Netherlands

Nadal helping hand in doubles falls short for Mallorcan mate

Nadal helping hand in doubles falls short for Mallorcan mateRotterdam, Netherlands  - Rafael Nadal got back to work on court eight days after his historic Australian Open title, adjusting to indoor conditions during a doubles loss on Monday at the ABN-AMRO World Tennis.

The Spanish world number one teamed with fellow Mallorcan Ignacio Coll-Ruidavets but the wild card pair lost to experienced Frenchman Michael Llodra - last year's singles champion - and compatriot Arnaud Clement 6-3, 6-4.

Male domestic abuse victims get their own shelters in Netherlands

Netherlands MapAmsterdam - Male victims of domestic abuse in the Netherlands can seek refuge in special shelters such as that due to open Tuesday in The Hague by Deputy Health Minister Jet Bussemaker.

The four biggest cities - Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht - each received 200,000 euros (255,920 dollars) to provide safe havens for abused men, the ministry said Monday.

Each city should provide 10 shelters. Half the total of 40 abused men's homes will be secret shelters.

Fans disrupt Ajax Amsterdam training

Fans disrupt Ajax Amsterdam trainingAmsterdam  - Several dozen Aja

The Netherlands reports mad cow disease death

The Netherlands reports mad cow disease death Amsterdam  - A Dutch national has died of Creutzfeld-Jacob disease, or mad cow disease, the Dutch Royal Institute for Health and the Environment RIVM said in a statement released on Monday.

The patient died in early January.

Post-mortem investigations performed by the Utrecht Medical Center, the teaching hospital affiliated with Utrecht University, and the Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease expertise centre in Rotterdam, confirmed the patient died from Creutzfeldt-Jakob.

Dutch to investigate "political support" for 2003 Iraq invasion

Netherlands FlagAmsterdam - Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende on Monday announced the establishment of an "independent committee" to investigate the previous government's "political support" for the US- led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

In recent weeks opposition has mounted from opposition parties and within the government to openly question the then-government's decision making process in the weeks leading to the Iraq war.

The Dutch government did not provide military support in 2003 but did make a statement of "political support" for the Iraq war.

Dutch support petition for Universal Declaration for Animal Welfare

Gerda VerburgAmsterdam - Dutch Agriculture Minister Gerda Verburg was due to sign a petition Monday calling on the United Nations to accept a Universal Declaration for Animal Welfare.

Animal rights have become an integral part of the Dutch political agenda ever since the Netherlands became the first country in the world to get a party for animal rights in parliament in 2006.

Animal welfare in the bio-industry, animal transport and slaughtering methods are discussed daily in parliament.

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