Expatica news

Dutch news in brief – 5 February

Famed children’s illustrator dies

Dutch illustrator Fiep Westendorp died in her home city of Amsterdam on Tuesday. She was 87. Westendorp is primarily known for her illustrations in the Jip en Janneke books of writer Annie M.G. Schmidt. The famed drawer was born in Zaltbommel on 17 December 1916 in Zaltbommel. She died after a short bronchial infection illness, said Gioia Smid, who manages her cultural legacy.

Auditor: military base security alarming

The Auditor’s Office has published a damming report over the security of Dutch military barracks, airfields and HQs. The report said security at six of the 19 inspected locations was inadequate and at several locations, security was “alarming”. The auditor said due to the fact it involved the interests of the State, the military’s organisation was assessed to be a risk factor. The investigation was carried out in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US.

Inflation at lowest level since 1995

Inflation in January fell to 1.4 percent, the lowest monthly figure since October 1995, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) said.  Inflation was 1.7 percent in December. Inflation in 2003 averaged 2.1 percent, the lowest figure since 1998. The CBS said prices fell remarkably in December with the supermarket war adding to the strength of the fall in inflation last year.

Compulsory gas and electricity inspections

Housing Minister Sybilla Dekker ruled on Thursday that the gas and electricity appliances of risk premises must be compulsorily inspected under the supervision of municipal authorities. The minister’s ruling came after two recent major gas explosions in Rotterdam and The Hague. The explosions led to concerns about who was responsible for gas and electricity appliance safety.

[Copyright Expatica News 2004]

Subject: Dutch news