Christie’s Investigates Its Role in the Sale of Stolen Art from East Germa

The Dutch department of Christie’s is going to investigate its role in the sale of stolen art from the German Democratic Republic (DDR). Between 1979-1989, Dutch traders bought, for 60 million guilders, stolen art from the DDR.  The art was apparently stolen by a secret organization of the DDR Ministry of Trade. In the 1980s, much art was brought to Christie’s in Amsterdam.  What was not sold was put in a warehouse in Lisse. 

http://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2014/11/05/veilinghuis-christies-onderzoekt-eigen-rol-in-de-verkoop-van-roofkunst/

Organized Crime Steals Baby Food

The umbrella organization of the food industry, CBL, collaborates with the national police in a mutual intelligence organization (GIO) to fight the organized crime which is behind the massive theft of baby food.  In the past, baby milk powder was bought in large quantities by Chinese traders.  Nowadays, the entire supplies of supermarkets and other shops are stolen.  These thefts are probably the work of organized, Eastern European criminal gangs. 

http://www.foodholland.nl/nieuws/artikel.html?id=164172

More Dutchmen Use Botox

Cosmetic doctor, Robert Schoemacher, says that over the past five years, the number of men receiving Botox injections has increased by 10-15%.  If the trend continues, in five years from now, the number of men using Botox in the Netherlands will be identical to the number of women using it.  Marguerite van Randwijck, another cosmetic doctor, says that in particular, frown lines are a major area.

http://www.metronieuws.nl/nieuws/steeds-meer-mannen-melden-zich-voor-botoxbehandeling/SrZnkd!YzbmupuIkZ5Wk/

12 Soccer Fans Arrested

During the soccer game between FC Den Bosch and FC Oss, 12 fans were arrested.  They were charged with vandalism, fighting, and setting off heavy fireworks.  Already before the beginning of the game, fans of the two clubs fought with each other.  When the special police unit intervened, the police officers were assaulted.  It was decided to send 3 buses of fans back to Oss.  However, when they started to vandalize the bus, the driver stopped and ended the trip.

www.elsevier.nl/Nederland/nieuws/2014/11/Twaalf-arrestaties-bij-voetbalrellen-1633793W/

Dirty Exhaust Pipes of Restaurants Repeatedly Cause Fires

Poorly maintained exhaust pipes of Amsterdam restaurants cause major fires, and in particular if the restaurant is below apartments or a hotel.  Fat deposits often collect in these pipes and burn easily.  Last year, the fire department was called 11 times because of such fires.  A typical case was the restaurant Snackland, on the Damrak.  In 2010, the fire caused the restaurant to totally burn down, while the hotel above was severely damaged.

http://www.metronieuws.nl/nieuws/vieze-afzuigkanalen-ware-brandhaarden/SrZnjD!bIy0xKv8sUUes/

Imam before Court Because of Illegal Shari’a Marriages

In the Netherlands, it is forbidden to hold a religious marriage ceremony before the civil marriage license is obtained. Nevertheless, Iman Fawaz Jneid has officiated at dozens of Shari’a marriage ceremonies which took place after 2008, when he had promised the authorities that he would not do it again.  These marriages were held in the large Salafist mosque, As-Soennah, in the Hague.  Fawaz says that “The management of the mosque dismissed me for this reason in 2012, even though they were all aware of this, the more so as I had even married the chairman of the mosque and the secretary while they had not yet had a civil marriage”.  In the court, the public prosecution is asking for a penalty of 1,200 euros.

http://www.nrc.nl/handelsblad/van/2014/november/01/iedereen-bij-moskee-wist-van-shariahuwelijken-1436272

Black Pete Threatened in Rotterdam

People dressed up as black Pete no longer dare to appear in some neighborhoods of Rotterdam and Schiedam. This was said by Rob Garnier of the company Kostuum Verhuur Schiebroek which rents out the clothing for Black Pete. The aggression has started a few years ago.

www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/30-10-2014/zwarte-piet-durft-niet-meer-over-straat-rotterdam