This week’s podcast looks at the ramifications of the latest developments in the MH17 inquiry as the Dutch government and joint investigation team point the finger of blame squarely at Russia. We also find out about the Friesland community came up with an eye-catching additional member to the European Capital of Culture programme, why a soldier is being given a ceremonial burial four centuries after he died and who won the battle of the Dicks on the football field. In the discussion we ask if the Dutch system of holiday pay is a nice little seasonal sweetener or a paternalistic anachronism.

Ophef of the week

Nursery considers suing council over objection to ‘striptease’ birthday party

Top story: MH17

Netherlands and Australia blame Russia for shooting down flight MH17 over Ukraine

Rutte flies back early from India trade mission to chair MH17 talks

News

Illegal cannabis production boosts Dutch economy but could cause rift with EU

Friesland locals crowdfund 230-penis fountain to subvert modern art project (Guardian)

Watch a video of the fountain under construction and in operation (AD.nl, Dutch)

New Amsterdam coalition unveils ‘ambitious’ programme for greener, more social city

Eighty Years War soldier reburied with full military honours

Sport

Emmen win battle of the Dicks as Advocaat’s bid to spare Sparta fails (AD.nl, Dutch)

Giro d’Italia back in the balance as Dumoulin halves Yates’s lead with late burst (Guardian)

Discussion: holiday pay (vakantiegeld)

What is vakantiegeld? (Wikipedia)

Workers more likely to spend vakantiegeld this year (Telegraaf, Dutch)

Nibud survey on how workers spend holiday pay