Politics News in English

Readers on speed in 30 km/h zones: ‘Meeuwenlaan in North is still a racetrack’

Last week 59 municipal notifications about demolition and tree felling in Haarlem

The municipality of Haarlem processed 59 permit applications last week concerning demolition and tree felling projects. Of these, 58 notifications were specific to Haarlem while one application was su...

Unclear where billions in defense funds are being spent

The Dutch Ministry of Defense is facing criticism for a lack of transparency regarding the expenditure of billions of euros on equipment and services. Reports indicate that the department frequently u...

Vilnius residents urged to shelter after drone report

Residents of the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, were briefly ordered to take shelter on Wednesday following reports of a drone in the area. The alert led to the temporary closure of the city's airport a...

Despite cabinet plans, the number of civil servants continues to rise

The number of civil servants in the Dutch central government continues to rise despite successive cabinets' efforts to reduce staffing levels. According to a report by the Netherlands Court of Audit, ...

Defense takes risks with procurement without a tender

The Netherlands Court of Audit warned that the Ministry of Defense is taking significant risks by bypassing public tender procedures and awarding procurement contracts directly. President Pieter Duise...

NYT: US and Israel wanted to install Iranian hardliner as leader

The New York Times reports that at the start of the conflict, the United States and Israel aimed to install former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the country's leader. The secret plan allege...

FNV announces nationwide public transport strikes

The Dutch trade union FNV has announced a nationwide work stoppage in public transport across the Netherlands. The specific date for the strike is expected to be revealed later this Wednesday.

Ukrainian women again fully free to travel in and out of the country

Ukrainian women, including those in high-ranking government and judicial positions, are once again permitted to travel freely across the country's borders. This policy change follows a cabinet decisio...

Westerwolde: No decision yet on overnight shelter in Ter Apel

The municipality of Westerwolde has not yet determined where asylum seekers will stay if the reception center in Ter Apel reaches capacity on Wednesday night. No decision has been made regarding alter...

COA no longer admitting everyone to Ter Apel reception center due to overcrowding

The COA has begun restricting entry to the asylum reception center in Ter Apel due to severe overcrowding, prioritizing only the most vulnerable applicants. Chairman Joeri Kapteijns stated the measure...

First NS enforcement officers start using batons

The first Dutch Railways (NS) enforcement officers were issued batons on Wednesday as part of a new pilot program. This trial aims to determine if the equipment improves the safety of employees while ...

Kremlin: Witkoff to visit Russia soon for negotiations

US envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Russia soon for negotiations, according to reports from a Kremlin correspondent. The information was shared by Witkoff's Russian counterpart, Kirill Dmi...

Controversial German YouTuber shows youths with firearms in the Bijlmer: "It is reality"

German YouTuber Lucky L 030 released a video showing minors in Amsterdam's Bijlmer neighborhood displaying heavy firearms and discussing involvement in contract killings. While local youth workers des...

Mayor declares early coffee on Haarlem terraces a ‘risk for entrepreneurs’: ‘You risk a fine’

Haarlem Mayor Jos Wienen has warned catering entrepreneurs in the city center that setting up terraces before 11:00 AM risks a fine. While enforcement may sometimes be lenient, the mayor emphasized th...

FT: EU considers Draghi or Merkel for talks with Putin

European Union governments are discussing whether former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi or former German Chancellor Angela Merkel should represent the bloc in potential peace negotiations with Vl...

Toos & Henk - May 20

Cartoonist Paul Kusters shares his unique perspective on current events through the 'Toos & Henk' comic strip. The comic is published daily from Monday to Saturday.

Air raid sirens to disappear as new system takes over: ‘You want to be able to provide targeted information’

Justice Minister David van Weel announced that a new emergency warning system using light flashes and sound will replace the current national air raid sirens. The new system is intended to provide mor...

More frequent inspections of rental homes: ‘We see distressing situations’

The Dutch Rent Tribunal conducted more than 100 architectural inspections per week last year as complaints regarding poor maintenance in rental properties continued to rise. Common issues reported by ...

Mayor on human trafficking in Heemskerk: ‘What we see is likely only the tip of the iceberg’

Mayor Alexander Luijten of Heemskerk stated that reported human trafficking figures likely represent only the "tip of the iceberg," with much exploitation remaining hidden. In response, the municipali...

EU reaches provisional agreement to finalize trade deal with US

The European Union has reached a provisional agreement on legislation to abolish import duties on goods from the United States. This move is a key component of the trade agreement established between ...

Anke (79) has been fighting for Amsterdammers on benefits for 50 years: ‘Many clients are afraid of civil servants. We are not’

Amsterdam should have its own technical university: city’s tech position under pressure

Venezuela to release 300 political prisoners before Friday

Jorge Rodríguez, the president of the Venezuelan parliament, has announced that 300 political prisoners will be released by Friday. The pledge marks a significant development in the country's ongoing...

Protesters stunned by police violence at The Hague protest

Pro-Palestinian protesters detained near the House of Representatives in The Hague have accused the police of using unnecessary aggression and force during their arrests on Tuesday. The demonstrators ...

Police remove activists from tracks at The Hague Central

Police are removing three pro-Palestinian activists who chained themselves to a signal post at Den Haag Centraal railway station. The individuals were positioned between tracks 6 and 7, leading to pol...

Tata Steel welcomes EU Parliament support to limit steel imports

Tata Steel Nederland has welcomed the European Parliament's decision to halve current steel import quotas. This measure aims to protect the European market from global steel surpluses originating outs...

Over seventy Flotilla protesters arrested in The Hague

Between 70 and 80 protesters were arrested in The Hague on Tuesday during a demonstration near the Dutch Parliament building. The group was protesting for the release of Global Sumud Flotilla crew mem...

Couple living in tent on Kloveniersburgwal for months

A homeless couple has been living in a tent on the Kloveniersburgwal in Amsterdam for several months, prompting the city to initiate a formal process for its removal. While local residents generally e...

New Princess Beatrix School building in Heemstede significantly more expensive due to rising construction costs, more students, and more expensive materials

The construction of the new Prinses Beatrix School in Heemstede is expected to be significantly more expensive than originally planned. The municipal executive has requested an additional 1.4 million ...