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Thursday 28 February 2013
Pilot error to blame for Libya crash in 2010
The plane crash near Tripoli nearly three years ago in which 70 Dutch people died, was caused by pilot error, the Libyan investigators said on Thursday.  
Broad support needed for new reforms, creating jobs, says Rutte
The cabinet must continue its current economic strategy while looking for broad political support for reforms, prime minister Mark Rutte said on Thursday, following the publication of new economic forecasts.
More people fined for speeding over a stretch of road
The number of people caught driving too fast in speed traps – in which the speed is calculated over a stretch of road – doubled in 2012 compared with the year earlier, according to justice ministry figures.
Internet banking leads Rabobank to close branches, cut 3,000 jobs
The reorganisation announced earlier by Rabobank will cost 3,000 jobs over two years, the cooperative bank said on Thursday.
One-offs pressure Ahold profits
Retail group Ahold booked net profit of €827m last year, down from 2011's €1bn-plus net total, due to a number of one-off costs.
Criminals wait to serve jail time
Convicted criminals wait an average 14 months before they actually serve jail time, according to research by RTL news.
More cuts, tax increases inevitable, budget deficit to hit 3.4% next year
Unemployment will continue to rise and the Dutch budget deficit will hit 3.4% next year, above the crucial eurozone 3% limit, the government's macro-economic forecasting agency CPB said on Thursday.
Psychologists too quick to label children dyslexic, says minister
Psychologists should be slower in branding children dyslexic and the definition rules may have to be tightened up, according to junior education minister Sander Dekker.
Little enthusiasm for newcomer 'participation contract'
Only MPs from social affairs minister Lodewijk Asscher's own Labour party are enthusiastic about plans to make all newcomers to the Netherlands sign a 'participation contract', news agency ANP said on Wednesday evening.
70,000 southern Europeans live in the Netherlands
Some 70,000 people from Portugal, Greece, Spain and Italy now live in the Netherlands, up from almost 25,000 at the turn of the century, according to new figures from the national statistics office CBS.
AZ and PSV will meet in Dutch cup final
A 0-3 away win over Ajax gave Alkmaar football club AZ a place in the final of this year's KNVB Cup, in what commentators said was a 'listless' match.
Ministers will press ahead with total smoking ban, may take 18 months
The government will press ahead with a ban on smoking in all cafes and bars, including those under 70 m2 which are currently exempt, junior health minister Martin van Rijn is quoted as saying by Nos television.
Shell halts Alaskan drilling for this year
Oil giant Shell said on Wednesday it will pause its exploratory drilling operations in the seas off Alaska to 'prepare equipment and plans' to restart work in the region at a later stage.
DJ Afrojack smashes up his new Ferrari
Dutch DJ Afrojack, considered one of the best DJs in the world, smashed up his new red Ferrari on Wednesday, soon after picking it up from the garage.
Wednesday 27 February 2013
Celebrating the new king will cost Amsterdam €7m, says mayor
The celebrations in Amsterdam to mark the inauguration of king Willem-Alexander on April 30 will cost the city €7m, mayor Eberhard van der Laan said on Wednesday.
Dutch payments to Brussels will go down, says minister
The cabinet expects to pay a smaller net contribution to Brussels between 2014 and 2020, foreign minister Frans Timmermans told parliament on Wednesday.
Five youths arrested in connection with violent attack, caught on video
Five youths have been arrested following the broadcast of security camera footage showing a violent attack on a 25-year-old man in Oosterhout in Noord Brabant last month.
Ministers and top officials' expenses claims to be made public
The expenses claimed by ministers, junior ministers and senior civil servants are to be made public online on a monthly basis, Nos television said on Wednesday.
PSV accepts three match suspension for Jeremain Lens
PSV Eindhoven has accepted the three-match suspension imposed on player Jeremain Lens by the Dutch football association for his attack on Feyenoord's Joris Mathijsen after last Sunday's match.
Insurance giant Achmea books €453m profit in 2012
Insurance group Achmea booked net profit of €453m in 2012, overturning the €208m loss booked in 2011. The negative result was due to write-offs on its life activities and Greek state bonds.
Tax office to focus on deductibles
The tax office will cast a close eye on deductions in this year's tax returns, particularly costs incurred in connection with mortgages, single premium annuities and healthcare, junior finance minister Frans Weekers said on Wednesday.
More cuts on the cards, as government ponders €4bn package
The government is poised to take extra measures to raise a further €3.5bn to €4bn for the treasury next year, according to media reports on Wednesday.
Calls to make possessing tobacco a criminal offence for under-16s
Tobacconists and petrol station owners are calling on parliament to make it a criminal offence for the under-16s to be caught with tobacco products, the Telegraaf reports on Wednesday.
Amsterdam to raise prostitution age, bring in brothel closing hours
Amsterdam city council has decided to press ahead with increasing the minimum age for prostitution to 21 and will also introduce early morning closing hours for all brothels.
Coffee group DE Masterblenders revises down forecast
Coffee and tea group DE Masterblenders, listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange since last year, said on Wednesday its 2013 sales and margin will be lower than earlier forecast.
Church sexual abuse victim takes action over physical attacks
A 59-year-old man who was sexually assaulted once by church officials while living in a Catholic boarding school in Limburg is taking legal action against the church for years of physical abuse.
Major funeral insurer merger on the cards
The numbers two and three companies in the Dutch funeral insurance sector are planning to merge, the Financieele Dagblad reports.
Investors take on Dutch central bank over SNS
Four investors in nationalised financial services group SNS Reaal are taking legal action against the Dutch central bank, saying it is mainly responsible for the expropriation of their shares.
Cheaper pills policy saves up to €900m
Insurance companies have saved a combined €750m to €900m over the past five years by ensuring patients are given cheaper generic drugs rather than branded medicine, the Dutch health authority NZa said on Wednesday.
Tuesday 26 February 2013
Russia's anti-gay bill may infringe fundamental rights: Dutch minister
Russia's insistence on pressing ahead with anti-gay information legislation may 'infringe fundamental rights,' Dutch foreign minister Frans Timmermans said on Tuesday at a news conference in Moscow.
Dutch pensioners doing well, few in child poverty, EU figures show
Dutch pensioners are well-off when compared with their counterparts in the rest of the European Union, figures for 2011 from the EU's statistics agency Eurostat show.
Minister avoids 'legal swamp', no probe into what went wrong at SNS
The government will not order a far-reaching inquiry into what went wrong at financial services group SNS Reaal, which was nationalised at the beginning of this month.
Animal rights group disappointed at cheap chicken agreement
There is little enthusiasm at animal rights group Wakker Dier for the agreement reached between supermarkets, abattoirs and poultry farms to start phasing out cheap broiler chickens in 2015.
Senate approves creation of super watchdog
The creation of a new super watchdog combining the competition authority, telecoms regulator Opta and the consumer affairs body Consumentenauthoriteit became a reality on Tuesday as senators voted in favour of the plan.
Top civil servant to head Dutch banking association
Top civil servant Chris Buijink, currently secretary general of the economic affairs ministry, is the new chairman of the Dutch banking association NVB.
Neo-nazi guilty of inciting hatred and discrimination
The chairman of Dutch neo-nazi party Nederlandse Volks-Unie has been given 40 hours community service and a two-week suspended jail sentence for his role in an anti-foreigner demonstration in 2011.
Customs officials seize 10 million black market cigarettes
Customs officials in Tilburg have seized a consignment of some 10 million black market cigarettes and arrested a 68-year-old man.
Orthodox Jew fined for failing to produce ID on the Sabbath
An orthodox Jew has been found guilty by a court in The Hague of failing to produce an ID card because it was against his religious principles to carry any object on Saturday, the Jewish sabbath.
This winter is too long: survey
Some 95% of us have had enough of winter and are longing for the spring, according to research by website weeronline.
Eindhoven attack extradition postponed again
The decision on extraditing five youths wanted in connection with an attack in Eindhoven was postponed for the second time by a Belgian court on Tuesday.
Small schools are invaluable: Labour party
Small primary schools with under 100 pupils should not be closed because they are of 'incalculable worth', according to the Labour party.
Dutch MEP invites British firms to move to the 'stable' Netherlands
A member of the European parliament for the VVD has written an open letter to British companies inviting them to move operations to the Netherlands because of the uncertainty about Britain’s future relationship with the EU.
Hospitals refuse cooperation with public prosecutor because they are afraid
Doctors and hospital staff often obstruct investigations by the public prosecutor into medical mistakes out of misplaced fear, according to public prosecutor Marjolein van Eykelen in the Telegraaf.
Steve McClaren quits as FC Twente trainer after poor results
Steve McClaren is standing down as trainer at football club FC Twente following a string of disappointing results for the team this year.
Horse meat found at just two companies: interim report
Horsemeat has been found at two meat-handling companies, but no traces were found so far in other samples of Dutch beef products, according to an interim report from food safety body NVWA.
Rethink extra tax on housing corporations, lobby groups urge senate
Housing corporation umbrella group Aedes, building unions and tenants' groups on Tuesday urged the upper house of parliament not to pass legislation imposing a €1.8bn extra tax on the corporations.
Pension asset manager APG to boost spending on infrastructure: FD
Asset manager APG, which runs the giant ABP pension fund and construction sector fund bfpBouw, is planning to increase its investment in infrastructure by some 50% over the ‘coming years’, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Tuesday.
Cheap chicken set to disappear by 2020, but exports will continue
Cheap, fast-bred broiler chicken - known as plofkip - is set to disappear from Dutch supermarket shelves from 2015 and to be completely phased out by 2020, faster than originally agreed.
'Cuts will force thousands of handicapped out of group homes'
Thousands of people with a mental handicap will be left to fend for themselves under government plans to increase care in the community, according to an analysis of the proposals by researchers at Erasmus University.
Huge fine expected for Rabobank in Libor rate-fixing scandal
Rabobank is likely to be fined at least $440m for its role in the Libor interest rate-fixing scandal, press agency Bloomberg said on Tuesday.
King's inauguration committee publishes plans, looks for funding
The public contributions to the inauguration of king Willem-Alexander at the end of April will be put together under the motto mijn droom voor ons land, inspiratie for onze koning - my dream for our country, inspiration for our king.
Monday 25 February 2013
Council of State approves SNS nationalisation, minister was not wrong
The Council of State on Monday rejected appeals from hundreds of shareholders and said finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem did not break the law in nationalising financial services group SNS earlier this month.
Dutch firms implicated in organic egg scandal
Some 36 Dutch chicken farms are implicated in a German inquiry into fraud with organic eggs, the public prosecution department told broadcaster Nos on Monday.
'The Netherlands continues to discriminate against Iranian students'
The Netherlands is continuing to discriminate against Iranian students by requiring a special permit for some studies, despite a high court ruling last year which says this is illegal.
Ikea withdraws meatballs from Dutch stores in horse meat scare
Swedish furniture giant Ikea has withdrawn frozen meatballs from its food department after traces of horse meat were found in meatballs in the Czech Republic.
Two-thirds of the Dutch feel European, says EU survey
By the end of last year, 67% of Dutch nationals felt European, compared with 60% at the start of 2012, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey.
Higher bonuses for Philips executives
Senior executives at electronics giant Philips were given sharply higher bonuses in 2012 than 2011, the company's annual report shows.
PSV fines apologetic Lens for attack on Mathijsen
Football club PSV Eindhoven has imposed the 'maximum penalty' on Jeremain Lens following a confrontation between the player and Feyenoord's Joris Mathijsen in the tunnels on Sunday.
Council of State to rule on SNS nationalisation
The Council of State will later on Monday give its verdict in the case brought by hundreds of shareholders in SNS Reaal against the government's decision to nationalise the financial services group.
Ajax draw as league leaders PSV lose
Ajax failed to capitalise on league leader PSV’s defeat in this weekend’s football action, needing a late goal to force a 1-1 draw against ADO Den Haag.
PostNL back pedals on plans to sack thousands of delivery workers
Dutch postal company PostNL has revised its plans to replace 10,000 postal delivery workers by freelancers, saying it wants to use the experience of its permanent staff.
The Netherlands needs a broad debate over 'dealing with the elderly'
The Netherlands needs to hold a broad debate about how best to take care of its elderly population over the next 10 to 15 years, according to the national ombudsman for the elderly Jan Romme.
Dutchman wins special effects Oscar for Life of Pi
Dutchman Erik-Jan de Boer won his first Oscar at Sunday night’s ceremony in the US for special effects in the film Life of Pi. De Boer was one of a team of four special effects experts involved in the film.
Hundreds of Tilburg shopkeepers defy Sunday shopping ban
Some 225 shops in Tilburg defied a ban on Sunday shopping and opened for business as normal, Nos television said.
Border checks pick up people smugglers and illegal immigrants
Random border controls by Dutch immigration police in 2012 led to 1,700 illegal immigrants being picked up and 250 cases of people smuggling being identified, Nos television reports.
Friday 22 February 2013
Rotterdam archaeologists find old shoe stuffed with medieval money
Archeologists in Rotterdam have found an old shoe stuffed with 477 silver coins during excavations behind the town hall.
Prince pays for drinks again, 33 years after palace pays beer mat bill
Prince Willem-Alexander has continued a royal tradition and paid for a round of drinks in a Limburg bar, after a cheeky request from local cafe-goer Foppe ten Broek.
Frozen food giant Iglo withdraws Chili Con Carne after finding horse
Frozen food giant Iglo has withdrawn packages of Chili Con Carne with rice from sale in the Netherlands after it was found to contain small amounts of horse meat.
Limburg to invest €43m in Chemelot industrial estate
Limburg's provincial government has agreed to pump €43.5m into the Chemelot Campus, an industrial estate for chemical companies and research institutes close to Sittard.
More gloomy Dutch economic figures, budget deficit to remain too high
The Dutch budget deficit will remain around 3.6% of gross national product for the next two years, well above the eurozone limit of 3%, according to new European Commission figures published on Friday.
US manufacturer expects major JSF fighter jet sales
American aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin has told the Financieele Dagblad it is fully confident the Netherlands will buy 85 of the controversial JSF fighter jets, despite doubts in the Dutch parliament.
FNV trade union to decide early March on negotiation priorities
The FNV trade union federation will decide on March 4 what its priorities will be in the forthcoming spring round of talks with ministers and employers.
Ralph Hamers tipped to succeed Jan Hommen at ING
Ralph Hamers, the current head of ING's operations in Belgium, will take over as chief executive when Jan Hommen steps down this year, the Financieele Dagblad said on Friday.
Crime victims should have a say in sentencing, says minister
The victims of crimes should be able to speak in court about the sentence they think the perpetrator should be given, junior justice minister Fred Teeven says in a parliamentary briefing on Friday.
Air France-KLM is deeper in the red, losses mount to €1.2bn
Airline Air France-KLM booked a loss of €1.2bn last year, up from a loss of €809m in 2011, as kerosene prices continue to rise.
More households have mortgage arrears, forced to sell their home
The number of households at least four months behind on their mortgage repayments rose 25% last year, according to debt registration agency BKR.
Ajax out of Europa League after penalty shoot out
Ajax is out of football's Europa League after a penalty shootout, the first in the competition's knock-out stage.
Thursday 21 February 2013
New home found for fighting elephants
Four elephants embroiled in a power struggle at Emmen zoo have been found a new home in Osnabrück, Germany, the zoo said on Thursday.
Former security service workers jailed for leaking information
Two former AIVD security service officials have been found guilty of leaking state secrets to a Telegraaf newspaper journalist by the appeal court in The Hague.
Celebrity lawyer Moszkowicz fights for his professional career
Dutch celebrity lawyer Bram Moszkowicz was fighting for his professional life on Thursday in a last-ditch effort not to be banned from practising.
EU says Holland discriminates against its pensioners abroad
Dutch pensioners who live abroad are being discriminated against because they are not given an extra payment to compensate for the loss of spending power, the European Commission said on Thursday.
Rotterdam refinery fined nearly €2m for illegal workers
An unnamed Rotterdam refinery has been fined nearly €2m for employing hundreds of Romanian workers without proper permits, RTL news said on Thursday.
Unemployment rate reaches 7.5%, consumer confidence hits record low
A string of gloomy figures from the national statistics office CBS on Thursday show the Dutch economy is still in crisis.
Consumer electronics shops hard hit by crisis
The Netherlands' consumer electronics shops saw combined sales fall 15% to €1.7bn last year, according to retail research group GfK.
Officials find cocaine in hollow tree
Customs officials in Guyana have discovered 314 kilos of cocaine hidden in hollowed-out trees which were destined for the Dutch market, news agency ANP reports.
Ombudsman to investigate medical care for refugees
National ombudsman Alex Brenninkmeijer is to investigate the medical care available to asylum seekers in the Netherlands, following reports that doctors tending people in the Ter Apel protest camp are unable to cope.
Football linesman death trial suspects to remain in jail
Six teenagers and one adult charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of a football linesman last year will appear in court for a preliminary hearing on March 11.
Amsterdam may go it alone on prostitution policy, increase age to 21
Amsterdam is considering going it alone in tightening its control of the sex industry after efforts to reach a new strategy at national level appear to have failed.
Local council spending cuts lead to community centre closures
Hundreds of community centres have been closed or are facing closure because of local authority spending cuts, the Volkskrant reports on Thursday.
Transport sector in trouble: 50% of firms don't make a profit
The Dutch transport sector has been hit hard by the economic crisis, with bankruptcies up 30% last year and only 50% of firms making a profit, according to new figures from sector association TLN.
Wednesday 20 February 2013
CapGemini limits pay cut for older workers to 20%
IT company CapGemini said on Wednesday it will limit the pay cut request to less-productive older workers to 20%, the Financieele Dagblad reports.
Government plans threaten hundreds of nursing homes: report
Hundreds of nursing homes are threatened with closure by the government's new funding plans, according to research by the Berenschot consulting group.
Office vacancy rate hits 16%
Some 16% of the Netherlands' office properties are vacant, an increase of 1.5 percentage points on a year ago, according to real estate association NVM.
Two Dutch scientists among 11 to share $33m science prize
Two Dutch scientists are among the 11 first-time winners of a new scientific prize founded by internet entrepreneurs Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Sergey Brin of Google together with venture capitalist Yuri Milner.
Sales of supermarket own label products rise 5%
Campina dairy products are the most popular A brand items in Dutch supermarkets followed by Marlboro cigarettes and Douwe Egberts coffee, according to market research group SymphonyIRI.
Nutrition now accounts for 70% of DSM's operating profit
Specialty chemicals group DSM booked net profit of €288m in 2012, down from €814m a year earlier. Group sales were flat at over €9bn.
Nieuwe Revu ditches crime boss Holleeder as columnist
Weekly magazine Nieuwe Revu is ending its contract with convicted kidnapper and blackmailer Willem Holleeder because his columns are not cost effective.
AkzoNobel to focus on boosting performance and efficiency in 2013
Paint and coatings group AkzoNobel said on Wednesday it had booked a 5% increase in 2012 full-year sales, driven by favourable currency effects and higher prices.
Solar power accounts for tiny fraction of Dutch production
Just 0.09% of the electricity used in the Netherlands is generated by solar power, the national statistics office CBS said on Wednesday.
McDonalds plans to open 15 new outlets in Holland
American fast food giant McDonalds hopes to open a further 15 outlets in the Netherlands over the next three years, on top of the 230 restaurants it already owns.
High-earners told to take legal action against one-off wealth tax
Tax advisors are recommending companies with staff earning more than €150,000 go to court to fight a newly-introduced 16% crisis tax demand.
CapGemini wants pay cuts for older staff of up to 30%, says union
IT company CapGemini is looking to cut the pay of some older workers by up to 30%, union officials have told the Financieele Dagblad
Patients say medical mistakes list should be public, but anonymous
Complaints made to the health service inspectorate about medical mistakes should be made public, but anonymously, according to patients' rights lobby group NPCF.
All foreigners in Holland should sign 'participation contract': minister
All foreigners who move to the Netherlands should be required to sign a contract in which they agree to uphold the Dutch constitution and the rule of law, according to social affairs minister Lodewijk Asscher.
Tuesday 19 February 2013
Temporary employment sector shrinks again
Turnover in the temporary employment sector will stabilise at best this year, ABN Amro economists said on Tuesday in a reaction to figures from sector association ABU.
5.8 million pensions will be cut this year as funds shore up assets
This year, an unprededented 68 Dutch pension funds will be forced to make pension cuts, affecting 5.8 million pensions, the sector federation said on Tuesday.
Fewer unaccompanied children arrive in Holland as refugees
In 2011, 485 youngsters under the age of 18 arrived in the Netherlands and claimed asylum, according to new figures from the national statistics office CBS.
Consumer authority tells Groupon to clean up its act
The Dutch consumer authority has told discount coupon website Groupon to improve its information to customers following a large number of complaints.
100 local councils must go, says minister
The number of local councils in the Netherlands should be reduced by 25, home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk said in a briefing document for MPs on Tuesday.
Holland set to keep all its European parliamentarians
The Netherlands looks set to keep its 26 seats in the European parliament, although the official vote on the redivision of seats does not take place until March.
Village buys back stolen statue
A church in the Limburg village of Gronsveld has bought back a statue stolen 37 years ago.
Queen's Day parties will go ahead, despite king's inauguration
Amsterdam mayor Eberhard van der Laan has appealed to local councils all over the country to make sure Queen’s Day celebrations continue as usual on April 30 despite the investiture of king Willem-Alexander.
Wilders' Australia trip in trouble: no speech location in Perth
One of the speeches which Dutch anti-Islam campaigner Geert Wilders was hoping to give in Australia has been scrapped from the itinerary because no suitable location has been found, RTL news reports.
Achmea to 'look again' at patients hit by Amsterdam hospital dispute
Health insurance giant Achmea has pledged to allow patients to switch insurer if they unhappy they can no longer be treated in Amsterdam's Slotervaart hospital.
Solar panels in trouble: some are a fire risk, others don't meet targets
Solar panels from Dutch manufacturer Scheuten Solar can burst into flames in bright sunlight, according to consumer product safety body VWA.
'Former head of SNS Reaal goes into hiding'
The former chief executive of financial services group SNS Reaal, which was nationalised earlier this month, has gone into hiding abroad after receiving threats, RTL news reports.
Want to buy a mammoth skeleton?
A Dutch collector has put an entire mammoth skeleton up for sale on the Dutch online auction site Marktplaats, with a starting bid of €275,000.
Asset manager Robeco sold to Orix
Rabobank announced on Tuesday it has sold its asset manager Robeco to the Japanese integrated financial services group Orix.
Monday 18 February 2013
After horse in lasagne, now it's bacteria in Swedish burgers
Dutch food safety inspectors on Monday carried out emergency checks on a meat processing firm in Enschede, following reports it had supplied meat contaminated with the potentially lethal EHEC bacteria to a Swedish wholesaler.
Fewer houses sold in January
Just 6,260 Dutch homes changed hands in January, a drop of nearly 12% on a year ago and 64% down on December, the land registry office Kadaster said on Monday.
Dutch royals pose for photos, a year after Friso's skiing accident
Members of the Dutch royal family posed for photographs in Lech, Austria on Monday, at the start of their traditional skiing holiday.
The Netherlands' third-biggest flower trader files for court protection
Aalsmeer-based Ciccolella Holding, the third biggest flower trading group on the Dutch market, has filed for court protection from creditors, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Monday.
TNT Express foresees difficult year
Package delivery service TNT Express posted a loss of €81m last year on turnover of €7.3bn. The loss was largely due to goodwill write-offs on operations in China and India, the company said.
More suspected fraudsters identified at SNS Reaal
Three more managers working at the property arm of nationalised financial services group SNS Reeal have been identified as possible suspects, the Telegraaf reports on Monday.
Dutch meat withdrawn from sale in Sweden following bacteria scare
The Swedish authorities have withdrawn some six tonnes of Dutch hamburger and kebab meat from sale after finding the potentially lethal EHEC bacteria in samples, news agency ANP reports on Monday.
Labour party investigates imposing a ban on visits to a prostitute
The Labour party has started an investigation into the possibility of criminalising visits to prostitutes, the AD reports on Monday.
Unions agree deals with benefits, like training, for members only
For the first time in Dutch trade union history, unions De Unie and the FNV have agreed deals which give extra benefits to members, the AD reports on Monday.
Sunday 17 February 2013
Kramer and Wüst retain world allround speed skating titles
Sven Kramer and Ireen Wüst on Sunday entered the record books in retaining their world allround speed skating titles at the championships in Hamar, Norway.
'At least 13 doctors who have been struck off are still treating patients'
At least 13 doctors and therapists who have been banned from practising in the Netherlands and Britain, are continuing to work, RTL news said at the weekend.
Veolia Transport up for sale
Veolia Transport, which provides bus and train services in parts of the Netherlands, has been put up for sale by its French parent company Veoliatransdev. 
Opposition raises doubts about treasury windfall of €3bn
Opposition MPs have raised their doubts about a financial windfall amounting to €3bn revealed by finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem on Friday.
Friday 15 February 2013
Dutch prime minister will give Europe speech 'at some point'
Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte will give a speech outlining the Dutch vision of Europe to the European parliament, foreign minister Frans Timmermans told BNR radio on Friday.
Prime minister denies haste over naming Máxima queen
Criticism of the decision to call princess Máxima queen once her husband Willem-Alexander becomes king on April 30 were shrugged off by the prime minister's office on Friday.
Gaza burial of two children is World Press Photo of the Year
Swedish photographer Paul Hansen has won the 2012 World Press Photo of the Year competition with a photograph of a group of men on their way to bury two children in Gaza.
Schiphol to invest in central 'security hall'
Amsterdam's Schiphol airport is to invest €350m in developing a 'central security hall', the airport authority said on Friday.
Amsterdam steakhouse boss admits selling horse for 63 years
Amsterdam steakhouse Piet de Leeuw has been selling horse fillets as beef for 63 years, owner Loek van Thiel admitted to the Parool on Friday.
Collapse of market-maker Van der Moolen was maladministration: court
The collapse of stockbroker and market-maker Van der Moolen in 2009 was due to bad management by its executives and supervisory board, the Amsterdam company court said on Friday.
50Plus party leader fined for hacking
Henk Krol, leader of the 50Plus political party, has been fined €750 for hacking into a medical information system while a provincial councillor in April 2012.
Stolen Dutch bikes end up abroad
Belgium, Germany and even Spain are common destinations for bikes stolen in the Netherlands, according to the bike theft expertise centre in the Telegraaf.
'Government's first-time buyer mortgage plan was devised by ING'
Government plans to help first-time buyers get a foot on the housing ladder were actually devised by financial services group ING, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Friday.
Aegon boosts final quarter earnings
Insurance group Aegon booked a 29% increase in underlying net profit to €447m in the fourth quarter of last year.
More than three million Germans visited Holland last year
Just over three million Germans visited the Netherlands last year for either business or pleasure, the Dutch tourist board NBTC said on Friday.
Rotterdam teens find it easy to buy beer
Teenagers in Rotterdam still find it easy to buy alcohol in cafes, clubs, shops and sports canteens, even if they are under the legal age of 16, according to city council research.
Ajax beats Steaua in Europa League knock-out first leg
Ajax has built up a 2-0 advantage against Romania's Steaua Bucharest after the first leg of their Europa League meeting.
MPs back advisory referendums
A majority of MPs on Thursday evening voted in favour of draft legislation which would sanction advisory referendums in the Netherlands.
Party focusing on over-50s soars in the polls
Fears that pensioners are being hard hit by the government's austerity measures continue to boost support for the 50Plus party, according to a new opinion poll.
Dutch mortgage rates are higher than in surrounding countries
Mortgage rates in the Netherlands are around one percentage point higher than in surrounding countries, according to the government's macro-economic think-tank CPB.
Several MPs will refuse to swear oath of allegiance to new king
At least two MPs from the Socialist Party have said they will not swear allegiance to King Willem-Alexander at his investiture in April because they are republicans.
Dutch food inspectors launch major probe into horse meat fraud
The Dutch food safety inspectorate has launched a major investigation into the fraudulent use of horse meat across some 100 Dutch companies, ranging from abbatoirs to supermarkets.
Thursday 14 February 2013
Education council calls for closure of hundreds of small schools
The education council is recommending the government close hundreds of primary schools because they have fewer than 100 pupils.
Teenagers in football linesman death case held for 30 more days
Three teenage boys, suspected of involvement in the death of an amateur football linesman last year, have been remanded in custody for a further 30 days.
Black ice warning in western and central areas, more snow to come
The KNMI weather bureau issued a code amber weather warning for western and central parts of the Netherlands on Thursday, saying there is a serious risk of black ice on the roads.
Rabobank to charge for mortgage advice after all
Rabobank has given way to pressure from the financial services authority AFM and will now charge customers for mortgage advice, even if they don’t buy a product.
Economy contracts again, the Netherlands is back in recession
The Dutch economy shrank by 0.2% in the final quarter of last year, meaning the Netherlands is now back in recession, according to initial estimates released by the national statistics office CBS on Thursday.
JSF jet does not fit in revised Dutch defence strategy, says institute
An armed forces which includes the controversial JSF jet fighter is the least attractive scenario for the future of the Dutch military, according to an assessment by the Clingendael institute.
Staffing agency Randstad books fourth quarter loss
Staffing agency Randstad booked a loss of €97m in the fourth quarter of last year following a goodwill write-off of almost €140m.
Albert Heijn supermarket withdraws lasagne as horse meat scandal spreads
The Albert Heijn supermarket chain has withdrawn lasagne sold under its Euroshopper budget brand because it was not labelled as containing horse meat as well as beef.
Dutch to hand over Kunduz police training to Afghan officials
The Netherlands will in July hand over the police training centre it has been running in the north Afghan region of Kunduz to the Afghan authorities, Nos television reports on Thursday.
Wednesday 13 February 2013
Reduced train services on Thursday as snow is set to fall again
Train services will be reduced again on Thursday in an effort to stop the railway network seizing up because of snow.
13-year-old boy's death was suicide, say police
The 13-year-old boy found dead in woods near Wassenaar last week committed suicide, police confirmed on Monday.
Dutchmen in horsemeat scandal found guilty of fraud last year
Two Dutch nationals implicated in the European horsemeat scandal were convicted of similar offences last year, according to Nos television.
Transport ministry scraps major road projects and railway investment
The transport ministry is to scrap planned spending totalling €6.4bn on new roads and improving the railways as part of the government's budget cuts.
Bible belt town bans S&M parties in holiday park
The local council in the Bible belt town of Staphorst has taken action to stop two houses in a local holiday park being used for organised S&M parties, broadcaster RTL news reports.
Former SNS Property Finance director arrested
A former director at SNS Property Finance was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of money laundering and embezzlement, the NRC reported on Wednesday.
Breda meat company implicated in widening horsemeat scandal
Breda-based meat trading group Nemijtek has been visited by food safety inspectors in connection with the ongoing horsemeat scandal, local broadcaster Omroep Brabant said on Wednesday.
Last December was worst for retailers in 10 years
Last December was the worst for Dutch shopkeepers in 10 years, with sales falling 4% compared with December 2011, according to the national statistics office CBS.
Housing reform compromise to cost €200m a year, says minister
Plans to reform the housing sector worked out by the government and three opposition parties will cost the treasury some €200m a year in lost income, housing minister Stef Blok said on Wednesday.
Amsterdam dumps the 'A' word
Amsterdam city council is to stop using the words 'allochtoon' and 'autochtoon' to differentiate between locals and immigrants, the Telegraaf reports on Wednesday.
SNS Reaal makes complaint against former Property chief
Nationalised financial services group SNS Reaal has made a formal complaint to the public prosecution department about a former member of the board at its troubled property arm Property Finance.
Thousands of soldiers fail or miss annual fitness test
Thousands of Dutch soldiers are not fit enough to pass their annual fitness test, or fail to take it through injury or illness, the AD reports on Wednesday.
Inflation reaches 3%, its highest level since 2008
The Dutch rate of inflation rose to 3% in January, its highest level since September 2008, the national statistics office CBS said on Wednesday.
KLM to introduce charges for suitcases
Dutch airline KLM is to introduce fees for baggage, in line with the trend set by budget carriers.
Cabinet waters down housing reform plans to please opposition
The cabinet has agreed to water down its proposals to kickstart the housing market in return for support from three opposition parties.
ING to cut a further 2,400 jobs as online banking takes off
A further 2,400 jobs are to go at ING, of which 1,400 will be cut in the Netherlands, the financial services group said on Wednesday.
Tuesday 12 February 2013
MPs say yes to extending smoking ban to all cafes and bars
A small majority of MPs voted on Tuesday afternoon for a motion to reinstate a complete ban on smoking in restaurants, bars and cafes.
Police may get right to keep number plate records for four weeks
The government is considering allowing the police to keep all the number plates recorded on traffic cameras for four weeks.
House prices stabilise in fourth quarter
House prices stabilised in the fourth quarter of 2012 and more houses were sold, according to Rabobank economists in their latest report on the housing market.
Terror suspect extradition in doubt
Dutch-Pakistani terror suspect Sabir K will not be extradited to the US unless the American authorities agree to treat him for his psychological problems, justice minister Ivo Opstelten said on Tuesday.
Programme announced for change of monarch on April 30
The state information service RVD on Tuesday announced the programme for April 30, when queen Beatrix will abdicate and prince Willem-Alexander will become king.
Wheelchair tennis star retires
Esther Vergeer, the 'golden girl' of wheelchair tennis, announced her retirement from the sport on Tuesday.
Belgium will extradite five suspects in Eindhoven beating
Five teenagers said to be involved in an attack on a man in Eindhoven last month will be extradited from Belgium to face a court hearing, the Belgian authorities have decided.
SNS shareholders claim company was mismanaged
Investors in SNS Reaal which was nationalised earlier this month, are to appeal to the Council of State now the government has said they cannot claim damages by alleging the company was mismanaged.
Parents and students worried about student loans
90% of parents with children at secondary school or in vocational training are worried about getting into deep debt when student grants are scrapped in favour of student loans.
TomTom profit rises thanks to windfall
Satellite navigation system-maker TomTom saw a rise in profit to €99m in the fourth quarter thanks in part to a one-off tax windfall. This is an increase of €87m on the year-earlier period.
Minister under pressure over gas extraction as more earthquakes hit
The Labour party on Tuesday called for gas extraction in Groningen to be scaled back 'immediately', putting considerable pressure on economic affairs minister Henk Kamp.
Housing minister tries to find more support for housing reforms
Housing minister Stef Block failed to get agreement on Monday evening on government plans to reform the housing market, following the refusal of the Christian Democrats to back the plans.
Monday 11 February 2013
Dutch family aim to sue Facebook for patent infringements
The family of a Dutch software engineer are attempting to take legal action against Facebook for infringing two patents, including a system very similar to Facebook's 'like' and 'share' functions, the NRC reports.
Lack of banking competition forces mortgage rates up: home owners
A lack of competition in the mortgage market means mortgage interest rates are 1.3 percentage points higher than they should be, according to home owners' lobby group VEH.
More children under social worker supervision
Some 40,000 children and teenagers were placed entirely or partly under the supervision of social workers last year, up 150% on ten years ago, according to new figures from the national statistics office CBS.
Food inspectors investigate Dutch role in horse meat scandal
Dutch food safety inspectors are to investigate claims that Dutch companies are involved in the horse meat scandal, which is slowly widening across Europe.
Smoking ban vote set for Tuesday, slim majority of MPs in favour
A narrow majority of MPs will on Tuesday vote in favour of a motion calling for the ban on smoking to be extended across all the country’s cafes and bars, the AD reports.
Ahold sells Scandinavian supermarket stake
Ahold is selling its 60% stake in Swedish supermarket group ICA to Hakon Invest for the equivalent of €2.45bn. The deal gives Hakon complete control of the group.
More hiv cases among the over 50s
One in five people diagnosed with hiv is over the age of 50, indicating a rise in the number of people having unsafe sex, Dutch newspapers reported on Monday.
Bank staff should take a salary cut, says Dutch finance minister
Salaries should be reduced across all levels of the banking sector, finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem said in an interview with the Telegraaf.
Police shot dead five people last year
Dutch police shot dead five people last year and injured a further 19 in firearms incidents, according to public prosecution department figures.
Sunday 10 February 2013
Minister tells doctors and patients to come up with health cuts
Doctors' and patients' organisations should come up with their own proposals for reducing the size of the basic health insurance package, health minister Edith Schippers said on Sunday.
Congolese warlord, acquitted at ICC, applies for asylum in Holland
An alleged warlord from the Democratic Republic of Congo has applied for asylum in the Netherlands after being aquitted of war crimes at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, according to African news agency Hirondelle.
Spanish, Italian and Portuguese firms use Dutch tax route
Around half of the biggest multinationals in Spain, Italy and Portugal use the Netherlands to reduce their tax bill in their home country, the Volkskrant reported at the weekend.
Dutch film Kauwboy wins European youth movie award
Dutch film Kauwboy, a much-lauded children's film about a boy and a bird, was named as best European youth film of the year at the Berlin film festival.
Winter returns to much of Holland
Snow has again covered large parts of the Netherlands, with up to 15 cm falling in Almere, website weeronline.nl reported.
The Hague tops the 'fines for anti-social behaviour' league
People living in The Hague are handed out more fines for anti-social behaviour than in any other part of the Netherlands, according to research by RTL news.
Saturday 09 February 2013
Carnaval kicks off in the south
The Carnaval - carnival - celebrations kicked off in the south of the Netherlands on Saturday despite the snow showers.
EU commissioner says budget debate is a 'dismal compromise'
The EU's commissioner for the digital agenda Neelie Kroes has described the debate on Europe's budget as a 'dismal compromise' between national political opportunism and subsidy dependence.
Friday 08 February 2013
EU leaders agree a 'sober' budget, Dutch prime minister satisfied
EU leaders on Friday agreed a budget that will take the community through to 2020, and includes a cut in spending for the first time in the body’s history.
EU budget deal reached as the Netherlands stands firm on rebate
European leaders on Friday reached agreement on proposals to fix the EU's budget which also involves a large cut in the Netherlands' €1bn rebate.
WWII transit camp for Jews nominated for European heritage list
The Westerbork transit camp, where Jews were moved to prior to their deportation to Nazi death camps during World War II, should be included in the European heritage list, the cabinet has decided.
Zwolle pays €87,000 to teach 30 pensioners how to use an iPad
Zwolle city council has paid €87,000 for lessons to teach 30 pensioners how to use an iPad, local broadcaster RTV Oost reported on Friday.
Police investing death of boy seal off Wassenaar woods again
Police investigating the death of a 13-year-old boy from Wassenaar have sealed off the area of woods where his body was found for a second time, according to media reports on Friday.
Over-80s are 80 times as likely to die in a bike accident
The risk of being killed in a bike accident is 80 times higher for the over-80s than for young people, according to research for the traffic safety institute SWOV.
Utrecht city centre shops can open every Sunday
Shops in the centre of Utrecht will be able to open every Sunday from now on, but it will be up to individual shopkeepers to decide whether or not to do so.
Shareholders' lobby group fights SNS nationalisation
The Dutch shareholders' lobby group VEB has made a formal appeal to the Netherlands' highest administrative court on behalf of investors duped by the nationalisation of SNS Reaal.
Unemployment among ethnic minority youths passes 28%
The unemployment rate among people with an ethnic minority background rose to 15.5% last year, up nearly 2.5 percentage points on the previous year, the national statistics office CBS said on Friday.
Budget cuts kill off Dutch cultural institute in Paris
The Dutch cultural institute in Paris, the Institut Neerlandais, is to close at the end of this year because its budget is being withdrawn, the foreign affairs ministry confirmed on Friday.
Former economic affairs minister takes over as builders' lobby chief
Former economic affairs minister Maxime Verhagen is to take over the helm at Bouwend Nederland, the construction sector lobby group.
The Netherlands' only imam training to be phased out
The Inholland college group is to stop offering professional training to become an Islamic religious leader or imam, Trouw reports on Friday.
Dutch discount under threat as EU budget nears agreement
European leaders on Friday morning are studying proposals to fix the EU's budget at €960bn which would also involve a large cut in the Netherlands' €1bn rebate.
Earthquakes hit northern Groningen
Northern parts of Groningen province were hit by two earthquakes on Thursday night, causing minor damage to some properties.
Thursday 07 February 2013
Nyenrode picks six winners in its Master Challenge
Nyenrode Business Universiteit has chosen six global talents to receive full-tuition revolving scholarships for its Master of Science in Management and International MBA programmes.
Ministers review housing reforms following CDA threat
Cabinet plans to reform the housing market, including reducing mortgage tax relief, are being overhauled by ministers in an effort to get the Christian Democrats on board, the NRC said on Thursday afternoon.
Fewer people move to Holland as the population growth slows
The number of new immigrants arriving in the Netherlands fell to 156,000 last year, just 7,000 more than the number of people leaving the country, the national statistics office CBS said on Thursday.
Police searching for missing boy find body in Wassenaar woods
Police in Wassenaar searching for a missing 13-year-old boy have found a body in nearby woods, news agency ANP said on Thursday afternoon.
Man jailed for throwing tea light holder at queen wants compensation
The man jailed for five months for throwing a glass tea light holder at the queen's golden coach in 2010 is demanding €100,000 compensation from the state for wrongful imprisonment.
Armed robbers who shot dead jeweller jailed for 13, 11 years
Two youths who shot dead a jewellery shop owner during an armed robbery that went wrong have been sentenced to 13 and 11 years in jail.
Police to review reality television involvement
The formation of a national force from January 1 is helping the police to review its involvement with television reality shows based on crime and bad drivers, the Volkskrant reports on Thursday.
Record year for animal feed group Nutreco
Animal feed group Nutreco boosted its sales almost 11% to €5.2bn last year, with an 18% rise in feed for the fish farming sector leading the way.
Minister defends €550,000 pay deal for new SNS chief
MPs from across the political spectrum have condemned the €550,000 pay deal for new SNS chief executive Gerard van Olphen, with Labour describing it as 'bizarre'.
No large hats for the new king
Female MPs and senators attending the inauguration of new king Willem-Alexander have been requested not to wear large hats to the ceremony, according to media reports on Thursday.
More foreign firms locate to Amsterdam, American companies dominate
The Amsterdam region continues to be a strong draw for foreign investment, with 126 new foreign firms setting up shop around the capital last year, according to city council figures.
Big companies call for action on innovation, want more research cash
The leaders of 13 major employers, including Akzo Nobel, DSM and Unilever, have written to the government warning that the country's policy on innovation is falling short, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Thursday.
More trains drive through red lights
Train drivers drove through red lights 175 times last year, the Telegraaf reports on Thursday quoting a confidential transport ministry report.
National tip hotline helps solve over 1,000 crimes, prevents 116 more
The national crime hotline Meld Misdaad Anoniem received a record 15,000 tip-offs last year and helped solve 1,031 crimes, the organisation said on Thursday.
Oranje and Italy draw in football friendly
A very late equaliser gave Italy a draw in Wednesday night's football friendly against an inexperienced Dutch side in Amsterdam.
Wednesday 06 February 2013
Credit rating agency Fitch warns Dutch banks
Credit ratings agency Fitch on Wednesday maintained its current ratings for Dutch banks ING, ABN Amro and BNG, but downgraded them from a stable to negative outlook.
No criminal probe into football match rigging yet, says justice dept
There is not currently enough concrete evidence to merit a criminal investigation into football match-fixing in the Netherlands, the public prosecution department told news agency ANP on Wednesday.
MPs to vote next week on sanctioning advisory referendums
Parliament will next week vote on a motion backed by the three left-wing parties which calls for the introduction of advisory referendums.
The Dutch have no plans to push the boat out for new king
The Netherlands may celebrate the inauguration of king Willem-Alexander on April 30, but just 8% of the population plan to spend more money than they do on a normal Queen's Day.
Blaricum tops the league for expensive homes
This six-bedroom house in Blaricum is up for sale for €3.4m. Photo: Funda
The town of Blaricum near Hilversum has the most expensive homes in the country, with an average house price of €761,000, according to research by website Woningmarktcijfers.nl.
Turkish paper claims Dutch link to American embassy attack
The suicide attack which killed a security guard outside the American embassy in Ankara last Friday was ordered by Turkish left-wing extremists in the Netherlands, Dutch media quote Turkish paper Bugun as saying.
Up to 50 girls a year at risk of genital mutilation, says health ministry
Efforts to tackle female circumcision using good, focused information and the threat of punishment are working, according to a new report for the health ministry.
Holland Financial Centre calls it a day, citing lack of political support
The Holland Financial Centre, an organisation set up five years ago to promote the Netherlands as a banking and finance hub, is to cease operations in its present form.
Traffic jams in the east, fewer rush hour trains as the snow returns
The overnight snow has caused some problems on the rush hour roads on Wednesday, with conditions particularly slippery west of Amsterdam and Utrecht, Nos television reports.
Teen suicide leaves note naming tormentors
The 15-year-old girl who killed herself by jumping under a train after years of bullying left a note naming her tormentors, the girl’s mother told broadcaster BNN on Tuesday night as part of an anti-bullying campaign.
Police to use more decoy bikes to catch thieves and buyers
The police are going to use more decoy bikes fitted with a track and trace system in an effort to catch bike thieves, free newspaper Spits reported on Wednesday.
Two Oranje newcomers for friendly against Italy
Ajax's Daley Blind and Benefica's Ola John will play their debut matches for Oranje in Wednesday night’s friendly against Italy.
Family doctors vote in favour of digital patient record system
The national family doctors' association LHV voted in favour of supporting the new digital patient record system at a meeting of branch organisations in Utrecht on Tuesday night.
Tuesday 05 February 2013
Borough councils will be scrapped
The upper house, or senate, on Tuesday voted to scrap the borough councils in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Eindhoven attack extradition decision postponed
A decision on whether five youths wanted in connection with an attack in Eindhoven can be extradited from Belgium was postponed on Tuesday afternoon.
Dutch sprinter Brian Mariano convicted of cocaine smuggling
Sprinter Brian Mariano, the four-times Dutch 60 metres champion, has been found guilty of attempting to smuggle 720 grammes of cocaine by a court on the Caribbean island of Curaçao.
No Sunday opening for Tilburg retail after small shops go to court
Sunday shopping is to become a thing of the past in Tilburg after some 150 small shopkeepers took legal action against the big retail chains.
Accountants are refusing to approve all hospital accounts: NRC
Accountants are refusing to sign off on the 2012 accounts for every Dutch hospital because they do not trust the figures, according to a confidential letter from accountants' organisation NBA which is in the hands of tv programme Nieuwsuur.
Anti-monarchy demos not ruled out during king's inauguration
Demonstrations against the monarchy will be permitted to go ahead during the inauguration of king Willem-Alexander on April 30, justice minister Ivo Opstelten told parliament on Tuesday.
KPN shares take a battering following new issue announcement
Shares in telecoms group KPN fell 22% on the Amsterdam stock market on Tuesday after the company's announcement of a €4bn new share issue.
Mother jailed for 16 years for killing sons aged 7 and 10
A 42-year-old woman has been jailed for 16 years for murdering her sons aged seven and 10 by giving them an overdose of pills.
18-year-old arrested after father and woman found dead
An 18-year-old youth has been arrested in The Hague following the discovery of a dead man and woman in a house in the city on Sunday.
Let police officers decide traffic fines: unions
Police officers should be allowed to decide the level of traffic fines, the police unions ACP and NPB said on Tuesday.
Tulips, windmills and cheese still dominate tourists' view of Holland
People who come to the Netherlands on holiday are most likely to associate the country with tulips, windmills and cheese, according to a survey of over 11,000 holidaymakers for the Dutch tourist board.
Utrecht plans to hold referendum on mega province plan
Utrecht provincial councillors have voted in favour of a referendum on cabinet plans to create a super province of Utrecht, Noord-Holland and Flevoland.
Cyber-bullying more common than thought, shows new survey
Some two-thirds of Dutch children have had an unpleasant experience on the internet, according to a new survey of teenagers aged 12 to 16.
Joint trade mission for Holland and Flanders
Prime minister Mark Rutte and his Flemish colleague Kris Peeters are planning a joint trade mission later this year.
More claims made for gas extraction damage
Householders in Groningen have made a further 200 claims for damages against natural gas extraction company NAM over the past week, news agency ANP reports.
Primary school pupils start three days of tests
Around 165,000 children in their final year of primary school start three days of nationwide tests on Tuesday.
Rich pensioners should pay more, Labour leader says
Well-heeled Dutch pensioners should not be exempt from making an extra financial contribution ‘in these difficult times’, Labour leader Diederik Samsom told a television current affairs show on Monday evening.
KPN books loss, issues shares
Telecoms group KPN announced on Tuesday it is to issue €4bn worth of new shares in a bid to strengthen its financial position.
We need to reduce Brussel's powers, says Dutch CDA leader
The Netherlands needs to get back a large part of the powers it has handed over to Brussels, Christian Democrat leader Sybrand Buma says in an interview with Tuesday’s Volkskrant.
Wintry weather returns to the Netherlands
Weather centre KNMI said on Tuesday high winds and heavy showers of hail, snow and rain accompanied by thunder will affect all parts of the country during the next 24 hours.
Monday 04 February 2013
Amsterdam's expat centre introduces fees to process permits
In a sharp change in policy, Amsterdam’s council-backed expat centre is to start charging fees for its services from April 1.
Refugees plan musical protest in the Paradiso
A group of failed asylum seekers, who are living in a former church in the west of Amsterdam, are holding a concert in the city’s Paradiso venue to raise awareness of their situation.
Russian president Putin to visit the Netherlands
Russian president Vladimir Putin is to visit the Netherlands on April 8 at the invitation of queen Beatrix, the state information service RVD said on Monday.
'Imtech angers foreign investors with Dutch only conference call'
Technical services group Imtech angered investors on Monday morning when its manager of investor relations refused to speak English during a conference call on its problems in Poland, the Financieele Dagblad reports.
Unilever shuts factory in Occupied Territories
Food-to-detergent group Unilver has pulled out of a factory in a Jewish settlement illegally built on land confiscated from Palestinians, the NRC said on Monday.
Jobless benefit claims in urban belt almost doubled since 2008
The number of people claiming unemployment benefit in the Randstad - the central urban belt spanning Rotterdam, Utrecht and Amsterdam - has doubled since the start of the financial crisis in 2008.
Human trafficker, on the run in Turkey, told to pay Dutch state €2m
A Turkish national, convicted of human trafficking and sentenced to eight years in jail in the Netherlands, has been told to pay over €2m to the Dutch state under laws to claw back criminal proceeds.
Five Dutch nationals implicated in European football-fixing probe
Five Dutch nationals have been implicated in a massive pan-European investigation into match-fixing in football, Dutch media reported on Monday.
PSV holds on to premier division lead with 7-0 win
Twente's hopes for moving into the Dutch premier division lead took a knock in this weekend's football action with a 4-2 defeat by FC Utrecht.
Imtech takes €100m write-down on Polish operations due to fraud
Shares in technical service provider Imtech plunged on the Amsterdam stock exchange on Monday after the company said it was forced to write off €100m on its Polish activities because of possible fraud.
The Netherlands' top judge warns on legal system overload
The quality of the Dutch legal system is under threat from the extreme pressure judges are being forced to work under, according to the Netherlands’ most senior judge.
SNS Reaal fallout continues, central bank officials to face MPs
Central bank officials are to be asked to appear before parliament to explain what went wrong with their monitoring of financial services group SNS Reaal.
Inspectors carried out just 3,000 cafe and club smoke checks last year
Just one in 20 of the Netherlands bars, cafes and clubs was visited by public health inspectors looking for infringements of the smoking ban last year, the Telegraaf reports.
Health insurers warned to watch out for overcharging by hospitals
Health insurance companies which fail to check that hospital bills are accurate or inflated have been told by the Dutch health authority NZa they will face fines, the Volkskrant reports on Monday.
3,000 Brussels officials earn more than the Dutch prime minister
Some 3,000 European Union civil servants earn more than Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte’s gross salary of €144,000, according to social affairs ministry figures, quoted by Nos television.
Onion growers fined €4m for cartel
Young onions ready for planting out. Photo Plantuitjes.nl
Seven onion growers have been fined a total of over €4m by the Dutch competition authority NMa for forming a cartel to keep prices high.
Opposition to digital patient records mounts, court case to go ahead
The family doctors’ association Vereniging van Praktijkhoudende Huisartsen is pressing ahead with legal action against the introduction of a new electronic patient records system because its backers have failed to meet agreements on internet security and privacy.
Sunday 03 February 2013
Pressure mounts for action against former SNS Reaal executives
Pressure is mounting on finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem to take some sort of action against the former senior executives of financial services group SNS Reaal, which was nationalised on Friday.
50Plus benefits from pension, spending power unease
Fledgling political party 50Plus would win 12 seats in the 150-seat parliament if there were a general election tomorrow, according to a new Maurice de Hond opinion poll.
Two intercity trains a day to replace Fyra high-speed link to Brussels
Two direct train services a day between The Hague and Brussels will partly replace the suspended Fyra high-speed services, junior transport minister Wilma Mansveld has announced.
Saturday 02 February 2013
Banking group SNS Reaal has been nationalised - What the papers say
With the bail out of SNS Reaal the Dutch state now owns two of the country’s four major banks. What the papers say.
Friday 01 February 2013
New car sales plunge in January
The number of new cars bought in January plunged by nearly 32% in January to just over 48,000, according to motoring organisations Bovag and Rai Vereniging.
Man who threw candle holder at queen is guilty of insulting her
A man who threw a glass tea light holder at the queen’s coach has been given a five-month jail term for insulting the monarch, by the appeal court in The Hague.
Support for development aid and nuclear power continues to shrink
Only 22% of the population thinks more money should be spent on development aid, compared with 50% in 2006, the national statistics office CBS said on Friday.
The Netherlands nationalises financial services group SNS Reaal
Finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem explains his decision to reporters. Photo: Novum
Dutch bank and insurance group SNS Reaal, in trouble because of heavy losses on its property finance division, is to be nationalised, the Dutch finance ministry announced on Friday.
Transport ministers criticise civil servants over secret rail report
Ministers Melanie Schultz (l) and Wilma Mansveld during the debate: Photo: Novum
Transport minister Melanie Schultz and her deputy Wilma Mansveld survived a stormy debate on the crisis on the Dutch railways on Thursday evening, taking the unusual step of publically slating their civil servants in the process.
The VVD won the 2012 election, but lost most members
The right-wing Liberal VVD may have emerged as the biggest party after the 2012 general election, but they also lost most members, the Volkskrant reports on Friday.
Engineering pension funds announce savage pay-out cuts
Retired engineering workers are facing cuts in their corporate pensions of over 5% from April 1, it emerged on Friday.
The Netherlands remembers 60 years since the dykes broke
Special events are taking part in many places in the Netherlands on Friday to remember the great floods of 1953, in which over 1,800 people died.
Financial services group SNS Reaal to be nationalised
Financial services group SNS Reaal, in trouble because of heavy losses at its Property Finance division, is to be nationalised, the finance ministry said on Friday.
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