Brigitte Bardot auction fetches nearly €1M — 20 times the estimate

The Dutch social media platform Hyves has relaunched 22 years after it was originally founded, according to its owner Mediahuis. The platform is positioning itself as an alternative to mainstream social media, promising fewer intrusive advertisements and a more community-focused experience. Mediahuis says there is a growing public demand for social networks that prioritize user comfort over aggressive monetization. The platform's revival centers on its original philosophy of 'gezelligheid' — a Dutch concept roughly meaning coziness or togetherness — as its core value. While the relaunch originates from the Netherlands, the news is relevant to Curaçao given the island's strong Dutch cultural and media ties. Hyves was once one of the most popular social platforms in the Netherlands before being overtaken by Facebook and other global giants. The return of the platform signals a broader trend of users seeking more intimate and less commercialized online spaces.

Hyves, the once-popular Dutch social network, has relaunched 22 years after its founding, according to its owner Mediahuis. The platform is positioning itself as an alternative to mainstream social media by offering fewer intrusive advertisements, no addictive algorithms, and a nostalgic user experience that includes features like 'krabbels' (wall messages) and animated dancing bananas. Mediahuis says there is a growing demand for social media platforms that prioritize user wellbeing over engagement metrics. The relaunch taps into widespread dissatisfaction with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, which have faced criticism for manipulative design and data privacy concerns. Hyves originally launched in the Netherlands in 2004 and was enormously popular in the Dutch-speaking world, including Curaçao, before declining in the early 2010s. The revival is aimed at users seeking a more human, less commercialized online social experience. No details were provided on current user numbers or a formal launch date for the relaunched platform.

A Paris auction of personal belongings and memorabilia belonging to French film icon Brigitte Bardot raised nearly €954,000 including auction fees on Monday — almost twenty times the pre-sale estimate. The sale far exceeded expectations, reflecting the enduring global fascination with the legendary actress and activist. Bardot, now 90, rose to international fame in the 1950s and 1960s before retiring from acting to focus on animal rights advocacy. The auction included a wide range of personal items and collectibles tied to her storied career and private life. The remarkable result underscores the strong market demand for memorabilia connected to classic Hollywood and European cinema icons. No details were immediately available on which specific lots drove the highest bids.