Politics News in English

New air raid alarm to also sound for drone threats

The Dutch government has decided to modernize the national air raid siren system instead of phasing it out as previously planned. The updated system will maintain its public warning function while add...

Turkey launches plan to boost global energy from electricity

Turkey has launched a global plan at its climate summit to transition from fossil fuels to electricity. The summit's chairman aims to encourage more nations to commit to generating 35 percent of their...

From Benghazi to Amsterdam: Gaddafi’s stolen euros surface at Dutch Central Bank

Millions of euros stolen from the Libyan Central Bank during the era of dictator Muammar Gaddafi have appeared at De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) in Amsterdam. These funds entered the European black marke...

Apple at odds with EU over 'stricter legislation' for Siri AI

Apple has announced a delay in the release of its new Siri AI features in Europe, blaming the region's strict regulatory framework. The European Union has countered this claim, stating that the compan...

Judge: Amsterdam housing association must offer resident new home after explosion

An Amsterdam court has ordered housing association Eigen Haard to provide alternative housing within four weeks to a resident whose home was destroyed in a March explosion on Herculesstraat. The assoc...

Remote work and school closures in Mexico City for World Cup opening

President Claudia Sheinbaum has ordered all civil servants in Mexico City to work from home and schools to close on the opening day of the World Cup this Thursday. The decision aims to prevent potenti...

Latvia and Ukraine agree on drone deal at Tallinn summit

Ukraine and Latvia signed a drone deal during a summit held in Tallinn. President Volodymyr Zelensky shared footage of the signing ceremony, which highlights the ongoing military cooperation between t...

Permit amended: Café 't Sluisje allowed to return one of two regulars' tables

Café 't Sluisje in Amsterdam has been granted permission to return one of its two popular picnic tables after its operating permit was officially adjusted. The tables were removed last month followin...

500 Nijmegen residents also get free train travel for six months

Starting September 1st, 500 residents of Nijmegen will be eligible for six months of free train travel as part of a pilot program by the NS. The initiative is designed to combat mobility inequality an...

Old American restaurant demolished, squatters leave: "On to something better"

A former American restaurant in Amsterdam was demolished after being occupied by squatters for several years. While neighbors expressed relief, a permit has been filed to potentially replace the build...

Groceries getting more expensive, cabinet promises to 'look into it'

The Dutch cabinet is reviewing whether citizens can still afford groceries following warnings from supermarkets about impending significant price increases. Finance Minister Eelco Heinen stated that t...

GroenLinks-PvdA renamed PRO, but Markuszower Group not DNA: here is why

The GroenLinks-PvdA merger party has officially changed its name to Progressief Nederland (PRO) in the Dutch House of Representatives as of Tuesday afternoon. Meanwhile, Gidi Markuszower's request to ...

Judith Jacobs of D66 Heemstede wants to be approachable for residents: 'I take the time for that'

Judith Jacobs, a new D66 council member in Heemstede, emphasizes her commitment to being approachable and taking time for local residents. She is one of five new female members joining the municipal c...

MPs: label abuse chat groups as organized crime

Dutch Members of Parliament are calling for participation in private chat groups that share sexual abuse imagery to be classified as organized crime to allow for tougher penalties. Justice Minister Da...

To keep the Earth habitable, we must work much less, says French star economist Piketty

French economist Thomas Piketty and his co-authors argue that global inequality and climate change can be resolved by 2100 through a significant overhaul of the world economy. Their proposed model sug...

Group of countries takes measures against West Bank settlers

A group of Western nations, including France, Canada, and the United Kingdom, have announced sanctions against extremist settlers on the occupied West Bank. These measures target individuals and organ...

Court slams Amsterdam in dismissal case, enforcement officer allowed to return

EU wants entry ban for every Russian who served in military since start of war

The European Commission's proposal for a 21st sanctions package includes an entry ban for any Russian citizen who has served in the military since the invasion of Ukraine. Commission President Ursula ...

EU asylum applications down again from previous year

The European Union Agency for Asylum reported a decrease in asylum applications for the second consecutive year in 2025. This trend marks the lowest level of asylum requests recorded since 2021.

Seven deceased youths commemorated at ZIKOS report presentation

Jason Bhugwandass presented his report 'Eenzaam gestorven' at Nieuwspoort, commemorating seven young people who died after being placed in ZIKOS intensive youth care units. The report follows his prev...

Suspects confess to attack on Rotterdam synagogue

Four suspects have confessed to their involvement in a March 13 attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam during a preliminary court hearing. The defendants claim they were unaware the target was a religious...

KLM cancels flights to Saudi Arabia until end of July

KLM has extended its suspension of flights to the Saudi Arabian cities of Riyadh and Dammam until July 26 due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The airline cited safety concerns as the prima...

Zeeweg partially closed in June and September for accessibility trial

The province of Noord-Holland and several municipalities, including Haarlem, are launching a trial for a P+R and beach bus service to improve coastal accessibility. Consequently, the Zeeweg (N200) wil...

Who will be the new Amsterdam district administrators? PRO and D66 present list of veterans and fresh faces

‘No drastic cuts for Spaarne Werkt,’ say Haarlem politicians. ‘Better a financial than a social loss’

The Haarlem city council has expressed support for covering the financial deficits of the participation company Spaarne Werkt to avoid social losses. Council members emphasized that while financial ad...

Curaçao fans excited for World Cup: I wear the shirt almost every day

Fans of Curaçao in Amsterdam's Zuidoost district are expressing immense pride and excitement as the national team prepares for its first-ever World Cup appearance. Local residents shared their antici...

King emphasizes importance of closer ties with Germany

King Willem-Alexander has emphasized the importance of intensifying the friendship between the Netherlands and Germany to remain resilient during times of international uncertainty. He made these rema...

EU allocates 16.5 million euros to fight Ebola outbreak

The European Union has allocated 16.5 million euros to combat the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib announced the funding fol...

At least two Iranian soldiers killed in Israeli strikes

At least two Iranian soldiers were killed during recent Israeli strikes in Iran, according to Iranian state television. The victims were reportedly members of the military's air defense units.

UN investigation: Palestinian civilians caught between warring parties

A UN commission report states that violence by Jewish settlers against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank rose sharply last year. Additionally, Hamas-affiliated fighters in Gaza were responsible f...