Chinese President Xi Jinping stated during a meeting with Taiwanese opposition leader Cheng Li-wun that China will not tolerate any move toward Taiwan's independence. Xi accused Taiwan of undermining peace in the Taiwan Strait, while Cheng emphasized that the visit was intended to help reduce cross-strait tensions.
More than fifty countries are meeting in Colombia this week to discuss transitioning away from fossil fuels like oil, coal, and gas. This "coalition of the willing" aims to reach ambitious climate agreements during a period of increasing global support for environmental action.
Ten opposition parties in Haarlem expressed skepticism and reluctance during an input session organized by the forming coalition parties PRO, D66, and CDA. Opposition members felt the process was insincere and refused to provide detailed plans, stating they did not want to be taken advantage of.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose import tariffs on the United Kingdom if Keir Starmer's government does not abolish its digital services tax. Trump revealed his stance during an interview with the British newspaper The Telegraph.
New data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) shows that the number of starters on the housing market decreased from 560,000 in 2023 to 518,000 in 2024. The decline is notably driven by a 12 percent drop in the number of young people leaving their parental homes to find their own residence.
Residents and business owners in Amsterdam's Jordaan neighborhood express mixed feelings about the upcoming King's Day celebrations, with some opting to close their doors due to overwhelming crowds. To manage the hundreds of thousands of expected visitors, the city is implementing stricter measures against illegal street parties and unauthorized alcohol sales. While some locals support the new enforcement policies, others remain skeptical about their ability to curb the annual event's chaos.