Seven neighborhood platforms in Haarlem are calling for a cultural shift to give residents more influence and decision-making power over local construction and environmental projects. They argue that citizens should be involved in every stage of municipal planning rather than just acting as advisors.
Legal aid insurer DAS is calling on the Dutch government to take stricter action against rogue construction companies following an increase in scams targeting homeowners. Reports indicate that one in three homeowners has encountered fraudulent contractors who often appear prominently in online search results.
The Haarlem Initiatievenschool is offering a series of free training sessions and workshops throughout 2026 to help residents develop social and sustainable projects for the city. These sessions cover topics like sustainable financing, community building, and navigating local politics to support community-driven initiatives.
The Lowlands festival in Biddinghuizen has expanded its lineup by adding fourteen new acts, including Celeste, Willem, Sophie Straat, and Kelis. Other notable performers joining the schedule include Viagra Boys, José González, and Jet van der Steen.
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed eight people, including two children, on Wednesday. The attacks targeted vehicles traveling on a highway between the capital, Beirut, and the southern part of the country.
The NorthC datacenter in Almere has activated a temporary power supply following a fire that occurred last week. This development allows affected customers to begin a phased restart of their ICT systems starting Wednesday.