News Blog Netherlands July 24 2025

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Entertainment News: Former radio and television presenter Chiel Montagne (80) has passed away

(HILVERSUM) Former presenter Chiel Montagne has passed away at the age of 80. His family announced this to the ANP news agency.

Montagne died today from complications of COPD. The presenter, whose real name was Bert van Rheenen, became best known for the music program "Op losse groeven" (On Loose Grooves), which later became known as "Op volle toeren" (On Full Tours) and aired on television for almost twenty years. The program was entirely devoted to Dutch-language music.
In the 1960s, Montagne started as a radio DJ at Radio Veronica. He noticed that many Dutch people were fans of Dutch music and sentimental songs. He then revolutionized television. In 1971, he joined the broadcaster TROS as the host of the program "Op losse groeven" (On Loose Grooves). For years, the presenter with the characteristic mustache appeared weekly on television.
The current broadcaster AVROTROS calls the former presenter an "icon" and, with "Op volle toeren," "the embodiment of Dutch-language song." "With his trademark moustache and his love of music, he was one of the most important faces of TROS for a long time. We owe Chiel a great deal of gratitude and remember him with great respect," the station stated.
Montagne was also active in the music world in many other ways. He had his own studio where many artists recorded their albums and co-founded the radio station Holland FM, which also featured Dutch-language music. He also had an agency and wrote lyrics for Dutch artists.
(Source: NOS.nl)

Man drives van into police horses in 's-Hertogenbosch

('S-HERTOGENBOSCH) A man drove a van into two mounted police officers in 's-Hertogenbosch on Wednesday evening. One of the officers fell as a result. The horses also sustained minor injuries. The man was later arrested and was found to be under the influence. Police confirmed this after reports from Omroep Brabant.

According to the officers, the man began cursing without provocation while they were conducting a routine check on Hinthamerstraat in the center of 's-Hertogenbosch. The officers then confronted the man, who then got into his van and drove away.
Shortly afterward, he drove into the police horses and sped off. One of the officers fell from the horse due to the impact and sustained minor injuries. The horses themselves suffered "severe scratches" from the incident and were checked by a veterinarian. They will be examined again on Thursday.
The suspect was arrested shortly afterward outside the city and was found to be under the influence. He is a fifty-year-old man from the municipality of Sint-Michielsgestel. He is being held on suspicion of attempted manslaughter, driving after an accident, driving under the influence and insulting a police officer.
(Source: NU.nl)

NS Wants to Trial Using Batons, Requests Ministry Permission

(UTRECHT) Dutch Railways (NS) wants to temporarily equip some of its staff with batons. The rail operator has submitted a request to the Ministry of Justice and Security, which must grant permission.

NS staff regularly find themselves in unsafe situations involving physical violence (*). The operator hopes that a baton will improve safety.
NS wants to trial the baton among 75 employees of the Service & Safety department. These are the operator's special investigating officers (BOAs), recognizable at the station by their bright yellow uniforms. Besides helping people with questions about their journey, they also respond to aggressive passengers in and around the trains.
For this part of their work, the BOAs are authorized to use force. They also wear safety clothing, a body camera, and handcuffs. In dangerous situations, they are authorized to arrest people and issue fines.
Until now, NS has always considered using a baton a bridge too far for these staff, as employees are divided on the use of the tool. Some say they didn't join NS to use weapons or fear that a baton would actually lead to aggression. Nevertheless, the carrier is now willing to give it a try.
* The figure shows a graph of the increase in reports of physical violence on trains in the Netherlands.
(Source: NOS.nl)