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Hundreds of residents desperate as heating systems fail for years in Haarlem and Amstelveen

Hundreds of residents desperate as heating systems fail for years in Haarlem and Amstelveen

Hundreds of residents in Haarlem and Amstelveen have faced persistent failures with their gas-free heat and cold storage (WKO) systems for years, leaving many without heating or cooling. The issues highlight a lack of oversight by the Netherlands' Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), which currently lacks a public register to track such malfunctions effectively.

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Pickleball takes over Haarlem, popular with disabled athletes: ‘It’s accessible’

Pickleball takes over Haarlem, popular with disabled athletes: ‘It’s accessible’

Pickleball is gaining popularity in Haarlem and across the Netherlands as an accessible alternative to tennis and padel. Bernadette Snijders Blok, chairperson of Pickleball Holland, notes that the sport's light equipment makes it particularly suitable for individuals with mobility impairments. This low-threshold activity provides a rare opportunity for this group to stay active and improve their reflexes.

Joy or heartbreak: which regional clubs still face a play-off battle?

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Several football clubs are entering promotion and relegation play-offs as the regular season comes to an end. While many players have already begun their summer break, these regional teams must continue competing to determine their league standing for the next season.

Overveen water treatment plant to reopen in a few years as water conservation trend stalls

Overveen water treatment plant to reopen in a few years as water conservation trend stalls

PWN is set to reactivate its historic drinking water purification site in Overveen within a few years to address stagnating water conservation trends. The facility, which originally opened in 1898 to serve Haarlem and nearby areas, will transition from exclusively using dune water to incorporating multiple water sources.

Fewer permits for temporary housing despite housing shortage

Fewer permits for temporary housing despite housing shortage

In 2025, Dutch municipalities issued approximately 3,000 permits for temporary housing, which is a 50% decrease compared to the previous year. According to statistics bureau CBS, this decline comes despite the intended role of such housing in alleviating the ongoing national housing shortage.

Drug 3-MMC is almost never what it seems, Trimbos Institute finds

Drug 3-MMC is almost never what it seems, Trimbos Institute finds

The Trimbos Institute reports that drugs sold as 3-MMC in the Netherlands rarely contain the actual substance. Data from the Drugs Information and Monitoring System reveals that only 3 percent of samples tested last year were authentic.