Politics News in English

65 municipal reports on construction and more in Haarlem last week

The municipality of Haarlem processed 65 permit applications last week, with 64 specifically for Haarlem and one for Spaarndam. These reports primarily involve construction and development projects, a...

Energy plans open for inspection: Where will the new high-voltage, transformer, and converter stations be located?

The Dutch government has released plans for offshore wind energy landing sites, targeting regions such as IJmond and the Kop van Noord-Holland for new infrastructure. While landing at Egmond is more c...

Israel claims death of Hamas leader Mohammed Odeh

Israeli authorities confirmed that Hamas commander Mohammed Odeh was killed Tuesday during a targeted airstrike in Gaza City. Defense Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had pre...

Jetten: Change in relationship with US is ‘irreversible’

Prime Minister Rob Jetten stated that the relationship between the Netherlands, Europe, and the United States has undergone an irreversible change. In a major speech on foreign policy, Jetten warned t...

Police raid Spanish ruling party headquarters

Spanish police have searched the national headquarters of the ruling Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) as part of an investigation into illegal party financing. The operation by the Guardia Civil target...

Netherlands and Germany set up NATO headquarters in Estonia

The Netherlands and Germany are planning to deploy several dozen soldiers to Estonia to establish a NATO defense headquarters. While the Dutch Ministry of Defense has yet to officially confirm the mis...

Provincial officials traveling to US to discuss Formula 1 cycling traffic, cost: 29,000 euros

A delegation of five provincial officials is traveling to California for a study trip focused on public transportation and cycling logistics for Formula 1. The visit, which costs 29,000 euros, aims to...

Right-wing opposition moves to repeal asylum distribution law

A group of right-wing opposition parties led by JA21 has introduced a bill to repeal the Distribution Act, which governs the fair distribution of asylum seekers across the country. The initiative is u...

This Amsterdammer blew up himself and his ship to avoid capture by the Belgians

During the Belgian Revolution, Amsterdam naval officer Jan van Speijk blew up his ship and himself to prevent the vessel from falling into the hands of Belgian rebels. His act of self-sacrifice remain...

Have your passport or ID card delivered to your home for free before the summer holidays

Residents can have their new passports or ID cards delivered to their home or workplace for free throughout June and early July. This service aims to provide convenience and eliminate the need for in-...

Ster expects record advertising revenue during World Cup despite unfavorable kick-off times and Trump effect

Ster, the advertising arm of the Dutch Public Broadcasting (NPO), expects record-breaking revenue during the upcoming football World Cup in North America. Despite challenges such as unfavorable kick-o...

French TV channel receives complaints over 'too red' weather maps

French TV channel BFMTV has received complaints from climate skeptics who claim its weather maps are "too red" and cause unnecessary panic. The controversy arises as France experiences a heatwave with...

Commercial waste in East ends up in household bins far too often

Authorities in the Amsterdam-Oost district are implementing stricter enforcement against business owners who dispose of commercial waste in household containers, leading to littered shopping streets. ...

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 de...

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon at lowest level since 2019

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon reached its lowest level since 2019, according to a report by monitor MapBiomas. The country lost 985,000 hectares of native vegetation last year, marking a 20.6 ...

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 hi...

Expansion of national youth powers for special enforcement officers as of June 1

Starting June 1, 2026, special enforcement officers (BOAs) in the Netherlands will be authorized to reprimand minors or refer them to the Halt foundation for criminal offenses. This nationwide expansi...

Residents submit last-minute alternative plan for Kleine Houtweg: 'Cyclists must be able to cycle safely and independently'

Residents of the Kleine Houtweg in Haarlem have submitted an alternative street design plan to the municipality, calling for the inclusion of a separate bicycle path. The group argues that the current...

Trade associations ignore Castricum's request to ask members to stop using weed killer

The branch organizations LTO Noord and KAVB have refused a request from the municipality of Castricum to ask their members to stop using the herbicide glyphosate. The local government made the request...

Was there really intimidation of council members over the asylum center? Santpoort resident wants to see proof

A resident of Santpoort-Zuid is demanding evidence to support claims that local officials were intimidated and threatened regarding a proposed asylum seeker center in early 2024. The resident question...

Trump adds former Attorney General Bondi to AI advisory committee

President Donald Trump has appointed former Attorney General Pam Bondi to a White House advisory committee focused on artificial intelligence. According to reports from Axios, Bondi will join the grou...

Trump-backed Paxton defeats senator in Texas primary

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn in the Texas Republican primary on Tuesday. Paxton, who received the backing of former President Donald Trump, was declare...

Amsterdam is at its most beautiful when differences can coexist without fear

North Korea tests new multifunctional rocket launch system

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un supervised the testing of a new multifunctional rocket launch system involving tactical ballistic missiles and precision cruise missiles. The system is reportedly desig...

Over 100 asylum seekers moved from Ter Apel to Groningen

More than a hundred asylum seekers were relocated from the registration center in Ter Apel to the Hanzeplaza convention center in Groningen due to a lack of space. The Red Cross managed the transport ...

Prime Minister Jetten does not rule out cooperation with Markuszower

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten criticized politician Gidi Markuszower for his comments regarding Palestinian refugees, stating they place him outside constructive political forces. However, despite p...

Lebanon raises death toll from Israeli attacks to 31

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed 31 people on Tuesday as Israel intensified its military operations despite a ceasefire agreement. The Israeli government stated that the strikes are speci...

Support for climate policy erodes, one-third of population feels they are ‘no longer allowed to enjoy anything’

Support for climate change policies in the Netherlands is declining as a growing portion of the population prioritizes other issues. While a majority still favors reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ma...

Right-wing parties also attack De Vos (FvD) over far-right extremism: 'How disgusting can it get?'

FvD leader Lidewij de Vos faced intense criticism from across the political spectrum, including right-wing parties, in the Dutch House of Representatives on Tuesday evening. The confrontation marks a ...

Gaza authorities: Seven killed in Israeli attacks

At least seven people have been killed following Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, according to reports from local authorities. Five of the victims died during a strike in the eastern part of the ter...