Computer programmer Rob van den Bogaard shares his experience of reducing dependence on major American technology companies amid geopolitical tensions between Europe and the United States. He advocates for digital independence and uses a Fairphone, a smartphone produced by a Dutch manufacturer, as an alternative to mainstream devices.
As the May holiday approaches, the article highlights the importance of allowing children to experience boredom to help build their resilience and creativity. While many families travel for new stimuli, experts suggest that 'doing nothing' is a crucial part of a child's development.
Amsterdam Alderman Hester van Buren is requesting that deposit return organization Verpact pay ‐8 million for 8,000 new trash cans designed to reduce litter caused by people searching for deposit bottles and cans. While the city argues that high tourism and increased cleanup costs justify the request, Verpact has currently only agreed to a ‐1 million contribution in addition to its existing annual payments. Consequently, the city will initially install 1,000 bins while continuing to negotiate for the full replacement of the city's waste containers.
Martijn Smit, the mayor of Beverwijk, unexpectedly announced his resignation during a city council meeting on Thursday evening. He will officially step down from his position in September, requiring the municipality to begin the search for a successor.
Haarlem is hosting a variety of events and activities for the weekend of April 24 to 26. The city is preparing for King's Night celebrations, offering residents and visitors several options ranging from quiet outings to lively parties.
Illustrator Eric Coolen marks his 60th birthday with a new book, "Geen dag zonder lijn," which looks back on his prolific career. The publication details his creative process and his habit of working through the night to produce his art.