The government reports a pressing need for housing designed for seniors. With a growing elderly population and a strained healthcare system, an estimated 288,000 homes are required to offer comfortable living for older adults, ideally foste…

For years, Elke (22) has sought employment, but her autism and mental health challenges consistently lead to her withdrawing from potential positions. She now applies to the UWV for a Wajong benefit, a provision reserved for young people de…

Reinforcing homes in the Groningen earthquake zone presents considerable challenges. The guidance issued by the National Coordinator Groningen regarding necessary structural improvements sparks debate. Pointer has received numerous reports …

The air in the Netherlands takes an average of eight months off the lives of its inhabitants. In certain regions, the impact is even more severe, particularly in the western part of Rotterdam. Here, a confluence of highways, industry, an ai…

This work explores the wartime history of the Dutch Broadcasting Corporation (KRO). It investigates the fate of Jewish musicians who vanished from the broadcaster's orchestras long before the outbreak of war, questioning whether their relig…

A troubling trend is evident throughout the Netherlands: the quality of life in areas dominated by social rental housing is steadily declining. Current allocation policies often concentrate individuals with diverse challenges – those facing…

The goal is to triple the area dedicated to organic farming by 2030. Experts say that leasing land to organic farmers is a vital strategy, given that a third of all agricultural land is held under lease. This raises a question: why does the…

Anorexia, a particularly perilous mental illness, often takes root in youth, frequently affecting girls as young as ten. Access to treatment is often severely limited. While local authorities bear a responsibility to support these families,…

Wim Hertgers’ daughter, Sanne, was killed by her former partner. For years prior, she endured a marriage steeped in intimate terror—a pattern of domestic violence where the abuser exerts control and manipulates the victim. Now, Wim travels …

This study examines the conducting methods of Jaap van Zweden, the Netherlands' most celebrated conductor. Recurring themes of intimidation emerge from numerous conversations with musicians. Through interviews with orchestra members and sta…

For years, the people of Groningen have endured a precarious existence. Their homes bear the scars of earthquakes, and the promised strengthening work remains unfulfilled. They are frequently inundated with reports from the National Coordin…

The conflict in Ukraine has seen Russia deploy a peculiar strategy: the recruitment of Dutch citizens to cross the border. These individuals, disillusioned with Europe, relocate to Russia and disseminate narratives favored by the Kremlin. S…

Lotte, forty-six years old, underwent breast augmentation with silicone implants over two decades ago. For several years, she has battled persistent fatigue, joint pain, and difficulty concentrating, leading her to seek implant removal. Wou…

Evelien van Soldt, a general practitioner, and her husband Rieuwert de Haan, residents of Wapserveen, are voicing strong opposition to the use of pesticides in lily cultivation. Their concern stems from deep worries about the well-being of …

The chilling reality is this: individuals are stalked, their faces, and bodies – specifically buttocks and breasts – captured on hidden cameras and disseminated across the internet. These are creepshots: clandestine, sexually explicit image…

Amidst a critical housing shortage, a perplexing number of buildings stand empty and decaying for years on end. *Pointer* journeys through these forgotten spaces – deserted churches, offices, shopping streets, and homes, some vacant for ove…

Each year, a perilous fungus claims the lives of several hundred people in the Netherlands. The Health Council regards this as a grave danger to public well-being and asserts that governmental action is necessary.

The sight is commonplace in major Dutch cities: ripped-open garbage bags, soiled diapers, discarded appliances – a litany of refuse carelessly deposited beside refuse containers. Municipalities spend millions annually on the cleanup. Reside…

One hundred and fifty thousand Syrians now reside in our nation, refugees from the brutal regime of Assad. Yet, do they find safety here in the Netherlands? Or do the supporters of Assad also operate within our borders? We are now receiving…

Over sixty thousand Dutch citizens reside in holiday homes, often nestled discreetly within the landscape. For many, this isn't a matter of leisure, but a consequence of a severe housing deficit that has left them with nowhere else to live.…