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Prince Harry Flies to Amsterdam to Launch Sustainable Travel Initiative

Freya Sawbridge
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Prince Harry Flies to Amsterdam to Launch Sustainable Travel Initiative

Prince Harry from the United Kingdom flew over to Amsterdam to launch Travalyst, a sustainable travel initiative. He partnered with travel organisations Booking.com, Skyscanner, Ctrip, TripAdvisor and Visa. 

Travalyst

The initiative, which is named by combining the words travel and catalyst, launched yesterday. It aims to generate awareness around travelling sustainably and spark a global movement toward more conscious travel.

He shares his motivation for Travalyst on his instagram, “through my travels I have observed the unique relationship between community and environment and noticed something alarming. There wasn’t the symbiosis or connection there needed to be.. I want to (use my platform) to tackle hard problems in the hope of finding a solution…”

Source: @sussexroyal

Prince Harry’s private jet backlash

Prince Harry has used private jets in the past and received widespread criticism for doing so. People questioned how he could be an advocate for the environment and encourage people to live more consciously if he was using private jets. He broke his silence on the matter today and said although 99 percent of his flights were commercial, his “unique circumstances” of his family’s safety made it sometimes necessary, the Telegraph reports. He pledges to “balance out the impact that I have”.

At the launch event yesterday in Amsterdam, Harry said he was given the motivation to begin Travalyst after meeting a seven-year-old boy on a trip to the Caribbean who told him, “Because of your country, my country’s coral reef is dying”, the Guardian reports. 

Eco-friendly travel

Prince Harry doesn’t believe stopping plane travel is necessary as seeing the world can broaden peoples minds.

He openly admits he is no expert but believes we should all be trying to help the environment. “Just because it is such a massive undertaking, doesn’t mean we can’t all play our part”, the Telegraph reports.

What do you think about this? Is it hypocritical for him to fly in a private jet? Or is everything in life about balance? 

Feature image: https://www.defense.gov

Rain, Rain, Go Away, But it Looks Like You are Here to Stay!

Freya Sawbridge
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Rain, Rain, Go Away, But it Looks Like You are Here to Stay!

That’s all for Summer 2019 folks, two national heatwaves and three regional heatwaves. Which is, well, pretty damn good for the Netherlands! But all those rain jackets and umbrellas we own will be put to good use in the upcoming week as rain is on the way..

Strong winds from the North Sea will bring the first lot of rain Wednesday morning and reduce temperatures to around 15 degrees. Between 5 and 15 mm of precipitation is expected but more could easily fall in the west and north of the Netherlands.

Showers will continue into Thursday and temperatures will remain nippy. Friday and the weekend are forecasted to be drizzly as well but the temperatures will rise a little to around 19 degrees.

Maurice from Burienradar tells RTL News “Fortunately, the month of September lasts a long time, so there is a chance that we will have a late summer. October can also cause surprises.”

Let’s see if we get lucky and manage to swim in late September or enjoy all the wonderful terraced restaurants! Are you looking forward to the rainy season?

Feature Image: 139904 on Pixabay 

Prosecution Demands 25 Years Jail Time for 20-year-old Terrorist Attacker Jawed S

Freya Sawbridge
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Prosecution Demands 25 Years Jail Time for 20-year-old Terrorist Attacker Jawed S

Jawed S, driven to ‘defend his prophet’, stabbed two American tourists last year at Amsterdam Central Station. Earlier today, the Public Prosecution announced they believe 25 years in jail is the sentence he should be given. 

As well as the prison sentence, monetary compensation for the victims is also recommended. Both victims have claimed over 3 million euros.

Gruesome images shown in court for evidence

Shocking images revealed how Jawed stood for a while, surveying the area before making his attack in the central station ticket line. Both tourist’s wives stood close by.

S slowly drew the concealed knife from his backpack, took a step forward and planted it in the first victims back. He then lunged and stabbed the other man.

Police responded to the situation immediately and shot S with two bullets causing him to collapse. One of the police officers on the scene explained how he was PTSD and went on to lambast “You stabbed two people before my eyes. What a cowardly deed, may God damn you for what you did. I hope you can stay in jail for the rest of your life” RTL News reports. 

The victims

One of the victims, who is now in a wheelchair after the stabbing damaged his spinal cord, said to S “You may think your actions are a symbol of good work, but I assure you: you are mistaken. Your attack from behind proves your weakness”, RTL News reports. 

The other victim was stabbed in the arm and torso but managed to survive the attack after emergency surgery.

The wife of one of the victims suffered a miscarriage after dealing with intense trauma caused by witnessing the stabbing. She said in court “In the United States I suffered a miscarriage. I am convinced that this was the result of the emotional and physical toll that the attack on my life has taken. I am still devastated.”

Father back in Afghanistan is very proud

A bugged conversation from Jawed’s home village in Afghanistan shows his father is very proud of him, NOS reports. 

Jawed said he has no regrets about what he did.

Feature image: foto-augenblick on Pixabay 

On This Day 75 Years Ago Anne Frank was Sent to Auschwitz

Freya Sawbridge
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On This Day 75 Years Ago Anne Frank was Sent to Auschwitz

On 3 September 1944, Anne Frank and her family were transported from the Westerbork transit camp in the Netherlands to Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland along with 1,011 other Jews.

They ended up in Westerbork transit camp after their Secret Annex in Anne Frank’s House on the Prinsengracht in Amsterdam was raided and everyone hiding in it was captured on 4 August 1944. Anne Frank’s parents, Otto and Edith, her sister Margot as well as Hermann and Auguste van Pels, their son Peter and family friend Fritz Pfeffer were all in hiding.

Anne Frank at school Source: Website Anne Frank Stichting, Amsterdam on Wikipedia

During the journey to Auschwitz, men and women were separated. Anne Frank and her boyfriend Peter van Pels saw each other for the last time. It was also the last time that Otto Frank saw his wife and daughters.

Auschwitz. Source: dimitrisvetsikas1969 on Pixabay

Edith, Margot, Anne, and Auguste remained at Auschwitz-Birkenau camp and ended up in a barracks for forced labourers. Otto, Hermann, Peter and Fritz were ordered to walk to camp Auschwitz I which was three kilometres away. They were forced to do heavy labour.

Anne and her sister are thought to have died from typhus in February 1945, just months before the camp was liberated by the Red Cross.

Anne Frank’s life is now encapsulated in The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Tickets can be purchased online for the museum which is open daily.

Have you been to the Anne Frank House? Have you read her diary? Or have you read any other good literature from the Holocaust? Let us know in the comments! 

Feature Image: AnonymousUnknown author [Public domain] on Wikimedia

Flying Tomorrow? Schiphol Strike Action Set to Continue Wednesday

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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Flying Tomorrow? Schiphol Strike Action Set to Continue Wednesday

Ongoing strikes by KLM ground staff have been recently causing chaos and interruptions at Schiphol Airport. On Monday, around 500 employees stopped work. After failing to reach a resolution with their employer they will strike again on Wednesday. 

The FNV trade union made the announcement on Monday as part of their fight for better working conditions.

“After the first work break on Monday morning, no response has yet been received from KLM. That is why we will continue with the next action on Wednesday,” FNV director Jan van den Brink told nu.nl.

When will the strike take place?

The ground staff will stop working Wednesday morning between 8am and 10am, so if you’re planning on flying out anywhere near these hours it’s best to double-check with your airline.

Monday’s strike caused 67 flights to be delayed or cancelled, with only 11 of these announced in advance.

What will happen next?

The union is threatening more strike action if KLM does not come to the table, said FNV campaign leader Joost van Doesburg.

FNV is fighting for better working conditions for the 15,000 workers. KLM have offered up to a 3% pay increase in one year, but the union wants to see 8% in two years, a more predictable roster, and more permanent jobs. Sounds fair enough to us – where can we get some of that?

What does KLM think?

Well, they’re not a fan of the strikes obviously. In a statement they described the action as ‘incomprehensible’ and ‘unnecessary.’

“Striking is a constraint for the traveler and costs money that we would rather invest in our company and an attractive profit share for our employees,” the statement read.

KLM have invited the unions for discussions early next week, with several agreeing to attend so far.

What do you think of the strikes so far? Have you been inconvenienced? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: Andrey Belenko on Flickr. CC2.0.

Need a laugh? The Hague is Getting its First Comedy Club!

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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Need a laugh? The Hague is Getting its First Comedy Club!

Do you look out your window to nothing but sad, grey clouds? Are you playing Adele in the evening while staring wistfully up at your ceiling? Do you feel your cheek muscles sagging with the crippling weight of a lack of hilarious jokes in your life? 

Oh DutchReviewer, we’ve been there! But then we heard the news. What news? Oh boy. The best news! The Hague is getting its first dedicated comedy club, ComedyCity!

“But I don’t get Dutch jokes,” we hear you murmur as you turn away dejectedly. Our dear DutchReviewer, that’s the best part, because why else would we be here? The most excellent part of ComedyCity is (drumroll please) …..

… they have shows purely in English! No listening to the gutteral gurgles that emerge breathless from a Dutch persons mouth (we’re subjected to that enough!) For us, only the straight-shootin’ English language will do.

Who’s bringing us comedy in The Hague?

ComedyCity is the brainchild of Mino van Nassau. Who cares, right? Well, you should. this comedian/founder was a finalist in the Funniest Person in the World competition. Let’s repeat that. Mino van Nassau was in the running to be the funniest. person. in. the. WORLD. What have you done today?

Mino van Nassau brings comedy in the Hague

After his run in the big leagues, Van Nassau has returned to crank up the comedy knob in the political centre of the Netherlands (because those politicians sure could use a few laughs that don’t involve blonde, fat, international politicians right now).

Why do we need comedy in The Hague?

If you’re asking this question, you need comedy in The Hague more than anyone else. But, Van Nassau has a pretty good answer for this question anyway.

“The Netherlands was originally a cabaret country and loves theater with a beautiful story and a song,” he explained. “But the new generation is more charmed by the quick humour with a high joke density.”

ComedyCity brings comedy in the Hague

As a result, Van Nassau is promising quick humour, hilarious stories, and top-shelf stand-up comedy from the best national and international stand-up comedians. We give that promise a standing ovation.

What is the Smile Guarantee?

We know that those living in the Netherlands want to get their money’s worth. So ComedyCity has got something to make you smile: a smile guarantee!

Simply put, if the comedians make you fall short of your laughter expectations you’ll get your money back. Seriously (unlike the rest of this article). Is that making you smile? We think we can see one!

Mino van Nassau says that he only wants to see and hear the best in his club. If the audience isn’t in uproar over the daring humour delivered by the international comedy acts he isn’t doing his job right (and he’ll do his job right – that’s the smile guarantee!)

Enough talk: when is comedy in The Hague?

Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come! On Friday September 6th 2019 the curtains will open on the inaugural ComedyCity show in The Hague!

Buuut, we’ll be honest. Unless you speak awesome Dutch, you’ll want to wait until the following night, Saturday September 7th 2019! 

Where is comedy in The Hague?

The location is more breathtaking than hilarious. This warehouse of entertainment is located in a literal warehouse: Bleyenburg, previously a great market of none other than wallpaper has been turned into a hub for delicious food, shopping, and now: bloody hilarious comedy.

“In addition to delicious lunch, dinner, swinging and lounging, Bleyenberg can now also laugh very loudly,” Mino van Nassau said.

Okay, we want it. Where can we get tickets?

We’ve hidden the tickets inside chocolate bars that are shipped all over the world. You will probably only find one if you’re very rich, very lucky, or really like chocolate. Alright, alright, we’ll leave the comedy to the real comedians! Head over their way to grab your tickets and see the itinerary!

Will you be heading to get all your laughs at ComedyCity in The Hague? Got a favourite Dutch comedian? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: Pfc Nicole Rogge // Public Domain

Car Versus Public Transit: Why are Public Transport Costs Rising So Fast?

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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5
Car Versus Public Transit: Why are Public Transport Costs Rising So Fast?

We all know the Netherlands is a city of bikes, but when you have to go long distance those two-wheeled beauties just ‘aint gonna cut it. Thank god the Netherlands has a trusty public transport system, right?

Well, maybe not. Public transport costs have risen faster over a ten year period than the costs for driving a car, according to a new report released by the Central Bureau of Statistics. 

Even after calculating in all the costs associated with owning an automobile like purchase, fuel, servicing, parking costs, insurance, and taxes, the report found that public transport had risen by an additional 5% compared to owning a car, reports nu.nl.

What was the change?

Over ten years, the costs of driving a car rose by 25%. Meanwhile, prices for public transport increased by 30% based on prices for train, tram, metro, bus and taxi.

This is despite cars being particularly expensive to own in the Netherlands, with insurance premiums and parking costs rising sharply (why do we have to pay €45 euro to NOT use a car in Amsterdam?) Around ten times more money is spent on car costs than on public transport costs, while fuel accounts for about a third of this.

So why have public transport costs risen faster?

The main reason is an increase in VAT rates (let’s all say a big thank you to taxes!). In January this year the tax on public transport rose by 3%, making it the largest of all the countries in Europe. That’s probably not something we want to brag about.

Luckily, there are heaps of ways to get public transport at a discounted price so you can save those shiny coins for when you arrive at your destination.

Do you think the price of public transport in the Netherlands is justified? Is owning a car expensive or affordable? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: Samantha Dixon

Disruption at Schiphol Caused by Strikes

Freya Sawbridge
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0
Disruption at Schiphol Caused by Strikes

A strike began this morning by KLM staff at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, one of the busiest airports in Europe. Many flights have already been disrupted including Air France, Transavia and EasyJet. 

Why are KLM staff striking?

The 15,000 KLM staff are wanting a four percent pay rise, better job security created by fixed contracts and more flexible working time, Bloomberg reports. 

The union has been in discussions for months with KLM management which resulted in staff rejecting an offer of a 2 percent pay rise.

KLM management believe the 2 percent pay increase does not warrant such a reaction and the strike is unnecessary.

Schiphol airport has issued the following warning to passengers to keep an eye on their flight for any disruptions. Make sure you check your flight times for any delays and cancellations!

Let’s hope the strike ends soon and flights can resume their normal schedules!

Do you think strikes are necessary? Have you been affected? 

Tent City Created for International Students Due to Housing Crisis

Freya Sawbridge
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0
Tent City Created for International Students Due to Housing Crisis

In 2015, worldwide outrage was sparked when it came to light that a United Nations intern was camping on the lake shores of Geneva as he couldn’t afford accommodation. Now, in 2019, the student organisation of Tilburg University has set up a summer camp for internationals unable to find permanent accommodation. 

Hundreds of students from all over the world have arrived in Tilburg eager to start the academic year. Accommodation is competitive (seemingly like everywhere else in the Netherlands) and to help people get on their feet the student organisation has came up with a plan; a 25-day camping facility until they find accommodation.

Summer camp provides more than just a roof

Approximately 50 students at the camp are provided with a sleeping bag, an air mattress, pillows and lights. Volunteers are also on hand to help students in their quest to find a room and assist them with contract and translation queries. As one student said “At least I have a place to stay”.

There is a strong practical element to the camp and given finding a room is harder and is only getting harder so why not have a stop-gap in place to prevent new students being completely homeless upon arrival? “We have lots of activities planned. We’ll have bonfires, sports games, a movie night, a party at Club Smederij and much more” Univers reports.

Finding accommodation is hard

Not only do the students have to move to a whole new country, but they have to contend with all the difficulties that arise with an accommodation shortage – hiked prices, “Dutch only” exclusions and scammers eager to prey on vulnerable and desperate students.

“We are aware that this is a very difficult situation for new students,” I.S.A.T. board member Antonia Telbizova tells Univers. “We want to bring security to these students and welcome them in a way that allows them to have fun and explore Tilburg during their first month here.”

VICE investigates the camp for students in Tilburg:

Het tentenkamp voor studenten in Tilburg

Door woningnood moeten studenten in Tilburg in een tentje slapen voor 450 euro per maand. We vroegen de inwoners hoe ze het verblijf ervaren.

Geplaatst door VICE Nederland op Vrijdag 30 augustus 2019

 

Have the international students been shafted or saved? Do you think this is acceptable? Let us know in the comments! 

Featured image: pooch_eire on Pixabay 

Amsterdam Rated Safest City in Europe and Fourth Safest Globally

Freya Sawbridge
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1
Amsterdam Rated Safest City in Europe and Fourth Safest Globally

Amsterdam isn’t just an attractive, artistic and progressive city but can now also claim the title of being the safest city in Europe and fourth safest globally, according to the latest report by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). 

The criteria

So what criteria was measured to conclude that Amsterdam, is in fact the most safe city? The report included 60 cities around the world and analysed 57 indicators contained within four types of safety. These four main categories were digital, infrastructure, health and personal security.

Digital security refers to citizens’ awareness of digital threats and a city’s privacy policy. Infrastructure security is about the safety of buildings, roads, bridges and other physical infrastructure and the ease of transport. Heath security looked at the accessibility and affordability of health services, environmental policies and life expectancy. Lastly, personal security means the trust in the criminal justice system, police control and overall crime statistics.

Resilience criteria added

To cope with modern day pressures like climate change, this year the EIU added a “resilience” criteria. This criteria measured cities ability to “bounce back” from shocks – both natural and man-made.

The report concluded that transparency and understanding how a city works were deemed essential in a city’s resilience potential.

European and Global comparison

The Dutch capital’s best performing category was infrastructure security where they scored 92/100 (all that cycling!?) This was followed by 89.4 for personal security and 89 for digital security. Their worst score, which brought down their average of 88 out of 100 quite a lot, was 81.6 for health security.

Safe city Europe
Source: na4ev on Pixabay

Other ranking European cities were Copenhagen which placed 8th, Stockholm 12th and London which came 14th.

Tokyo, Singapore, and Osaka took first, second and third place respectively, just beating Amsterdam to a “medal” in the global ranking. The top three places have remain unchanged since the 2015 report. Asia-Pacific cities made up 60% of the top ten safest cities globally but the report insists that “geographic location does not have a statistical link with results”.

The report emphasised the importance of getting the basics like accessibility to healthcare and community police patrolling right.  So even Tokyo, despite being the most populous city on the planet, got the basic infrastructure in place, creating a strong foundation on which to build a flourishing city. One can imagine a strong base makes it more manageable to handle a large volume of people with competing desires and needs.

The report stresses that a rich city does not automatically translate to being a safe city. For example, despite Nigeria having the strongest economy in Africa, Lagos was ruled the least safe city in the world, with an overall score of only 38.1.

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