Attorney-General: Journalist Operated Informer in Intelligence Service

The Attorney-General says that journalist Jolande van der Graaf of the Telegraaf daily has not only received information from an employee of the general intelligence service, but she has also used him as an informer with the purpose of obtaining state secrets. www.trouw.nl/nieuws/nederland/article2817331.ece/OM__journaliste_runde_informant_binnen_AIVD.html

Dutch Arab Universities Provide Useless Degrees

The Socialist Party has asked Minister of Education Ronald Plasterk (Labor) to act against institutes which falsely claim that students can get university degrees at their schools. In The Hague there are various such institutions which call themselves universities, as this term is not protected, although they have no accreditation. These institutions give “degrees” which are not recognized by any official university. Examples are various Arab institutions such as the Global Lahaye University and the Alhurra University.

www.elsevier.nl/web/10242170/Nieuws/Politiek/Plasterk-moet-Arabische-nepdiplomas-aanpakken.htm

Criminals Refuse Psychiatric Examination

The Ministry of Justice is concerned about the fact that more than half of the heavy criminals in the Netherlands refuse psychiatric examination. These criminals are afraid that part of their punishment will be in a psychiatric institution. Such criminals usually get longer jail sentences and do not receive the treatment they need. This was said by a spokesman of the attorney-general’s offrice. www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/4492118/__Crimineel_weigert_TBS-onderzoek__.html?p=13,1

Many Restaurants Charge Mineral Water Prices for Tap Water

Researchers of the consumers’ association have found that in 38% of the cases where carbonated mineral water is served in glasses in restaurants, it consists of tap water with added bubbles. The prices charged are for carbonated mineral water. The researchers ordered carbonated mineral water and took samples of tap water in the restaurant and then compared the two in the laboratory.

www.elsevier.nl/web/10241338/Lifestyle/Eten-Uitgaan/Horeca-verkoopt-kraanwater-nog-steeds-als-Spa-rood.htm

Dutch Doctors Afraid of New Wave of GHB Addicts

Gamma-Hydroxy-Butyrate (GHB) is the newest addiction. Dutch doctors are afraid of a new wave of addicts as the drug can be produced in large quantities in homes. The drug stimulates sexuality, emotions and intellect. It also creates a strong feeling of beauty. It is extremely addicting. www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/4479878/__Vrees_voor_golf_ghb-verslaafden__.html

Farewell Drinks for Provincial Counselor Cost 10,000 Euros

Recently the entire provincial council of Northern Holland resigned after the province lost tens of millions of Euros in one of the Iceland bank failures. The province will now be spending 10,000 euros for the farewell party of one its counselors Ton Hooijmaijers (Liberal Party). The Socialist Party says that at present this is legal, but they plan to introduce a new rule which would limit the cost of such parties to 1,000 euros.
www.trouw.nl/nieuws/nederland/article2824470.ece/SP_Noord-Holland__afscheidsborrels_goedkoper.html

Netherlands is Largest Transporter of Illegal Waste to Asia and Africa

The Netherlands, together with Italy and Belgium, are the largest European transporters of illegal waste to Asia and Africa. Between March and May this year 30,000 tons were identified. This was discovered by the World Customs Association in the framework of its Operation Demeter. The Ministry of the Environment says that this derives partly from Rotterdam’s role as a major container port. www.trouw.nl/nieuws/economie/article2822834.ece/Nederland_kampioen_export_illegaal_afval_.html