Latest news with #HetParool
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Oranje boss Koeman speaks on Brobbey situation: 'You wouldn't wish it on anyone'
Ronald Koeman has responded to the news regarding Brian Brobbey's blackmail fiasco. The national coach was informed by Ajax a day before the publication in Het Parool. Incidentally, Brobbey has not been called up for the upcoming international matches. On Saturday, the Dutch team will play Finland in Helsinki, as part of 2026 World Cup qualification. Advertisement Koeman was shocked by Brobbey's story, whereby the striker had been the victim of a blackmailing scam since the end of 2022. 'His club Ajax informed us about this yesterday,' said the national coach. 'It is intense that this is happening. But at the same time, it does not surprise me. I think there is a lot more going on than we know. That Brobbey and his family have become involved in this – you do not wish that on anyone.' According to Het Parool, Brobbey was approached by a criminal who said he could prevent the striker from getting into trouble with other criminals. In return, he demanded money. The pressure was increased with attacks on a house and two cars, after these turned out to be hypothetical scenarios. A friend of Brobbey's, who stood up for him, was even shot. Brobbey ultimately decided not to press charges. The perpetrator has since been convicted of other crimes. GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Ajax striker Brian Brobbey was the ‘target of violent extortion threats'
The Ajax striker Brian Brobbey has been the target of violent extortion threats involving arson, explosions and a shooting, according to reports in the Netherlands. Het Parool reports that the attacks on Brobbey came after he allegedly refused to pay €150,000 to an Amsterdam criminal who claimed to have 'solved a problem' for him. Advertisement Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for 'The Guardian'. If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you're on the most recent version. In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications. Turn on sport notifications. There followed a series of incidents from fireworks that were pushed through his mother-in-law's letterbox, to an explosive detonated near Brobbey's car, his sister-in-law's car set ablaze and a close friend of Brobbey's, who had reportedly tried to intervene on his behalf, being shot and seriously wounded. Het Parool claims Brobbey rejected offers of help from the Amsterdam club, insisting he would deal with the coercion himself. The police found no evidence that Brobbey had paid any money to Jeymon A, who was sentenced in November 2024 to 10 years in prison for the attempted murder of Brobbey's friend, firearms offences, and drug trafficking. Brobbey, who had attracted interest from Premier League clubs, saw his form dip dramatically. Last season, the Dutchman scored just four league goals, a stark contrast to 18 the previous campaign, and could leave Ajax this summer. Brobbey's lawyer told Het Parool that his client has declined to comment while Ajax would not be drawn on players' private affairs. Lawyers for Jeymon A. said there is no evidence their client was involved in the extortion.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Brian Brobbey blackmailed: explosive reports emerge about Ajax striker
As per Het Parool and VoetbalPrimeur, Ajax's Brian Brobbey has reportedly been the victim of blackmail. A good friend of his was 'shot as a result and barely managed to survive'. According to Dutch investigative circles, Brobbey fell victim to what is referred to as the 'Holleeder method'. This refers to when one Willem Holleeder and his accomplices deliberately created fake conflicts in which they made wealthy businessmen believe that they had problems with heavy-hitters from the criminal circuit. They then offered to solve these fictional problems in exchange for large sums of money. Advertisement Brobbey's unfortunate situation concerns the notorious Antillean-Amsterdam criminal Jeymon A. (31) according to sources within the police and justice system. He used a 'classic extortion trick' to get the better of Brobbey. Jeymon A., known in the underworld as 'Piccalo', approached the Ajax striker in 2022 at Valhalla, an annual festival at the RAI complex. During that approach, Brobbey was told that 'Moroccans from Utrecht' were looking for him. Jeymon A. claimed to have solved that for him, but made it quickly known that he wanted a fee. Brobbey claimed that he did not know the 'Moroccans from Utrecht' and told the story to a good childhood friend, who at that time was himself the subject of an investigation into drug trafficking. While it's likely Brobbey did not know that at that time, the childhood friend promised to solve the problem himself. Reports of attacks During the night of 15 to 16 January 2023, Brobbey's mother-in-law's mailbox was damaged with heavy fireworks. Two months later, an explosive was set off at Brobbey's car on the night of the 18th of March. This attack resulted in a tumultuous night for the striker, who came on as a substitute in the 77th minute a day later in De Klassieker, when Ajax lost 3-2 and ultimately gave up the title. Advertisement At first, the police assumed intimidation came from Feyenoord hooligans. However, it was later linked to the extortion of Jeymon A. With this, the incidents only got worse. First, his sister-in-law's car was set on fire. Then, two months later, on July 9, Brobbey went to play padel with his brothers and his childhood friend. In the evening, said friend met Jeymon A. on his own initiative, to try and solve the problem. Following a confrontation, the friend was eventually shot and barely made it to a police station. Reports continue, claiming that although the childhood friend didn't want to say anything about the incident, later phone records show that he 'took a bullet for Brobbey'. Subsequently, the pressure on the Ajax man increased. The striker received a text message that he 'has to pay 150,000 euros before the end of the month, otherwise they will do it differently'. It is also claimed that they know where he lives. Advertisement Fortunately, the shooting incident turned out to be Jeymon A.'s last violent incident after he was arrested for various cases. He has now been sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempted manslaughter of Brobbey's childhood friend, possession of a firearm and possession of 1.6 kilos of MDMA. There are no indications that Brobbey paid the money. The striker is said to have given his childhood friend money, but according to him, that was unrelated to the incident. GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield
Perth Now
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
GUT INSTINCT! 200-year-old sheep intestine condom goes on show
A 200-year-old condom etched with a cheeky image of a nun ogling three excited priests has gone on display at one of the world's most prestigious art museums. The hand-stitched sheath - believed to be made of sheep gut - was likely a saucy souvenir from a high-end French brothel and is now proudly featured at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The print on the ancient Johnny shows a seated nun with her legs spread as she eyes up three very aroused clerics who are flashing their bits under flowing robes. The nun points at one and says: "Voilà mon choix" - French for "This is my choice". Joyce Zelen, curator of print art at the Dutch museum, said the naughty number dated back to around 1830 and was more likely bought for laughs than used for action. She said: "We suspect it was more of a luxury brothel souvenir than an actual condom for use." The racy relic cost €1,000 (£844) and is one of only two known examples left in the world. Zelen added to the Het Parool newspaper: "Erotic art is one of my favourite areas of research. And now we had come to the point where we had to ask the boss if we could bid on a condom. "We even had to add the object name 'condom' to our collection's database, which did not exist yet." Back in the day - long before Durex and latex - lovers got frisky with whatever they could find, from fish bladders to linen sacks. Rubber condoms didn't exist until 1839, after the discovery of vulcanised rubber. Museum bosses say the ancient sheath is also a window into a darker past of 19th-century sexual health, when the threat of unwanted pregnancy and syphilis loomed large. In a statement, they said: "It embodies both the lighter and darker sides of sexual health." The well-hung exhibit is now on show in the museum's print room as part of a new display exploring prostitution and sexuality in the 1800s, running until the end of November.
CNN
30-04-2025
- Business
- CNN
A 400-year-old tea and coffee shop faces closure in Amsterdam as tourism stokes price rises
On a recent chilly, drizzly afternoon in Amsterdam's city center, a steady stream of patrons venture out of the rain and into a narrow 17th-century building on the Haarlemmerdijk, a popular shopping street. A gilded sign shaped like a shining sun hangs above the front door, reflecting the shop's name, 't Zonnetje, which means 'little sun' in Dutch. A jingling bell announces every arrival. These days, it's a mix of tourists and regular customers who come to buy coffee and tea every week or two — just as their predecessors have for nearly 400 years. But this storied institution, beloved by Amsterdam visitors and residents alike, may not be in business much longer. Its longtime owner, Marie-Louise Velder, has plans to close at the end of May because she can no longer stay afloat after years of skyrocketing rent — a notable setback to the preservation of the Dutch capital's character in the ongoing tide of rising rents and gentrification, partly driven by overtourism. Velder, 76, was born and raised in Amsterdam and has owned the shop since 1999. She told CNN she has received an outpouring of support from customers and friends since the closure was reported by Dutch newspaper Het Parool in mid-April. She said she welcomes the opportunity to share her story with a wider audience in hopes of helping her keep 't Zonnetje from shuttering. 'I had a lot of phone calls, and so I think perhaps help is coming from above,' Velder, clad in a green hooded fleece, told CNN during an interview at her shop over (what else?) a cup of tea. 'That's what I hope.' Longtime customers have expressed deep sadness over the news. Kate Carlisle, an eight-year resident of Amsterdam and a longtime visitor, first discovered 't Zonnetje during a trip to the Dutch capital before moving there. Carlisle had her dog with her, and she was delighted to receive 'the biggest welcome' from Velder. Carlisle now visits the shop every couple of weeks to buy coffee (which she says she leaves on her counter 'a good half-day just to make the house smell better'), bonding with Velder through the years over their shared love of java and animals. She said 't Zonnetje's closure would be a significant loss for the city. 'It is a heritage site, the building itself, the history behind it, the street,' Carlisle told CNN Travel. 'So I'm really hoping that something can happen to start to protect this. Otherwise, it's just going to be like strip malls. And that's not what Amsterdam is about. That's not why people come here.' Walking into 't Zonnetje, which is nestled between a flower shop and a clothing store, feels like stepping back in time. Its wooden floors are original, with shelves housing weathered tins of loose-leaf tea and spices. Dispensers of whole coffee beans from countries around the world, including Ethiopia, Portugal and Peru, stand side by side behind the counter, on which a vintage Berkel scale cuts a commanding presence. According to 't Zonnetje's entry on Amsterdam's tourism website, the building reportedly dates to 1642 (though a book about the shop by a Dutch author and former shop owner that Velder keeps handy puts the date at 1612). The business started with 'a bucket of coal, and a bucket of water and herbs,' Velder explained. 'And then later on, the tea came … And then later the coffee.' Velder pointed to a building across the street, noting that before its construction, the waters of Amsterdam's IJsselmeer sea inlet nearly reached the shop centuries ago. 'The boats were coming in here, and brought (shipments) here,' she said. Velder purchased the business in 1999 without a contract, 'just a handshake,' she says. The first few years presented a steep learning curve, but Velder, determined, said she immersed herself in learning as much as she could about the industry and what customers were looking for. 'It took me now at least five, six years until I found out what tea-drinking and coffee-drinking really was, and where I had to look and what to do and what was more important,' Velder said. Eventually, she hit her stride, earning a reputation for high-quality products sourced from around the world. In the past, the shop has offered up to 350 varieties of tea — some made with her own 'secret recipe,' Velder said — though she has cut back on placing new orders in light of the planned closure. Currently, 15 types of coffee are available. Over the years, the shop also had an on-site cafe of sorts where patrons could linger over a cup of coffee and conversation. That feature has been closed since the pandemic, Velder said. Even so, employees say 't Zonnetje remains a critical part of the true spirit of Amsterdam, a place that serves as a gathering spot for neighbors and visitors while showcasing centuries of history. 'It is more than a shop — it also has a very important social role,' explained Nathalie Teton, who has worked at 't Zonnetje on and off since 2021. 'There were a lot of people also living alone coming here, having a cup of tea and coffee, talking with Marie-Louise. You will hear all the gossip, who is sleeping with who, and also old stories, because there were also a lot of senior people coming in.' 'Of course, there are other tea and coffee shops in Amsterdam. But they are more mainstream. This one is really unique.' Amsterdam, which is amid a yearlong celebration leading up to its 750th anniversary this October, has been struggling for years with how to preserve its unique history as overtourism threatens to irrevocably change the character of the city. Over the past decade, city officials have focused their tourism efforts on stemming the tourist tide and attracting the right kind of visitor to the city: those who come to appreciate Amsterdam's museums and culture, not partake in its infamous vices. Among those measures: increasing the tourist tax, banning tours in the historic De Wallen neighborhood, banning cruise ships and limiting the opening of shops catering specifically to tourists. However, results have been mixed, and some measures — such as a 2020 ban on vacation rentals in certain neighborhoods — have been struck down by the courts. Meanwhile, centuries-old businesses like 't Zonnetje, which have long been entrenched in their local neighborhoods, remain increasingly susceptible to rising rents, as TikTok trendy eateries, generic sweet shops and 'coffeehouses' that specialize in marijuana proliferate among the tourist set. In March 2023, US former boxing star Mike Tyson opened his first brick-and-mortar cannabis shop in Amsterdam, just down the street from SoHo House and W Amsterdam. Some experts say city officials have not done enough to protect locally owned, long-established businesses such as 't Zonnetje. Dimitris Dalakoglou, an urban anthropologist and professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, told CNN via email that city leadership in Amsterdam and other European cities has long since 'abandoned' the 'prevention of this urban catastrophe.' He warned Amsterdam is becoming 'an empty façade of itself' in a 2018 article and said 't Zonnetje's closure marked another 'small death' for the city. 'Amsterdam's real estate is changing fast to the benefit of capitalist profit-making: the banking sector, real estate investors and new richer inhabitants/users of the urban spaces, whilst the previous urban groups are slowly pushed away,' Dalakoglou said. 'Almost every urban space's policy goes towards this direction, even the ones which claim to aim for the opposite goal.' Over at 't Zonnetje, Velder claims that the building's landlord has steadily increased the rent, which, circa 2019, was about 18,000 euros (about $20,000) annually. In September 2024, the landlord proposed further increases, doubling the rent to about 6,000 euros (currently about $6,800) per month. Velder took the landlord to court over that proposed increase, according to Het Parool. But even with a judge's decision to retroactively reduce the rent to about 50,000 euros per year ($56,000), costs of the business — including payroll for four staffers — remain too high to cover with sales bringing in only about 300 euros (about $340) a day, Velder says. Property management company Florès Vastgoedbeheer told CNN via email that the building's landlord is not currently in the Netherlands and is unavailable for comment. However, the email stated that the 'tenant terminated the lease without any notice for her own reasons' and that 'the property will become available to rent and suitable candidates can apply in due course to an estate agent to be appointed.' Escalating rent isn't the only challenge Velder has faced over the years. Velder also has had disputes with a local entrepreneur who she claims offered to help the business while it was in financial trouble. A proposed deal never materialized, and the two eventually ended up in court, according to Het Parool. In an email to CNN, Amsterdam lawyer Maarten Hilberdink, who represented Velder in various cases, described the shop's potential closure as a 'great loss for Amsterdam.' 'Marie-Louise has built something very special and it is a great pity that she had to spend her last years as an entrepreneur with legal battles and that this special store is now lost to Amsterdam,' he said. All of these issues have taken a harsh emotional and physical toll on Velder. 'I was this morning (seeing) my doctor, and (my blood pressure) was the highest I ever had, 210,' Velder said. 'She said, 'This is impossible. Your blood pressure is so high. It's sky high.'' Despite the assorted challenges she has faced, Velder tries to maintain an upbeat attitude. She laughs easily and often, chatting with her staffers, some of whom refer to her by her nickname of 'Loucky,' and customers in Dutch and English (her father was an American from Chicago). She welcomes everyone who comes into the shop — which has a 4.9 star rating on Google and 98 mostly glowing reviews — with equal enthusiasm. However, Velder also expresses deep sorrow over the thought of closing her beloved business. 'I love my customers, they are fantastic, and they love me,' she said. 'This is my baby.' Her 'baby' is now struggling through a very difficult stage — and facing a highly uncertain future. It's unclear whether or how Amsterdam's gemeente (municipal government) would or could grant the shop protected status. In an email to CNN, the city's tourism department said that while it 'recognize[s] the significance of such changes in Amsterdam's streetscape, matters related to the diversity and development of the local retail and hospitality offering fall outside the scope of Amsterdam&Partners.' Longtime customers of 't Zonnetje, meanwhile, hope something can be done before another piece of Amsterdam's history is lost. 'It is a jewel that needs protecting and absolutely needs support, and people shouldering in and bellying up and [doing] everything they can do to save it, because it's one of a kind,' Carlisle said. 'Amsterdam doesn't have much of this anymore.'
