Netherlands news stories on Newser

'Fairy Tale' of Austerity Is Finally Dead

John Johnson — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:50:05 CDT

Paul Krugman doesn't use the words "I told you so," but he does pronounce the notion that austerity measures would fire up Europe's economy good and dead. European policy-makers had the misguided idea—one embraced by Republicans in the US—that cutting back on spending would spur confidence, he writes...

Dutch Judge: Pot Tourism Ban Goes Live on Tuesday

Evann Gastaldo — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:40:05 CDT

Sorry, tourists, but it looks like the Netherlands is remaining firm on a ban that will prevent foreigners from buying pot in its famous cannabis cafes. A judge upheld the new law, due to go into effect in three southern provinces on May 1 and throughout the country by the...

Dutch Government Falls in Austerity Crisis

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:44:21 CDT

The Dutch government, one of the most vocal critics of European countries failing to rein in their budgets, quit today after failing to agree on a plan to bring its own deficit in line with EU rules. Prime Minister Mark Rutte tendered the resignation of his entire Cabinet to Queen...

Netherlands' Angel Statue Will Take Your Call

Matt Cantor — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:59:51 CST

A Dutch town has a guardian angel—and her cell phone gets 30 calls a day. The Little Angel, a sculpture outside the ancient St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in 'S Hertogenbosch, was born out of a 1997 design contest to replace the church's worn-down figures. In addition to the...

Netherlands Now Has Traveling Euthanasia Squads

Kevin Spak — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:58:05 CST

It has just become easier for the Dutch to get fatal house calls. The Right to Die-NL group yesterday launched a mobile euthanasia service, the AFP reports. Six doctor-and-nurse teams will crisscross the country performing mercy killings for patients whose doctors refuse to do so—provided they meet the Netherlands'...

Dutch Prince Caught in Avalanche May Not Wake Up

Kate Schwartz — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:00:05 CST

Sad news for the Netherlands: Dutch Prince Johan Friso, who got snowed under by an avalanche while skiing in the Austrian Alps last Friday, may never wake from his coma. At a press conference today, his doctor explained that Queen Beatrix's middle son suffered severe brain damage after being deprived...

Eurozone Set to Finalize Greece Bailout

Kevin Spak — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:27:32 CST

Eurozone finance ministers met in Brussels today, in a meeting that they believe will finalize a $171 billion second bailout for Greece, in exchange for roughly $264 billion in Greek government bonds. "I'd like to assume that we will come to a final and definitive agreement tonight," Luxembourg Prime Minister...

Dutch Prince Survives Ski Avalanche

Dustin Lushing — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:57:02 CST

Dutch Prince Johan Friso got snowed under by an avalanche while skiing and was seriously injured today. The 43-year-old son of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands was buried for 15 minutes before being rescued, reports the BBC . An avalanche beeper likely saved his life. The prince was vacationing in the...

Eurozone Economy Shrinks

Evann Gastaldo — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:11:06 CST

For the first time since 2009, the eurozone economy contracted last quarter. The fourth quarter of 2011 saw the GDP shrink 0.3% compared to the third quarter; the last quarterly contraction occurred during the second quarter of 2009 when the GDP dropped 0.2%. Meanwhile, the GDP grew just...