Amsterdam  - Shares of the Dutch ING Group rose substantially on Thursday following reports that the worlds' second largest retail bank would focus more on its core business and divest 10 to 15 companies in the following years.

"We are taking ING back to basics on all levels," said Jan Hommen, whose appointment as chairman of the managing board is to be formalized at ING's general shareholders meeting scheduled for April 27.

"The crisis has reinforced the need for us to be even more in touch with our customers. We will be focusing on fewer but more transparent products," Hommen said just before the annual investor's day was due to start.

Amsterdam - Dutch home prices dropped for the third consecutive quarter, the umbrella association of Dutch home realtors NVM said in a report released on Thursday.

Amsterdam - Theatres should not be permitted to reserve seats exclusively for women, Dutch integration minister Eberhard van der Laan said on Tuesday.

Van der Laan was commenting on a Rotterdam theatre's new policy of reserving 50 seats on its first rows exclusively for women during certain performances.

The theatre said the new policy should bring religious Muslim women to the Dutch theatre who would otherwise not to do so to avoid sitting next to a man.

Amsterdam  - Dutch Defence Minister Eimert van Middelkoop on Tuesday confirmed the death of a Dutch soldier in the southern Afghan province of Uruzghan.

Azdin Chadli, 20, died around 6 pm local time (1300 GMT) Monday when two 107-milimetre missiles hit Camp Holland, the Dutch military base. Five other Dutch soldiers between the ages of 19 to 24 sustained injuries, but were reportedly "stable."

Two Afghan soldiers also sustained injuries.

It is the first time a missile has hit Camp Holland.

Amsterdam - The controversial Dutch Freedom Party PVV formally announced Monday it would participate in the European Parliament elections scheduled for June 4.

The Freedom Party PVV said one of its current legislators, Barry Madlener, would lead the party list.

The liberal-rightist Freedom Party, established by Geert Wilders after he was ejected from the Liberal VVD party in September 2004, is known for its strong criticism on Islam, Dutch migrant policy and Euro-skepticism.

Sana'a, Yemen - A senior Yemeni local official began on Sunday a new round of negotiations with kidnappers of a Dutch couple after mediation led by tribal leaders foundered, a municipal official said.

"A new round of talks is under way after negotiations between tribal chieftains and the abductors broke down yesterday," said Jamil Shuraih, the secretary-general of the Bani-Dhabian district where the Dutch hostages are being held.