on Tuesday.
Second arrest in Agnus Dei school abuse probe
A second worker at the Agnus Dei private school in Valkenswaard has been arrested on suspicion of 'inappropriate unethical behaviour', news agency ANP said on Tuesday.
Convicted terrorist wants leave to complete his degree
Junior justice minister Fred Teeven has been asked to reconsider his decision to ban a young convicted terrorist from going on leave so he can work towards completing his business economics degree.
De Rijp and Amstelveen on Beatrix' Queen's Day agenda
Queen Beatrix and the rest of the royal family will celebrate next year’s Koninginnedag on April 30 in the Noord-Holland village of De Rijp and in Amstelveen.
Councils do well out of parking fees
Councils are doing very nicely out of parking fees, with an increase of 38% in car park charges over the past five years compared with a 20.3% rise in total income, according to figures from the home affairs ministry.
Van der Sar poised to join Ajax board
Former keeper and Dutch international Edwin van der Sar is poised to join the management board at Amsterdam football club Ajax, the Telegraaf reports on Tuesday.
DSM profit drops in Q3
Limburg-based specialty chemicals group DSM on Tuesday announced turnover down 7% and a drop in net profit of 52% at €81m.
Parents of suicide youth want investigation into internet bullying
The parents of a 20-year-old youth who killed himself after being constantly bullied have made a formal police complaint against a person who wrote false statements about him on the internet, the Telegraaf reports on Tuesday.
Dutch Muslims are becoming more religious
An increasing number of second generation Dutch Muslims are visiting the mosque at least once a week, according to research published by the goverment's socio-cultural policy unit SCP.
Business as usual, as prime minister leads Turkish trade mission
Prime minister Mark Rutte leads a two-day trade mission to Turkey on Tuesday, accompanied by Lilianne Ploumen, the new minister for foreign trade and development aid.
SNS Reaal considers its options for property finance problems
SNS Reaal is considering a new share issue as a possible option for its property investment problems, the Financieele Dagblad reported on Tuesday.
Dutch Farc rebel Tanja Nijmeijer arrives in Cuba
Tanja Nijmeijer, the Dutch woman who joined the Colombian guerrilla group Farc 10 years ago, arrived in Cuba on Monday evening to take part in peace talks.
Reducing the income gap is a 'reasonable desire', says prime minister
Liberal VVD voters will be able to live with the new government's healthcare plans and the redistribution of wealth so dear to the heart of Labour (PvdA) is a 'very reasonable desire', prime minister Mark Rutte told the Telegraaf on Tuesday.
Monday 05 November 2012
Parents stunned by reaction after publishing son's suicide note
The suicide of a 20-year-old youth became headline news on Monday after his parents included the text of his suicide note in a newspaper death notice.
Diplomats are concerned about International Criminal Court
Diplomats in The Hague are concerned about the way the Netherlands is acting in its role as host of the International Criminal Court, website nu.nl reports on Monday.
Biggest health insurer freezes basic premium, top-ups rise 8%
The Netherlands' biggest health insurance group Achmea is freezing the premium for the basic health insurance package next year.
Students will go to fewer classes if travel card is scrapped
Some six out of 10 students say they will attend fewer lectures if the government replaces their free travel cards with discount cards, according to a poll for television show EenVandaag.
Opposition won't hold debate until spending power is clear
The four big opposition parties have said they will not debate with ministers until they have handed over all the spending power estimates made during the coalition formation process.
New cabinet poses with queen, but had to be sworn in twice
The new Liberal-Labour Dutch cabinet, made up of 12 ministers and prime minister Mark Rutte, was officially sworn in on Monday.
Health minister opposes tougher tobacco rules, says RTL news
European plans to put 'gruesome' photographs on cigarette packets and ban vending machines are opposed by Dutch health minister Edith Schippers, RTL news reports on Monday.
PostNL posts Q3 operating loss
The shrinking postal market, a difficult reorganisation and the falling stock market price of TNT Express, helped push PostNL into the red in the third quarter of this year.
Social media used to sell illegal fireworks
Facebook, online salesrooms and blogs are an increasingly popular channel for selling extra powerful fireworks, Nos television reports on Monday.
More smokers in the Netherlands
The number of smokers in the Netherlands will have risen to 26.2% of the adult population by the end of this year, anti-smoking lobby Stivoro says on its website.
Hybrid cars can be less fuel efficient than forecast
Hybrid cars, which run on both electricity and petrol, are less energy-efficient than thought, according to research for Nos television.
New cabinet to be sworn in by queen Beatrix , live on television
New ministers will be sworn in by queen Beatrix on Monday morning and for the first time in history, the event will be broadcast live on television.
CSM may consider selling its name
Food group CSM may also be willing to sell its name alongside the bakery ingredients division, chief executive Gerard Hoetmer says in an interview with Monday’s Financieele Dagblad.
Bankruptcy fraud monitoring system fails to do the job: FD
A get-tough approach to bankruptcy fraud launched in June 2011 has failed to stop known offenders repeatedly setting up companies which then go bust, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Monday.
Sunday 04 November 2012
Alliance with Wilders did hurt the Netherlands' reputation
The previous coalition government, which involved Geert Wilders’ anti-Islam PVV in a supporting role, did have an image problem abroad, civil service documents supplied to website nu.nl show.
Support for VVD plunges as health insurance premium crisis continues
Support for the right-wing VVD has plunged since the effect of the new coalition’s plans for health insurance have become clear, according to the latest Maurice de Hond opinion poll.
Saturday 03 November 2012
Equalising income should be celebrated, says Labour chairman
Labour party supporters have no problem with the new coalition’s income policy, which includes income-related health insurance premiums and cutting the tax break on mortgages, PvdA chairman Hans Spekman says in Saturday’s AD.
Friday 02 November 2012
New cabinet takes different approach to Middle East policy
The new cabinet will switch strategies in terms of contributing to the peace process between Israel and the Palestinian territories, new foreign minister Frans Timmermans told Nos television on Friday.
Booking a holiday in Germany or Belgium can save hundreds of euros
Booking a holiday or travel via a German or Belgian travel agency can save hundreds of euros, the consumers association Consumentenbond said on Friday.
Almost two-thirds of Dutch expats plan to come home
Some 62% of Dutch nationals who work abroad plan to return home, according to research by international mobility company Intelligence Group.
Salmonella salmon claims fourth victim
A fourth person has died after eating smoked salmon infected with salmonella bacteria, the public health institute RIVM said on Friday.
Dozens of Dutch embassies to close in new round of cuts
Dozens of Dutch embassies and diplomatic missions will be forced to close because the new cabinet is cutting €40m from their budget, the NRC reports on Friday.
Health insurance group Menzis will pay for euthanasia clinic help
Health insurance group Menzis said on Friday it will pay the cost for people who ask for help from the voluntary euthanasia society’s special clinic.
Sandwich shops and coffee bars are winning ground in Holland
Smart sandwich shops and coffee bars are winning ground over traditional cafes and restaurants, according to new research by ING economists.
Housing corporation makes €230m loss on passenger ship
A former passenger liner, bought by a Rotterdam housing corporation and turned into a hotel and restaurant complex for almost €260m, has been finally sold to a hotel group.
Tax havens popular with Dutch banks
The Netherlands’ biggest banks ABN Amro, ING and Rabobank have dozens of subsidiaries based on tax havens such as the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Mauritius, the Financieele Dagblad states on Friday.
VVD on the offensive over coalition deal ahead of congress
The right-wing VVD Liberals are organising a string of regional meeting at which the party’s 41 MPs will explain the coalition agreement with Labour, news agency ANP reports on Friday.
Thursday 01 November 2012
Health care premiums: what the papers say
The new coalition's plans to introduce income-dependent healthcare premiums dominates the front pages of Thursday's papers.
First division side Den Bosch knocks Twente out of the Cup
Football club Den Bosch, currently 12th in the first division, knocked premier league leader Twente out of the KNVB Cup on Thursday evening.
Health insurance premium plan awakens Liberal fury
Some 6,000 member of the VVD Liberal party have already lodged their objections to plans to hike health insurance premiums to almost €500 a month for higher earners, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Thursday.
Lower gas and oil prices drive Shell earnings
Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell booked net profit of $6.1bn in the third quarter of this year, compared with $7.2bn in the same quarter a year ago, based on the current cost of supplies.
ING to charge house-buying clients €2,100 for mortage advice
Financial service group ING will charge clients who are buying a new home €2,100 for mortgage advice, the same as ABN Amro.
Winter sport holiday bookings drop 9%
The number of winter holiday bookings is down by around 50,000 compared with a year ago, according to travel agency association ANVR.
Voluntary euthanasia clinic has three inquiries a week
In total, 456 people have registered with a special clinic set up by the voluntary euthanasia society NVVE in March this year.
Supermarkets stock more organic products
Supermarkets sell an average of 141 different organic products, up 22% on a year ago, according to environmental group Milieudefensie’s latest calculations.
Many Chinese massage parlours are a front for prostitution
Some 50% of the Chinese massage parlours in the Netherlands are a front for illegal brothels, according to the results of a two-year investigation by the public prosecution department.
Amsterdam will not ban tourists from coffee shops, says mayor
Tourists can continue to use Amsterdam’s 220 cannabis cafes, even if they are not resident in the Netherlands, the Volkskrant quotes the capital’s mayor Eberhard van der Laan as saying on Thursday.
Russian industrial giant takes over Argos Oil
Rotterdam-based oil trading group Argos Oil is being taken over by Russian industrial group Sistema, the company said in a website statement.
Man convicted of planning terror attacks has sentence cut
A man convicted of plotting to carry out terrorist attacks in the Netherlands has had his sentence reduced to 10.5 years in jail on appeal.
Banks switch to no-swipe payment cards
Dutch banks ING and ABN Amro are switching to new bank cards next year which will allow their customers to pay for small items without having to swipe the cards.
Heineken heiress leads revamped rich list
The Quote 500 rich list has a new leader after 14 years in Heineken heiress Charlene de Carvalho.
Opposition gears up to fight health insurance premium plans
The new coalition is not in office yet but opposition parties have already said they will torpedo the plan to make health insurance premiums income dependent.
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