The latest news from the Netherlands

It’s a deal: five party coalition finalises Dutch austerity package (update)
16-05-2012 - The minority coalition and three other parties have finalised their plans to cut the Dutch budget deficit to below 3%....more
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Customers can continue to smoke in small bars, judges rule
16-05-2012 - Efforts by anti-smoking campaigners to reinstate a smoking ban in small cafes and bars failed on Wednesday when judges in The Hague ruled the law does allow exceptions....more
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Fewer people set to go on holiday as recession continues to bite
16-05-2012 - Some 10.8 million of the Dutch 17 million population will head off on holiday this year, down 400,000 on a year ago, according to new research by the tourism board....more
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Football club finances improve
16-05-2012 - Six professional clubs remain on the Dutch football association’s watch list because of their problematic finances, the KNVB said on Wednesday. ...more

House sales down almost 20% in April
16-05-2012 - Just 8,236 houses changed ownership in April, a drop of 18% on a year ago, the land registry office Kadaster said on Wednesday....more

Healthcare spending rose 3.2% last year
16-05-2012 - Spending on healthcare rose 3.2% last year, compared with 2010, the national statistics office CBS said on Wednesday. In total, €90bn was spent on healthcare and welfare services, the CBS said....more

• Little support for Hedwige polder flood plan - 16-05-2012
• Football fans warned to behave in Ukraine and Poland - 16-05-2012
• Minister yes, but MP no - 16-05-2012
• Turkish singer goes back home after Schiphol questioning - 16-05-2012
• Four teenagers held over video showing sexual assault - 16-05-2012
• Jewish groups may refuse to sign ritual slaughter covenant - 16-05-2012