Dutch university and college students borrowed half a billion euros last year, nearly double the amount students borrowed five years ago. Minister-President Balkenende’s plan to slash health welfare benefits (WAO) was met with an anonymous death threat, or ..
.kogel brief… Elsewhere, investigators couldn’t say precisely who was to blame for Schiedam City Hall’s computer system crashing due to downloading ‘dirty pictures’ from porno websites, but Schiedam’s alderman did resign for ‘health reasons’ after 1,700 pornographic pictures were found on his computer. Thirteen public schools in Rotterdam will offer English-Dutch bilingual education: students receive English lessons starting in Grade 1 (4 year-olds). Former Philips top executive Roel Pieper and his wife were stabbed by an assailant in their home. Unilever CEO Anthony Burgmans claimed the ‘demonisation’ of highly-paid executives in the Dutch media was to blame for the attack. Pieper’s assailant allegedly said he opposed people with ‘too much power and too much money.’ Top executive salariesin Holland increased by 20% last year, compared to 8.5% in 2001. On average, CEOs of Holland’s largest companies now earn 36 times as much as ‘ordinary’ employees. Unilever executives are Holland’s best paid: each board member earns approximately 3 million euros annually.
In a massive operation involving 735 officers, Maastricht police invaded the Vinkenslag mobile home park, where residents were illegally growing huge quantities of marijuana. 12,000 marijuana plants were confiscated. A week later, Maastricht’s mayor received death threats. Police say the threats could stem from the Vinkenslag operation or Maastricht city council’s recent decision to withdraw financial support for local professional soccer club, MVV. A recent study found that Dutch football hooligans aren’t model citizens, acting violently at weekend soccer matches and at home during the week. The average Dutch football hooligan is 24.5 years-old, white, male, drinks alcohol, and takes drugs. One in three Netherlanders smoke cigarettes, a Central Bureau for Statistics study found. However, the new Tobacco Law, taking effect in 2004, prohibits smoking in all Dutch bars and restaurants. This new law will result in 50,000 jobs being lost in the restaurant/bar sector, opponents say. Dutch %coffeeshops%, where marijauna is smoked, must also be smoke-free, effectively putting them out of business. The Dutch Customs Department said 870 drug couriers were caught at Schiphol Airport from January-April 2003. Schiphol now has a special drug court for quick, on-site handling of drug cases. Holland%s breweries are also under pressure becasue Dutch people are drinking less beer: 80.5 liters per person in 2001, compared to 79.2 in 2002, a downward trend researchers say results from consumers ‘having more choices’. Holland remains the world’s largest beer exporter. The Arabic European League Netherlands (AEL-NK) is demanding a 300% tax increase on beer sales, eventually leading to a total ban on alcohol and drugs.
Holland had ‘Martin Verkerk Fever’ last week, the underdog tennis player from Alphen-aan-den-Rijn reaching the French Open final. Next up, Wimbledon, but Verkerk downplays his chances. ”The only thing I’ve ever done on grass is play soccer,” he said. Finally, Dutch music festival Pinkpop 2003 flopped, failing to sell out. Organizers blamed increasing competition. Many Dutch music fans traveled to a German festival to see Marilyn Manson perform, leaving one Pinkpop organiser to moan, ”We also should’ve had some filthy rock & roll acts!”
Dutch university and college students borrowed half a billion euros last year, nearly double the amount students borrowed five years ago. Minister-President Balkenende’s plan to slash health welfare benefits (WAO) was met with an anonymous death threat, or …kogel brief… Elsewhere, investigators couldn’t say precisely who was to blame for Schiedam City Hall’s computer system crashing due to downloading ‘dirty pictures’ from porno websites, but Schiedam’s alderman did resign for ‘health reasons’ after 1,700 pornographic pictures were found on his computer. Thirteen public schools in Rotterdam will offer English-Dutch bilingual education: students receive English lessons starting in Grade 1 (4 year-olds). Former Philips top executive Roel Pieper and his wife were stabbed by an assailant in their home. Unilever CEO Anthony Burgmans claimed the ‘demonisation’ of highly-paid executives in the Dutch media was to blame for the attack. Pieper’s assailant allegedly said he opposed people with ‘too much power and too much money.’ Top executive salariesin Holland increased by 20% last year, compared to 8.5% in 2001. On average, CEOs of Holland’s largest companies now earn 36 times as much as ‘ordinary’ employees. Unilever executives are Holland’s best paid: each board member earns approximately 3 million euros annually.
In a massive operation involving 735 officers, Maastricht police invaded the Vinkenslag mobile home park, where residents were illegally growing huge quantities of marijuana. 12,000 marijuana plants were confiscated. A week later, Maastricht’s mayor received death threats. Police say the threats could stem from the Vinkenslag operation or Maastricht city council’s recent decision to withdraw financial support for local professional soccer club, MVV. A recent study found that Dutch football hooligans aren’t model citizens, acting violently at weekend soccer matches and at home during the week. The average Dutch football hooligan is 24.5 years-old, white, male, drinks alcohol, and takes drugs. One in three Netherlanders smoke cigarettes, a Central Bureau for Statistics study found. However, the new Tobacco Law, taking effect in 2004, prohibits smoking in all Dutch bars and restaurants. This new law will result in 50,000 jobs being lost in the restaurant/bar sector, opponents say. Dutch %coffeeshops%, where marijauna is smoked, must also be smoke-free, effectively putting them out of business. The Dutch Customs Department said 870 drug couriers were caught at Schiphol Airport from January-April 2003. Schiphol now has a special drug court for quick, on-site handling of drug cases. Holland%s breweries are also under pressure becasue Dutch people are drinking less beer: 80.5 liters per person in 2001, compared to 79.2 in 2002, a downward trend researchers say results from consumers ‘having more choices’. Holland remains the world’s largest beer exporter. The Arabic European League Netherlands (AEL-NK) is demanding a 300% tax increase on beer sales, eventually leading to a total ban on alcohol and drugs.
Holland had ‘Martin Verkerk Fever’ last week, the underdog tennis player from Alphen-aan-den-Rijn reaching the French Open final. Next up, Wimbledon, but Verkerk downplays his chances. ”The only thing I’ve ever done on grass is play soccer,” he said. Finally, Dutch music festival Pinkpop 2003 flopped, failing to sell out. Organizers blamed increasing competition. Many Dutch music fans traveled to a German festival to see Marilyn Manson perform, leaving one Pinkpop organiser to moan, ”We also should’ve had some filthy rock & roll acts!”
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