Netherlands

Iran offers cautious opening to US on Afghanistan

Iran offers cautious opening to US on Afghanistan The Hague - Iran on Tuesday was set to offer a cautious welcome to the United States' new strategy for Afghanistan by telling a conference in The Hague that it was "fully prepared" to help the country's reconstruction and to fight drug trafficking.

Terrorist hiding in FATA planning attacks in US, Europe: Holbrook

Terrorist hiding in FATA planning attacks in US, Europe: HolbrookThe Hague (Netherland), Mar. 31 : Strongly condemning the terror attack on the police training camp in Lahore, the United States Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke has expressed fears that several terrorists, hiding in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), were planning to carry out similar strikes in the US and European countries.

Fortis Bank Netherlands loses 18.5 billions in 2008

Fortis Bank Netherlands loses 18.5 billions in 2008 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.

ROUNDUP: Dutch announce 6-billion-euro economic stimulus plan

Dutch announce 6-billion-euro economic stimulus planAmsterdam - 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.

Dutch government announces 6-billion-euro economic stimulus plan

Dutch government announces 6-billion-euro economic stimulus plan 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.

NEWS FEATURE: Finance crisis forces Dutch return to "old" politics

Finance crisis forces Dutch return to "old" politicsAmsterdam  - 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.

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