Politics News in English

Palestinian leader Abbas wants presidential elections in 2027

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a decree calling for presidential elections to be held in early 2027, the first in over two decades. The report by the Wafa news agency did not specify w...

EU sees trade deficit with China hit record high

The European Union's trade deficit with China has reached a record high of approximately 1 billion euros per day, according to new figures from Eurostat. This trend is driven by high import volumes fr...

GVB services to start later Thursday due to nationwide strike

Public transport services in Amsterdam operated by GVB will start at 08:00 on Thursday due to a national strike organized by the FNV union. Travelers are warned to expect disruptions and an unpredicta...

Wijk bij Duurstede riot suspects released Monday evening

Five men detained after riots at an anti-asylum demonstration in Wijk bij Duurstede will be released on Monday evening, though they remain suspects. Two other individuals previously arrested in connec...

How Haarlem became embroiled in an international struggle over postal traffic

The Thurn und Taxis family established a centuries-long dominance over European postal services, building a massive fortune that remains with the family today. Haarlem became involved in this internat...

Iran and US sign agreement

President Donald Trump, Vice President Vance, and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf have signed an agreement between the United States and Iran. A high-ranking U.S. official reported...

Russia behind arson attacks targeting Starmer

A BBC investigation reports that Russia is likely behind arson attacks targeting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The investigation suggests that a young Russian diplomat allegedly ordered the att...

Millions missing for IJ bridge and metro in Amsterdam public transport budget: ‘Sword of Damocles over public transport’

Berendsen: we are ready to take action in the Strait of Hormuz

Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen stated that the Netherlands is prepared to join international efforts to ensure safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz. However, Berendsen noted that Dutch participa...

Opinion: Snack bar ban ignores the social role of a snack bar

US warns shipping: blockade of Iranian ports still in force

The United States military has issued a warning to the shipping industry stating that its naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect. The message, reported by Reuters, serves as a reminder of t...

Syrian from Druten sentenced to 26 years for torture during interrogations

A Dutch court in The Hague sentenced 58-year-old Rafik A. to 26 years in prison for torture, sexual violence, and rape committed in Syria during 2013 and 2014. A. served as a high-ranking interrogator...

Von der Leyen: lifting sanctions only conceivable with a truly different Iran

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that EU sanctions against Iran will only be lifted if the country demonstrates a genuine change in behavior. She emphasized that progress on h...

Law enforcement officers in IJmond to operate across municipal borders: 'This is necessary'

Mayors from the IJmond municipalities of Beverwijk, Heemskerk, Uitgeest, and Velsen are signing a new agreement to expand cooperation between municipal enforcement officers (BOAs). This partnership al...

Midwife takes speeding fine to court: "I'm doing this for all colleagues in the city"

Midwife Karolien van Beek challenged a speeding fine in an Amsterdam court, advocating for healthcare providers to receive exemptions when responding to medical emergencies. She argued that current sp...

Patta founder on warm-up shirt featuring Dutch, Surinamese, and African symbols: ‘Sold out within a few hours’

The Amsterdam-based streetwear brand Patta designed a warmup shirt for the Dutch national football team featuring a mix of Dutch, Surinamese, and African symbols. Despite some racist reactions online,...

RIVM realized early on that COVID outbreak was much larger than expected

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) realized early in the pandemic that the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan was significantly larger than reported by China. This findi...

Iran to charge ‘service fees’ in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it will begin charging maritime service fees for vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. These fees are intended to replace tolls and are reportedly ...

Minister confirms: Buitenhuizer Bridge to remain out of service throughout 2026. 'We must stay within financial reality'

Dutch Infrastructure Minister Vincent Karremans confirmed that the Buitenhuizerbrug will remain out of service throughout 2026 due to budget constraints. In a letter to the Haarlem Yacht Club, the min...

Hezbollah: No operations carried out since announcement of agreement

A Hezbollah official stated that the group has not conducted any military operations since the announcement of the agreement between Iran and the United States. The official noted that their continued...

EU ministers agree on sanctions over Navalny's death

EU Foreign Ministers have approved new sanctions against 34 individuals and 47 organizations in Russia. These measures specifically target 15 people and one entity involved in the prosecution, poisoni...

Trump threatens high tariffs on French wine and champagne

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100 percent import tariffs on French wine and champagne in response to a French tax on large American tech companies. Trump stated that the tariffs w...

After years on the council, Lian Heinhuis is now an alderman: "It's still taking some getting used to"

Lian Heinhuis has been officially sworn in as an alderman in Amsterdam after serving several years as a city council member and faction leader. She will manage various portfolios including sustainabil...

Macron: Hormuz mission can start 2 to 3 days after deal

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France, the Netherlands, and other allies are prepared to launch a mission in the Strait of Hormuz within two to three days of a confirmed deal between ...

British judge upholds controversial Palestine Action ban

The British Court of Appeal has upheld the government's decision to ban the activist group Palestine Action and classify it as a terrorist organization. This ruling overturns a previous lower court de...

More vouchers submitted for neighborhood plans in Velsen; 61 projects already funded

More than 12,000 vouchers were donated to neighborhood projects in Velsen this spring, representing an increase of over 1,000 compared to last year. As a result, 61 local initiatives have already reac...

Gommers: We must never let people die alone again

IC doctor Diederik Gommers testified before a Dutch parliamentary inquiry committee, stating that pandemic measures must never again prevent people from being with dying loved ones. He emphasized that...

Gommers: Money was the reason for not always accepting patient transfers

Diederik Gommers testified to a parliamentary inquiry committee that financial concerns prevented some hospitals from accepting intensive care patients during the second COVID-19 wave. He noted that c...

Watch questioning of RIVM modeler: he foresaw ‘catastrophe’, but did the early warning get through?

The Dutch parliamentary inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic response held hearings featuring intensive care physician Diederik Gommers and RIVM modeler Jacco Wallinga. The proceedings focused on whethe...

Gommers: clash with Rutte over ICU admission age limit

Former OMT member Diederik Gommers revealed he had a conflict with former Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge over using age as a criterion for ICU admissions. Gommers maintain...