Politics News in English

UN agency: nearly 700,000 people displaced in Lebanon

The UN refugee agency reports that approximately 667,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon due to Israeli attacks over the past week. This total includes 100,000 individuals who fled within the la...

Croatia and Hungary set gasoline price caps, other countries hesitate

Croatia and Hungary have implemented price ceilings on fuel in response to significant price increases driven by the conflict in the Middle East. These are the first European countries to intervene in...

Municipal elections are on March 18; this is what D66 wants

On Wednesday, March 18, residents of Haarlem will head to the polls to elect a new city council. This report outlines the candidates and platform for the political party D66 as part of a series on the...

Longer waiting lists for social care and youth services in Haarlemmermeer, risk of delays due to lack of expertise

The municipality of Haarlemmermeer is experiencing longer waiting lists for youth care and social support services due to a staff shortage caused by measures against false self-employment. These delay...

Renovation of Belgian Palace of Justice rises to 600 million euros

The renovation of the 140-year-old Palace of Justice in Brussels is projected to exceed 600 million euros. The historic building has been under scaffolding for more than 40 years as modernization effo...

Alderman pushes through Brasapark sports field plan despite local opposition

Amsterdam Alderman Sofyan Mbarki has confirmed the development of new sports fields in Brasapark to address a lack of athletic facilities in the Zuidoost district. Despite local opposition over potent...

March 18, 2026 elections: who can you vote for?

Voters can head to the polls on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, for the upcoming elections. Candidate lists are now available for review to help citizens decide on their choice.

New development Nieuw-Vennep West: 4,580 homes, schools, sports and green spaces on the way

The municipality of Haarlemmermeer, the Dutch government, and regional partners have finalized plans to build 4,580 homes in Nieuw-Vennep West. The development project, which includes schools and spor...

UN sees increasing serious violations in South Sudan

UN human rights chief Volker Türk has reported a significant increase in serious human rights violations during the conflict in South Sudan. More than 160 civilians have been killed by armed groups a...

More senior housing under construction, but not nearly enough to solve shortage

Amsterdam built 480 elderly homes last year, nearly reaching its annual target of 500, though local officials estimate that 1,239 homes are actually required annually to resolve the shortage. The init...

Health Council: COVID vaccine age limit can be raised from 60 to 70

The Health Council of the Netherlands recommends increasing the age limit for the annual COVID-19 booster vaccination from 60 to 70 years. People in their 60s will no longer be automatically eligible ...

Volkswagen faces high costs from US import tariffs

Volkswagen experienced a downturn in 2025, largely attributed to high costs arising from import tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. As a result, the German automaker announced plans to eli...

Azerbaijan sends aid to Iran after rising tensions

Azerbaijan has announced it is sending tons of food and medicine as aid to Iran following a period of heightened tensions between the two neighbors. The decision to provide assistance was made after a...

Anneke Terra and Sander Visser blend political colors: 'But Uitgeest remains Uitgeest. The residents make the village'

The political parties PvdA and GroenLinks in Uitgeest have merged following a collaboration initiated nine months ago by Anneke Terra and Sander Visser. The leaders expressed that while the parties ar...

From housing and a new pool to status holders: six election themes in Castricum listed

On March 18, the Netherlands will hold municipal elections. In Castricum, key campaign topics include housing, a new swimming pool, and the accommodation of status holders.

Costa warns: Russia is the only winner so far in Iran war

European Council President António Costa warned that Russia is the primary beneficiary of the conflict in the Middle East. He stated that rising energy prices boost Russia's war funding, while global...

Iran claims attacks on Israeli oil infrastructure in Haifa

The Iranian military claims to have launched drone attacks on oil refineries and fuel depots in the Israeli port city of Haifa. It is currently unknown if the strikes caused any significant damage to ...

A look inside Velsen's democratic process: ‘They make policy, but how do they know what’s going on?’

Residents of the Velsen municipality visited the town hall in IJmuiden to participate in the "Guest of the Council" program. The initiative aims to provide citizens with insight into how local governm...

Role swap at ChristenUnie: Yvonne Buit becomes Provincial Council member and Michel Klein duo-committee member

Michel Klein is stepping down as the leader of the ChristenUnie faction in the North Holland Provincial Council after eleven years. He will swap roles with Yvonne Buit, who currently serves as a duo-c...

Uitgeest Tolpad nearly finished, Heemskerk section must wait until 2028

The construction of a safer Tolpad connecting Uitgeest and Heemskerk is nearing completion, with the new bicycle path finished and the footpath expected to be ready within days. While the Uitgeest por...

European gas prices drop significantly after Trump remarks

European gas and oil prices saw a significant decline on Tuesday morning following statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump. Traders responded to the president's remarks suggesting that the conf...

Situation at metro stations during Ajax-Benfica uncontrollable and unsafe according to GVB staff

GVB employees reported that the situation at Amsterdam metro stations during high-risk football matches, such as Ajax against Benfica, was unsafe and uncontrollable due to extreme overcrowding. Intern...

How the expat debate went: ‘You are just as much an Amsterdammer as we are!’

Iran-backed group in Iraq reports deaths from US strike

An airstrike in northern Iraq has killed four fighters from the Iran-backed group Kata’ib al-Imam Ali. The group has attributed the responsibility for the attack to the United States.

Iran: Negotiations with the US no longer on the agenda

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran will continue its attacks for as long as necessary. He also announced that negotiations with the United States regarding the conflict are no lo...

Velsen Municipality reverses decision: 5,000 glass ornamental fish will not return to Kromhoutstraat in IJmuiden due to high costs and budget pressure

The municipality of Velsen has decided not to reinstall 5,000 glass decorative fish on Kromhoutstraat in IJmuiden due to high costs and budget constraints. This decision reverses a commitment made in ...

Dutch navy ship to protect French aircraft carrier and Cyprus from Iranian missiles and drones

The Netherlands has officially confirmed its participation in a French maritime defense mission to protect a French aircraft carrier and Cyprus. A Dutch naval ship will be deployed to provide security...

GroenLinks-PvdA Castricum calls for resistance: No more steel slag in our municipality

The GroenLinks-PvdA party in Castricum is urging the local government to resist national regulations that would allow the use of steel slag in the municipality. Party representative José Smits stated...

Israel carries out new strikes on southern and eastern Lebanon

Israel launched new airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday night and Tuesday morning. Lebanese state media reported the attacks as a continuation of military operations in those regi...

No sound insulation in wall between parsonage and De Krocht, municipality knew long before renovation: ‘No action despite promises’

A resident of a rectory adjacent to Theater De Krocht has taken the municipality of Zandvoort to court over the lack of sound insulation in a shared wall. Despite claims that the municipality was awar...