Netherlands

Netherlands: Threat Level Raised to “Substantial”

Date: March 12th, 2008 |

The government raised the terrorist threat level to “substantial” March 6 because of increasing links between foreign and European jihadist networks, terror-related arrests in Germany, Denmark, Spain and the United Kingdom in the past year, and the forthcoming March 28 release of a controversial film on the Koran by a Dutch legislator. The Dutch prime [read more]

Netherlands: Amsterdam’s Red Light District to Lose 51 Display Windows

Date: September 26th, 2007 |

No Comments

Over the next few months Amsterdam officials will close a third of the city’s brothels because of concerns over rising petty crime in the red-light district that has been a tourist magnet for decades. Prostitution is legal and licensed in Amsterdam and the city is renowned for its rows of windows where sex workers preen [read more]

Worldwide: Possible Delays on Flights to U.S.

Date: October 25th, 2005 |

No Comments

New security regulations implemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection require passengers flying to the U.S. to provide detailed information about their intended visits. This information includes the address they will stay on arrival, the hotel they will be checking into, or, if the first night is not booked, an explanation of where they will [read more]

Netherlands

Date: May 24th, 2005 |

No Comments

Long a bastion of tolerance regarding marijuana use, the Netherlands is launching an effort to curb �drug tourism� in its coffee shops where owners are allowed to stock up to 500 grams of cannabis for sale to smokers. Individuals may legally possess up to five grams, but otherwise the drug is banned. The government plan [read more]

Netherlands

Date: July 12th, 2004 |

No Comments

The Netherlands is under heightened security alert because of information obtained by the Dutch secret service that Islamic extremists may be preparing terrorist attacks. Schiphol Airport and several main highways, including the Schiphol tunnel and the A4 have increased security, as well as key buildings such as the Dutch Parliament in [read more]

Netherlands: Three-Day Waiting Period to Buy Magic Mushrooms in Amsterdam

Date: October 18th, 2007 |

1 comment

A sharp increase in ambulance calls involving magic mushrooms prompted Amsterdam officials to implement a three-day waiting period for purchasing them. The ordinance is an attempt to stop tourists from indulging in what can be a dangerous practice because most tourists don’t stay in Amsterdam more than three days. In the most recent statistics, 92 [read more]

Netherlands: Thieves Stealing PIN Numbers

Date: May 9th, 2006 |

No Comments

A gang of thieves has infiltrated many stores on main shopping streets in cities throughout the Netherlands and has been stealing data from debit card readers. In some cases they have posed as technicians to place card readers on machines or set up hidden cameras to observe PINs being entered during transactions. Police have established [read more]

Netherlands: Increased Security at Amsterdam, Rotterdam Metros

Date: September 13th, 2005 |

No Comments

In response to what they consider a continuing threat, Dutch authorities have increased police presence at Amsterdam and Rotterdam metro stations, and encourage all to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities or unattended packages [read more]

Netherlands

Date: November 16th, 2004 |

No Comments

The Nov. 2 murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh, apparently by a Dutch-Moroccan dual citizen working with an Islamic terrorist group, has had many ramifications, including protests and attacks on Islamic schools and mosques, and prompting officials to consider granting wider anti-terrorism powers to investigators. Since July, heightened security measures have been in place [read more]

Netherlands

Date: June 19th, 2002 |

No Comments

An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease occurred in late February in Friesland province with more than 200 infected and 19 deaths. The outbreak affected attendees of a popular flower show but the source turned out to be a hot tub exhibit that was part of a consumer products show next to the flower show. To dispel [read more]