London, December 9 : A Dutch man, whose nine world records include a world record for longest ice bath, has revealed that he loves to endure extreme cold temperatures for fun.

Wim Hof, nicknamed “The Ice Man” had in 1999 crossed 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle in an ice marathon – barefoot.

The 48-year-old had set a Guinness World Record for the longest amount of time swimming under the ice in 2002 after he pierced into ice at the North Pole swimming
80meters.

Hof, who has been honing his skills to survive life-threatening temperatures for the last 20 years, revealed that he had discovered his extraordinary talent after having taken a stroll in the park.

Amsterdam - Zimbabwe should not profit from illegal diamond trade and the European Union should investigate options to stop it, Dutch foreign minister Maxime Verhagen said Monday.

Verhagen said he would raise the issue at Monday's meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. The ministers are expected to issue a ban on all EU-visas for associates of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe's government is allegedly making enormous profits from illegal diamond trade. Verhagen said it was necessary for the EU to send a "clear message" to the Zimbabwean president.

Amsterdam - Dutch anti-immigrant politician Geert Wilders confirmed on Monday he would tour Britain, France and Israel in the coming months to present his controversial Islam-critical film Fitna.

On March 27, the leader of the Dutch Freedom Party PVV released a 16-minute political film on the Internet warning of the spread of radical Islam and the alleged "Islamization" of the Netherlands.

Quoted in Dutch daily newspaper Spits on Monday, Wilders said he was travelling abroad to create international "alliances for peace and against Islamization."

Amsterdam - The share value of Dutch electronics giant Philips dropped 1.10 per cent by noon on the Dutch stock exchange in Amsterdam on Thursday, following an announcement that the firm would reappraise its goals for performance in 2010.

The Eindhoven-based company said that under the current market circumstances, Philips would not be able to double its earnings per share, (EBITA, earnings before deduction of interest, tax and amortization expenses).

EBITA rates are indicative of a company's efficiency and profitability.

Amsterdam - Holdings of credit deposits at the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) made by the country's commercial banks has reached a record high, DNB announced in a statement Wednesday, in a sign that ongoing financial turmoil is prompting conservatism among lenders.

DNB is now holding more than 40.7 billion euros (51.79 billion dollars) in credit deposits (CDs), which bear 2.75 per cent interest, half a percentage point below the European Central Bank's rate, and well below the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (Euribor).

On Wednesday the Euribor stood at between 3.038 per cent (one week) and 3.853 per cent (12-month-loans)

Amsterdam - Dutch health care insurers are to give a discount to clients registered as organ donors, reports said Monday.

Four major health insurers said they would give a 120-euro- discount (152 dollars) on the annual fee for basic health insurance cover, which will be 1,200 euros for adults in
2009.

The Netherlands has a national health care system which provides basic cover to all Dutch citizens. People choose their own health care insurer among the more than 100 companies active on the market.