Morning newspapers – 2 May 2007 02/05/2007 00:00

Trouw

Far fewer incidents of crib death

About 3,500 babies have died in the Netherlands as the result of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome since the 1970s. The fatality rate seems to have returned to the lower levels of before the 1970s now, with only 11 victims in 2006.

Toys for over-40s

Although the interest among 20-somethings is waning, more and more middle aged Dutch are buying motorcycles, according to data from Statistics Netherlands.

De Volkskrant

Marechaussee investigates shooting in Iraq

The Marechaussee is investigating a shooting incident in Iraq in 2003 after new statements from Dutch marines who were involved.

AD

Bailiffs track down 15,000 petrol thieves

The crackdown on petrol thieves has been a success. Every year about 15,000 people who have left petrol stations without paying have been tracked down.

Minister wants tax on plastic bags

Minister for the Environment Cramer is considering introducing a tax on plastic bags next year. The extra environmental tax will probably be one of the measures the government will take to reduce the amount of packaging produced.

De Telegraaf

Concrete bridges unsafe

Concrete bridges built in the Netherlands between 1960 and 1980 are proving unsafe and not suitable for today's freight traffic. Drastic calculating errors were made in the past in the construction of these kinds of bridges. The asphalt layers are breaking apart after all these years and creating deadly pot holes.

Boy deliberately run down

A 16-year-old boy named Pascal from the town of Hoogkarspel was deliberately run down by the driver of a dark coloured passenger vehicle on Monday night. The boy later died of his injuries.

Het Financieele Dagblad

Record number of new businesses

The Netherlands is becoming more enterprising. 90,000 people started new businesses in 2006. The number of business starters has increased annually by 10,000 since 2003.

Direct Wonen on the stock market

Internet broker Direct Wonen is now worth EUR 317 million after its flotation on the London stock market. The rental home, mortgage and insurance broker was founded by husband and wife team Richard Westerhuis and Yvonne Swaans. They sold shares on Tuesday for EUR 25 million and still hold 70 percent of the business.

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2007]

Subject: Dutch news