Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Cycle path along N208 near Haarlem a step closer
The province of North Holland and the municipalities of Haarlem and Velsen have selected a preliminary design for a new fast cycling route along the N208. The chosen 'roadside variant' will create a c...
Fatbike seller sues Enschede over fatbike ban
Fatbike retailer La Souris is suing the municipality of Enschede to challenge a ban on fatbikes in the city center. The company argues the ban is discriminatory for distinguishing between fatbikes and...
State Secretary Boswijk expects changes to Defence protocols
State Secretary Derk Boswijk expects the Dutch Ministry of Defense to adjust its protocols for military exercises during dry periods following recent wildfires. While a final decision awaits the resul...
Mbarki and Halsema defend Shell's participation in Amsterdam Economic Board
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema and Alderman Sofyan Mbarki have defended Shell's membership in the Amsterdam Economic Board despite calls from political opponents to remove the company. They argued that...
Man suspected of planning attack on Princess Amalia and Alexia
A 33-year-old man is suspected of preparing an attack on Princesses Amalia and Alexia in February. The first preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled to take place at the court in The Hague on May...
London stabbing suspect charged with attempted murder
A man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing two Jewish individuals in London on Wednesday. Police have officially classified the attack as a terrorist incident.
Why the cabinet is padding Extinction Rebellion's coffers
This episode of the Politiek Dichtbij podcast addresses listener questions during the Dutch parliamentary recess. The discussion explores topics including financial connections to Extinction Rebellion...
Trump lifts Scotch whisky tariffs after royal visit
Donald Trump has removed import duties on Scotch whisky following a dinner with King Charles and Queen Camilla on Thursday. The President-elect stated that the royal couple influenced his decision wit...
Anti-jihadist force bombs Mali insurgents
The joint military force of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali conducted airstrikes against rebel positions in northern Mali. These actions follow recent attacks by anti-jihadist groups and Tuareg rebels o...
Mystery of the missing time solved, but return of Wijk aan Zee clock remains uncertain
The mystery of the missing clock hands at the Sterhalte in Wijk aan Zee has been resolved after a local council member noticed their absence. However, it remains uncertain whether the clock will be fu...
Fire after fire: what will be left of nature? ‘We have long been urging to retain more rainwater’
Recent wildfires in Epe, Oirschot, and Noordwijk have raised concerns among Dutch nature conservation organizations about the impact of prolonged drought on natural areas. Experts are advocating for i...
Police: Violence against officers became more frequent and severe last year
The Dutch police reported an increase in violence against officers last year, with 12,896 recorded incidents. Additionally, authorities noted that the nature of the violence used against police person...
Execution in Texas despite support from rappers
James Broadnax, 37, was executed by lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas, for the 2008 robbery and murder of two men. The execution was carried out despite support from public figures who advocated f...
US warns allies over support for Gaza flotilla
The United States has expressed support for Israel following the interception of an aid flotilla destined for Gaza. Washington issued a warning to its allies, labeling the mission a meaningless politi...
Newspaper: Possible Epstein suicide note kept secret for years
A possible suicide note from Jeffrey Epstein has reportedly been held in a New York court for nearly seven years, hidden from investigators. The New York Times reported the discovery and has petitione...
No incidents reported in Gorinchem re-elections
No irregularities were reported across 24 polling stations during the re-elections held in Gorinchem on Wednesday. Officials noted a slight increase in proxy votes, which may have been caused by the M...
Hegseth: 60-day rule for end of war not during ceasefire
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate that the 60-day legal limit for continuing military hostilities without Congressional approval should not include periods of ceasefire. This interpr...
Fifteen dead in Lebanon after Israeli attacks on Thursday
Israeli attacks on the Lebanese village of Zebdine killed six people on Thursday, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The total death toll from Israeli fire throughout the country for the da...
Natuurmonumenten ‘seriously concerned’ about nature after fires
Natuurmonumenten lobbyist Nelleke Hijmans expressed serious concerns about the impact of recent major fires on nature during an appearance on the talk show Eva. The organization is worried about the e...
Van Weel: Netherlands requests international aid for fires
The Netherlands has requested international assistance for the first time to help combat several active wildfires currently burning across the country. Justice Minister David van Weel noted that this ...
US pleased with Iraq's new prime minister-designate
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his approval of Ali al-Zaidi as the newly appointed Prime Minister-designate of Iraq. Trump congratulated al-Zaidi and stated that his leadership could signal...
Condition of Roosendaal mayor slightly improved, long recovery ahead
The medical condition of Mark Buijs, the mayor of Roosendaal, has shown slight improvement according to the municipality. However, he is expected to face a long recovery period as many details regardi...
Public Prosecution Service gives away stolen goods: "Shops often don't put them back"
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service donated seized stolen goods, including toiletries and cutlery, to Stichting Moederskracht in Amsterdam Nieuw-West. Retailers often refuse to take back recovered it...
GGD: No evidence of increased lung cancer risk in North due to industry
A GGD study found no evidence that industrial emissions are responsible for the significantly higher lung cancer rates in the Amsterdam-Noord district. While cancer rates in the area are well above th...
Venice Biennale jury resigns after Russia row
The jury of the Venice Biennale has resigned following a controversy regarding the participation of countries such as Russia in the international art exhibition. This decision comes after significant ...
Congress passes controversial budget, ending US shutdown
The U.S. Congress has passed a budget for the Department of Homeland Security, ending a partial government shutdown that lasted for over two months. This decision follows a previous vote by the Senate...
United Kingdom raises threat level to severe
The United Kingdom has raised its national threat level from "substantial" to "severe" following a stabbing attack on two Jewish men in London's Golders Green. The suspect, who is currently in custody...
Trump praises King Charles at White House farewell
King Charles and Queen Camilla concluded their state visit to the United States, bidding farewell to President Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the White House. During the departure ceremony, Trump p...
Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi moved to house arrest
The prison sentence of Myanmar's ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been converted to house arrest by President Min Aung Hlaing. This move marks a relative easing of the 80-year-old leader's detenti...
Beverwijk delayed asylum seeker shelter too long, Asylum Minister intervenes: 'Situation urgent and critical'
The Dutch Ministry of Asylum and Migration is intervening in the municipality of Beverwijk due to its failure to establish a reception center for asylum seekers. The government will initially request ...