DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

Netherlands sends rescue team to Turkey in aftermath of 7.8 quake

The Netherlands is sending its specialist search and rescue team to Turkey to help emergency services dealing with the aftermath of the severe earthquake at the weekend. By Monday afternoon 1900 people were confirmed to have died after the quake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, struck southern Turkey and northern Syria at 4.17am local time, in what Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan described as his country’s worst natural disaster since 1939. Thousands more are injured and trapped under rubble... More >

Regional transport workers go on strike

Regional transport workers began a five day strike nationwide on Monday but as yet it is unclear what the impact will be. Both regional bus and train drivers and crew are taking part in the strike in support of more pay, which will affect Arriva, Transdev, Qbuzz, EBS, Keolis, RET Bus, Hermes and Connexxion services. The FNV trade union federation said there was widespread support for the strike among its members, and that the impact is likely to be greatest... More >

Support for Dutch author hounded online

Support is mounting for Dutch author Pim Lammers, who pulled out of writing a poem for this year’s children’s books promotion event Kinderboekenweek after receiving online death threats. Lammers was accused on social media of being ‘a pedophile activist’ and criticised by Christian organisation Gezin in Gevaar (‘family in danger’) for a short story he wrote for a literary magazine in 2016 about a boy and his football coach. Far right MP Sybren van Haga also went on the attack,... More >

Closure of army barracks in Assen scrapped

The government has scrapped plans to close the Johan Willem Friso army barracks in Assen after intense lobbying in Drenthe to keep the facility open. The closure of the barracks was mooted last year as a ‘serious option’ under government plans to modernise the armed forces’ estate of 10,000 buildings in 350 locations. Provincial and local council politicians in Assen opposed the move, saying it would lead to the loss of around 1,000 jobs and 500 training places and have... More >

Feyenoord stay on top after draw with PSV

Feyenoord retain a two-point lead at the top of the Eredivisie after they staged a late comeback to deny PSV victory in the top-of-the-table clash in De Kuip. The visitors took an early lead when Orkun Kökçü gave the ball away in midfield, Joey Veerman released Xavi Simons with a one-touch pass and the teenager’s layoff was smashed in by Anwar El Ghazi. PSV were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half when Armando Obispo was dismissed for... More >

Van der Poel wins fifth cyclo-cross title

Mathieu van der Poel claimed his fifth world cyclo-cross title in Brabant after outsprinting his Belgian rival Wout van Aert at the end of an enthralling tactical battle. The two favourites reduced the race to a duel on the opening lap of the 10-lap mixed-terrain race in Hoogerheide. Van der Poel drew Van Aert’s strength with a series of punishing attacks, with the Belgian attempting sporadic counterattacks, but neither man was able to force a breakthrough. Van Aert nudged ahead... More >

Cold but sunny days ahead with no rain

Plenty of bright sunshine and chilly nights are ahead this week as the rain stays away at least until after next weekend. While Monday will have some cloud and sunny spells, Tuesday and Wednesday will be mainly sunny and cold, with temperatures no higher than 4 or 5 Celsius during the day and frost at night, the KNMI weather bureau said. Some cloud will be back towards the end of the week but it will remain dry and there will... More >

Bol sets world indoor record over 500m

Double European athletics champion Femke Bol made an impressive start to the indoor season by setting a new world best time over 500 metres. The 22-year-old, who won a unique double at 400m and 400m hurdles in Munich last year as well as a relay gold, ran the rarely-contested distance in 65.63 seconds at the Grand Prix event in Boston on Saturday. Her time was 0.68 seconds faster than the previous indoor best time, set in 2006. Bol finished nearly... More >

Features

Features

Daily newsletter