Monday 27 January 2020

Fewer new homes will be built this year and next, building institute warns

Fewer new homes will be built this year and next, building institute warns

Despite the housing crisis, the number of new homes being built in the Netherlands will fall 5% this year, according to a new report by the construction sector economic institute EIB. This year and next, fewer homes will be built than in 2019, despite the government’s commitment to expanding the housing stock. The downturn is due to the nitrogen compound pollution crisis, which has halted a number of building projects, the EIB said. In addition, the organisation said, the measures... More >

Pollution tops young adult worry list

Pollution tops young adult worry list

Environmental pollution is by far the biggest problem facing the Netherlands, according to new research on the big political issues according to young Dutch adults. In total, 45% of 18 to 25-year-olds think pollution is a major, or very major problem, the national statistics office CBS said. This is almost in line with the views of older adults – 48% of them say pollution is a big issue. In other areas, youngsters had more differing views. Crime is considered a... More >

Call for fund for stranded air passengers

Call for fund for stranded air passengers

Consumer organisations have called for a compensation fund to be set up to protect people left stranded when airlines go out of business. Travel trade organisations such as the ANWB, the Consumentenbond and the SGR compensation fund say the government should legislate to add 25 cents to the price of every ticket which would go into a collective insurance scheme. This year alone Thomas Cook, Iceland-based Wow Air and Air Berlin have gone bust, leaving thousands of passengers to organise... More >

Electric scooters growing in popularity

Electric scooters growing in popularity

Electric scooters are becoming more popular and now account for one in seven new purchases, according to figures by motoring organisations. So far this year 6,407 electric scooters have been sold. The proportion is highest in Amsterdam, where a quarter of new models are powered by electricity, partly prompted by the capital’s ban on older petrol scooters. The government set a target in the climate agreement signed this year of ending sales of new non-electric scooters by 2025. A year... More >

Ajax stroll on as PSV go 11 points behind

Ajax striker Donny van de Beek, who scored twice against Utrecht.

Ajax stroll on as PSV go 11 points behind

After their dramatic 4-4 draw at Chelsea in midweek, it was business as usual for Ajax in the Eredivisie as they brushed aside fourth-placed Utrecht in Amsterdam. Erik ten Hag’s side scored four goals for the fourth game in a row, cruising to a 3-0 lead in the first half with two strikes by Donny van de Beek and one from Dusan Tadic. Defender Lisandro Martinez completed the scoring on 66 minutes. AZ are now clear in second place, six... More >

Wilders' Facebook film maker in court

Wilders' Facebook film maker in court

The Pakistan national arrested at The Hague’s main railway station in August last year after placing a video on Facebook threatening to attack Geert Wilders should be jailed for six years, the public prosecution department said at his trial on Tuesday. The 28-year-old has been charged with making terrorist threats, preparing to carry out a murder with terrorist intent and incitement. The police were alerted to the film, which was made at a branch of the Doner Company at the... More >

10 metre limit for New Year beach bonfire

10 metre limit for New Year beach bonfire

This year’s New Year bonfires at the beaches of Scheveningen and Duindorp may be no bigger than 10 metres by 10 metres by 10 metres, acting mayor Johan Remkes has said, on the basis of fire brigade advice. ‘It is this, or nothing,’ Remkes said at his first meeting of The Hague’s city council on Thursday. Last year’s fires were 45 metres and 48 metres tall, and the Scheveningen fire sent huge clouds of cinders into the seaside town, causing... More >

Ministers back Liberation Day holiday plan

Ministers back Liberation Day holiday plan

The cabinet has agreed to do its utmost to make sure as many workers as possible have a day off on Liberation Day, prime minister Mark Rutte told MPs on Wednesday. Social affairs minister Wouter Koolmees will kick off the talks by approaching employers and unions about the option of having an extra day of paid holiday on May 5, Rutte said. Days off are regulated in pay and conditions agreements, and are not subject to political interference. ‘But let... More >

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