Dutch news in brief, 11 July 2006

Man jailed for killing girlfriend’s son

An appeals court in the city of Arnhem has imposed a five-year sentence on a man, 28, who assaulted his girlfriend’s deaf son until he died. The mother, 25, was cleared of involvement in the death of the three-year-old boy. The court accepted the man did not intend to kill the victim but struck him repeatedly in April 2003 when he would not stop crying.

Bos confirmed as Labour leader

Wouter Bos has been confirmed in his position as leader of the Labour Party (PvdA) ahead of the general election on 22 November, the party’s executive said on Tuesday. No other member of the party put their name forward to run against Bos.

Dutch shop 25 minutes a day

Dutch people spend an average 152 hours a year in shops. That comes to 25 minutes a day, according to a survey carried out by business organisation MKB-Nederland. Half the time is spent on quick and focused purchases, for household and personal care goods. The rest of the time is used for ‘fun’ and window shopping.

Dead woman was Belgian

Police revealed on Tuesday that the dead people found in a house in Rotterdam on 2 July were a local man, aged 33, and a Belgian woman, 25. They were murdered. Few other details were released.

Subject: Dutch news