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German police find 350,000 kilos of fireworks intended for the illegal Dutch market

Mihály Droppa
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German police find 350,000 kilos of fireworks intended for the illegal Dutch market

The German police made their biggest illegal firework catch ever; not less than 350,000 kilos were hidden in the German city of Kevelaer. 🧨

The ten criminal suspects from Nieuwegein were arrested after the police found an old NATO bunker full of boxes of illegal fireworks piled up to the ceiling. The biggest warehouse was in Kevelaer, near the eastern Dutch city of Enschede, reports the NOS. 

Most of the fireworks were intended for the Dutch market, and according to the police, the storage locations did not meet any safety requirements. 🤦‍♀️

READ MORE: Dutch Quirk #92: Be weirdly pyromaniacal about fireworks

The police tracked down the trade by gaining access to encrypted messages via Encrochat in 2020, a rather popular chatting service used by criminals who want to keep a low profile.

They discovered that fireworks were transported to the Netherlands from countries such as Poland, Italy and China via Germany since rules against fireworks are less strict there. 

Why are fireworks illegal in the Netherlands?

Police say that life-threatening illegal fireworks are not only used for traditional purposes but also in riots and demonstrations. After several incidents, the Dutch police started taking the matter more seriously.

Not only is it violent, but expensive too. For instance, last New Years’ Eve, firework-related damages cost €10 million to repair, which was bound to fire up some security concerns. 

Nowadays, police are catching more and more illegal fireworks than ever before. In 2020 alone, 122,815 kilos worth of fireworks were found, as opposed to 61,429 kilos in 2019 and 56,522 in 2018, writes the NOS.

For now, only three out of the ten who got arrested are seen as the main suspects. And, the illegal fireworks are currently still under investigation but will be destroyed afterwards. Better safe than sorry!

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Dutch woman refuels her car with her husband’s company fuel pass — and he gets fired

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
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Dutch woman refuels her car with her husband’s company fuel pass — and he gets fired

A man in South Holland was fired after his wife refuelled her car with his company pass.

The man — a project manager at a fire prevention firm — even took the case to the subdistrict court, reports RTL Nieuws. The court, however, would prove entirely unsympathetic.

Setting the scene

The company had provided him with a Renault Megane in May, as well as a fuel card to pay for the vehicle’s fuel expenses.

On Friday, June 17, the man injured his ankle and was unable to drive himself to work until the Wednesday of the next week.

However, a day before the man went back to work, his employer discovered that the company fuel card had mysteriously been used.

And the evidence says…

Camera footage from the petrol station showed a woman in a Volkswagen Golf refuelling her car with the card.

READ MORE | Man earning €3,800 fined half a million euros after switching jobs to competitor company

When asked about it, the employee was unable to think of a good explanation for why this woman was using company funds.

Taking this as confirmation of funny business afoot, his employer fired him for theft of company property and a disrupted employment relationship.

Keeping it in the family

The mystery woman would turn out to be the disgraced project manager’s wife.

As his ankle injury prevented him from driving himself to work for several days, the man’s wife elected to drive him.

READ MORE | Dutchman awarded €75,000 after US company tried to force him to activate webcam

He had wanted to tell his employer about his wife using his fuel card but had forgotten about it. If only there had been a certain time at which he could have come clean to his employer before being fired…

I want my job back! (or €52,000)

After being fired, the man decided to take things up to the subdistrict court, demanding either his job back or a severance pay of €52,000.

However, the court found that the man was not allowed to have a private car refuelled with the company card, even if it was taking him to work.

As such, he was not entitled to the €52,000 severance pay or his old job.

What do you think of man’s firing? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

Love your job? Great! The Dutch retirement age just got higher… by three months

Juni Moltubak
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Love your job? Great! The Dutch retirement age just got higher… by three months

As life expectancy goes up, so does the number of years (or months apparently) you have to work before retiring, according to the Dutch system.

Since folks here in the lowlands are getting healthier and living longer, the retirement age has also gone up by three months.

Now, people celebrating their 67-years-and-three-months birthday in the Netherlands have the right to receive AOW money, writes RTL Nieuws.

So… how does this work exactly?

Before 2019, the Dutch retirement age increased parallel to the increase in life expectancy. That turned out to be a bit pricey, however, so the Dutch government constructed a new formula for pension payments.

READ MORE | Losing your job in the Netherlands: what you should know (and the next steps)

That is, every time the Dutch life expectancy has increased by 4,5 months, the Dutch retirement age goes up by three months. Once again, the Dutch bureaucracy amazes us with its complexity.

Can I still retire at 67?

The new system only takes effect in 2028, five years from now (yeah, we know, how crazy is it that 2028 is only five years away).

READ MORE | A PostNL employee retired after 17 years — and only gets a box of chocolate and a €10 voucher 

In other words, if you’re close to celebrating your 67th birthday, don’t worry. You’ll still be entitled to AOW funds at that age, and don’t have to wait an excruciatingly long three months.

What do you think of the Dutch retirement calculations? Tell us in the comments below!

Dutch municipalities will receive €2500 for every voluntary asylum seeker

Mihály Droppa
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Dutch municipalities will receive €2500 for every voluntary asylum seeker

A new law will make it obligatory for every municipality to take in asylum seekers, and those who voluntarily take in at least a hundred of them will receive an additional €2500 reward per person.

In 2022, 48,210 to 55,170 asylum seekers are expected to come to the Netherlands. To manage the large influx of people, municipalities will be obliged to receive them.

And, now that the VVD (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy) has given the green light for the new “asylum law”, it will soon come into effect, reports RTL Nieuws. 

After weeks of debate, the Dutch governing party hopes to solve the problem of unequal distribution of asylum seekers by ensuring that every municipality participates in the asylum procedure.

EU guideline

According to EU law, every member state must help asylum seekers with a fair procedure and provide them with a safe place to live.  

READ MORE: Amsterdam to shelter a thousand asylum seekers on cruise ship

Due to the large number of asylum seekers in the Netherlands, the cabinet introduced the new law to encourage municipalities to receive asylum seekers on their initiative.

The Hague may also oblige municipalities to receive asylum seekers if there are still insufficient places. The Secretary of State for Justice and Security will be responsible for the coercion for the first four years.

“The reward makes it more attractive for municipalities to invest in sustainable reception locations,” said Van der Burg, the State Secretary for Justice and Securit.

Drama in the VVD

Several prominent figures of Mark Rutte’s party openly criticised his promise to manage the high influx of asylum seekers and the new law: 

“It looks like a lot of rush work. There are still so many questions and ambiguities, and yet the VVD group suddenly changes,” says Paul Slettenhaar, VVD member from Amstelveen, to RTL Nieuws.

READ MORE: Residents of Dutch town want to buy hotel to stop reception of asylum seekers

Klaas Kwint, another critical VVD member, says, “The group does not think carefully. This is not the solution. It is mop with the tap open, goes against the principles of freedom, and it is also not good for asylum seekers.”

In two weeks, there will be a party congress for the VVD. According to Bert Homan, VVD councillor in Assen, “many VVD members are critical and will stir during the congress.”

What do you think of the new “asylum law”? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Directie Voorlichting/Flickr/CC2.0

Winter is (still not) coming to NL, after the warmest October in Europe ever

Heather Slevin
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Winter is (still not) coming to NL, after the warmest October in Europe ever

Ah, October. The month of rain, cold weather, and hiding inside. No sorry, scrap that; October was the month of… sunshine and droughts?

While we here in the Netherlands have all gotten used to cold October weather and dreary autumn days, this October was one to remember.

Recorded as being the hottest October in Europe ever, temperatures were two degrees higher than the European average recorded between 1991 to 2020, reports the EU agency Copernicus Climate Change Service.

Sun, droughts, and a whole lotta rain

With higher-than-average temperatures across Europe, many countries faced droughts. In the Spanish Doñana Nature Reserve, the droughts have caused wetlands to dry up completely.

But, in other countries, there was more rain than usual. We can attest to that one; it felt like our umbrellas never got the chance to get dry in the Dutch weather this October. 🙄☔

October 2022 beats October 2020

The previous heat record for the hottest October was in 2020, but this high temperature was beaten last month by 0.5 degrees.

However, Europe wasn’t the only part of the world to beat heat records. In Canada, a heat record was also measured, and temperatures were higher in Greenland and Siberia.

In countries such as Russia, Australia, and parts of Antarctica though, it was colder than the average this October.

Europe is on a get-hot-fast mission

Europe has been getting warmer significantly faster than other continents. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) pointed out that temperatures in Europe have risen faster than other parts of the world over the last 30 years.

In a report by the EU climate agency Copernicus, it was revealed that temperatures in Europe have risen twice as fast as compared to other continents.

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The Netherlands will now offer up to €75,000 for people who can’t afford to buy a home

Heather Slevin
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The Netherlands will now offer up to €75,000 for people who can’t afford to buy a home

Finally, a win for first-time home buyers; the Netherlands may soon offer a subsidy of up to €75,000 to help middle-income earners. 

The subsidy, referred to as the National Fund for Affordable Homes, will offer huge discounts on new homes to people earning between €40,000 to €65,000 a year, reports AD.nl. 

Buying a house in the Netherlands? Nice try

Home-owning in the Netherlands has become more of a myth than a reality for many middle-income earners. The housing situation across the country has seemed hopeless for people, leaving them reliant on renting housing.

But, no more! With the average price of a home in the Netherlands reaching €400,000, the subsidy can help to reduce this hefty price, making it easier (and more realistic!) for first-time buyers to purchase a home. 🏡😍

mother-sitting-and-reading-on-sofa-with-two-children
The new subsidy will allow first-time buyers to set up in a new home. Image: Unsplash

However, the discount does come with a small catch; if the house is later sold, the money must be repaid to the government. And, if the sale of the house comes at a profit? Part of that profit must also be repaid. 

This helps the fund continue to help new starters over the next few years. 

By 2030, up to 5,000 new homes will be sold to first-time buyers

The national expertise centre for the housing market, the OpMaat foundation, announced the launch of the fund last week. 

The goal of the fund? To help first-home buyers in the Netherlands purchase 5,000 homes over the next eight years. 

This is not the first fund of this kind to exist in the Netherlands. However, unlike other funds, this one is supported by the government. The Dutch government will provide €40 million to get it off the ground. 🤑

The parties of the VVD, D66, CDA, and ChristenUnie had already agreed to launch a fund for first-time buyers in the coalition agreement. A similar fund was in operation before but was abolished in 1988. 

Do you think this will help the Dutch housing crisis? Tell us in a comment below! 👇

The Netherlands, a non-cricket country, just upset a world cricket superstar (and the South Africans are confused)

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
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The Netherlands, a non-cricket country, just upset a world cricket superstar (and the South Africans are confused)

South Africa was hit with an astonishing 13 runs from Associate Cricketing nation the Netherlands, in a move that shocked cricket fans all over the world. 🏏

Why? Well, cricket just isn’t really a Dutch sport. Football? Yes. Hockey? Yes. Ice skating? Definitely.

Meanwhile, cricket is one of the most popular sports in South Africa. That meant when the Netherlands, the lowest-ranked side in the Super 12 stage, came up against South Africa, it was thought to be an embarrassing defeat for the Dutchies.

READ MORE | The Dutch have finally got their head around British sport (watch inside)!

However, this all changed with the shocking conclusion of November 6’s match, which dramatically unseated one of the tournament favourites, the Proteas.

South Africa’s defeat means that the Netherlands will qualify for the next Men’s T20 World Cup, taking place in 2024.

A great win for associate cricket

English bowler Alex Hartley echoed a sentiment many associate cricket fans share.

Talking to the BBC, he wondered how smaller cricketing nations would flourish if more money were pumped into supporting their teams and they played more matches.

READ MORE | 15 international sports you can easily play in the Netherlands

Dutch opener Stephan Myburgh was also in agreement with this, telling the BBC that he hoped The Netherlands got more opportunities to play against bigger cricketing nations.

What do you think of The Netherlands’ spectacular win? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

It’s official: The humble mobility scooter is the deadliest form of transport in the Netherlands

Gaelle Salem
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It’s official: The humble mobility scooter is the deadliest form of transport in the Netherlands

The scoot mobile has been popular in the Netherlands for years — and while it’s certainly convenient for those who can’t get around by foot, it’s not as safe as one might think.

According to RTL Nieuws, the scooter and other vehicles for people with a disability rank as the most dangerous means of transport in traffic in the country.

Those who ride them are more likely to get into a fatal accident than drivers of a motorcycle or a moped.

It seems the humble scooter is not as humble as everyone believes it to be. 🤔

Total number of deaths by mobility scooters

Over the past 20 years, the number of scooter riders increased significantly — and because of this, more deaths by traffic have also been reported.

In fact, a study by Statistics Netherlands comparing fatalities to the number of kilometres travelled shows that 275 users of the mobility scooter die per billion kilometres.

READ MORE | How to use your bike like a real Dutchie: from trampling pedestrians to running red lights

And that number is much higher when you compare it to, for example, motorcyclists, who have an average of 50 deaths per billion kilometres.

For moped and light-moped riders, their number falls to 42, cyclists stand at 13, and pedestrians have 11 deaths per billion kilometres.

Yes, while one might think that the bike is the most dangerous transportation device in the Netherlands, alas — it’s the scoot mobile.

History repeats itself

In 2019, there were a whopping 42 deaths caused by the humble mobility scooter, and in 2020, this number was 34. 

The number of deaths decreased by two during the pandemic period when fewer people were able to drive on the road due to lockdowns. 

Still…courses will not be obligatory for riders

Despite the great risk that the mobility scooter brings, the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Mark Harbers, doesn’t want to make following a course mandatory for those who use and often need the vehicle.

READ MORE | Take it from a former thief: this is how you can prevent your bike from being stolen

The mobility scooter allows elderly and disabled folk to get around with ease and remain independent.

Not just that, but riding on what is essentially an office chair with an engine is just one of the many reasons why the device is so popular. 🛵

“For them, a disabled vehicle (such as a scooter) is often the only option to be able to be independently mobile. A compulsory course is therefore not so easy,” Harbers tells RTL Nieuws.

What do you think about the scoot mobile being the most dangerous? Tell us in the comments below! 👇

Climate activists arrested at Schipol — for blocking private jets and cycling on runways

Mihály Droppa
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Climate activists arrested at Schipol — for blocking private jets and cycling on runways

Saturday afternoon, more than 200 activists were arrested who broke into Schiphol-East to occupy the area where private jets take off and land. 

Later in the evening, the activists from Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion were removed from the runway and identified. 

On Saturday night, all the activists were released and set free. According to the action group, one person was injured in the head in an arrest process, reports the NOS. 

Wha… Why? 

According to Greenpeace, the purpose of chaining themselves to the aircraft and cycling across the runway was to raise awareness that private jets are the most polluting mode of transport.

Greenpeace previously announced that there would be a “disruptive action” against private jets because of the pollution they cause.

The action could also be in the Guinness Book of World Records, with by far the highest number of arrests ever at the airport of Amsterdam. 

Many criticisms

Lately, some climate activists have taken more visible actions to raise awareness of climate change. Their actions after this protest were highly criticised, just like many other protests. 

READ MORE: Girl with the Pearl Earring vandalised by climate protesters

Mayor Marianne Schuurmans of Haarlemmermeer, which includes Schiphol, criticised the protest. 

“This has nothing to do with the demonstration that was agreed upon before. This action is prohibited, dangerous and punishable.”

Translation: Blocking work processes, the Public Manifestations Act (WOM) does not cover unauthorised entry into secure areas and endangering oneself and others, are not acceptable and certainly not in a security risk area like Schiphol Airport.

The EBAA, the European trade association of the business flight sector, also criticised their actions. 

Their spokesperson said that people often think of private jets of “the rich and famous who want to go to Ibiza,” but medical flights and repatriations are a big part of their work, among other things.

READ MORE: Climate activist glues himself to the table during popular Dutch TV show

A medical flight couldn’t land

The EBAA could not land their plane with a patient on board. The pilot decided to swerve because of the protesters on the platform. 

“Otherwise, he couldn’t guarantee safety,” the EBAA spokesperson said to the NOS.

Extinction Rebellion and Greenpeace Netherlands say in a response that no incoming flights have been blocked. 

“According to the authorities, the Oostbaan has been accessible all day. We have been in close contact with the authorities during this day to make room for the necessary flights. We regret that this flight would have been diverted. That was not necessary because of our action.”

Do you think their action effectively raised awareness of climate change? Tell us in the comments!

Today’s the day: NS scales down train timetable, here’s who will be affected

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
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Today’s the day: NS scales down train timetable, here’s who will be affected

With the NS cutting down its timetable, we’re going to see much fewer trains running from November 7. Oh well, at least we have the bus?

In a new travel bulletin, the NS announced that it would be adjusting its timetable to accommodate the ongoing staff shortages.

Hoera, there’ll be even fewer trains than usual

Fewer trains will be running during off-peak hours for multiple routes. These routes include those between Den Haag Centraal and Amsterdam Centraal, and Rotterdam Centraal and Utrecht Centraal.

Are you heading to work on a Friday? Well, we’ve got bad news for you, because there’ll be fewer trains running along several routes all day on Fridays.

You can also expect Intercity trains from Schagen to Alkmaar, and Alkmaar to Haarlem to be in short supply during rush hour on workdays.

A handful of sprinter routes are also running less frequently during working days, including Utrecht Centraal and Leiden Centraal and Dordrecht and Rotterdam Centraal.

When will things return to normal?

As most of the train mayhem can be traced to an ongoing staff shortage, which has unfortunately not yet been resolved, things are very much up in the air.

READ MORE | NS decides train tickets aren’t expensive enough, price rise on the way

A spokesman for the NS, Arno Leblanc, told RTL Nieuws that the rail company is doing their best to deal with the issue, but they don’t know when they can expect a resolution.

What do you think of the NS’ latest announcement? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

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