Dutch news in brief – 11 May 2004

Dutch newspaper circulation declines

The circulation of most Dutch national and regional newspapers declined last year, the institute which compiles circulation figures HOI said. Newspapers have been faced with a declining number of subscribers and newsstand sales for some time. Het Financieele Dagblad recorded the largest decline among national newspapers, but Trouw, Volkskrant, NRC and De Telegraaf also reported declines. Most magazines reported better years, with opinion magazines De Groene Amsterdammer, HP/De Tijd and Ode doing particularly well. Elsevier remained stable, while Vrij Nederland was the only magazine that suffered a fall in circulation. Gossip magazine such as Prive, Story and Weekend recorded lower circulation figures. Sport magazines reported increased circulation, but Esquire and Playboy lost ground.

PKK leader starts hunger strike

Kurdish terror suspect and PKK leader Nuriye Kesbir has started a hunger strike in protest against a ruling by the Dutch Supreme Court on Friday allowing her extradition to Turkey. Justice Minister Piet-Hein Donner has final say on whether she will actually be deported to Turkey, where she is accused of involvement in terrorist attacks.

Lion King, Mamma Mia! sweep musical awards

Mamma Mia! and The Lion King swept the Musical Awards Gala in Rotterdam on Monday night as they received three John Kraaijkamp Musical Awards. The ANWB Public Prize for the Best Large Musical was won by Mamma Mia! and was presented in the Luxor Theater. Mamma Mia! also took home the award for the best female leading actress (Simone Kleinsma). Her colleague, Céline Purcell, won the Nashuatec Musical Award for the best new talent. The Lion King won the John Kraaijkamp Musical Awards for best supporting role (Nomvula Dlamini and Laus Steenbeeke) and the John Kraaijkamp Musical Award for Best Creative performance (Julie Taymor).

Court evacuated in bomb scare

A bomb scare forced the evacuation of Breda Court at about 12.45pm on Tuesday. A bomb threat was made by telephone and police opted to clear several hundred people from the court and adjacent building housing medical authority GGD. A search of the court revealed the bomb scare to be a false alarm and the all clear was given at 1.30pm.

Boris single debut to miss number one

The first single of Idols winner Boris will not enter the Pepsi Chart of hit songs at number one this week. Instead, Boris will need to be content with the number two rank for his debut single When you Think of Me, which is being released by BMG. The song ahs been available for purchase since Tuesday and the Free Record Shop predicted last week it would debut at number one. The top spot will go to the song called Fuck it from Eamon.

Subject: Dutch news