Dutch Labor Party MP Resigns after Making a Fool of Himself

Dutch Labor Party MP John Leerdam has resigned his seat after he made a fool of himself in a radio interview. A reporter had asked him about his reaction to the invented case of a street terrorist “Yael Yablahblah.” The journalist said that this (non-existent) terrorist had been released due to a judicial error. Leerdam said that he was well aware of the case and had discussed it with the Deputy Head of the faction, but was not allowed to give out details. He was also asked to comment on new proposals made by former Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Leerdam commented on it, unaware that Sharon has been in a coma for more than five years.
http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/mp-resigns-after-radio-interview-blunder

BAD NEWS FROM THE NETHERLANDS IS ON HOLIDAY UNTIL 15 APRIL 2012

Half of Publications of Tilburg Professor Fraudulent

The first part of a detailed investigation of the fraud committed by Tilburg University professor Diederik Stapel has revealed that out of the 20 publications investigated, 12 are fraudulent and so are three of his contributions to books. All in all, 130 publications and 24 chapters in books will be investigated. These will also include Stapel’s “research” at the Universities of Amsterdam and Groningen.
www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2672/Wetenschap-Gezondheid/article/detail/3231764/2012/03/27/Eerste-deel-onderzoek-Helft-publicaties-Stapel-frauduleus.dhtml

Government Breaks Promises Regarding Afghan Trainees

The Ministry of Defense had promised the Parliament that there would be follow-up contacts with the Afghani police agents trained by Dutch soldiers in the Afghan province of Kunduz after the training. From an investigation by the daily Volkskrant and the TV program Nieuwsuur, it turns out that the ministry has no idea where these police agents are stationed today and whether they have acted according to the rules the government promised Dutch Parliament: they could fire out of self-defense, yet not participate in attacks. Also the promised 10 week follow-up training was not given. Defense expert Ko Colijin, Director of the Clingendael Institute has expressed doubts as to whether the actions of the trained Afghani police fit the promises to Parliament. The Ministry of Defense has expressed the hope that the follow-up training will still take place.

http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/4905/De-missie-naar-Kunduz/article/detail/3234397/2012/04/02/Defensie-heeft-geen-idee-wat-Kunduz-agenten-doen.dhtml

Dutch Official Arrested, Suspected of Spying for Russia

A 60-year old consular employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been arrested on the suspicion of spying for Russia for the last 7 years. The man received payments for spying. The prosecution also accuses him of bribery, illegal possession of firearms and money laundering.
www.metronieuws.nl/nieuws/ambtenaar-lekte-informatie-aan-spionnen-rusland/IWIlcD!O9vusOpluDTU7JrCxM7QIg/

Most Dutchmen Pessimistic about the Future

More and more Dutchmen are pessimistic about the future. Sixty-five percent expect the economy to get worse this year. One year ago, the same percentage was twenty-one percent. About thirty percent of the population think that their own financial situation will deteriorate as opposed to eighteen percent a year ago. Yet, Dutchmen are more satisfied with their own lives, the economy and democracy than inhabitants of other European countries. Their main concerns are tolerance and social behavior in society. These data have been provided by the Social and Cultural Planning Bureau (SCP).
www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/11812421/__NL_er_somber_over_toekomst__.html

Police Strike Announced for Next Thursday

The Police in the four large Dutch cities, Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht will strike next Thursday for four hours. This has been announced by a spokesman of the Police trade union ACP. The spokesman says that the police will remain available for emergency assistance. A spokesman of the Minister of Security and Justice Ivo Opstelten said the ministry has not yet verified whether the actions are legal and that public security should not be endangered.

www.powned.tv/nieuws/binnenland/2012/03/politie_staakt_in_vier_grote_s.html