07-10-10: Young lad drives 400km to girlfriend
A 14 year-old Portuguese boy used his mum’s car to drive 400 kilometres to find his internet love, according to Portuguese newspaper de Notícias on Thursday.
The boy, who was madly in love, left his parent’s home in North Portugal on Monday. Not only did he take his mum’s car, but also his dad’s bank card. The police found him on Wednesday in the Lisboan suburb of Seixal.
The boy was not too difficult to find as he had left behind some very obvious clues. He had written, amongst other phrases, the words ‘I love you’ next to his destination in Seixal on a map which was still lying on his bed.
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22-09-10: Man puts hamster into microwave
A man from England has received a 9 week prison sentence because he killed his favourite hamster by putting it in a microwave.
29 year-old Anthony Parker from Hartlepool, who came home drunk one evening and during an argument with his girlfriend, he put the hamster in the microwave and switched it on. ‘I didn’t want to kill it’, explained Parker to the judge. ‘She was the sweetest hamster that I had ever had. Her name was Suzie.’ He said in the Daily Mail.
Unbearable pain
Suzie was found by a policeman outside in a green bag. ‘It was clear to see that the animal had died with unbearable pain.’ According to prosecutor Neil Taylor who added, ‘The animal’s lips were burnt and her eyes opaque.’
Drunken
Parker has often been fined for drink-driving and his lawyer told the judge that Parker is a ‘man with good character’ and that is was the drink which led the hamster to be killed.
The judge decided to give Parker a reduced prison sentence, from the original charge of 12 weeks, because he admitted being guilty. Due to murdering his hamster, Parker is also not allowed to keep pets for 5 years.
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07-09-10: German dying out in the classroom
Free University of Amsterdam pulling the plug on the subject – Interest for German language and culture in Dutch universities continues to plummet.
This year at the VU in Amsterdam the number of applications for a course in German language and culture amounted to just one. This student has, however, also dropped out after he was advised against following the course.
The university has stopped offering the German language and literature course at both the Bachelor and Master level. The fact that there is little interest for this study represents a nationwide trend.
The exact figures were only announced in October but a decline in applications, in comparison with last year, can be seen in 3 of the 6 universities where the course is given. The course has even been stopped at a fourth university.
The student numbers have been constant, but constantly low everywhere. “We are seeing an increase”, explains Ton Naaijkens from the University of Utrecht, who is one of the exceptions. “I’m also optimistic: the 20 students who started with us this year are enthusiastic and that is fantastic.” Naaijkens admits, however, that 20 students is not a lot. “But for the job market many more just aren’t necessary.”
Education coordinator Miralda Meulman does not completely agree with Naaijkens. “As far as I’m concerned, the number of students who are interested is just far too low. With this course you are guaranteed a job. There is a lot of work out there - especially in teaching.” That there is so little interest in the subject which she is very enthusiastic about is a mystery to Meulman. “It’s probably due to the subject’s poor image. It is often thought that by studying it you can only become a teacher - but that is absolutely not the case.”
Why is it so important?
Both Meulman and Naaijkens attach great important to to the continued existence of the subject.
- “Gemany, our neighbouring country, is the biggest trading partner for the Netherlands. It is also a classic part of the education.” Explains Naaijkens.
- “You will know everything about the German language and culture, but also over the history and economy and you will be academically trained” Adds Meulman further.
