Politics News in English

Housing Minister to accelerate home construction and relax rental laws

Housing Minister Elanor Boekholt-O'Sullivan has proposed plans to accelerate housing construction and relax rental laws to increase the available housing supply. These proposals were detailed in a for...

Cabinet allocates over 950 million euros for energy measures

The Dutch cabinet has allocated over 950 million euros to mitigate rising energy prices for citizens, businesses, and farmers. The package includes 627 million euros in direct aid and 340 million euro...

Mileage allowance up, motor vehicle tax down: these are the government's energy measures

The Dutch cabinet is increasing the tax-free kilometer allowance for employees by two cents while significantly reducing motor vehicle taxes for vans and trucks. These changes will be financed by redu...

Minister adjusts rules: rents allowed to rise again in many cases

Minister of Housing Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan is relaxing rent moderation rules, which will lead to higher housing costs for many tenants. The changes will allow landlords to increase rents for var...

Cabinet allocates millions to break housing market deadlock and accommodate landlords

The Dutch government is allocating 156 million euros to resolve housing project delays caused by a shortage of municipal staff. Furthermore, 90 million euros will be invested to streamline and acceler...

Confidence in Willem-Alexander and Máxima rises again

Public confidence in King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima has increased for the second consecutive year. A survey of 22,000 members by the EenVandaag Opiniepanel shows a continuing upward trend in ...

Oil prices rise after new closure of Strait of Hormuz

Oil prices rose on Monday morning following Iran's decision to re-close the Strait of Hormuz. This follows a brief period on Friday when the blockade was lifted, which had temporarily caused energy pr...

Travel allowance won't increase everywhere after government intervention: ‘It’s just costs’

The Dutch cabinet plans to increase the tax-free travel allowance from 23 to 25 cents per kilometer. However, many employers are expected to maintain current rates rather than raising actual reimburse...

Tobacco tax revenue falls as more people buy abroad

The Dutch government's revenue from tobacco excise tax fell by 15% to 2.6 billion euros in 2025. According to CBS data, the decline is driven by a decrease in smoking and an increase in consumers purc...

Explosion at home on Leeuw van Vlaanderenstraat in West

An explosion occurred early this morning at a residence on Leeuw van Vlaanderenstraat in Amsterdam's Kolenkitbuurt district. The street has a history of multiple explosions, leading to previous securi...

RIVM proposes ban on cigarette filters over microplastics

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has proposed a ban on cigarette filters to reduce microplastic pollution. The institute states that removing filters would ben...

Toos & Henk - April 20

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

China conducts drills in western Pacific in response to Japan

China has deployed warships to the western Pacific Ocean for military exercises in response to Japan's involvement in multi-national drills near the Philippines. These maneuvers follow large-scale nav...

Major renovation of Verweyhal may start this year: 'We will do everything we can'

Renovation of the dilapidated Verweyhal in Haarlem may begin as early as this year, according to Councilor Eva de Raadt. During a city council meeting on Thursday, officials expressed a commitment to ...

Oil crisis plan activated for the first time, but most won't notice

The Dutch government has activated the first phase of the National Crisis Plan for Oil to prepare for potential shortages stemming from unrest in the Middle East. While the plan officially begins on M...

Panis on rejection of FVD in Velsen formation: 'Parties are being too emotional'

Tommy Panis of the Forum voor Democratie (FVD) criticized other political parties in Velsen for excluding his party from the local coalition formation. He claimed that the other parties are prioritizi...

Deaths in shooting of suspected drug boat in Caribbean

Three men were killed after the U.S. military opened fire on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean region. The incident was reported by the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) on social media.

Higher flight tax unthinkable for aviation industry due to fuel crisis: ‘Increase is indefensible’

‘I was especially shocked by how quickly people have to die’: Panic Paradise makes students think about polarization

Iran threatens retaliation after US attack on Iranian ship

Iran has threatened retaliation following a US attack on the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska between Sunday night and Monday morning. The threat marks an escalation in tensions after the American mi...

Brazilian President Lula calls war against Iran madness

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized the United States and Israel for their conflict against Iran, labeling the situation as "madness." He made these remarks during a speech at th...

Trump: US Navy fires on Iranian ship to break blockade

Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that the US Navy fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship after it allegedly attempted to break a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. The former president reported that...

Israel vows to demolish Hezbollah-linked houses in Lebanon

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the military to act with "full force" against threats from Lebanon despite the current ceasefire. The orders include the demolition of houses used b...

Two officers suspended for fleeing during shooting in Kyiv

Two Ukrainian police officers have been suspended after video footage showed them fleeing the scene of a shooting in Kyiv. Interior Minister Igor Klymenko confirmed the suspension following the incide...

Hamerkwartier residents concerned about new district: 'You see the heart of North slipping away'

Residents of the Hamerkwartier in Amsterdam-Noord held a manifestation to express concerns over plans to build 6,000 new homes and high-rise towers reaching up to 130 meters. Locals and small business...

Heemskerk city council restricts long-winded speakers: 'It's not about stopping people from having their say, but it can be more efficient'

The Heemskerk city council is introducing speaking time limits for its meetings to address their increasing duration and improve efficiency. Deputy clerk Marjon Oostveen stated that while the goal is ...

Pro-Russian Radev leads in Bulgarian elections

Exit polls indicate that pro-Russian candidate Rumen Radev is leading the Bulgarian elections with approximately 38 percent of the vote. Radev gained significant support through his campaign promise t...

Birth mothers also want recognition and apologies from others

Following the Dutch government's apology to women forced to give up their children for adoption, advocacy groups are calling for similar recognition and apologies from other involved institutions. The...

Belgian activist and author Fleur Pierets awarded Jos Brink Prize

Belgian activist, artist, and writer Fleur Pierets was awarded the biennial Jos Brink Prize on Sunday by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The award aims to promote LGBTQ+ emancipa...

Iran yet to decide on next round of talks with US

The Iranian leadership has not yet decided whether to participate in a new round of negotiations with the United States. Reports indicate that further talks may be suspended as long as the US Navy con...