Pointer examines the influence of the pesticide lobby in Brussels. A growing number of scientists express concern regarding a link between pesticides and illnesses like Parkinson's, yet efforts to curtail pesticide use face considerable opp…

For those requiring constant care, the question arises: where is the most suitable place to reside? Large healthcare facilities often have limited capacity, and staffing levels have dwindled in recent years. These institutions cannot replic…

The practice of facial fillers – substances injected to smooth lines, plump lips, or enhance contours – is growing increasingly popular. Legally, only medical doctors are permitted to administer these injections; however, a significant numb…

The warmth of a crackling fire is a winter comfort for many. Yet, the smoke it produces is a persistent source of trouble and potential health risks, as Dirk knows all too well. The wood burning by neighbors causes him breathing difficultie…

This winter, countless residents find themselves trapped in inadequate homes. Many suffer from poor insulation, often with windows offering only single glazing. This forces a difficult choice: exorbitant heating bills or layering garments t…

Nearly nine hundred thousand individuals face hazardous noise levels in their workplaces. This exposure can manifest as tinnitus – a persistent ringing in the ears – heightened sensitivity to sound, or progressive hearing loss. While sudden…

Across much of the Netherlands, flooding is an escalating concern, manifesting in inundated streets and submerged basements. The devastating floods of 2021 in Limburg serve as a stark example. Thousands of households were affected, with hom…

Tens of thousands of advertisements populate the internet, promising work and opportunity to women in Eastern Europe, often leading them to sex work in countries like the Netherlands. What lies concealed beneath these carefully crafted post…

Each year, we are bombarded with tens of thousands of food advertisements: a Christmas dinner from KFC on television, Snickers bars in online videos, and Coca-Cola emblazoned on billboards. A significant majority – at least three-quarters –…

Will the gas drill once again penetrate the seabed of the Wadden Sea? Nine years ago, the Dutch Petroleum Company submitted a permit application for the gas field situated off the coast of Ternaard. Yet, after three successive governments, …

The availability of outdoor play areas for children in the Netherlands is diminishing. As we strive to construct new homes and land becomes increasingly limited, spaces dedicated to play often take a backseat, despite the well-documented im…

A dedicated program intends to assist those harmed by the benefits scandal in rebuilding their lives. Yet, individuals seeking aid from local authorities frequently face protracted delays. Consequently, public trust in the government suffer…

The burden of high rent falls heavily when a dwelling harbors mold and vermin. Young renters are frequently caught in the crossfire of a strained housing market. The scarcity of available homes drives landlords to demand exorbitant prices, …

Over seven hundred aircraft traversed the sky in a single day. Winnie de Wit, of Assendelft, has campaigned for years to lessen the volume of air traffic above her home, yet her efforts have yielded no change. Residents along the proposed f…

Faced with heightened military concerns, the Ministry of Defence intends to increase the frequency of fighter jet flights over the Netherlands. It is likely that more aircraft will also depart from Leeuwarden air base. Residents in the area…

It’s likely you’re already paying for carbon offsetting through your gas contract. Energy companies often suggest that initiatives in distant lands can neutralize your carbon emissions, yet many of these projects lack substance. While they …

Those who follow the Radio Genoa account on X (formerly Twitter) are repeatedly presented with videos depicting Black individuals engaged in violence or exhibiting offensive behavior. The account’s implicit message is clear: "This is the co…

Street harassment – the unwelcome advance, the leering comments, the unsettling pursuit – is a pervasive reality for many women. To understand where women in the Netherlands experience vulnerability, we gathered thousands of responses. Muni…

Outdoor play is arguably more vital than ever, particularly given the increasing hours children now spend absorbed by screens. Yet, children at play inevitably generate noise. While some find the boisterous sounds of their games – the shout…

Burchart, a farmer of twenty-five years, faces considerable hardship. He dedicates himself to preserving dwindling meadow bird populations, like the godwit. Yet, the financial rewards for implementing nature-friendly practices often fail to…

Ten billion liters of manure: where is it to be placed? The Netherlands now confronts a sudden surplus – three hundred thousand tankers brimming with the byproduct. New regulations restrict farmers’ use of their own land, forcing them to se…

The 2020 Care and Coercion Act significantly restricts the provision of involuntary care in dementia treatment. Consequently, individuals with dementia who do not present a danger to themselves or others should not be confined against their…

Early this year, a significant PFAS contamination was detected in the Jelsumervaart, a waterway near Leeuwarden, making it one of the largest in the Netherlands. In some locations, the levels of the contaminant were nine hundred times above…

The onus of safety on public transport rests with whom? We surveyed over seven thousand women, asking them where they experience vulnerability, and the overwhelming response centered on stations and the vehicles themselves. Driven by appreh…

As the academic year begins, many schools face the daunting question of whether they can staff every classroom. Every available hand is needed, and those transitioning into teaching are particularly sought after. However, these career chang…

A significant number of young people continue to struggle with debt. Experts attribute this to the proliferation of readily available digital payment options, particularly those offering deferred payment. Is the developing adolescent mind p…

Have smartphones become an essential part of young people's lives? Or might they be better off without them? Across recent years, the mental well-being of young people, particularly young women, has noticeably declined. This trend aligns w…

Russian army vessels navigate our waters, heavily armed and watchful. From the decks of research ships, they monitor NATO nations, conducting clandestine operations – espionage and potential sabotage – within the North and Baltic Seas. A Po…

Zorg van Toen, a healthcare organization, aimed to help one million elderly people age with dignity. Yet, access to this care was often beyond the means of those with limited financial resources. Regulations were absent concerning the inst…

The ease of online shopping has become commonplace, yet it frequently presents unforeseen risks. One might believe they are purchasing genuine gold jewelry from a retiring Dutch couple, only to receive inexpensive plastic goods manufactured…

A growing number of young people in the Netherlands are experiencing homelessness. Often lacking a supportive family or community, these vulnerable individuals find themselves isolated from the age of eighteen. The pursuit of affordable hou…

Those residing in social housing often find themselves with limited options for relocation, frequently restricted to home exchanges. A senior citizen, for instance, desiring a smaller dwelling after their children have moved away, might exc…

The mandate is set: by 2035, all children, regardless of their needs – those requiring additional support or specialized care – must attend a local public school. Yet, a question lingers: are these schools equipped to meet such a diverse de…

Four years after a severe motorcycle accident, Ben has struggled with the UWV. The agency maintains that suitable employment exists for him, yet he is unable to fulfill the duties they suggest. This raises a critical question: are we truly …

In 2016, twelve of the country’s leading mental health facilities committed to ending seclusion – the practice of forcibly isolating patients in separate rooms – by 2020. Yet, segregation continues daily in most of these institutions. Recen…

Even now, questionable healthcare providers appear to repeatedly exploit public funds. Five years ago, Pointer journalists identified companies exhibiting a pattern of prioritizing profit over patient care – what they termed "healthcare cow…

The Almelo-De Haandrik canal underwent modifications to accommodate increased commercial vessel traffic. However, following the completion of these works in 2016, residents of approximately four hundred homes surrounding the waterway experi…

Returning from deployment, countless soldiers carry the invisible wounds of trauma. The weight of this burden falls not only on the individuals themselves, but also upon their families, who are deeply affected. It is a profound injustice th…

A sense of unease has settled among those who live near lily fields. The cultivation of these flowers often relies on a significant number of pesticides, raising concerns about potential health hazards. Over the last year, residents across …

Children sidelined by illness for extended periods, often receiving minimal or no schooling, exist beyond the reach of compulsory education authorities. They frequently endure months-long delays for necessary medical care or a suitable plac…