Recent news: Van Berkel quits, investigation into political money, deadly fire in Spain, drug deaths rising, Bayer settlement, PFAS costs, crime lawsuits (Wednesday, February 18)

D66 member Nathalie van Berkel (D66 is a Dutch political party) immediately resigns as a Member of Parliament. She had previously withdrawn as a candidate for State Secretary due to errors on her resume. The party says it was too difficult for her to continue.

A committee recommends further investigation into payments from BBB (Farmer-Citizen Movement) to a communications agency. Outgoing minister Rijkaart of BBB does not consider this necessary. The accountant has assessed the payments as correct.

In Manlleu, Spain, five teenagers died in a fire. Four other people were slightly injured, authorities report. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The municipality of Groningen offers hospitality training on sexual misconduct. With this, they want to make nightlife safer. Everyone who goes out should feel safe, says the municipality.

In 2024, 378 people died from direct drug use in the Netherlands. That is three times as many as in 2014. Deaths especially from strong painkillers increased.

Bayer has proposed a settlement of 7.25 billion dollars in the US. It concerns lawsuits over the herbicide Roundup. According to an EU report, PFAS contamination will cost Europe hundreds of billions of euros in the coming years.

Three men have been convicted of kidnapping and theft after a fake date. In Delfzijl, a prison sentence has been demanded against a man for sexual abuse of his stepdaughter. In Raalte, a man expressed remorse for sexual abuse of children but remains in custody.

Sources: NRC, Volkskrant, Trouw, BBC News, NOS Binnenland, RTV Noord, NOS Economie, NOS Politiek, NU.nl, Nederlands Dagblad, FD, AD, NOS Buitenland, NOS (32 articles)