After nearly 30 years, Sjaak Balkenende is retiring from his Bruna bookstore in Zandvoort. He was recently honored with a golden appreciation pin for his long-standing entrepreneurship and commitment to customer service since opening the shop in 1996.
Writing duo Nicci French visited Broek in Waterland to promote their new thriller, "Wrong Turn," and explore the village's potential as a setting for murder mysteries. They discussed how even picturesque locations can provide the necessary elements for suspenseful and nightmarish narratives.
Family and friends gathered at Westerveld to bid farewell to Ronald Bartlema, a long-time culinary critic and contributor to the Jeugdjournaal who died at age 67. Following the funeral service, a reception was held at café-restaurant Franzen in Haarlem to honor his 25-year career of reviewing restaurants. Bartlema was known for his preference for dining incognito while writing for the newspaper.
In his weekly column Schermtijd, tech reporter Rutger Otto examines the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in office environments. He argues that while AI can be utilized to automate specific tasks, it should not replace the fundamental essence and expertise of professional roles.
In 2025, the Dutch Supreme Court failed to provide substantive reasoning in 571 out of 976 cases where it ruled against appellants. Legal experts are increasingly critical of this long-standing practice of issuing final rulings without detailed explanation.
Former professional footballer Milan Berck Beelenkamp has transitioned to a career in soil remediation after leaving the professional sports world. The 48-year-old, who famously survived a life-threatening injury during a match, now balances his new profession with a role at the amateur club SV Zandvoort.