Politics News in English

Mayors praise efforts at 't Harde wildfire

Mayors from Elburg and Nunspeet have praised the extensive efforts of fire departments from across the country in responding to a wildfire in 't Harde. The officials highlighted the effective organiza...

Will Amsterdam Pride become world heritage? Chances increased significantly today

The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has nominated Pride Amsterdam for UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. This move follows a recommendation from the Council for Culture, high...

Minor injury in stabbing at Lijnden emergency shelter

One person sustained minor injuries following a stabbing incident at an emergency shelter in Lijnden on Monday evening. Police and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee responded to the scene at the COA ...

Criticism of Hegseth over costs of US war with Iran

US lawmakers questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the financial costs of the conflict with Iran during a House of Representatives budget hearing. While the session was intended to revie...

Putin proposes one-day ceasefire with Ukraine on May 9

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a one-day ceasefire with Ukraine to coincide with the Russian Victory Day on May 9. The proposal was reportedly discussed during a phone call with U.S. Pr...

Review: Medea for a Childcare Benefit Commemoration: forced parallel with Greek tragedy breaks the rhythm of the modern story

Brent oil price hits highest level since June 2022

The price of Brent oil reached its highest level since June 2022 on Wednesday. This increase is attributed to the ongoing geopolitical stalemate in the conflict between the United States and Iran.

MEPs call for tougher penalties for antisemitism

Several political groups in the European Parliament are advocating for harsher penalties and stricter enforcement to combat the rise of antisemitism across Europe. During a parliamentary debate on Wed...

Nunspeet Mayor: Ready for evacuation if necessary due to fire

The municipality of Nunspeet is prepared to evacuate residents if a fire at the ASK military training ground near 't Harde expands. Mayor Céline Blom confirmed that emergency shelter has been establi...

Oil and gas companies TotalEnergies and BP see profit jump since war in Iran

Oil and gas companies TotalEnergies and BP reported a significant surge in profits during the first quarter of 2026. This financial growth is attributed to rising oil prices resulting from the conflic...

Rental supply continues to shrink despite changes in rent law, researchers say

ABN AMRO researchers warn that the supply of middle-segment rental housing will continue to shrink as long as the government maintains high taxes on private rental properties. Despite recent changes i...

Arrival of thousands of Moluccans in Amsterdam commemorated: ‘The Netherlands still has a debt to settle’

Iraq war cost US $25 billion so far, Pentagon says

The Pentagon reports that the United States has spent $25 billion so far on the war against Iran. This expenditure includes significant costs for ammunition and missiles used in attacks since the conf...

Urgent camera surveillance for four streets in Weesp over public order fears

The deputy mayor has ordered urgent month-long camera surveillance across four streets in Weesp due to concerns over potential public order disturbances. While the specific cause for the measure has n...

Cleaner sick or on vacation? Continued pay is legally required but almost never happens

A study by Utrecht University shows that 90% of Dutch households fail to pay their domestic cleaners during illness, and 70% do not pay during vacations. Despite legal requirements for continued wage ...

Mali rebel group sees regime falling 'sooner or later'

A spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) has stated that the Malian regime will eventually fall. The separatist group is also calling for the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces current...

Katwijk fishing industry in distress, affecting IJmuiden; South Holland province steps in

High fuel prices are putting significant pressure on the fishing industry in Katwijk and Scheveningen, forcing many vessels to remain docked. This economic strain also affects the port of IJmuiden, wh...

OPEC loses key member, benefiting gas prices

The United Arab Emirates has announced its withdrawal from OPEC, representing a significant blow to the oil cartel. This decision is expected to have international implications and may lead to lower g...

Will a European cobra ban finally happen? New EU firework rules in the works

The European Commission is developing new firework regulations aimed at restricting the trade of powerful explosives like 'cobras' often used in criminal attacks. This follows pressure from the Nether...

London police treat Golders Green stabbing as attempted murder

A man suspected of attempted murder was arrested after stabbing bystanders in London's Golders Green neighborhood on Wednesday. Two victims were hospitalized in serious but stable condition, and the a...

Sick domestic worker wrongfully denied pay: we've known for years but do nothing

A 2024 study by Utrecht University sociologist David de Kort reveals that approximately 90% of Dutch households fail to pay domestic workers during illness. Despite this being a legal requirement sinc...

Halsema: Government should apologize to Moluccans

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has called on the Dutch government to apologize to Moluccan former soldiers and their families who were forced to relocate to the Netherlands in the 1950s. Speaking at a ...

Mayor Halsema calls on government to apologize to Moluccans

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has called on the Dutch government to formally apologize to the Moluccan community for their treatment following their arrival in the Netherlands 75 years ago. During com...

Air Force deploys Chinooks to fight wildfire in ’t Harde

The Dutch Air Force has deployed Chinook helicopters to assist in fighting a large wildfire that broke out Wednesday afternoon on a military training site in 't Harde. The fire is spreading rapidly ac...

German prosecutor seeks 15-year sentence for former RAF member

German prosecutors have demanded a 15-year prison sentence for Daniela Klette, a former member of the Red Army Faction. The trial addresses multiple robberies she allegedly committed with two accompli...

VVD MP Harry Bevers takes temporary leave due to acute leukemia

Dutch VVD Member of Parliament Harry Bevers is temporarily stepping down from his duties after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. The party announced the diagnosis on Wednesday, noting that ...

Zutphen rejects COA request for three emergency shelter locations

The municipality of Zutphen has rejected a request from the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) to establish three emergency shelter locations. The decision follows the city counc...

MEPs allowed to be replaced during pregnancy

The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a change to EU electoral law that allows pregnant MEPs to be replaced during their maternity leave. The decision passed with 616 votes in favor and ...

Other countries not yet following UAE in exiting oil companies

Russia, Kazakhstan, and Iraq have announced they will not follow the United Arab Emirates' decision to exit OPEC and OPEC+. The UAE's departure from the oil-producing organizations was announced on Tu...

Months-long Grote Houtstraat saga continues: new bicycle parking spaces still too big

New bicycle parking spaces on the south side of Haarlem's Grote Houtstraat will be reduced in size by half after they were deemed too large. Alderman Robbert Berkhout announced the change following cr...