News in Holland

• Turn of twitter, Opstelten urges people close to formation
  

  Former cabinet negotiator Ivo Opstelten, who is expected to lead talks on forming a right-wing cabinet next week, has called on politicians to 'turn off twitter' and allow peace to return to the formation process.

• Cabinet plans to allow bonus claw backs
  

  The outgoing cabinet has submitted draft legislation to parliament which would make it possible for financial service companies to claim back bonuses paid to senior executives.

• Amsterdam scraps integration tests for some long-term residents
  

  Amsterdam city council is to stop making obviously well-integrated foreigners who have lived in the capital for years take a compulsory integration course and language test, the Parool reports on Friday.

• Dutch women in world hockey final
  

  Defending world champion, the Netherlands, will play Argentina in the women's hockey World Cup final on Saturday after beating England on penalties in the semis.

• Pension funds face shortfalls due to low interest rates
  

  Civil services pension fund ABP, one of the biggest pension funds in the world, had a coverage ratio of 88% in August, well below the central bank's requirement of 105%.

• Dutch firms top sustainability rankings
  

  Akzo Nobel and TNT are among the world's most sustainable companies, according to the latest Dow Jones sustainability index.

• Wilders 'can say what he likes' at Ground Zero
  

  PVV leader Geert Wilders is free to say whatever he likes during Saturday's protest at plans to build an Islamic cultural centre two blocks from Ground Zero in New York, CDA leader Maxime Verhagen said on Thursday evening.

• Labour ready to launch offensive against 'Wilders cabinet'
  

  The Labour party (PvdA) has accepted it will be in opposition and is planning a major offensive against the expected right-wing government, the Telegraaf reports on Friday, quoting an internal party document.

• Sharp rise in addiction rates
  

  The number of people addicted to alcohol has risen by 12,000 over the past 10 years while the number of problematic cannabis users has doubled to 8,800, national addiction monitor Ladis confirmed on Friday.

• Police get tough on distracted drivers who eat and phone
  

  Dutch police will today begin a massive campaign against motorists who 'get distracted' by their mobile phone, navigation system or even a sandwich while driving, the AD reports on Friday.

• Henk Grol takes silver at world judo championships
  

  Henk Grol took the silver medal in the 100 kg category at the world judo championships in Tokyo on Thursday.

• Banks and phone firms link up to back payment by mobile
  

  The Netherlands three biggest banks and three biggest mobile operators have signed a letter of intent outlining plans to work on a system allowing people to pay for goods and services by mobile phone.

• Cabinet negotiator to meet right-wing party leaders again
  

  Cabinet negotiator Herman Tjeenk Willink is to hold a new round of meetings with the leaders of the three right-wing parties, he told reporters on Thursday afternoon.

• Wilders court case to start October 4
  

  The court case against MP Geert Wilders, who faces discrimination and inciting hatred charges, will begin on October 4 in Amsterdam district court.

• Rapper was shot in self-defence, says court
  

  A 27-year-old man who faced 18 years in jail for shooting dead an Amsterdam rapper known as Rel will not go to prison, a court in Groningen ruled on Thursday.