Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Fire service, municipalities and VNG call on government to revise building regulations
Dutch municipalities, provinces, and the fire department are calling on the national government to modernize building regulations to keep pace with social and technological changes. A study by TNO rev...
Researchers surprised: children's motor skills haven't declined despite increased screen time
A study by the Dutch Education Inspectorate shows that despite a significant increase in screen time over the last seven years, physical movement skills among eighth-grade students have remained stabl...
New phase, old concerns at well-attended 't Groot Clooster meeting: 'Plans are not set in stone'
Residents of Heemstede attended a well-attended walk-in evening at the town hall on Tuesday to discuss development plans for 't Groot Clooster. The event allowed community members to share their ideas...
Iranian Revolutionary Guard reports attack on US base
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) reported an attack on a U.S. airbase on Thursday. According to state news agency Tasnim, the action was a response to a recent U.S. strike near the southern city...
Ban on US takeover of DigiD fits tougher stance against Big Tech
The Dutch government has blocked the American acquisition of the company behind DigiD to maintain national control over its crucial digital infrastructure. Experts support the decision as a move towar...
Deeper cuts at Spaarne Werkt: Snuffelmug, youth work and giant Cruquius building at risk
Participation company Spaarne Werkt is undergoing significant budget cuts affecting the Snuffelmug thrift store and youth programs to restore its financial stability. The municipalities of Haarlem, He...
Residents want blue zone on Rijksstraatweg. Council says no: 'parking pressure within limits'
Residents and businesses on the Rijksstraatweg in Heemskerk submitted a request for the implementation of a blue zone to address local parking issues. The municipal executive rejected the proposal, st...
US imposes sanctions on Iranian Strait of Hormuz authority
The United States Treasury Department announced sanctions on Wednesday against the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, an entity established by Iran to manage the Strait of Hormuz. This move targets the ad...
US launches investigation into Trump accuser E. Jean Carroll
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the former columnist who accused Donald Trump of sexual assault. The probe follows her legal actions against ...
Jill Biden: I thought Joe was having a stroke during Trump debate
Former First Lady Jill Biden revealed in a CBS News interview that she initially feared her husband, Joe Biden, was having a stroke during his 2024 debate against Donald Trump. The interview, which ad...
Amsterdam-Zuidoost won't let beloved official Vayhishta Miskin (Bij1) be ousted: ‘She has our confidence’
Chocolate statues as revenge for colonial injustice: Congolese collective buys back land with cocoa from our sprinkles
United States carry out new strikes on Iran
The United States military carried out new attacks against Iran on Wednesday, according to a U.S. official. The strikes were reported by Reuters, though specific details regarding the targets or casua...
Iranian media report explosions near port city of Bandar Abbas
Three explosions were reported near the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas during the night between Wednesday and Thursday. Local media outlets confirmed the sounds were heard to the east of the city e...
Trump: Not worried about political consequences of war with Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump stated during a White House cabinet meeting on Wednesday that he is not concerned about the political fallout of a potential long-term conflict with Iran. His comments come...
Education Council: school tests should focus more on learning
The Dutch Education Council advises that tests in primary and secondary education should focus more on the learning process rather than being used for admissions, transitions, or diplomas. This recomm...
UN rapporteur for Palestinian territories back on US sanctions list
The United States Department of the Treasury has placed Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, back on a sanctions list. The move targe...
Groningen mayor wants asylum reception on state-owned sites
Mayor Roelien Kamminga of Groningen is urging the Dutch government to use its own properties for temporary asylum seeker housing. This measure is intended to prevent people from sleeping outdoors at t...
Asylum seekers from across the country dine with Amsterdammers at long tables: "Gives hope"
Around 1,500 people, including asylum seekers and local residents, gathered for a massive community dinner at the Oosterdok in Amsterdam. The event, featuring a 900-meter-long table, aimed to promote ...
Council questions new shared cargo bike plans, but transport alderman Van der Horst ‘wants to try it’
Asylum seekers and Dutch citizens dine at 600-meter table: ‘Especially now, it’s important to make a different voice heard’
LAKS calls for new exam system after wave of complaints: petition to abolish 5.5 rule goes to Parliament
The Dutch student interest group LAKS is calling for a reform of the national examination system following years of complaints about the current structure. The organization is submitting a petition to...
Martial arts pioneers honored 50 years after first kickboxing gala at Jaap Edenhal
Five martial arts pioneers were honored at Amsterdam's Jaap Edenhal to mark the 50th anniversary of the city's first kickboxing gala. The awards, presented by Alderman Alexander Scholtes, celebrate th...
DigiD platform not in American hands, what now? ‘State-owned company is a very good idea’
The Dutch government has blocked the acquisition of IT service provider Solvinity by an American company to protect the security and privacy of the DigiD platform. This decision aims to prevent potent...
No clarity yet in Music On debate, council and Halsema await evaluation
The Amsterdam city council debated the last-minute cancellation of the Music On festival, which was called off due to permit issues and communication failures regarding tent safety. Mayor Femke Halsem...
Halsema wants all information on Music On tent before final judgment: ‘I am responsible for what went wrong’
Why attacks on Forum are back again
Political party leaders in the Dutch House of Representatives have ended their period of ignoring the Forum for Democratie by actively attacking the party's ideology. This strategic shift includes cri...
Al Ikhlaas Islamic primary school in Meerwijk to expand significantly with four new classrooms
Islamic primary school Al Ikhlaas in Haarlem's Meerwijk neighborhood is set to expand with the addition of four new classrooms. The 2 million euro project, approved by the city government, aims to add...
'Serious negligence' at broken IJmuiden locks: Lock island was inaccessible for days
Residents and volunteers are criticizing Rijkswaterstaat for 'serious negligence' after broken locks in IJmuiden left the lock island inaccessible for several days. The issues come four years after th...
Warffum to house Ter Apel asylum seekers for four nights from Thursday
The municipality of Het Hogeland will provide emergency shelter for asylum seekers from Ter Apel at the Op Roakeldaishal in Warffum for four nights starting Thursday. This temporary measure was initia...