The lead story in today's edition of De Telegraaf - apart from Ajax's 4-1 victory over PSV - is about a series of threats against the families of soldiers serving in the Dutch mission to the Afghan province of Uruzgan.

Numerous threats against soldiers' families 
De Telegraaf reports that one of the families received a series of phone threats after the wife of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) soldier posted an internet advertisement seeking a babysitter because of the overseas deployment of her husband.
 
The relatives of another soldier in Uruzgan were horrified when unidentified persons put a coffin in their front yard. The defence ministry has also confirmed that the family of one soldier has gone into hiding at a military barracks where they are now enjoying 24-hour protection.
 
An extensive investigation by the military intelligence service MIVD has not led to any arrests. An MIVD spokesperson said "The MIVD regards the investigation of this type of incident as one of its main responsibilities, but unfortunately in these cases there were not enough leads".  
 
In an internal publication, the defence ministry writes that each week it receives reports of threats against soldiers or their families.
 
Balkenende under fire
Trouw reports that outgoing prime minister and Christian Democratic (CDA) party leader Jan Peter Balkenende has come in for "Fierce criticism from the provinces". The paper writes that his party's supporters in the provinces, the CDA's traditional power base, blame the party leadership for the loss of hundreds of seats in the recent local elections. A party official in the province of Gelderland said: "The Hague causes a rift and we pay the price. Our agrarian supporters are walking out on us, and for many entrepreneurs the CDA is no longer the obvious party to vote for".
 
Trouw writes that local and regional CDA politicians are openly doubting Mr Balkenende's leadership. They resent his recent announcement that he would only be available for the premiership and not as an MP. Some are questioning whether the prime minister is the right person to lead the party in the upcoming elections, while others have accepted the situation for lack of a viable alternative. 
 
The outgoing prime minister himself appears unfazed by the widespread criticisms. "I will continue to do this job, and my family supports me," he said, referring to Labour Party leader Wouter Bos and CDA Transport Minister Camiel Eurlings who both decided to let their families prevail over politics.
 
Antibiotics in poultry lead to bacterial resistance in humans
In de Volkskrant there's a report headed "Humans resistant because of poultry antibiotics". The banned but nevertheless widespread use of antibiotics by poultry farmers has possibly contributed to increasing bacterial resistance against antibiotics in humans. Director Roel Coutinho of the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) says this has lead to problems in the treatment of elderly patients suffering from bladder infections.
 
Mr Coutinho says there is no absolute proof - as yet - that resistant bacteria have jumped from poultry to humans, but the RIVM has organised a conference of experts to discuss the issue at the end of the month. The results of that conference will be published this summer. Earlier this month, the Royal Dutch Veterinarian Society called on all its members to end the use of the antibiotic Ceftiofur to boost resistance in day-old chicks.
 
However, in an interview on Saturday Dr Coutinho said the contribution of the poultry sector to the bacterial resistance problem was limited. "The major problem by far is the unnecessary use of antibiotics in human medicine [...] antibiotics are being prescribed when there is no need".
 
European slap on the wrist for Dutch asylum policy
Also in de Volkskrant, a report on a recent binding ruling by the European Committee of Social Rights which orders the Netherlands to end its practice of evicting failed asylum seekers with children.
 
The ruling comes after a complaint filed by children's rights organisation Defence for Children. Each year, hundreds of children shift from one address to the other because their parents have been ordered to leave the country but are either unable or unwilling to do so.
 
Failed asylum seekers are sent to a detention centre in the northern town of Ter Apel, where they have 12 weeks to prepare for their departure to their country of origin. If they are unsuccessful, and refuse to cooperate in their deportation, they are evicted from the centre after three months. A spokesperson for a national support organisation for 'undocumented' people says: "Families are dropped off at a railway station with a public transport day-pass and left to their own devices. They have no idea where to go".
 
Most of these families reportedly travel to the nearest major city, looking for relatives or anyone willing to assist them.
 
The justice ministry says it has no idea how many families a year are evicted in this way. What is clear, is that 222 people were evicted from the Ter Apel detention centre between 1 January and 1 November 2009 without a known destination.
 
Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin has said he will consider whether policy should be changed after a summit of the Council of Europe scheduled to be held in a few months' time. Labour Party MP Hans Spekman says the situation is unacceptable and has announced he will call the minister to account in parliament.
 
Water bus
AD has some exciting news for those legally in the Netherlands. As of Saturday, the port city of Rotterdam boasts a new tourist attraction: Splashtours. A bright-yellow amphibious bus offers 45 passengers an exciting road trip through the city followed by a tour of the Nieuwe Maas river near the Coolsingel.
 
According to AD, "Tension mounts to a climax as the bus descends the slope and water splashes up against the windshield". A 'sailor' aboard the bus advises passengers that "The hatches above your head can be removed, there is a life vest under your seat. Please remain seated whatever happens. There are two anchors in the front bumper and we comply with all demands of the shipping inspection authorities."
 
Splashtours had to overcome a series of setbacks and bureaucratic hurdles before its amphibious bus was ready for its maiden voyage. The Maltese factory where the bus was to be produced went bust. And the national road traffic authorities demanded the bus be fitted with 'stop buttons' near each seat in case passengers want to get off (and go for a swim?). And there is a small toilet in the back because this is compulsory for all vessels.