Politics News in English

Inspector urged De Jonge to take broader view of COVID crisis

In June 2020, former head inspector Marina Eckenhausen urged then-Health Minister Hugo de Jonge to adopt a broader perspective on the COVID-19 crisis. She argued that the government response was overl...

Rutte to visit Trump this Wednesday, two weeks before key NATO summit

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump this Wednesday. The meeting will take place two weeks before a significant NATO summit held in Turkey.

Schiphol Council MRS collapses: Amsterdam representatives resign in protest against ‘distributing flight nuisance’

Another fine for Tata Steel over excessive emissions

Tata Steel faces potential fines of up to 1 million euros after the North Sea Canal Area Environmental Service issued a penalty for exceeding nitrogen oxide emission limits. The company has until Apri...

Inspectorate blindsided by decision to close nursing homes

The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) was caught off guard by the Dutch cabinet's decision to ban visitors from nursing homes during the first COVID-19 wave. Former chief inspector Marina Ecken...

Forum for Democracy's political career in Amsterdam is over, but its business model is not

Berendsen: definitive peace agreement between US and Iran needed soon

Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen has called for a final peace agreement between the United States and Iran to ensure regional stability. While acknowledging the current preliminary agreement as a ...

No asylum seekers in emergency night shelter for the first time in a month

For the first time since May 20, no asylum seekers spent the night in the emergency night shelter facility in Westerbork. The Red Cross reported the vacancy at the site, which is scheduled to remain o...

Jetten: EU cannot continue with 1990s budget

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten called for a modernized EU multi-annual budget for 2028-2034, emphasizing a shift in focus toward competitiveness and security. Jetten argued that the current budgetary...

Israeli minister says all of Lebanon must burn

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated that "all of Lebanon must burn" following the deaths of four Israeli soldiers in the country. These casualties mark the first Israeli military...

Watch live: COVID inquiry with healthcare inspector and professor of elderly care

The tenth day of the Dutch parliamentary inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic focuses on the state of elderly care during the crisis. Former health inspector-general Marina Eckenhausen and professor Bia...

France not yet in agreement on lifting UN sanctions against Iran

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that France will not support the removal of UN Security Council sanctions against Iran until nuclear program negotiations meet specific expectations. T...

Pump prices slightly lower Friday, but refueling ‘still more expensive for months’ than before Middle East war

Fuel prices at the pump are expected to remain higher than they were before the conflict in the Middle East, despite a slight decrease on Friday. Experts predict that refueling will stay more expensiv...

Noord-Holland and Zandvoort want quick clarity on circuit authority

The municipality of Zandvoort and the province of Noord-Holland are seeking clarity on which government body is responsible for enforcement requests at the Zandvoort circuit. The confusion follows a r...

Cleaners also to strike next week against social security cuts

Cleaners in the Netherlands are planning to strike next week to protest the government's proposed cuts to social security. The industrial action includes a 24-hour strike in Utrecht on Wednesday and w...

Part of Leidsevaart in Vogelenzang closed for rest of summer for Bekslaan intersection redesign

A section of the Leidsevaart in Vogelenzang will be closed to car traffic from June 22 until September 30 for the redesign of the Bekslaan intersection. The project aims to improve safety and clarity ...

Public Prosecution chief Rinus Otte slams Marco Borsato’s defense: ‘Bad signal to young girls’

Rinus Otte, the head of the Dutch Public Prosecution Service, has criticized the defense strategy used in the Marco Borsato case, stating it sends a negative message to young victims. In a rare public...

Various sectors continue to suffer from aftermath of Middle East war

According to a new sector forecast by ABN AMRO, various economic sectors in the Netherlands continue to experience the negative effects of the conflict in the Middle East. Despite recent steps toward ...

Deaths reported after Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon

At least sixteen people were killed following Israeli airstrikes on the Nabatieh region in southern Lebanon on Friday. The casualty count was reported by Al Jazeera based on information provided by Le...

Switzerland: No talks between US and Iran on Friday

Talks between the United States and Iran that were scheduled to take place on Friday at the Bürgenstock mountain resort in Switzerland have been canceled. The Swiss Foreign Ministry announced the can...

Haarlem hotel sector horrified by 'V&D hotel': 'The market is currently worrying'

The Haarlem hotel sector has sent an urgent letter to the city council expressing strong opposition to the development of a large hotel in the former V&D building at Verwulft. Existing hotel owners wa...

Iran threatens crushing blow if agreement is violated

Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf stated on social media that Iran will deliver a "crushing blow" to its enemies if the agreement signed this week is violated. The warning follows the recent ...

Haarlem to ban petrol mopeds from city center starting 2028

Haarlem will ban petrol-powered mopeds from its city center starting January 1, 2028, to improve air quality and reduce noise pollution. The municipality is offering low-income residents up to 1,200 e...

New Haarlem board of aldermen installed. ‘A dog’s job? Total nonsense’

A new board of six aldermen from the PRO, D66, and CDA parties has been officially installed in Haarlem following a majority council vote. During the debate on the coalition agreement, opposition lead...

Hillegom and Noordwijk demand clear communication on Bloemendaal asylum center plan

The municipalities of Hillegom and Noordwijk are demanding transparent communication from Bloemendaal regarding its plan to house up to 120 asylum seekers at the Tiltenberg site. Although the location...

Toos & Henk - June 19

Cartoonist Paul Kusters offers a daily satirical perspective on current events through his comic strip Toos & Henk. The cartoon is published from Monday to Saturday, providing a unique look at the new...

Three questions about young plantings in Heemskerk: Who is watering them on these scorching hot days?

The municipality of Heemskerk is taking specific measures to water young trees and plants as temperatures rise above thirty degrees. A spokesperson explained how the local government ensures the survi...

More detours due to lack of bridge managers? Municipalities: Technical staff shortage threatens bridge maintenance

Dutch municipalities are struggling to maintain traffic bridges due to a growing shortage of technical personnel, which is causing essential maintenance to fall behind schedule. This lack of staff pos...

Zandvoort to get four more public toilets. 'But why will it take three years? And aren't they very expensive?'

Zandvoort is set to install four new public toilets, though the project is facing scrutiny over its high costs and three-year timeline. Critics are questioning the delay in providing these facilities ...

Vice President JD Vance ultimately not going to Switzerland

U.S. Vice President JD Vance will not travel to Switzerland on Thursday evening as previously planned. According to a White House statement, the trip was intended to initiate negotiations for a final ...