The Netherlands: Dutch coalition talks deadlocked 5 months after election

The Netherlands appeared to be heading toward talks to form a minority coalition after efforts to piece together a Cabinet made up of five parties from across the political spectrum broke down Tuesday.

More than five months after a general election left the Dutch political landscape fragmented, two key parties said they do not want to form a new government with a pair of leftist parties.

The decision by caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative People's Party for Freedom and Democracy — known by its Dutch acronym VVD — and the CDA Christian Democrats came after months of talks between party leaders and an official who is attempting to cobble together the coalition.

Read more at: Dutch coalition talks deadlocked 5 months after election

The Netherlands-Economy: The Netherlands to end pandemic business relief

The government announced Monday that with the economy back on track, lockdown measures largely over and unemployment low, “Continuing the support would stand in the way of the economic recovery.”

The government has spent some 80 billion euros ($94 billion) since March last year propping up business ranging from individual entrepreneurs to national flag carrier KLM. It says the support helped limit bankruptcies and unemployment.

The Dutch economy is forecast to grow 3.8% this year and 3.2% in 2022. A number of targeted support measures aimed at education programs and night clubs will remain in the final quarter of the year.

Read more at: https://draft.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/7267356/3674647997756275155

The Netherlands: Dutch coronavirus average rises for the first time in four weeks; Positivity rate holds above 14%

The seven-day average for new coronavirus cases in the Netherlands rose by one percent to 2,373 on Monday. The average has fallen for 27 consecutive days from a peak of 10,160, though the rate of decrease showed signs of slowing over the past week.

The average was about nine percent lower compared to a week ago according to raw data from the RIVM. Some 16,418 coronavirus cases were registered over the past seven days according to a mix of raw and corrected data, which puts the average closer to 2,345.

The RIVM learned of 2,275 more positive coronavirus tests during the 24 hours leading up to 10 a.m. on Monday. That was still about one percent lower than the previous day, but it was nearly 10 percent higher than a week ago. The daily total has remained between two and three thousand for 11 straight days.

Read more at: https://nltimes.nl/2021/08/16/dutch-coronavirus-average-rises-first-time-four-weeks-positivity-rate-holds-14

The Netherlands: How the Netherlands is leading the EU toward its tech future

Though geographically and demographically small, the Netherlands is positioning itself as a European technology leader, making a name for itself in fields like quantum computing, AI, tech start-up innovation and sustainable cities.

This is good news for IT pros looking to advance their careers and enterprises interested in emerging tech, but the country's hot technology market presents some challanges — first and foremost, it can be hard for businesses to find the tech talent they need.

The Netherlands' emerging tech dominance is being driven to a large degree by the country’s political leadership, industry-watchers said. But there are also historical and cultural trends propelling the Netherlands to a dominant technology position in the EU, some of which have the seeds in its long-standing commitment to making technology a priority.

Read more at: How the Netherlands is leading the EU toward its tech future | Computerworld

The Netherlands: Dutch military pulled 2,500 people from Kabul including final evacuation flight Thursday

The Dutch military evacuated more than 2,500 people from Afghanistan in the past week, including more than 1,600 people with the Netherlands as their destination. The Cabinet reported this in a letter to Parliament about the evacuation mission which ended on Thursday with a final flight from Kabul to Islamabad in which remaining Dutch diplomats and soldiers were on board.

"It is terrible to have to leave Afghanistan after 20 years in this way," tweeted caretaker Foreign Minister Sigrid Kaag. "It is with a heavy heart that the embassy team and the military have left with the last Dutch flight."

Among the evacuees are Dutch nationals, interpreters and their families and people who have worked in the Dutch service in the past and may therefore be at risk now that the Taliban have seized power in the country. The government cannot yet state exact numbers per group.

Read more at: Dutch military pulled 2,500 people from Kabul including final evacuation flight Thursday | NL Times

The Netherlands: Dutch people protest against the arrival of Afghan refugees — police forced to intervene

Last night, a protest was held against the arrival of hundreds of refugees from Afghanistan at De Harskamp army camp in the municipality of Ede. Tensions escalated with car tires being set alight. The police were forced to use dogs to disperse the crowd.

Read more at Dutch people protest against the arrival of Afghan refugees — police forced to intervene – DutchReview

The Netherlands: Heard of Gorinchem? It’s officially the most beautiful fortified town in the Netherlands! - by Nicole Noi Ogden

According to a campaign by the Royal Dutch Touring Club (ANWB), Gorinchem —also known as Gorkum — stood out as the most beautiful Dutch fortified town. Fortified towns are known for their characteristic star-shape!

Read more at: Heard of Gorinchem? It’s officially the most beautiful fortified town in the Netherlands! – DutchReview