Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
No cavity wall insulation if traces of bats are found
The Dutch government has implemented the eDNA method to detect the presence of protected bats before cavity wall insulation can be installed. This requirement ensures that homeowners comply with wildl...
Amsterdam helps residents keep their homes cool
The city of Amsterdam is allocating €50,000 to help residents implement energy-saving heat mitigation measures. The funds are intended for items such as shade cloths and fans to help keep homes cool...
Late-night snacks still possible in Amsterdam West: district to keep many snack bars open late
New law forces companies to pay back wages
The Dutch cabinet is introducing a new law to ensure employees who have been underpaid receive the wages they are owed. This measure specifically aims to protect labor migrants from exploitation and h...
Dead and dozens wounded in heavy attacks on Ukraine
At least nine people were killed and dozens more injured following heavy airstrikes across various regions of Ukraine on Monday night. The capital city of Kyiv was among the areas hit, and emergency c...
How Pride grew from a small gay party to a mega-event: "It’s always been a struggle"
Journalists Michiel Klaassen and Menno Sedee have released a book exploring the 30-year history of Amsterdam Pride and its evolution from a promotional party into a major activist event. The authors h...
Inflation soars to 3.5 percent in May, Iran war makes everything more expensive
Inflation in the Netherlands rose to 3.5% in May, significantly exceeding analysts' expectations according to the Central Bureau of Statistics. The increase is primarily driven by rising fuel and ener...
More municipalities have local heat plans, majority still do not
The number of Dutch municipalities with or developing a local heat plan has increased from 90 to 128 over the past year, according to the Red Cross and the Climate Alliance. While this is seen as a po...
Documentary reveals just how filthy the North Sea floor is
The documentary 'De Noordzee BV' highlights the 'Fishing for Litter' project, which has removed more than 8.5 million kilograms of trash from the North Sea over the last 25 years. It explores the moun...
Yeah, go grab a mattress, otherwise those poor Romanians will get sore backs
EU agrees on return policy, including ‘return hubs’
The European Parliament, the European Commission, and EU member states have reached a provisional agreement on a new regulation for the return of rejected asylum seekers. The compromise, which include...
Haarlem must house 283 more status holders this year
The municipality of Haarlem has provided housing for 91 status holders since the beginning of this year. According to figures from the Ministries of the Interior and Justice, the city is required to a...
Police: Officer unaware woman was pregnant during arrest
A police officer who pulled a pregnant woman to the ground during an arrest at an asylum seeker center in Zeist stated he was unaware of her pregnancy. The police reported that the officer would have ...
Farewell after twelve years in the eye of the storm as Zandvoort alderman. Gert-Jan Bluijs: ‘Above all, you must be able to look ahead’
Gert-Jan Bluijs is stepping down as an alderman in Zandvoort after twelve years in the position and sixteen years as a council member. Known as "the treasurer," his departure marks the end of a long e...
Keti Koti month begins with memorial march: "Have more love and understanding for each other"
Dozens of people participated in the 'Memre Waka' commemorative walk through Amsterdam's city center to mark the start of Keti Koti month. The procession visited historical sites linked to the slave t...
Keti Koti month kicks off with memorial march: 'Have more love and understanding for each other'
The Keti Koti month began with 'Memre Waka,' a commemorative walk through Amsterdam's city center past historical sites linked to the slave trade. Participants marched to the Mayor's residence to emph...
Trump: Called Israel and Hezbollah, attacks will stop
Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and representatives of Hezbollah to discuss a cessation of hostilities. He claims that Hezbolla...
Citizens' initiatives soon easier to arrange in North Holland
The province of North Holland is lowering the required number of signatures for citizen initiatives from 5,000 to 1,500. This change aims to make it easier for residents to place specific topics on th...
Emergency departments to receive partially fixed budget of 4.6 million from 2027
Starting in 2027, emergency departments will receive a partial fixed budget of approximately 4.6 million euros to supplement current patient-based funding. This shift in the Dutch healthcare system ai...
Dog handler again at center of outcry over violent police action: what is going on?
Recent videos showing police dog handlers using force at an asylum seekers center near Soesterberg and in Utrecht have sparked public outrage. These incidents have raised questions about the conduct a...
Iranian Guard threatens ‘new fronts’ over Lebanon conflict
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has threatened to open 'new fronts' in response to the Israeli military offensive in Lebanon. Iranian state television reported that the Guard views the crossing of 're...
EU wants to exclude US tech companies from major IT contracts
The European Union is planning to introduce stricter regulations for large government digital contracts. These rules could limit the ability of major American technology companies, such as Amazon, Mic...
Court rules in favor of municipality in wind turbine dispute with province
A Dutch court has ruled in favor of the municipality of Amsterdam in a legal dispute with the province of Noord-Holland regarding the installation of three wind turbines at Noorder IJplas. The court f...
Court rules in favor of municipality in wind turbine dispute with province
The court has ruled in favor of the municipality of Amsterdam in its dispute with the province of Noord-Holland over the construction of three wind turbines at the Noorder IJplas. The judge determined...
Trump: Iran did not inform us about suspending talks
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran did not inform the United States about its decision to suspend diplomatic consultations. Trump clarified to NBC News that while the blockade against Iran w...
Sterk wants young people who stop eating to stay out of hospices
Dutch Youth Minister Mirjam Sterk argues that young people who stop eating and drinking to end their lives should not be admitted to hospices. She calls for earlier and more appropriate care to preven...
Merz seeks to build better ties with Trump alongside European leaders
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to work with other European leaders to improve relations with Donald Trump ahead of the NATO summit in July. A meeting to discuss this cooperation is reportedly ...
Kenyans protest against American Ebola center
Residents of Nanyuki, Kenya, held a demonstration to protest the planned construction of an American quarantine center for individuals exposed to the Ebola virus. While official reports counted around...
First Gazans with visas on their way to the Netherlands
The first two of nearly fifty Palestinians from Gaza with study or work visas are currently traveling to the Netherlands. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed their departure, though the ti...
Former D66 leader Meryem Çimen becomes Haarlem alderman: 'Wants to contribute to a city where you can be yourself'
Former D66 leader Meryem Çimen and Bas van Leeuwen have been selected as the new D66 aldermen for Haarlem's incoming city government in June. The local D66 council members described the appointments ...