Amsterdam - The Dutch division of Fortis Bank NV has suffered a net loss of 18.5 billion euros (24.96 billion dollars) in 2008, according to the bank's annual report released on Thursday.

Fortis said 17.7 billion euros of the loss results from one-time write-offs on its share in RFS Holdings.

RFS is the holding that took over ABN Amro. Fortis Bank Netherlands had an 33.8 per cent ownership in RFS.

Some 922 million euros of the loss were caused by exposure to the Madoff fraud affair.

Amsterdam - The Dutch government on Wednesday announced a 6- billion-euro (8.1-billion-dollar) economic stimulus plan that will see investment followed by cost-cutting in 2011 to tackle the economic crisis.

Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, presenting the plan to parliament, said the funds would be spent over six years, primarily on infrastructure projects, unemployment prevention and sustainable energy over the next six years.

Amsterdam  - The Dutch government on Wednesday announced a 6- billion-euro (8.1-billion-dollar) economic stimulus plan that will see investment followed by cost-cutting in 2011 to tackle the economic crisis.

Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, presenting the plan to parliament, said the funds would be spent over six years, primarily on infrastructure projects, unemployment prevention and sustainable energy over the next six years.

Amsterdam  - Eight years after so-called "polder model" politics was officially carried to its grave in the Netherlands, the economic crisis has revived the typically Dutch socio-political tradition of compromise and pragmatism.

Wednesday the labour unions and employee organisations deliberated on the government's proposal for measures to fight the economic crisis.

Amsterdam - Dutch labour unions, employee organisations and government coalition parties began deliberations Wednesday to decide if they will support a 6-billion-euro (8.10-million-dollar) government proposal designed to bolster the economy.

If each group lends its support to the plan, the government is expected to release details later Wednesday. Support from the government's so-called social partners is key to winning broader backing for the plan.

Amsterdam - Four Dutch journalists have been arrested in the Indonesian province of Papua, Dutch news wire ANP reported Tuesday.

The four were arrested in the city of Jayapura while reporting on a rally calling for Papua's independence.

Dutch international radio Wereldomroep confirmed that the incident involved three of its freelancers and a correspondent for the leading Dutch daily newspaper NRC Handelsblad.

Indonesian authorities said the Dutch had been arrested for allegedly violating local immigration laws and filming without permission.