Politics News in English

Debate begins today on asylum law criminalizing illegality: "It is inhumane"

The Dutch Senate has begun debating a new asylum law that would criminalize illegal residency, a move that Amsterdam city officials and aid organizations describe as inhumane. Critics argue the law wi...

‘Censoring books in the US, land of the free, is absurd’: fear of long blacklist due to bill

Video | Royal couple lands in Philadelphia for much-discussed US visit

Since the war in Iran, this car dealer is selling more electric cars

Ferrets to tackle rat infestations: "It’s more animal-friendly than poison," but does it work?

Following a severe rat infestation that closed a business in Amsterdam-Oost, the political party Ja21 has proposed using ferrets as a natural and more humane alternative to poison for pest control. Wh...

The White House as a minefield for world leaders: the scenario Jetten wants to avoid

Dutch minister Rob Jetten is preparing for a high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump at the White House. Experts provide insights on navigating potentially uncomfortable diplomatic conversations and med...

Municipality of Velsen draws up plans for Schoonenberg, Velserbroek and Venusstraat to prevent disjointed development

The municipality of Velsen is advancing housing development plans for Venusstraat in IJmuiden and Grote Buitendijk in Velserbroek. A comprehensive plan for the Schoonenberg area in Velsen-Zuid, includ...

PvdD angry: Haarlem fails to protect nesting swans from stone-throwers. ‘Some sticks and chicken wire, how hard can it be?’

The Party for the Animals in Haarlem is criticising the city for failing to protect a swan's nest from youths throwing stones at the Zuider Buiten Spaarne. Alderman Robbert Berkhout stated that instal...

Netanyahu: Iranian nuclear and missile programs destroyed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a televised address that joint operations with the United States have successfully destroyed Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. This ...

Current business park to feature 8,000 high-rise homes in the future

The Amsterdam City Council is reviewing plans to transform the Holterbergweg industrial area in Zuidoost into a high-rise district featuring up to 8,000 new homes and expanded business space. The deve...

Kyiv: Russia has already violated Easter truce hundreds of times

The Ukrainian military reports that Russia has violated the Easter ceasefire 469 times since it officially began at 4:00 PM local time. These figures were released by Ukraine's military leadership on ...

Crayfish as a symbol of slow administration

The American crayfish plague in the Netherlands has become a symbol of slow government bureaucracy and inefficient decision-making. Despite being a long-standing issue, the response remains bogged dow...

Iranian media: New round of talks with US on Saturday night or Sunday

The first direct talks between American and Iranian delegations in Pakistan have concluded. Iranian state media reports that a new round of negotiations is expected to take place on Saturday night or ...

Little for young people to do on asylum boat, but now they can play sports here

A new sports container has opened on the MS Galaxy asylum boat in Amsterdam's Westelijk Havengebied to provide recreational activities for its 1,500 residents. The initiative aims to improve living co...

Hundreds of arrests at pro-Palestinian protest in London

London police arrested over 200 demonstrators during a pro-Palestinian protest at Trafalgar Square. The activists gathered to support Palestine Action, an organization recently added to a terrorist li...

Years of uncertainty over new caravan sites; ‘We’ve been living with my in-laws for a year and a half. Eight of us in one trailer’

The construction of ten new caravan pitches at the Elzenhof site in Heemskerk has been delayed again, with a potential completion date now set for early 2027. Residents have expressed desperation over...

FT: US-Iran negotiations stall over Strait of Hormuz

Negotiations between the United States and Iran in Pakistan have stalled over disagreements regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran reportedly insists on maintaining full control and the right...

Governor: Wounded in Ukrainian attack during ceasefire

A Ukrainian drone strike hit a gas station in the Russian town of Lgov, located in the Kursk region, on Saturday. Regional officials reported that three people were injured, including a child, despite...

Israel: more than 200 Hezbollah targets hit in 24 hours

The Israeli military reported striking more than 200 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon over a 24-hour period. These attacks targeted infrastructure including rocket launchers used by the group.

Fairground industry furious over new truck tax: 'The government is destroying our industry'

Fairground operators in the Netherlands are protesting a new truck tax regulation that could increase their costs tenfold, claiming it will destroy their industry. In response to the government's plan...

Trump: US has begun clearing the Strait of Hormuz

U.S. forces have begun clearing the Strait of Hormuz of potential sea mines allegedly laid by Iran during recent American and Israeli military strikes. According to Donald Trump, the strategic waterwa...

Ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia begins

A ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia officially began at 3:00 PM Dutch time on Friday after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to the proposal. The truce, established in observance of Orthodox ...

First five Dutch citizens set sail for Gaza on Sunday

Five Dutch citizens will depart from Barcelona on Sunday as part of an international flotilla aiming to deliver aid to Gaza. They will be followed by ten additional Dutch participants departing from I...

Mother (VVD) already in Castricum council. Will her son (D66) still make it in? ‘Everything depends on coalition negotiations’

Renata (VVD) has secured a seat in the Castricum municipal council, while her son Jamie (D66) narrowly missed out according to initial results. Jamie may still enter the council if coalition negotiati...

US, Iran and Pakistan negotiations begin

Peace negotiations between the United States and Iran have officially commenced in Islamabad, Pakistan. President Donald Trump confirmed the discussions, which are being mediated by the Pakistani gove...

Kwebbelkop frustrated by Biro ban on ferry, seeks exception for North residents like himself

YouTuber Kwebbelkop has petitioned the Amsterdam city council to reconsider the enforcement of a ban on microcars like the Biro on city ferries. He argues the ban would increase travel time from Amste...

Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners again

Russia and Ukraine exchanged 175 prisoners of war each on Saturday in a swap mediated by the United Arab Emirates. Both countries confirmed the successful exchange, which is part of ongoing efforts to...

US reportedly releases frozen Iranian assets

The United States has reportedly agreed to release frozen Iranian assets in Qatar and other foreign banks in exchange for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. While an anonymous Iranian official...

Zelensky warns Russia against ceasefire violation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine will respect a temporary ceasefire but warned of a reciprocal response if Russia violates the agreement. He emphasized that while his coun...

Czech PM backs Orbán day before elections

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has publicly expressed his support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of the upcoming elections. Babiš emphasized on social media that choosing stabil...