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Three teenagers of 14 and 15 years old have been arrested in the Dutch town Uden for fire-raising of a Muslim school that burned down directly after the murder on Theo van Gogh. According to the public prosecutor it seems that the youngsters do not have ties with any extreme-right group. The utterances of extreme right surface especially outside thebig cities in the West of the Netherlands. Especially in South-East Brabant. According to the researches most of the members are followers.
November 26, 2004
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ALSO MAASTRICHT PLANS TO MOVE COFFFEE SHOPS TO SIDE OF TOWN
After the Dutch border city Venlo moved coffee shops to the side of town to fight soft drugs tourism annoyance, now also Maastricht comes with the same plan. The mayor if Maastricht even suggests to create a Cannabis Boulevard on the south side of town. A possible location is a former customs office. , Maastricht reacted positively on the plan of the Minister of justice tointroduce the so-called ‘hash-pass' system, to be able to refuse foreign soft drugs tourists. more
Also read: 'Drive in coffee shop open'
and 'Drive in coffee shop at German border'
November 26, 2004
FILM DIRECTOR THEO VAN GOGH KILLED
This morning the Dutch controversial film director Theo van Gogh was killed in Amsterdam.One of the last projects of Van Gogh was the film Submission, written by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. In this film veiled women actresses are talking about the abuse and mistreatment in the name of Islam. Both Hirsi Ali and Van Gogh were threatened with death. The filmVan Gogh was working on is called 0605, the 6th of May 2002, the day that the also controversial Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn was killed. In December this year the film will be presented on internet. more
November 2, 2004
ANOTHER ANNE FRANK
In the Dutch city Tilburg a diary of a Jewish 18 year old girl is found. Helga Deen wrote the diary during the last month of her captivity in the concentration camp Vught in 1943. The resemblance with Anne Frank is striking. 'This morning I saw a child die, and I was in a mess. But everything is relative because of the latest. Again a transport, and this time we have to go too.' Saturday the30 th of October the diary is officially presented during the Dutch national archive day. more
October 21, 2004
THE APE FOUNDATION
Aap is an European shelter for exotic animals. The Ape retirement centre is based in The Netherlands and since it got seriously overcrowded a new complex is under construction in Spain . The animals usually come from illegal trade, test laboratories, circuses, shady zoo's or directly from private persons. Although the fight against the smuggling of exotic animals is a huge success in The Netherlands, not much is done in other European countries like Belgium, France, Spain and Italy.more
October 21, 2004
THE DUTCH ARE PREPARING FOR A TURBULENT AUTUMN
After the Dutch Queen Beatrix announced the new policy of the Dutch government for the upcoming year, The Netherlands is preparing for a turbulent autumn. Over the last days many strikes were organised and this Saturday the 2 of October a huge national demonstration against the policy of the government will be held in Amsterdam. While Prime-Minister Balkenende is sick and the Dutch have the Presidency of the EU, there is more and more dissatisfaction in The Netherlands about the Spartan measures cutting close to €. 19 billion. more
September 30, 2004
CORRUPTION IN HOLLAND
Since a few weeks the so-called commission Duivensteijn is researching the decision making process before and during the construction of the new super expensive Dutch Cargo- and the High Speed railway lines in a series of public hearings. Reports were stashed away, politicians were seriously prejudiced and many promises were not kept. At the same time the first high ranking managers from one of the involved construction companies, and suspect in one of the building fraud cases, just resigned. The former boss of the Supermarket multinational Ahold also has to appear in front of the judge. It is quite logic that questions are raised aboutthe level of corruption in The Netherlands. more
Also read: 'Fraud dutch construction branch'
September 30, 2004
BAD CONTROLS ON RADIOACTIVE IRON SCRAP
Because of the Rotterdam harbour, the Dutch are the biggest scrap processors in the world. Although it was decided that a large percentage of all 500 scrap processing companies were obliged to have detectors for nuclear material at the end of 2002, only one has the right equipment. Lately a lot of nuclear scrap is found. A few days ago parts of rocket engines from Iraq were discovered! If this scrap is processed,employees are exposed to the radiation and during the remelting the nuclear material stays in the environment. more
Also read: 'How to fight the smuggle of nuclear material' & 'Secret Nuclear technology smuggled from Europe'.
July 1, 2004
HOW TO SOLVE THE DUTCH MANURE PROBLEM
The European Union is fed up with the incompetence of the Dutch to decrease their manure problem. The Dutch production of manure per hectare is the highest in Europe and the effects on the environment are horrific. There is a long list of different possible solutions for the Dutch manure problem – but nothing worked. Now there is a Dutch company that manages to export 100.000 tons of chicken manure to countries like Morocco and Egypt. To make it affordable a return cargo like empty containers or tomatoes and beans is taken back. It makes it possible to have a durable cycle of minerals. Innovation with manure. more
July 1, 2004
THE KNOWLEDGE NEIGHBOURHOOD
The Dutch are experimenting with a so-called ‘Knowledge Neighbourhood'. In Eindhoven thousands of inhabitants are linked to the super fast – glass fibre – highway. Speed is not so important says one of the project managers: ‘it is what services youorganise on the super broadband.' The Knowledge Neighbourhood offers 70 different services. From watching a TV program whenever you want, to babysitting via a webcam and Thrombosis patients treating themselves with their doctor on an online distance. more
July 1, 2004
DUTCH PRESIDENCY EUROPEAN UNION
From 1 July to 31 December 2004 the Netherlands will hold the Presidency of the European Union (EU). It will focus on five subjects: the enlargement of the EU, the long-term strengthening of the European economy, security, sound multiyear budgeting, and a more the effective role for the EU on the world stage. The Netherlands also plans to start a debate with EU citizens and governments on common European values and achieving further European integration and cooperation.
Link: Official site Presidency & Calendar Dutch Presidency 2004. more
June 28, 2004
WILL MORE DUTCH ASPAHLT REDUCE INCREASING TRAFFIC JAMS
The Dutch Christian Democrat party CDA, wants 250 kilometres of extra highway to try to reduce the enormous traffic jam inconvenience. In 2003 there were 34.225 traffic jams with a total length of 108.402 kilometres . Again the traffic jams were a lot longer than the year before. Since years the Dutch are doing everything they can think of to prevent traffic jams. The fight against traffic jams in a country with in terms of percentage the most asphalt in the world. more
June 28, 2004
POSSIBLE DISAPPEARANCE OF A UNIQUE DEPOSIT SYSTEM
The Dutch have the most successful deposit system for glass and plastic in the world. Close to 100% of the used glass for example is returned. Now, probably under pressure of the European Industry, the Dutch will possibly dump their very successfuldeposit system for PET-bottles, plastic 1.5 litre bottles. more
June 28, 2004
NATURALISATION COURSE OBLIGED FOR ELDERLY MIGRANTS
The policy of Dutch minister for Integration Mrs. Verdonk undergoes serious waves of criticism. This summer the Dutch will start with the plan to deport 26.000 migrants who never received a permit of residence. Another plan of the government is to oblige 100.000 so called ‘oud-komers' (old-comers), so migrants of the second and especially the first generation, to also do a naturalisation course. Many first and second generation migrants have been contacting local authorities tocriticise the new Dutch naturalisation policy. more
June 28, 2004
EUTHANASIA FOR DEMENTED PERMITTED
Under strict conditions it is now legal in The Netherlands to carry out euthanasia on people with dementia. The Dutch boards of Attorney Generals decided to stop prosecuting a doctor who helped a pa tient with Alzheimer disease with suicide. The boards stated that Alzheimer itself is not an indication to carry out euthanasia, unless a doctor can come up with a well-founded case were a patient suffers psychologically and the situation is unbearable and hopeless. more
June 3, 2004
WILL THE POLDER MODEL SURVIVE?
Since a while the Dutch are questioning their famous consideration model, also called the Polder model. Lately the top-level consultation between the Unions, employers and the government ended in failure. In a time were quick effects and results are fashionable, longdebates of consultative bodies to reach a general agreement that is satisfying for all partners, are not very popular anymore. A diversity of Dutch opinions: more
June 3, 2004
REAL ESTATE TRADER ENDSTRA KILLED
Today around noon the real estate trader Willem Endstra was killed at the moment he was leaving his office in the south of Amsterdam. For around two years Endstra was in the news because a criminal stated that he was working as a kind of a banker for the underworld. Yesterday he broke the silence by appearing in a talk show on Dutch television. It was his first and his last appearance.Endstra is the last victim in a long series of brutal liquidations of criminals. The Dutch reconsidering the use of deals with criminals. more
Also read: 'Large number top criminals killed' and 'How to make a deal with a coke witness'
May 17, 2004
COMPANIES CONFESSFRAUD
Close to 400 Dutch building companies decided to hand in their co-called ‘shadow bookkeeping' before the first of May 2004. Through this they admit that they have been making forbidden deals during forbidden preliminary talks. As soon as a new case of fraud in the Dutch building branch became known, theDutch authorities decided to set up this clemency arrangement for the reporting of prohibited practices. more
May 4, 2004
DUTCH VIOLATE HUMAN RIGHTS
The new Dutch immigration and integration policy is going to make life difficult for unwanted people. 26.000 people have to be expelled from the Netherlands in three years. Also higher demands on income are placed on members that want to join their family in The Netherlands. New immigrants have to do a special civil course in their country of origin. Also the first generation immigrants are obliged to do an expensive naturalisation course. Besides this the larger cities now officially get the possibility to keep out poor people from poor neighbourhoods. The European Council wants to discuss the intended severe deportation policy. Painful because the Dutch are chairman of the council. Also read: 'Violent resitance against deportation expected' and 'Deportation Continues' more
May 3, 2004
LOST VALENTINO FILM FOUND
For almost a full century film historians were searching for a 1922 film that now has been found in The Netherlands. It is the only silent screen film starring both superstars Gloria Swanson and Rudolph Valentino. The film is called ‘Beyond the rocks'. According to specialists there must have been dozens of American copies, but they became throwaway products after the film stopped playing in the cinemas. This was normal practice at the time. 70% of the silent screen movies was lost in this way. more
April 19, 2004
COSTS JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER UNCONTROLABLE
An American ex-minister of defence warned the Dutch that the costs of the production of the American fighter plane the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) will be at least 22 percent higher. The JSF-project is the largest militaryproject in history and the Dutch participate for 800 million in the development of the new fighter plane making the Dutch one the three largest investors. more
April 14, 2004
INCREASE REVENGE OF HONOUR CASES
Lately a Turkish woman was killed by her husband in front of a reception centre, were she was in hiding for him and the consequences of the traditional revenge of honour. The Dutch police started a research to find out how much ‘revenge of honour' occurs in the Dutch society. The Minister of Integration: ‘I see the increase of cases of revenge of honour as a worrying development.' APalestinian woman called Souad was also victim: ‘I come to help you', her brother-in-law said, and he poured petrol over her and lighted her. She escaped fully burned with her child to Europe and now wrote a book about ‘revenge of honour'. more
April 6, 2004
POSSIBLE PROHIBITION DUTCH CANNABIS
The Dutch Ministers of Justice and Health consider prohibiting the sales of Dutch cannabis. They think that the active component THC in the soft drug is so high that in fact it should be dealt with as hard drugs. The Dutch Ministers also decided to attack the drugs tourism in The Netherlands again. Especially the Minister of Justice already stated afew times that the drug tourism should be tackled to be able to continue the irregular Dutch soft drugs policy. more
Also read: 'Drive in coffee shop at German border'. 'Dutch cannabis twice as strong'. 'The backdoor problem'.
April 6, 2004
DUTCH DEPORTATION ASYLUM SEEKERS CONTINUES
The majority of Dutch Lower House voted in favour of the deportation of 26.000 refused asylum seekers in three years. Human Rights Watch criticizes the Dutch deportation policy heavily. A spokes man stated that the forced deportation will endanger the lives of the expelled refuge seekers. He also called the policy 'a serious deviation of the historical Dutch role as a protector of human rights.' Massive hunger strikes are expected. The Minister of Integration decided to put off the regular meeting with the refugee organisations, because they use the word ‘deportation'. A sensitive word inDutch society after the Second World War. more
Also read: 'Violent resitance against deportation expected'.
February 20, 2004
DRIVE IN COFFEE SHOP AT GERMAN BORDER
The Dutch city Venlo decided to finally execute the plan to create a drive-in coffee shop at the German - Dutch border to fight the annoyance of especially German drug tourists in the centre of town. The Dutch Minister of Justice is not very happy with the initiative. He sees more in border crossing German-Dutch police cooperation. For this the police project ‘Hector' was set-up in 2001. At the same time some cities in thesouth of the Netherlands proposed an idea to the German cities near by to start coffee shops at both sides from the border. more
February 20, 2004
DUTCH LIMIT WORK FLOW FROM NEW EU COUNTIRES
The Dutch authorities decided to only let in employees from the new European countries when they do jobs that Dutch people do not want to do. Through this the Dutch government wants to take away unrest that was caused by the fear of a disturbance if the Dutch labour market by a large flow of Polish and Czech workers. For years already, especially Polish workers do the dirty work in The Netherlands. Both the legal and illegal workers are usuallyexploited seriously, by very low wages and bad accommodation. more
February 20, 2004
VIOLENT RESISTANCE AGAINST DEPORTATION ASYLUM SEEKERS
In the upcoming three years almost 26 thousand Dutch asylum seekers that did not get a residence permit have to return to their country of origin. The Dutch cabinet agreed on this plan from Minister Verdonk for Integration and Alien Matters. A lot of native resistance will come when asylum seekers are taken from their homes or from the reception centres to be send back to their country of origin. This is predicted by refugeeorganisations and action groups. more
January 26, 2004
FROM THE SLUMS TO SUPER JUDGE
Poor local residents in Clairwood, the ‘Little India' of Durban South Africa , collected money to send smart Navi to the university. That gesture made a career possible that now ends in TheHague . In July 2003 Pillay (62) was sworn as a judge of the international sentence court. By the end of February 2004 Mrs. Pillay starts her six years period. With right one can call her the First Lady in law. more
January 19, 2004
EXISTENCE TUF TUF CLUB THREATENED
The publisher of the Belgian comic Suske & Wiske wants that the anarchistic Dutch Belgian pro-car movement The Tuf Tuf club disappears as soon as possible. At least the name. Besides this the Dutch leader had to resign because he possibly called a public prosecutor Hitler and the Belgian leader was arrested because he is accused ofburning down a flash pole. Last but not least the fast drivers will have to learn to live with slow driving. The Dutch come up with a new system the route control. more
Also read: 'Fighting the fight against speed controls'.
January 19, 2004
PRAYING AGAINST THENEW CHURCH
On the first of May 2004 most of the different Protestant churches will merge into one, the Protestant Church of The Netherlands (PKN). The new religious organisation will count around 2.5 million members. In some of the Reformed Reformed congregations in the Dutch Bible belt the churchgoers are in doubt and amilies are in danger to fall apart. Some family members threaten: ‘If you go along, you do not have to come back here anymore.' One of the priests: I will stay vicar, but it is the question where. I might have to change to an other location.' more
January 19, 2004
AUCTION SELLS FAKE ART
Two Dutch professors designed a computer program that can recognize fake art. They think the program will help to track down fake art. The Netherlands plays and important role in the art business. Also the branch itself is seriously investigated. Yearly books come out on the art mafia practices. Also the fake art itself becomes a business. Apart from a real fake art museum also a Dutchauctioneering firm started to organise special days were only fake art is auctioned. more
Also read: 'Art Mafia' & 'The fake art museum'.
November 3, 2003
MAJORITY DUTCH JUDGES IN FAVOUR OF LEGALISING SOFT DRUGS
A survey of the Dutch judiciary shows that more than two third of the Dutch judges are in favour of legalising soft drugs. A minority of 23% of the judges think that also hard drugs should be crossed out of the criminal law book. A few months ago a judge form the South of the Netherlands already delcared that he was in favour of the legalisation of soft drugs, because 'the criminal proceedingssuffer seriously as a result of the fight against drugs'. A majority of the judges expects no improvement in the fight against drugs related offences. more
October 8, 2003
USA WANT DUTCH TO BE TOUGHER ON XTC TRADE The director of the US bureau of Drugs policy stated that the Dutch fight against the trade of synthetic drugs is not tough enough. According to the director the Dutch XTC labs yearly transport tons of synthetic drugs to the United States. Walters does not value the successful Dutch results very highly. He pleas for 'wire tapes' and the use of infiltrators. The Dutch decided to stop using the kinds of techniques, because they were misused for fraudulent and criminal purposes. The evidence often turned out to be useless in the Dutch court. more
Also read: 'Unit Synthetic Drugs'.
September 29, 2003
THE ACCEPTANCE OR DENIAL OF ADDICTS
The mayors of the big Dutch cities in the West expressed their concerns about the enormous increase of psychiatric and addicted homeless and the growing annoyance they cause. The chairmen of one of the Dutch care organisations concludes that the Dutch hard drugs approach has failed completely: 'Finally we recognize that an addict is per definition a psychiatric patient and addiction is a disease. At the same time there are plans to close down most of the street prostitution zones for addicts. The city hall wants to put all addicted prostitutes into a detox program. more
Also read: 'Elderly home for Junkies'.
May 28, 2003
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DUTCH COUNTRYSIDE REVITALISED
After the swine fever epidemic, the new manure laws and the low profits in the pig breeding branch many Dutch farmers decide to change their farms into riding schools, luxury hotels and even into a playgrounds for children. Two years ago the Dutch Lower House took on a so-called Reconstruction law to steer the agricultural reforms in the right direction. But in some regions in the South of The Netherlands the objectives were seriously broadened to vitalise the entire countryside. more
October 21, 2004
DUTCH HAVE MOST POLLUTED AIR IN THE WORLD
After research it turns out that the Dutch have the most polluted air in the world. It is the first time that the pollution is observable from space thanks to the European environmental satellite Envisat that was launched two years ago. On the 1 of January 2005 the new European norms for nitrogen oxide will be introduced. The Netherlands is one of the few states that is in danger not being able to reach the new norms. Being the most densely populated region in Europe it is the question if the new measures will really help. Since many years the length of Dutch traffic jams is seriously increasing. more
October18, 2004
BALKENENDE IS BACK, WHAT ABOUT THE POLDER MODEL?
Since the severe infection on his foot is almost cured The Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende finally left the hospital last Friday. After being absent for many weeks the conflict between the government and the unions seriously escalated. The main question is: will the Dutch manage to revive their deliberation economy and ‘Polder model'. Now there are new plans to lower the minimum wage. The unions are furious. more
October18, 2004
DRIVE IN COFFEE SHOP OPEN
After years of preparation this Monday the 27th of September 2004, the first Dutch coffee shop situated very near to the German border was officially open. Since the opening of the first drive-in coffee shop, the tension between the city hall of Venlo, the Dutch Minister of Justice Piet Hein Donner and the German authorities is rising. In spite of the political commotion Venlo perseveres their policy to diminish the annoyance of soft drug tourists. A second coffee shop will be opened on the 16th of November 2004 on the same location - 50 metres from the Dutch-German border. more
Also read: 'Drive in coffee shop at German border'
September 30, 2004
EUROPEAN FUTURE SECURED ON SCHOOLS
One of the themes were the Dutch will focus on during their Presidency of the European Union is emphasis on the debate about the common European values and about achieving further European integration and cooperation. A Dutch scientist obtained his doctorate with a thesis on the internationalisation in the class room. The number of Europe-activities on schools has never been so high and every year twelve percent of all Dutch pupils stay in a host family in one of the EU countries. During the Dutch Presidency fourteen schools will join a new initiative. They will become schools with an extra European and international orientation. more
July 1, 2004
FATE ISLAM DECIDED IN EUROPE
The fate of the Islam will not be decided in the Arabic world but in the suburbs of the European cities. The outcome of the integration process of Muslims in Europe will decide if Islam will be able to adjust to modernity.This is the opinion of the French Arabist Gilles Kepel expressed in his recently published book ‘Fitna' which means means ‘the war in the heart of Islam'. To Keppel the poor results of Muslim terrorism is encouraging. ‘The history of the Jihad fighters is a series of utter fiasco's. more
October18, 2004
WINGS OF WINDMILLS MIGHT STOP TURNING
A super Dutch sight: 19 windmills of more than 250 years old working hard in the autumn wind. What one does not see is that one third of the windmills is falling apart. Some windmills are in such a bad state that for example the wings and the roof can crash down any moment. Since 1997 the 19 windmills are on the worldwide inheritance list of UNESCO, but sadly enough it does not bring in any money. more
October 18, 2004
BUILDING IN NATURE NO LONGER A TABOO
New policy is just made and now discussed in the Parliament on the way the Dutch manage their public space. Now the lower authorities get the freedom to do what they want. Since – especially the West of – The Netherlands is already completely full with buildings and highways, many see this as the beginning of the end. The opposition foresees a doom scenario. ‘We will loose the typical Dutch landscapes'. more
Also read: 'Possible spatial developments in Dutch green hart'.
July 1, 2004
DUTCH COURT OKAYS THE USE OF TERRORIST DATA SECRET SERVICE
A Dutch court convicted two Muslims for terrorist activities after using information from the secret service as evidence. The two were cleared of charges before, because information gathered by the secret service should not play any role in a court case, since it is not possible to check the information. The court concludes a check is not necessary because the secret service and the information they give out should be trusted fully. The lawyers go into appeal and in a letter to the editor a reader of a Dutch newspaper fears that after the outcome of the court case ‘the gates to dictatorship are opened rather wide in Holland '. more
June 28, 2004
NUMBER OF DUTCH ABORTIONS DECREASED
It is the first time in ten years that the number of Dutch abortions decreased with 7%. For years the Dutch had the lowest abortion figures in the world, but in the nineties of the last century the Dutch lost their leading position. The abortion clinics received a lot less women from non-Western immigration countries. The decrease can also be caused by a decline of the so-called abortion-tourism. Soon the famous Dutch abortion law will be evaluated. The Dutch Prime Minster Balkenende has stressed the fact that the evaluation is necessary because the actual law is violated. To get clarity in the situation a Dutch care organisation analysed all the international research on the effects of abortion. more
June 28, 2004
QUARTER OFFICE SPACE UNUSED
According to a Dutch research institute companies have 25% surplus of office space. During the busiest hours only a maximum of 75% percent of the office space is occupied. On a full working day even one third is unmanned. Since 1996 a Dutch research institute is utilising the concept at an insurance company. The office building is especially designed for the new way of working. None of the 3000 employees has a personal workspace, saving the company millions of euros. more
Also read: 'Teleworking in a flex company'
June 28, 2004
GIVE EUROPE BACK TO THE PEOPLE
The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bernard Rudolf Bot stated that The European Union should give some of the authorities, like for example farming, back to the member states. He also wants to introduce a pan-European referendum to make the ties between the EU and its citizens stronger. The Ministers warns that when the ties between the European citizens and the politicians is not restored, an escape to the traditional national state will fragment Europe. more
June 3, 2004
INNOVATION IN THE FISHING BRANCH
This Thursday the Dutch ‘week of the sea' is organised to stimulate change and innovation in the Dutch fishing branch. Many innovative projects, experiments and ideas are presented. Lately fisherman change their strategy. In cooperation with cooks they catch kinds of fish that are normally not eaten. They work in a more durable way to use static nets and small boats. Also the indoor cultivation of fish is developed now. One of the organisers of the ‘week of the sea': ‘We can gain a lot by changing from quantity to quality. Many say that there will be no choice. more
May 17, 2004
NEW ETHNIC VIOLENCE ON MOLUCCAN ISLANDS
After months of peace and quietness suddenly a wave of violence stormed over the Molucca capital city Ambon. At least 20 people were killed and 200 wounded during fights between Christians and Muslims. Many say that the Indonesian State plays a very dubious role by increasing the tensions between the two opposite religious groups. The Netherlands has the largest Molucca population outside of the Molucca Islands. The ties with the Molucca islands are still very strong, so if support is to be expected it will have to come from the Dutch Molucca people. They know exactly what is going on. more
May 3, 2004
FRENCH SHOCKED BY DUTCH DRUG POLICY
After a French magazine reported about the Dutch practice to send home smugglers that have up to 3 kilos coke with them, without persecution, the French see the new strategy as unacceptable. The Dutch Ministry of Justice is also amazed. The Dutch explained their new approach of the cocaine smugglers personally and at the time there was absolutely no reaction from the French side. Furthermore the Dutch policy turns out to be a huge success. more
May 3, 2004
THE TRUTH OF THE WEAPON INSPECTORS
Lately a Dutch documentary about the role of the UNSCOM weapon inspectors in Iraq was broadcasted on Dutch television. The interviewees state that all the states that decided to support the USA and Great Brittan and especially the Dutch, knew exactly that Iraq's so called weapons of mass destruction did not form a threat at all. All chemical, biological and nuclear weapons had been already destroyed years before. more
April 19, 2004
DUTCH CARELESS WITH ASYLUM SEEKERS
These days the Dutch Minister of Integration Mrs. Verdonk is defending the severe Dutch asylum seekers policy in parliament. It became clear that the decision about a request for asylum can decide about life and death. Especially the 48-hours procedure is criticised heavily by specialists and independent committees. More and more cases are reported were honest endangered refugees were rejected and expelled, often resulting in life threatening situations and casualties. more
June 28, 2004
DUTCH CANNABIS:
PROHIBITION OR LEGALISATION?
The Dutch council of ministers lately decided that the sales of Dutch cannabis will be prohibited if research proofs the soft drug gets too strong. At the same time the majority of the Amsterdam council wants to legalise the cultivation of Dutch cannabis. According to the city councillors the prohibition plan of the Ministers will only cause more criminality and other problems. more
Also read: 'Drive in coffee shop at German border' & 'The backdoor problem'.
April 12, 2004
HOW CHILDREN HANDLE DEATH
Yearly around 7000 kids in The Netherlands are confronted with the death of one of its parents or fellow sister or brother. Now a special project that handles the mourning process of children is started up. Special weekends are organised for both parents and children so they can give their experiences with death a place in their life. They learn how to express their emotions in various ways. more
April 19, 2004
FEAR FOR BORDER POLLUTION
Just outside the city of Coevorden the industrial area Euro park extends over both Dutch and German territory. Last year one of the
companies indicated they were planning to build a safe bio-mass incineration plant. Now it comes out that the plant will also burn all kinds of toxic waste as well. The inhabitants on both sides are furious and organise protest campaigns every weekend: ‘When the thing is build, who will control it? The Dutch or the German authorities?' more
March 21, 2004
MORE LOVER BOY VICTIMS REPORT
It seems that the Dutch finally manage to have some success in the fight against the so-called ‘lover boys'. Lately a few of these lover boys, that were forcing young, often minor girls to prostitute themselves, were arrested. Dutch care organisations report that the number of announcements of victims of lover boys finally increased. It is not clear why? On the 24 th of March 2004 the Dutch Lower House will discuss the issue. more
March 21, 2004
TOUCHING AND SNIFFING IN THE RED LIGHT DISCTIRCT
A Dutch tourist company came up with the so-called ‘recognize- things-by-touch' tour. Blind and visually handicapped people can get a tour through the Amsterdam Red Light District. During tours blind people happily touch prostitutes, gays dressed in leather, they climb ladders to touch historical ornaments on canal houses, touch dildos in sex shops and smell the freshly grained coffee in a traditional Dutch coffee house. more
March 21, 2004
GANGS COMMIT E-MAIL FRAUD
The Amsterdam police force arrested 52 people suspected of fraud via e-mails, in which enormous amounts of money are promised. It is said that gangs, especially Nigerians, sometimes steal millions of euros per person. From a reportage lately transmitted on Dutch TV, it seems that the gangs have their basis in Amsterdam. more
February 20, 2004
ELDERLY OBLIGED TO FIND A JOB
From the age of 57,5 years unemployed elderly in The Netherlands have to actively look for jobs again. But who will give them a job? The concerned call it 'teasing elderly'. The elderly are now obliged to work on until they are 65. Some even have to go to application courses again. The unions are not amused. They will organise actions and demonstrations against the obligation to find a job. If they can find a job anyway? An employment agency tackles it the other way around: the elderly are a vastly expanding cheap work force. more
Also read: 'Employment agency for the elderly'.
February 20, 2004
FIGHTING LOVER BOYS
A majority in the Dutch Lower house wants that schools will start giving special information and education about the dangers of prostitution and of so called ´lover boys´. More and more municipalities recognise the growing problem of ‘lover boys'. A so called Lover boy is a beautiful Turkish or Moroccan boy, who attracts young, usually frustrated Dutch girls. In the end the girls end up behind the windows as a prostitute. In some Dutch cities the care-, the police- and the justice department joined hands in a special task force to fight involuntary prostitution. Shame and intimidation make it difficult to report both the problem as the crime. The stories of the girls are horrible. more
January 16, 2004
LARGE NUMBER TOP CRIMINALS KILLED
Over the last year a larg number of violent settlements in the criminal milieu just took place. Top criminals were shot in the streets in brought dayligh. Since none of the cases is solved until now, the Dutch police and public prosecutors decided to change their strategy. They want to get under the feet of the top criminals by proceding against the body-guards. more
January 15, 2003
BLACK AND WHITE SCHOOL SYSTEM DEBATED
Lately the Dutch Minister of education declared that there are no instruments to fight the segregation on schools. The last years many schools in the big cities become 'black' (more than half migrant pupils) and many see this as a danger for the guarantee of quality education. The Dutch Sudan Liberal Member of Parliament Hirsi Ali concludes that Dutch poverty got a colour now and that education is the best way to fight this.Over the last months an in-depth debate is ongoing in The Netherlands about the effects of 'black' and 'white' schools. Some parents send their kids to 'black' schools on purpose to prepare them for their future society. more
Also read: 'Integration in The Netherlands'.
January 15, 2004
THE DUTCH ANTI EUROPE FRONT
Nowhere in Europe the involvement in the EU is so little as in The Netherlands. Only 9% of the citizens follows the European news. That's even less than the sceptic English (16%). On the other hand 73% of the Dutch say that the European Union is a good thing. The Dutch government still has a majority in the Lower House, so the chance that the European unification process will be slowed down on the political level is not very big. But the Dutch politics knows very well how moody the voter can be. The planned referendum might in the end work like a instrument to plan a rebellion against the Dutch government and the future development of Europe. more
October 10, 2003
ROUTE CONTROL
Compared with last year the Dutch so-called traffic-jam-pressure grew with more than 6%. One of the newest and most radical control systems is the route control. A speed limit of 80 km an hour is introduced and a computer system linked to several video cameras along the motor way calculated the speed of the cars over a longer track. When these systems are placed everywhere, it is definitely over with speeding. Than Big Brother will watch over the pressure on your accelerator. more
October 6, 2003
HOW TO FIGHT LOVER BOYS
Although the phenomenon 'Lover boy' is known since a few years now, it is difficult to push back and fight the problem. A so called Lover boy is a beautiful Turkish or Moroccan boy, who attracts young, usually frustrated Dutch girls. In the end the girls end up behind the windows as a prostitute. On the 23 of October 2003 a congress is organised in Amsterdam to discuss the Lover boy problems. Even small Dutch cities are confronted with the problem. There care organisations developed a special approach breaking new ground. more
Also read: 'Lover boys'.
October 6, 2003
SUCCESSFUL NATURALISATION COURSE FOR IMAMS
Political scientist Fuad Hussein educated the first sixteen Moroccan and Turkish Imams in The Netherlands to get a naturalisation certificate. Only one Imam failed. According to Hoessein some Muslims in The Netherlands do not have a lot of self-criticism, while the Calvinist Dutch see this as a positive quality. 'This lack of self-criticism you see more in cultures in the Middle East'. more
Also read 'Naturalisation course for Imams'.
September 15, 2003
CANNABIS BOX CONQUERS EUROPE
After almost 20 years of soft drugs toleration now also the private sector is discovering that cannabis cultivation is easy and very profitable. A specialised company sells up to 25 growing boxes a week. Small investors, like failed stock brokers and foreign growers are the main buyers. Growing grass at home is very lucrative. After nine weeks one cultivation box with four plants yields around four- to five hundred euros. One of the cannabis box producers is  very surprised by the huge demand. 'You will be able to find our grow box on many European attics now.' more
Also read: 'The back door problem'.
September 17, 2003
NOISE NUISANCE AMSTERDAM AIRPORT
Although the Dutch government decided that the Amsterdam Airport is allowed to have limited growth, they lately had to admit that further growth was actually impossible. The responsible researchers made a "minor" mistake in their calculation. If laws will not be changed, it will mean that around November 2004 it will not be possible anymore to fly in and out of Amsterdam for the rest of the year. The latest plan is to buy out the people that live under the flying routes. How much more airplane noise and -pollution can the population handle and what's the risk that one day one of the planes might crash on the historical centre of Amsterdam? more
September 17, 2003
ECOLOGICAL FARMING PROFITABLE
After years of research at two Frisian environmental societies it comes out that durable farming brings in profits. With the help of the Agricultural University the farmers experimented with ecological farming. One of the scientists: 'Everybody always says that environmental farming costs loads of money, but it is fascinating to discover that dairy farmers can make a profit of € 20.000,= if they produce environmental. more
May 12, 2003
THE DUTCH ANTILLEANS PROBLEM
At the moment The Netherlands has huge problems with the new populist rulers of the Dutch Antilles (Dutch colonies in South America). Also some of the Antilleans living in the Netherlands are a returning topic in politics and media. After escaping the poverty of their mother country. The Antilleans feel treated like criminal migrants although they have a Dutch passport. Is the last Dutch colony causing many problems, or are also the Dutch coming short? more
September 15, 2003
40% DUTCH LABOUR FORCE HAS R.S.I.
Two in five Dutch employees has problems with R.S.I. (Repetitive Strain Injuries). This is the result of a research of the Dutch Technical University TNO. Of the in total 3.2 million employees with R.S.I. complaints arond 650 thousand are absent due to the illness. The labour costs run up to 1,26 billion Euros. TNO comes up with a diverse package of R.S.I. solutions. more
March, 2003
ADDICTS STAY IN THE STREETS
In The Netherlands the number of hard drugs addicts and problems caused by their presence increase substantially. At the same time plans for reception centres for hard drug users are rejected. Investigation journalist Stella Braam lived with addicts and tramps for a while. She is now fighting for their rights and for a change of thinking. Otherwise the annoyance and tension will only increase and keep on burden the locals and society in general. more
March, 2003
DUTCH MARRIED GAYS CAN ADOPT CHILDREN
A majority of the Dutch lower house wants to lift the ban on the adoption of foreign children by gay-couples. This is the result of the news of the adoption of a child by the Dutch gay TV-producer and personality Paul de Leeuw of an American child. At the moment three gay couples in Holland have an American adoption child. A background story on gay couples and their adopted children. more
January 7, 2002
UNDERGROUND SHELTER
Thousands of asylum seekers, not eligible for a refugee status and thrown out Dutch refugee centres, can knock on the door for help at more than 600 addresses in The Netherlands. At tramp centres, churches, social organisations and private people. The network is enormous and very well organised. Aboveground- and underground shelter for asylum seekers. more
February, 2001
INCREASE OF ILLEGAL EUTHANASIA
Dutch family doctors in The Netherlands illegally commit euthanasia on a large scale. The number of reported euthanasia cases decreased with 8%. But the figures do not give a realistic idea of the situation. An anonymous survey of 350 lung specialists concludes that many doctors feel aversion to the official euthanasia procedure and the obligation to report. They say it is too time consuming. more
March, 2003
PRODUCERS NEED TO FOLLOW FOOD
In two years European producers of food will have to be able to report where raw materials come from and where products end up. The name for this system is called 'Tracking & Tracing. One of the Dutch multinationals decided to already take action. The company developed a system for food safety. The development of the advanced system has cost the company millions. Smaller companies will not be able to pay these costs. more
May 12, 2003
AFRICA IS BUSINESS
The Dutch multinational Unilever sees growth potential in the Africa market. Although it is the poorest continent in the world, Unliver plans to gain massive profits by new cheaper products. The management decided that it is time to anticipate more on the needs of the African consumers. The strategy is called: 'Touching lives'. One of the marketing managers: 'We do not want to cross out Africa and declare the continent dead. The trend in this continent is good, just like the profit margins: just a little bit lower than in the rest of the world.' more
Also read: 'Multinational sees need for better world'
September 17, 2003
THE DIFFICULT FIGHT AGAINST DOMESTIC REVENGE
Lately a Dutch Turkish daddy killed his daughter with a shotgun, because her behaviour brought shame to the family. According to liberal member of parliament Ayaan Hirsi Ali the fight against domestic violence should be better coordinated. In some migrant communities the domestic violence caused by revenge is morally approved. Many times the offender is even forced to take action. At the same time the Dutch managed the adoption of a United Nation resolution on domestic violence caused byrevenge. The resolution calls for 'preventing these crimes actively and to fight it through legislation, education and social and other measures'. more
October 6, 2003
FEATURES 2005-2006If you click on these links you will get to the proposals that were published on Featurez.com in 2005 and 2006! more
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DOCUMENTARIES ASYLUM SEEKERS EXHAUSTED OF LEGAL PROCEDURES
During the opening speech of the largest documentary festival IDFA in Amsterdam, the director Ally Derks stated that the festival, the city Amsterdam and freedom of speech are inextricably bound up with each other. In this context Derks praises the project '26.000 faces'. A series of portraits of the 26.000 asylum seekers in the Netherlands that are exhausted odf all legal procedures and who are threatened to be expelled the upcoming three years. more
Also read: 'Traumatised asylum seekers deported' and 'Dutch deportation asylum seekers continues'
November 26, 2004
SUCCESSFUL ONLINE SELF-HELP FOR ALCOHOLICS
From a research of a Dutch health institute it came out that alcoholics drink a lot less after using online self-help software. In one year the participants drink less than a quarter of what they used to drink and one on six drinks less than the approved maximum. These results are significantly better than the usual results of anti-alcohol addiction programs. It is possible to use the on-line program for free via a special web site. more
November 26, 2004
STREET PROSTITUTES DEMONSTRATE FOR OPENING ZONE
Prostitutes working on the prostitution zone in Utrecht want the Amsterdam zone to be reopened. For this a demonstration is planned in Amsterdam halfway November. Because many of the Dutch prostitution zones are shut down, many of the prostitutes moved to the zone in Utrecht . The zone is overfull. Often prostitutes decide to take the client to a distant place, taking the risk to be robed, raped or even worse, to get killed. more
November 2, 2004
LIVING IN A DOG WORLD
The number of Dutch foundations that mediate in foreign dogs is increasing rapidly. Some years ago a few volunteers started to save Spanish dogs. Now stray dogs from Turkey , Rumania and Thailand are brought to the Netherlands, where volunteers look for adoption families. The new dog carer does not become the owner of the dog(s), but signs a lease contract. The dog rescuers usually pay a high price for their love for animals. Many relations break up and people are fired. ‘The dogs always come first. As soon as you are really involved, you can not turn your head.' more
October 21, 2004
AMMA IS EMBRACING THE WORLD
Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, generally known as Amma, is one of the important spiritual leaders of India. Her main message: The masculine culture needs to be broken and it is time women get more power. But men need to draw on their feminine qualities. Therefore Amma gives everybody a firm and long spiritual hug. Every year Amma does her World wide tour. It is already the fourth time she visits Europe and her name becomes increasingly known. more
October 21, 2004
THE WAR AGAINST THE ASOCIALS
Anti social behaviour is becoming an important theme in Europe . In England a special law is taken on to fight the problems of local annoyance. Also the Dutch will intensify the fight against anti social behaviour. It seems that the crusade against vandalism, swearing and asocial behaviour will prevail. An English labour MP: ‘Our country is exposed to two threats. One is the threat of international terrorism and the other is the threat of neighbourhood terrorism.' Maybe the authorities should consider to introduce the Dutch container home system. more
October18, 2004
COCAINE KEEPS ON FLOWING INTO SCHIPHOL AIRPORT
The extreme poverty on the island and the presence of Colombia cause a flow of cocaine from the Dutch Antillean islands to The Netherlands. The 100% controls do not have the frightening effect that was expected by the Dutch Minister of Justice Donner. These conclusions come from confidential figures from the Dutch Military police. Since the amount of cocaine (600 kilos) that is caught during the 100% controls is far less than the hard drugs found on other random flights (6000 kilos) the detectives want that the 100% controls are cancelled. more
October18, 2004
THE LIQUIDATION TOUR
Over the last years a long and striking series of liquidations of criminals took place in and around Amsterdam. None of the cases was resolved. Now a Dutch company decided to organise ‘The Liquidation Tour'. The participants get a bullet-proof vest and they are taken to the main locations were criminals were killed. During the tour it is explained what terms like ‘money laundering', ‘drive-by liquidation' and ‘murder manager' mean. Per location also extra information is given on the individual liquidation that took place. The tour can be rounded off by a visit to an Amsterdam shooting range. more
Also read: 'Real estate trader Endstra killed' & 'Large number top criminals killed' & 'Touching and sniffing in Red Light District'.
September 30, 2004
ULTRA MODERN INCINERATORS
The Dutch environment policies changed seriously over the last years. From a runner up, the Dutch now become a stay-behind. European rules are introduced far too late. The Minister of Environment gets the blame that he only listens to the industry. Despite all this some of the Dutch measures work really well. One of the best examples of environmental success is the ultra modern incinerators, were pollution is kept to a minimum, a lot of materials and energy is reused, and most of the waste is separated and recycled. Some of the incinerators even became tourist attractions. more
Also read: 'Possible disappearance of unique deposit system'.
September 30, 2004
THE CONNECTED HOME
A revolution is starting to hit homes across the globe, and is set to enhance our lives, making them more comfortable and simpler. How? By making you the center of the technology in your home, as devices seamlessly communicate to meet your every need. This concept, which Philips calls the Connected Home, is now becoming reality, with the first products already available. more
Also read: 'Ambient Intelligence'
July 1, 2004
OLD SPYKER RACE CAR REINTRODUCED
In 2000 a Dutch lawyer decided to reintroduce the ancient old timer brand ‘Spyker'. The Dutch Spyker Company made race cars but went bankrupt in 1924. Now a new super expensive luxurious Spyker sports car is produced, sold, and the new Spyker even raced along in the Le Mans race last year. This month the Spyker company even went to the Stock Exchange. more
June 28, 2004
WHO SHOT J.R.? THE SHORTCOMINGS OF OIL DRILLING
‘Who shot J.R.?' is the title of a study of the Deutsche Bank investigating the mistakes measuring the worldwide oil reserves. After the serious devaluation of the oil reserves of Shell it comes out that there are many shortcomings measuring the reserves endangering the future of most of the oil companies. The conclusion of the Deutsche Bank: ‘They all float on the results and successes of the past and that is a huge risk for the sector and for the system in general.' On behalf of two American pension funds a lawyers firm now has brought charges against the total top of Shell. more
June 28, 2004
ALLIED WORLD WAR TWO BOMBING CRITICISED
Tomorrow night, Tuesday 18th of May, the German historian Jörg Friedrich will present the Dutch translation of his controversial book about the allied bombardments of German cities in the Second World War. According to critics he is putting the Nazi crimes into perspective, but many Germans are touched and finally get to their own grief caused by the heavy bombing. A sensitive subject in Holland, were the Germans flattened the city of Rotterdam to force the Dutch to surrender. more
May 17, 2004
WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE On the 12th of June the Naked Bike Ride will be organised, also in The Netherlands. The eccentric bike tour is organised for world peace, respect for nature and the human body. In Holland the chose the beautiful woods of the Veluwe, also known as the bile belt. A local religious parties of the nearby cities already complained, preventing the handing out a licence. The organisers stated they will never ask for a licence: ‘Also a teacher will never ask for a licence for a bike ride of a school class and the authorities should have nothing to say about the body of an individual.' more
May 3, 2004
CONTAINER VILLAGES FOR ASOCIALS
Before the Second World War every city in The Netherlands had a special neighbourhood for asocial families. One of the last early neighbourhoods for problem causing families was closed in 1970 because researches concluded that the remedy was worse than the disease. Now more and more city councils in The Netherlands decide to accommodate maladjusted people and asocial families in containers, prefab apartments and mobile housing units outside of towns. more
May 4, 2004
THE ADVANCE OF THE EYE JEWEL
A Dutch institute for ophthalmology came up with a new invention: the eye-jewel. One can choose from a star, a heart, a half moon and last but not least the Euro symbol. The idea for an eye implant came up when the institute was looking for solutions to embellish a damaged eye with something beautiful. At the moment 6 woman and 1 man walk around with a glittering eye-jewel. The waiting list grew explosively and the interest comes from all over the world. more
April 14, 2004
THE END OF THE EUROCENT COINS
From the 26th of April till the 6 th of June 2004 an Eurocent experiment will start the Dutch city Woerden. All the prices will be rounded off to see if the Dutch can get rid of the 1 and 2 eurocent coins. It is an initiative of cooperation between consumer organisations, retail trade and the Dutch banks. It might mean that the small brown coins will really disappear. more
April 12, 2004
FUNDAMENTAL MUSLIM BOOK EVOKES PROTEST AND DEBATE
A few hundred gay's protested last weekend in Amsterdam against a book called ‘The road of the Muslim'. In this book people are summoned to throw gays from high buildings with their head down, and than subsequently stone them. The Dutch Somalian liberal politician Ayaan Hirsi Ali calls the critics of the Dutch Prime Minister naïve and lazy. In her opinion the sales of the book should continue because of the freedom of speech. This week a teacher publishes a book called ‘My teacher is an homosexual', about his experiences as a gay teacher”. His opinion: My strictly orthodox Catholic family also can not stand me and they would still love to throw me from a high block of apartments.' more
May 3, 2004
HOW TO FIGHT CIRCUMCISION OF ISLAMIC GIRLS
Since a while the Dutch want to find a way to control the circumcision of Islamic girls. Since the sensitive subject is debated for a while now, many people do their best to keep it on the agenda. Journalists make reportages about it in Africa , politicians raise the matter as much as they can. There is even a Dutch doctor that made the fight of the ‘foolish tradition' to his lifework. Now a guide for Islamic upbringing, published in The Netherlands, is promoting the circumcision of Islamic girls. more
April 14, 2004
SERVED BY INVOLVED HANDICAPPED
Since ten years the Dutch experiment with cafés, shops and supermarkets with mental handicapped personnel. Now a lunch café, a gift shop, supermarkets, a bakery and an ice factory give work to people with various handicaps. The switch in policy even resulted in regular jobs. For the management the emphasis is not on the personnel but on the quality of the product, sometimes resulting in strange and awkward situations. But no customer that really cares. more
March 29, 2004
DUTCH BULB DISTRICT LOOSING ITS CHARM
According to insiders the famous Dutch bulb region is rapidly going downhill. The economical activities and the urbanisation are taking its toll, resulting in the paradoxical mix of the attraction of the beauty of natural colour and of the ugliness of urban modernity, slowly eating up cultural history. Bulb farmers necessarily have to leave to new bulb districts, that now develop into the new tourist centres. How modernisation takes its toll. more
March 29, 2004
OIL COMPANY SHELL FOLLOWS VIEW AMNESTY
Durable and clean production and management becomes a trend with the Dutch (English) internationals. Besides Unilever now also the oil company Royal Shell comes up with an environmental friendly policy. The second man in charge Van der Veer: ‘We occupy ourselves with sparse natural products that have a lot of influence on human beings and on C02. ‘If one does not take these things into account carefully, the company will be in big trouble in 20 years. more
February 20, 2004
HOW TO FIGHT THE SMUGGLE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL
George W. Bush demands the rest of the world to be stricter in fighting the illegal distribution of nuclear material that can be used to produce nuclear weapons. In one of the largest container terminals in the world, in the Dutch harbour Rotterdam , the United States of America got the permission to place special nuclear material detection gates. Specialists say the system is useless. Broccoli or ceramic tiles have enough nuclear radiation for the detection gates to go off. A specialist in the Rotterdam harbour: 'people that want to do bad, can smuggle the bomb of Hiroshima in a parcel of one by one meter and nobody will notice.' more
February 20, 2004
MOST OF SREBRENICA REFUGEES EXPELLED
The Stari Most Committee, a small group of Dutch people fighting for the rights of the refugees from Srebrenica living in The Netherlands, says it is embarrassing that most of the refugees are expelled to Srebrenica. 'The Dutch played a negligent role in the Srebrenica massacre and it is up to the Dutch politicians to preserve the Dutch from a shameful situation'. The UNHCR declared that it is unsafe for the remaining Muslims from Srebrenica to return to their city: 'After all the former enemy the Bosnian Serbs rule Srebrenica nowadays'. more Also read: 'Srebrenica trial'.
February 3, 2004
GHB INTERNET CRIMINALS ARRESTED
The Dutch Justice Department asked for the arrest of three men on suspicion of supplying raw materials for the production of the synthetic drug GHB via internet. The gang was dominating the GHB internet trade and was supplying world wide. The popular drug GHB is a former anaesthetic, also called fluid XTC. The kick of the drug is that the user often falls into a narcosis. The sad thing is that some users do not get out of this state anymore and die. more
Also read: 'GHB'.
February 3, 2004
SECRET NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY SMUGGLED FROM EUROPE
In an interview the Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf says that especially the Europeans pass on information to countries which want to make nuclear weapons. Dutch ministers wrote that Dutch technology for the enrichment of uranium has not only arrived in Pakistan and in Iran , but possibly also in North Korea , Libya and Iran . Probably the Dutch nuclear technology 'has been taken along' in the seventies of the last century by a Pakistani research worker who worked in The Netherlands. Later the same man became the ' father ' of the Pakistani nuclear bomb. more
January 26, 2004
RADICALISATION ANIMAL RIGHTS WAR
On the Dutch country side a quiet war is taking place from animal right activists against bio industry farmers. The methods are becoming more violent, but the police does not get any grip on the offenders. Specialists predict that it will not take long before the first fatal victim will be a fact. The animal right activist movements already exist for 25 years. How come that the situation is escalating continuously and do the official organisations play a double role? more
Also read: 'Increase animal rights attacks'.
January 19, 2004
NEED FOR PROFIT MAKES GREEN HEART DISAPPEAR
The green space in between the cities in the West of The Netherlands needed to be retained for the inhabitants to recreate and to find peace. But in the new Spatial Scheduling Bill the responsible Minister will present in February 2004, constructing in the ‘green hart' will be permitted again. While the bulldozers are ready to attack, the Foundation Nature and Environment is launching a media campaign to emphasise the importance of nature and of an intact horizon. Rhetorical question of the campaign: Where can nature still go? Answer: a woodpecker ticking on a lamp post.more
January 15, 2004
FRAUD DUTCH CONSTRUCTION BRANCH
For many years Dutch construction companies have undermined the procedures for the invitation to tender of large government projects through illegal deals. The Justice department did research, but it is the question if the government, the construction companies and politicians will reach a general agreement. The fraud lasted for so long. At last the Public Prosecution department has hit back now. The top of the construction world will be prosecuted. more
January 16, 2004
CITY HALL PAYS FOR KIDNAPPING CHILDREN
It now came out that Dutch municipalities financially contributed to the compulsory return of children to their parent. Even though the Dutch State Secretary of Social Affairs does not want state money to be used to re-kidnap kidnapped children, the cities declared they think they did not do anything wrong. The chairman of the Child Kidnapping Foundation and 'kid-hunter' himself, decided to make the difference of opinion known to the public and to explain why and how it works. more
September 29, 2003
STREET PROSTITUTION ZONES CLOSED DOWN
In many Dutch cities it is decided to close down street prostitution zones. A sort of circular road with plastic shelters were clients can pick up prostitutes and drive to a place shielded by two fences to do their thing. A majority of the Amsterdam population accepts the prostitution zone. Most of the people are afraid that the annoyance in the centre will increase after the zone disappears. According to some Amsterdam councillors the prostitution zone is a very costly criminal paradise and it is time to close it down. more
Also read: 'The acceptance or denial of addicts'.
September 17, 2003
DUTCH STATE AND UN ON TRIAL FOR SREBRENICA
Some Dutch ex-politicians and ex-commanding officer's are called to appear in court by the 'Women of Srebrencia' and two other parties. They blame the Dutch state and the United Nations for doing nothing to save the Muslim refugees when the enclave fell on the 11th of July 1995. The Dutch say they are not responsible, because the command was handed over to the UN. In total around 15 witnesses, military personnel, politicians, locals and international aid workers, will be summoned to appear for a court in The Hague soon. more
September 17, 2003
TOTAL LIMITATION OF MIGRANTS
The new populist party in Rotterdam lately came up with a plan to forbid migrants to settle in some parts of the city. Since it is not allowed to judge on skin colour, origin or religion, some are against the plan saying it is discriminating. Still also traditional parties like Dutch labour and the Christian democrats are in favour of what they call spreading out 'underprivileged' people. The idea behind the disputable plan is to fight the ongoing segregation in some of the poor and backward districts in the bigger Dutch cities. In Rotterdam the council does not want to wait for a change in the law. They are already busy formulating measures.more
September 15, 2003
DUTCH READY FOR EXPORT MEDICAL CANNABIS
Since the 1 of September 2003 very sick Dutch patients can legally get medical cannabis on doctors prescription. Special medical cannabis growers are selected and the medical cannabis is officially supplied by pharmacies. Also Belgium will change their laws to make the medical use of cannabis possible. Other countries like England and Canada are interested in the import of Dutch medical cannabis. more
September 1, 2003
PARTY DRUG GHB MORE POPULAR
GHB is remedy to strengthen muscles and for slimming down. It also has been used as a local anaesthetic for animals and sometimes for humans. Now GHB appears as fluid XTC. Through out the years the drug became more popular. Many cases are known were people died from the drug. Even police officers used it in their spare time and died in the darkness of a discothèque. A Dutch report on GHB just came out. In the report 72 users tell about their findings.more
Also read: 'Domestic care for drugs kids'.
September, 2003
ADVISE ON SUICIDE LEGAL The Dutch Justice Department will not prosecute a counsellor of a special foundation helping people to commit suicide. The foundation already exists for years and helps suffering patients that do not get permission for euthanasia, for example because they only have psychological problems, to commit suicide. In the Netherlands the foundation has 15 counsellors giving information about the different methods of suicide. more
Also read: 'Increase of illegal euthanasia'.
May 8, 2003
MOBILE SHELTER FOR ALCOHOLICS
After looking for solutions for the problems caused by hard drugs addicts, now new initiatives are developed to take care of alcohol addicts too. Since locations for the reception centres are difficult to find, mobile shelter seems to be the solution. Since three years mobile shelters for alcoholics, in the form of sea containers, tour through one Dutch city. Another city wants to start with a similar experiment. Thepolice has problems with the removal of the addicts, because they have no place to go. more
May 8, 2003
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