Politics News in English

1896 building permit insufficient: city center roof terrace must be removed

A homeowner in Amsterdam's city center must remove a roof terrace and external staircase by June 2026 or face a 10,000 euro fine. A judge rejected the owner's claim that a building permit from 1896 au...

Kleine Houtweg to become green cycle street, much to residents' dismay: 'It will be traffic chaos'

The Haarlem municipality plans to redevelop the Kleine Houtweg into a green bicycle street next year, incorporating new sewers and reduced car access. However, local residents are protesting the proje...

Beverwijk admits: court lacked crucial info in Plantage case; 22 parking spaces must be compensated

The municipality of Beverwijk has acknowledged that crucial information regarding parking was missing during a court case about a new residential tower in the Plantage neighborhood. Documents obtained...

Germany and Canada deepen cooperation

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil discussed deepening bilateral cooperation between Germany and Canada during a conference in Toronto on Saturday. The meeting focused on exploring new ways for th...

US meets Qatari mediator in Miami over Iran

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Miami on Saturday. The meeting focused on discussions regarding...

Retention of mortgage interest deduction less certain than it seems

The Dutch minority cabinet, led by Prime Minister Jetten, faces potential negotiations with the opposition and unions that may put the mortgage interest deduction at risk. While the VVD remains firmly...

Deaths after new Israeli strikes in Lebanon

The Israeli military conducted multiple strikes in Lebanon on Saturday, resulting in at least 18 deaths according to Al Jazeera. One specific airstrike in the city of Saksakiyeh killed seven people, i...

Three arrests at demonstrations near Ter Apel asylum center

Police arrested three people during demonstrations at the asylum seeker center in Ter Apel on Saturday for insults and failing to provide identification. The protests concluded without further major i...

Festival-goers react to last-minute cancellation of Music On: ‘I planned my holiday around it’

Judge definitively axes house festival: "This is the death blow for us"

A Dutch judge has upheld the cancellation of the "Music On" house festival in Amsterdam after the municipality revoked its permit just one hour before the event was set to begin. The decision followed...

Péter Magyar starts as Prime Minister of Hungary

Pro-European conservative Péter Magyar has been installed as the new Prime Minister of Hungary following his party's victory in the April elections. His party, Tisza, secured a significant two-thirds...

Global Sumud Flotilla lawyers: Israel releases activists

Israeli authorities are releasing two activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla who were detained over a week ago. The flotilla's legal team announced the release after receiving official confirmation ...

Putin promises visiting Fico enough energy for Slovakia

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Moscow on Saturday to discuss energy cooperation. During the visit, Putin pledged that Russia would make every effort to ...

Dassen in congress speech: break ties with Palantir

Volt leader Laurens Dassen has called on the Dutch government to sever ties with the American software company Palantir. During a party congress in Ede, Dassen proposed redirecting the funds currently...

Was wearing an Amsterdam Bandidos vest illegal? Suspended sentence demanded for Beverwijk man after two acquittals

An Amsterdam court is deliberating whether a 47-year-old man from Beverwijk committed a crime by wearing a Bandidos motorcycle club vest in June 2020. Despite two previous acquittals, prosecutors are ...

New Dutch citizens finding work faster and more often: "I can now contribute"

Data from the CBS shows that refugees with residence permits in the Netherlands are finding employment significantly faster than a decade ago, with 13% working within three months. Local initiatives a...

Heavy police presence in Ter Apel during asylum center protests

A heavy police presence, including mounted officers and mobile units, was deployed in Ter Apel on Saturday to monitor announced demonstrations at the local asylum seekers center. Only a small group of...

Ten-year battle over caravan storage facility nears end, settlement with Rijsenhout sisters remains secret

The municipality of Haarlemmermeer has reached a settlement ending a ten-year legal dispute with the owners of a caravan storage facility in Rijsenhout. The conflict concerned a building constructed t...

Kremlin: long road to peace deal with Ukraine

The Kremlin has stated that reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine remains a long process despite a current three-day ceasefire between the two nations. Russia and Ukraine have been at war for over f...

Starmer appoints former PM Brown as special envoy

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a special envoy for global finance. The appointment follows significant losses for the Labour Party in recent lo...

Sold-out house festival organizer sues Amsterdam over cancellation

The organizers of the sold-out Music On Festival have filed a lawsuit against the municipality of Amsterdam in a final attempt to prevent the event's cancellation. A spokesperson stated that this lega...

Castricum municipality also warned by ministry over lack of asylum housing

The municipality of Castricum has been placed under supervision by the Dutch Minister of Asylum and Migration for failing to provide required housing for asylum seekers. This decision was communicated...

House festival Music On cancelled at last minute after permit revoked

Tenerife prepares to receive Hondius

Authorities in Tenerife are preparing for the arrival of the Dutch cruise ship m/v Hondius on Sunday following a hantavirus outbreak on board. Temporary facilities, including army tents and mobile toi...

Russia holds stripped-down military parade, no heavy equipment

Russia held a simplified military parade on Red Square in Moscow to mark Victory Day, commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany. Unlike previous years, the event featured no heavy military equipment su...

Fatbike ban in Beverwijk? Mayor advocates for option, council hesitant. 'Executive on legal quicksand'

Beverwijk Mayor Martijn Smit is advocating for a potential area ban on fatbikes following numerous complaints from residents about the vehicles. The municipal council, however, has expressed skepticis...

Jan-Kees Emmer gives the Netherlands zero points

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has announced a boycott of the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. The decision serves as a protest against Israel's participation in the event due to the ongoing c...

Former Assad general arrested over chemical attack

Syrian authorities have arrested Khardal Ahmed Dayoub, a former general under the ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Dayoub is accused by the Ministry of Interior of involvement in the 2013 chemical we...

Countries send planes for those on board the Hondius

Countries with citizens aboard the cruise ship Hondius are sending aircraft to Tenerife to repatriate their nationals. The planes are scheduled to arrive at Tenerife Sur airport between Saturday eveni...

Mexico to end school year a month early for World Cup

Mexico plans to end the school year more than a month early because the country is co-hosting the FIFA World Cup with the United States and Canada. Education Minister Mario Delgado stated that the dec...