Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Forty North Holland and Flevoland council groups demand end to expat tax breaks: 'Excessive pressure on housing market'
Forty local council factions from North Holland and Flevoland, led by Haarlem's PvdA, are calling on the Dutch Parliament to end the 30% tax break for expats. The group argues that the incentive place...
Two oil tankers attacked in Iraqi waters
Two oil tankers carrying Iraqi oil were attacked in Iraqi waters, resulting in fires on both vessels. The ships involved were sailing under the flags of the Marshall Islands and Malta.
Red Cross: Humanitarian nightmare for Sudanese refugees
The Red Cross has warned that the refugee crisis surrounding Sudan is turning into a humanitarian nightmare as neighboring countries like Ethiopia, Chad, and South Sudan struggle to support millions o...
No unaccompanied minor males at Tolweg asylum center: Heemskerk and Uitgeest reach firm agreement after tough talks with COA
The municipalities of Heemskerk and Uitgeest have reached an agreement with the COA regarding the asylum seeker center on the Tolweg border. Under the new terms, the facility will not house unaccompan...
Dead and wounded in Israeli attack on Beirut beach
An Israeli airstrike on Ramlet al-Baida public beach near central Beirut killed at least seven people and injured 21 others. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, the beach had become a refuge...
Tower in Dubai hit by Iranian drone
An Iranian drone struck a building near Creek Harbour in Dubai during the night between Wednesday and Thursday. Emergency services successfully extinguished a small fire caused by the impact, and loca...
US releases 172 million barrels of oil from strategic reserve
The United States will release 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserve over a 120-day period starting next week. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced the move, which marks a sign...
Velsen municipality shares digital security concerns but will not yet take action on US tech dependence
The municipality of Velsen has acknowledged concerns regarding digital security and its dependency on American technology but will not take immediate action to reduce this reliance. The announcement f...
Faster green transition makes the Netherlands more resilient to war
A group of 23 experts in energy and security argues that the Netherlands must accelerate its transition to sustainable energy to enhance national security and independence. They warn that in a world o...
Fuel tax cut would solve nothing structurally: ‘Inefficient blunt instrument’
In response to rising fuel prices caused by the conflict in Iran, Dutch politicians are increasingly calling for a reduction in gasoline excise duties. However, TNO researcher Peter Mulder warns that ...
Netherlands once again doing too little to improve nature
A new report released on Thursday indicates that the Dutch government is failing to take sufficient action to improve nature quality in the Netherlands. Although some progress has been made, it remain...
Trump says he will release oil from US strategic reserve
US President Donald Trump has announced plans to release oil from the United States' strategic reserve. He expects that this action will help lower fuel prices for consumers.
Trump: we have already won, but don't want to leave too quickly
President Donald Trump stated during a speech in Kentucky that the United States has already won the war in Iran but will continue military operations to ensure a definitive defeat. He emphasized that...
UN Security Council demands Iran stop attacks on Gulf states
The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution demanding that Iran cease its attacks on Gulf States. The resolution states that these actions violate international law and pose a signifi...
NY Times: Iranian school likely hit by US error
An airstrike on a girls' school in Iran was likely caused by a mistake made by the United States military, according to a report by The New York Times. The incident reportedly resulted in the deaths o...
More than 630 dead in Lebanon from Israeli attacks
Lebanon has reported more than 630 deaths, including 91 children, following recent Israeli airstrikes. The conflict has displaced approximately 860,000 people, with recent strikes targeting a resident...
Zita Pels (GroenLinks): You don't have to take this from your landlord
Amsterdam Alderman Zita Pels has launched a new hotline to help residents identify and contest unfairly high rents, modeled after a successful initiative in Rotterdam. The project targets negligent la...
Marilyn Manson opens French fashion show on Women's Day, fashion press reacts with fury
Tofik Dibi (BIJ1) wants more fireworks in the council: It’s okay for things to get heated
Tofik Dibi, the leader of the BIJ1 party, is campaigning for the Amsterdam city council elections with a focus on police reform and tackling high living costs. He advocates for mandatory drug testing ...
Heemstede local Berk Efe is 15 and already a council candidate: 'I see children around me addicted to vapes with ketamine. Truly terrible'
15-year-old Berk Efe has become the youngest candidate for the municipal council in Heemstede, representing the Heemsteeds Burger Belang (HBB) party. He aims to give young people a voice and encourage...
Anti-money laundering checks cost banks 1.6 billion in 2024, but results are unclear
An investigation by the Netherlands Court of Audit reveals that anti-money laundering checks cost banks 1.6 billion euros in 2024, though their effectiveness remains unclear. The report highlights tha...
Podcast 'Dangerous Books' complements Teylers Museum exhibition on recurring censorship
Teylers Museum in Haarlem has launched a new podcast titled 'Gevaarlijke boeken' (Dangerous Books) to complement an exhibition on recurring censorship. Created with podcast maker Dide Vonk, the series...
Three brothers arrested over bomb at US embassy in Oslo
Norwegian police have arrested three brothers in connection with an explosion at the United States embassy in Oslo. The suspects are being investigated for allegedly carrying out a terrorist bomb atta...
Radical-right politician inaugurated as president of Chile
Radical-right politician José Antonio Kast has been inaugurated as the President of Chile after winning 58 percent of the vote in the December runoff election. Kast defeated a communist candidate and...
Iran threatens attacks on all ports in the region
Iran's military has threatened to attack all regional ports if its own civilian ports are targeted. The warning identifies these ports as legitimate targets for retaliation amid escalating regional te...
Fewer reception places needed: Haarlem and Velsen region see slight drop in asylum requirement due to multi-year forecast
The Dutch government has reduced the national requirement for asylum seeker reception spaces over the next two years. Consequently, municipalities in the Haarlem and Velsen regions will need to provid...
Broad majority of Parliament supports deployment of naval ship Evertsen
A large majority of the Dutch House of Representatives supports the cabinet's decision to deploy the navy ship Zr. Ms. Evertsen to the eastern Mediterranean. The vessel will be sent on a defensive mis...
Drents Museum postpones exhibition due to 'geopolitical tensions'
The Drents Museum has postponed an upcoming exhibition featuring art from New Delhi after the Indian Ministry of Culture blocked the transport of the artworks. The ministry cited current geopolitical ...
Box 3 overhaul raises eyebrows in Parliament
The Dutch House of Representatives is expressing frustration and skepticism following Finance Minister Eelco Heinen's announcement that the recently approved wealth tax (box 3) legislation must be adj...
