Thursday 12 November

Prosecutors in the Netherlands are seeking prison sentences of up to 20 years for six individuals allegedly operating as an international hit squad. The group is accused of a failed plot to assassinate Siamak Tahmasbi, an Iranian activist residing in Haarlem. The court's verdict, expected in late December, marks a grim intersection of geopolitical tensions and local law enforcement. Read more →

The Haarlem municipal government has prematurely shuttered its home insulation subsidy scheme after demand surged. Having already distributed over 3.7 million euros to support more than 1,100 housing improvements, the city is now re-evaluating the sustainability of its green transition incentives. It seems the appetite for energy efficiency has outpaced the local coffers. Read more →

The Stayokay hostel in Haarlem-Noord will once again accommodate 68 asylum seekers between November 30 and March 1. Local officials have opted for the familiar venue to support the national reception system, noting that previous attempts at communal housing within the facility proceeded without incident. It is a pragmatic, if temporary, solution for the Dutch asylum apparatus. Read more →

In a bid to improve biodiversity, Haarlem has secured the ninth spot in the national NK Tegelwippen competition. By replacing over 104,000 garden tiles with greenery, the city aims to better manage rainwater and urban heat. While hardly a radical overhaul of the cityscape, it reflects a growing municipal obsession with reclaiming paved space for nature. Read more →