THE HAGUE, Oct 6 (Reuters) – The Netherlands wants to play a
role in ensuring the survival of the euro and would support the
country’s banks if necessary, the finance minister said ahead of
a key parliamentary vote on extending the powers of the euro
zone’s rescue fund.

The parliament is expected to vote later on Thursday in
favour of widening the role of the EFSF euro zone bailout fund,
as agreed by European leaders in July, an essential move for
stabilising financial markets. [ID:nLDE78B0DE]

AMSTERDAM, Oct 5 (Reuters) – The Netherlands’ largest
opposition party said it still supports a bailout package for
Greece under certain conditions, indicating the deal will be
approved when parliament votes later this month on widening the
role of the euro zone rescue fund.

The minority coalition government of Liberals and Christian
Democrats needs the support of pro-European opposition parties
to win approval because its main ally, the eurosceptic Freedom
Party, is firmly opposed to bailouts.

AMSTERDAM/ABIDJAN (Reuters) – The international war crimes court said it would investigate post-election killings and rapes in Ivory Coast, raising the prospect that forces from both sides of the conflict could face trial.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the International Criminal Court prosecutor, requested in June the right to investigate crimes allegedly committed by forces loyal to ousted leader Laurent Gbagbo as well as those backing his rival Alassane Ouattara.

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The international war crimes court said on Monday it would investigate killings and rapes committed in the Ivory Coast when violence erupted after disputed presidential elections last year.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the International Criminal Court prosecutor, in June requested the right to open an investigation, alleging that forces loyal to ousted leader Laurent Gbagbo as well as those backing his rival, Alassane Ouattara, had committed war crimes.

AMSTERDAM, Sept 27 (Reuters) – Swiss drugmaker Novartis
said it has applied to start selling its experimental
drug to treat smoker’s cough — which afflicts 80 million people
worldwide — after tests showed that it helped patients breathe
more easily.

Novartis has carried out late-stage trials for the drug,
known as NVA237, because it wants to tap into the lucrative
market for respiratory drugs at a time when it is facing
increasing competition for its top-selling products from generic
rivals.

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Prosecutors at the world’s top war crimes court are failing to bring to trial senior government officials responsible for atrocities, undermining the credibility of the tribunal, Human Rights Watch said.

The International Criminal Court was set up in 2002 to prosecute the world’s worst war criminals and has opened investigations into six conflicts, all of them in Africa, and in June issued an arrest warrant for Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi.

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The Dutch government has not given up on the rescue of Greece and is determined to do everything possible to save the euro zone, the Dutch finance minister told members of parliament on Wednesday.

“To be clear … this Cabinet has the firm will to do everything possible to save the euro or the euro zone,” Finance Minister Jan Kees de Jager told members of parliament.

AMSTERDAM, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Dutch food group Wessanen
(BSWSc.AS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) postponed plans to sell its U.S. drinks subsidiary
ABC, hoping to cash in on improved profits thanks to strong
demand for its ready-mix cocktails and fruit smoothies.

Wessanen has struggled with debt and lacklustre growth in
recent years, forcing it to sell several businesses and focus on
its organic food business in Europe.

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Victims of sexual abuse by the clergy want the International Criminal Court to investigate Pope Benedict and three Vatican officials for allowing the rape and sexual abuse of children.

The New York-based rights group Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and another group, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), filed a complaint with the ICC alleging that Vatican officials committed crimes against humanity because they tolerated and enabled sex crimes.

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Another of Muammar Gaddafi’s sons, whose military unit is accused of killing dozens of detainees in Tripoli, may be placed on the war crimes court’s most wanted list, the prosecutor told Reuters on Monday.

The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) has already approved warrants for the arrest of Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam, and Libyan intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi on charges of crimes against humanity.