...or something along that line. Bringing you the headlines from my little country. Not sure if I can keep it updated daily.


Here's some headlines from the past few days.



Policewoman shot dead
Thursday 10 July 2008

Source: DutchNews


"The police officer shot dead in Amstelveen on Wednesday night has been identified as 28-year-old Gabriëlle Cevat, news agency ANP said on Thursday. A 49-year-old man from Amsterdam has been arrested in connection with the shooting.

Amsterdam police chief Bernard Welten said her station was extremely shocked by the death and sent his condolences to friends and family. Her partner is also a police officer.

According to ANP, the Cevat was in plain clothes and driving to a police station in Amsterdam Noord for her night shift when she noticed a BMW driving erratically. She alerted her colleagues and drove after the car.

The car stopped in the Piet de Winterlaan in Amstelveen. The police officer got out and identified herself to the driver who shot her once in her upper body. He fled into a nearby house. The three teenagers who were home escaped through a window. Cevat died later in hospital.

The suspect was involved in another incident in Amstelveen earlier in the evening during which shots were fired at a door, ANP reports. The man is reportedly known to the police and has a criminal record for sex and violent crimes.

The shooting is the sixth death of a police officer in active service since 1977 and the first since 2004."


Notice the last line... That's exactly why news like this still makes headlines over here.


And more alarming news:

Uganda tourist dies of Ebola-like fever
Friday 11 July 2008

"AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) — A Dutch woman has died from Marburg fever, a rare Ebola-like virus she is thought to have caught from bats while touring caves in Uganda, hospital officials said Friday.
To avoid an outbreak of the highly contagious disease, health authorities said they have been in touch with everyone known to have had contact with the 40-year-old woman since she returned to the Netherlands at the end of June.

So far, no one else has reported symptoms, said the National Institute for Public Health and Environment.

It is the first known case of a tourist catching Marburg virus. Previous outbreaks of the disease have largely struck African miners and hunters."

Source (and more news): USAToday

...or something along that line. Bringing you the headlines from my little country. Not sure if I can keep it updated daily.


Here's some headlines from the past few days.



Policewoman shot dead
Thursday 10 July 2008

Source: DutchNews


"The police officer shot dead in Amstelveen on Wednesday night has been identified as 28-year-old Gabriëlle Cevat, news agency ANP said on Thursday. A 49-year-old man from Amsterdam has been arrested in connection with the shooting.

Amsterdam police chief Bernard Welten said her station was extremely shocked by the death and sent his condolences to friends and family. Her partner is also a police officer.

According to ANP, the Cevat was in plain clothes and driving to a police station in Amsterdam Noord for her night shift when she noticed a BMW driving erratically. She alerted her colleagues and drove after the car.

The car stopped in the Piet de Winterlaan in Amstelveen. The police officer got out and identified herself to the driver who shot her once in her upper body. He fled into a nearby house. The three teenagers who were home escaped through a window. Cevat died later in hospital.

The suspect was involved in another incident in Amstelveen earlier in the evening during which shots were fired at a door, ANP reports. The man is reportedly known to the police and has a criminal record for sex and violent crimes.

The shooting is the sixth death of a police officer in active service since 1977 and the first since 2004."


Notice the last line... That's exactly why news like this still makes headlines over here.


And more alarming news:

Uganda tourist dies of Ebola-like fever
Friday 11 July 2008

"AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) — A Dutch woman has died from Marburg fever, a rare Ebola-like virus she is thought to have caught from bats while touring caves in Uganda, hospital officials said Friday.
To avoid an outbreak of the highly contagious disease, health authorities said they have been in touch with everyone known to have had contact with the 40-year-old woman since she returned to the Netherlands at the end of June.

So far, no one else has reported symptoms, said the National Institute for Public Health and Environment.

It is the first known case of a tourist catching Marburg virus. Previous outbreaks of the disease have largely struck African miners and hunters."

Source (and more news): USAToday


You'll be glad to know that whilst reading one of those scientific journals online, I stumbled across an article talking about how one of the key proteins in the Ebola virus has been broken down or some such scientific jargon and scientist sorts are getting very close to working out how it attacks and how to treat it.

You'll be glad to know that whilst reading one of those scientific journals online, I stumbled across an article talking about how one of the key proteins in the Ebola virus has been broken down or some such scientific jargon and scientist sorts are getting very close to working out how it attacks and how to treat it.


That's surely good news for those suffering from Ebola - but this wasn't Ebola. It was Marburg, which is still incurable. I believe there's a 50 to 80% chance you'll die if you're infected.

Besides... Even if they have cracked the code, it doesn't mean they have a cure at hand. Might take years (decades?) more before they find something that's effective.

Anyway, it's too late for the 40-year-old woman... :(

The shooting is the sixth death of a police officer in active service since 1977 and the first since 2004."
Notice the last line... That's exactly why news like this still makes headlines over here.



Hell, right next door in Beaver Falls, PA (population 9920 9916, and home of Joe Namath) in the past week and a half, four of our fine citizens have been shot to death.  Year to date we are at five. The suspect in an earlier murder is the brother of one of the recent vics.

At the end of the day, so  to speak, I believe that all of the killings will be found to have been due to squabbles between rival drug dealers.

This is a great idea for a thread, Henk!  I love to know the goings on around the world.  I am shocked that only 6 police officers have been shot since 1977  :o

That's surely good news for those suffering from Ebola - but this wasn't Ebola. It was Marburg, which is still incurable. I believe there's a 50 to 80% chance you'll die if you're infected.



According to Wikipedia, the death rate varies from 23 to 90%.


This is a great idea for a thread, Henk!  I love to know the goings on around the world.  I am shocked that only 6 police officers have been shot since 1977  :o


Thanks, Shannon. I will try to keep you up to date.

In the case of the police officer shooting I think it's right to point out that the officer in question did not know who she was confronted with. It is also unclear whether or not the suspect knew he was faced with a police officer. According to bystander reports though, the suspect shot (almost) immediately when pulled over. He was found under the influence of alcohol.
The earlier event he was involved in was one in the relational sphere. As far as I know, no drugs were involved.

Headlines for Saturday 12 July 2008.


12-year-old girl found dead

A 12-year-old girl was found dead today in a house in Arnhem. Her parents found the young girl this afternoon and tried CPR on her, but to no avail. Further details are not yet available. Police are investigating the matter.


Lightning strikes chimney: 100 homes evacuated

100 Homes were evacuated in Amsterdam this morning after lightning had struck a nearby factory chimney.
The chimney did not have a lightning conductor, according to locals, and the factory had been abandonded for years.
After being struck by lightning earlier this week the chimney started to collapse. Fragments had already fallen onto a courtyard, and although nobody was injured in the process, authorities deemed it unsafe and decided to evacuate 100 homes in the proximity.
Today demolition of the chimney has started.


Man goes missing after collision

A man has gone missing after a small polyester vessel collided with a sailing yacht on the river Rhine near Arnhem this afternoon.
The man was one of four people aboard the vessel, three of them children. Two children fell overboard with the man, but could be rescued and remained unharmed. The third child, that didn't fall overboard, got injured. All children were taken to hospital and are recovering well, according to a police spokesman.
Search for the missing man has continued until darkness set in; so far to no avail.

In my neck-of-the-woods, a bank was robbed and an off-duty cop shot him down. And today, someone went to jail for slapping his girlfriend...and it was on my street!

Headlines for Saturday 12 July 2008.


12-year-old girl found dead

A 12-year-old girl was found dead today in a house in Arnhem. Her parents found the young girl this afternoon and tried CPR on her, but to no avail. Further details are not yet available. Police are investigating the matter.



First examination of the body and the house show no evidence of violence or a crime, police have stated today.
Needless to say the sudden death of the young girl has shocked the community. The school the girl attended has been opened to public as a place of mourning and gathering.

First examination of the body and the house show no evidence of violence or a crime, police have stated today.
Needless to say the sudden death of the young girl has shocked the community. The school the girl attended has been opened to public as a place of mourning and gathering.
  Many times in these situations, an undetected heart condition is to blame.  Do you know if they're going to have to (unfortunately) do an autopsy?

  Many times in these situations, an undetected heart condition is to blame.  Do you know if they're going to have to (unfortunately) do an autopsy?


There already has been an autopsy, and results ruled out a violent death. I'm not sure if they've found a cause of death - if  they have, it hasn't been made public.

Headlines for Saturday 12 July 2008.

Man goes missing after collision

A man has gone missing after a small polyester vessel collided with a sailing yacht on the river Rhine near Arnhem this afternoon.
The man was one of four people aboard the vessel, three of them children. Two children fell overboard with the man, but could be rescued and remained unharmed. The third child, that didn't fall overboard, got injured. All children were taken to hospital and are recovering well, according to a police spokesman.
Search for the missing man has continued until darkness set in; so far to no avail.


Search was continued on Sunday, but the man has not been found. On Monday, the search was ended.


Headlines for Monday 14 July 2008


Actress Riek Schagen (94) dies

Actress Riek Schagen died this morning in her hometown of Vorden, a family spokesman has said.
Mrs Schagen was primarily known for her part in Dutch tv series "Swiebertje", about a tramp with a golden heart (played by the also deceased Joop Doderer), where she played Saartje, housekeeper to the local mayor. She played the part for 10 years (from 1965 to 1975), but reruns in later years kept her character alive and popular. Although she played parts in other tv series and plays, she would always be identified with Saartje - a thing she didn't dislike, because Saartje was much like herself.


2 Unlimited: Jump For Joy?

There are plans for a reunion of the original 2 Unlimited, according to the managament of Anita Doth, one half of the internationally popular Dutch duo. They have confirmed that Anita and Ray (Slijngaard) are on speaking terms again. Good news for the fans of the duo, that scored massive hits with songs like "No Limits", "The Real Thing" and "Twilight Zone" in the early 1990's. But it's still early days, and so far it's just plans.

There are plans for a reunion of the original 2 Unlimited, according to the managament of Anita Doth, one half of the internationally popular Dutch duo. They have confirmed that Anita and Ray (Slijngaard) are on speaking terms again. Good news for the fans of the duo, that scored massive hits with songs like "No Limits", "The Real Thing" and "Twilight Zone" in the early 1990's. But it's still early days, and so far it's just plans.

And in the U.S., they had a big hit with "Get Ready For This" in 1994/95. 8)

Henk,karma for the foreign twist!

I know this isn't an ask me thread but i heard the anti-smoking law just passed in Holland, how is everyone adapting? And are coffee shops still allowed?

Henk,karma for the foreign twist!

I know this isn't an ask me thread but i heard the anti-smoking law just passed in Holland, how is everyone adapting?


Surprisingly well, although the smaller bars and cafes (esp. those that don't have an outdoor cafe) have been fighting for exception to the rule. Their respective owners don't have the money for structural alterations, and with no outdoor place for smokers, they face the prospect of losing clientele with the possibility of closure.
On the other hand: the anti-smoking law has encouraged lots of people to quit smoking. 


And are coffee shops still allowed?


Yes and no. Coffee shops were never really allowed, but tolerated. ;)
You can still smoke marijuana or hashish in a coffee shop, but only if it's not mixed with tobacco. If it's mixed with tobacco, you can only smoke it in a separated room that has to meet standards laid down by law. Most (if not all) coffeeshops don't have the money and/or the room for these alterations, so smoking a joint is getting harder and harder. (It is illegal to smoke a joint outdoors)

Surprisingly well, although the smaller bars and cafes (esp. those that don't have an outdoor cafe) have been fighting for exception to the rule. Their respective owners don't have the money for structural alterations, and with no outdoor place for smokers, they face the prospect of losing clientele with the possibility of closure.
On the other hand: the anti-smoking law has encouraged lots of people to quit smoking. 

Yes and no. Coffee shops were never really allowed, but tolerated. ;)
You can still smoke marijuana or hashish in a coffee shop, but only if it's not mixed with tobacco. If it's mixed with tobacco, you can only smoke it in a separated room that has to meet standards laid down by law. Most (if not all) coffeeshops don't have the money and/or the room for these alterations, so smoking a joint is getting harder and harder. (It is illegal to smoke a joint outdoors)


Why anybody would mix it is beyond me? Best just to smoke a blunt.

Why anybody would mix it is beyond me? Best just to smoke a blunt.


I've no experience on the matter.

I've no experience on the matter.


Aint no bugs on you!

Aint no bugs on you!


??? :-\\

2 Unlimited: Jump For Joy?

There are plans for a reunion of the original 2 Unlimited, according to the managament of Anita Doth, one half of the internationally popular Dutch duo. They have confirmed that Anita and Ray (Slijngaard) are on speaking terms again. Good news for the fans of the duo, that scored massive hits with songs like "No Limits", "The Real Thing" and "Twilight Zone" in the early 1990's.


...but bad news for the rest of us!  :P

...but bad news for the rest of us!  :P


I wouldn't worry too much, Paul. Remember the Spice Girls' reunion..? ;)

I wouldn't worry too much, Paul. Remember the Spice Girls' reunion..? ;)


I'm trying very hard to forget it actually occurred!  :P

It seems all you gotta do these days is split up, keep your heads down a few years, then subject the public to the same crap once more!

I'm trying very hard to forget it actually occurred!  :P

It seems all you gotta do these days is split up, keep your heads down a few years, then subject the public to the same crap once more!


Twelve years, in this case. And it's still unsure if there's gonna be a reunion - so far it's just talks.

I liked 2 Unlimited back then, btw. ::)

I liked 2 Unlimited back then, btw. ::)


Ah! So you're one of the many to blame!  ;)

'No, no, no-no no, no..no-no, no, no...no-no there's no lyrics!'

Ah! So you're one of the many to blame!  ;)

'No, no, no-no no, no..no-no, no, no...no-no there's no lyrics!'


There were lyrics to that song, you know... but I know you're just teasing. I suppose this is the wrong thread, but I should smite you for that.  :P


On topic: for those of you awaiting todays headlines... I have none. I was looking for some good news (for a change), but that's hard to find.
I suppose I could tell you that a 3-year-old girl has been found dead ("suspicious circumstances") or that the so-called Tijgermug (Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus), a possibly disease carrying insect, has been spotted again in our country, but those things would not make you happier.

Headlines (and other news) for 16 - 19 July 2008


Two holes-in-one in one match (July 16)

During an amateur golf tournament at the Golfpark Spandersbosch in Hilversum, two golfers each hit a hole-in-one:
Mrs Cobi van der Meulen (hole 2, 128 m / 140 yards) and Mr Philippe Kluit (hole 8, 169 m / 185 yards).
Chances of this happening in any golf tournament, be it pro or amateur, aren't exceptionally good, so needless to say both players were pretty excited.
It was Mrs Van der Meulen's husband who told her she had hit a hole-in-one, but she couldn't see it herself because he was blocking her view, as she told the press. She didn't believe him until she approached the hole and couldn't find her ball anywhere.
Mr Kluit stated his astonishment as follows in his weblog: "I, no-good golfer with a beginners handicap of 45, really did it: every golfer's dream."


Adopted baby panda dies (July 17)

Today was a sad day in Artis Zoo, when an 18 days old red panda was found dead with his adoptive mother.
The young panda was born on 30 June, but was disowned by his mother. Luckily, one of the zoo keepers had a cat who had just given birth, and the panda young was placed with her. Everything seemed to be working out fine until today. According to the autopsy, the panda died of choking, probably caused by drinking too greedily.
The young panda was one of two pandas born on 30 June; the sibling died on that same day.
Mother cat and her four kittens are doing well, according to her owner.


First day of Red Bull Air Race ends prescheduled (July 19)

The first day of the Red Bull Air Race in Rotterdam didn't go as scheduled today. Hard winds, rain and occasional thunder and lightning forced the organizers to intervene. After already having canceled the opening show this morning (due to the heavy rain), the second round of qualification was also canceled later today. The hard wind was blowing the pilons (sp?) away.
Although race day tomorrow will probably see even more wind, the organisation is still expecting a packed house.


Schiphol Airport to introduce iris scan for all Dutch passengers (19 July)

Schiphol Airport has announced it will introduce iris scan for all Dutch passengers in the course of 2009. The iris scan is now reserved to a select group of passengers and Schiphol personnel.
Having your iris scanned will cost you approximately € 40, according to officials. The iris scan will hopefully help speed up checking in, because you will no longer have to go through passport control. The initial iris scan wil be valid for 5 years.


VWA (Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) to check Smokers' Churches and Associations (19 July)

The Dutch Voedsel- en WarenAutoriteit (VWA, Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) has announced it will check the newly set up Rokerskerken (Smokers' Churches) and Rokerssociëteiten (Smokers' Associations) to see if they're not breaking the law.
The Smokers' Churches and Associations were founded in reaction to the prohibition of smoking in bars, pubs and cafes. Dozens of these establishments "converted" to a new religion, worshipping the holy trinity of smoke, fire and ashes. They claim that their pubs are now houses of worship (with smoking being their religion), and refer to the freedom of religion to allow them smoking.
Other establishments formed a chain of Associations, where only members are allowed.
The VWA however claims all establishments are still pubs, bars or cafes, and as such smoking is not allowed.

Headlines (and other news) for Monday 21 July 2008.


Former skater Piet Keijzer (89) dies

Piet Keijzer, a former winner of the famous Elfstedentocht (Eleven Cities Tour), has died today at the age of 89.
Keijzer was one of five men to win the 1940 edition. The five formed a coalition, known as the "Pact van Dokkum" (Dokkum Pact), named after the most northern of the eleven cities where the men agreed not to sprint for the victory.
As things go, with the finish in sight the pact was forgotten and the men ended up sprinting after all. Still, all five men were ranked first ex aequo, because the crowd pressing on and other circumstances made it impossible for the judges to see who finished first.
It wasn't until 2007 that film footage revealed Piet Keijzer was the "real" winner. He was 21 years old at the time, and with that he is still the youngest winner ever.


Strandzesdaagse (Six-day Beach Walk): no-one drops out *

In spite of the poor conditions, not one of the 1,000 hikers in the Strandzesdaagse has dropped out today.
The Strandzesdaagse, a six-day walking event along the coast of Holland, is being held for the 50th time this year, and hikers were battling hard wind, severe showers of rain and low temperatures (about 15°C, high fifties Fahrenheit).  Luckily, the weather will be improving gradually over the next few days, with temperatures climbing to 27°C (80°F) on Friday and Saturday.
The first stage went from Hoek van Holland to Wassenaar. Next stops will be in Noordwijk aan Zee, Velsen Noord, Egmond aan Zee, Callantsoog and Den Helder (finish on Saturday).

* There's two reasons for telling you this: 1. I live in Den Helder; 2. One of my colleagues is walking the walk.


Advancing Q-fever causes concern

Family docters in the northeastern part of Noord-Brabant have uttered great concern over the advancing Q-fever in their region.
Q-fever is a severe form of influenza which is known to last up to 6 weeks, and sometimes evolves into pneumonia. The infection results from inhalation of contaminated particles in the air, and from contact with the vaginal mucus, milk, feces, urine or semen of infected animals (most commonly goat, sheep and cattle).
Until last year, on average 15 cases of the disease were reported each year, and it was considered an occupational illness.
This year however already 432 cases have been reported.
For you reassurance: the disease is easily cured with antibiotics, so there's no reason for you to avoid the area.

Headline for Thursday 24 July 2008


Dutch father and three children die in Alps

A Dutch father (57) and his three children (two girls aged 16 and 23, one boy aged 20) died today in the Alps. The four had just before reached the summit of the Mont Dolent (3,800 m) close to the French/Swiss/Italian border*, and were in their descent when apparently one of the four lost their footing. The four were connected by a rope and this lead to them all falling down some 300 m.
The mother of the family (50), who was still waiting on the top of the mountain, and a French hiker were eye witnesses to the tragic events.
The bodies of the four were transported to the morgue of Courmayeur (Italy).

Mont Dolent is not generally considered a difficult or dangerous climb, although it does call for experience. All five family members were members of the Royal Dutch Mountaineering Association.

* The summit is on Swiss territory, I believe.