Residents of Loosdrecht have been holding rallies against the arrival of asylum seekers
Anti-immigration protesters set an emergency refugee shelter on fire in the Dutch town of Loosdrecht on Tuesday evening, following weeks of demonstrations against the arrival of asylum seekers.
According to NOS, an angry crowd threw firecrackers at a town hall building that authorities said would temporarily house refugees. The incident occurred after the firs
Residents of Loosdrecht have been holding rallies against the arrival of asylum seekers
Anti-immigration protesters set an emergency refugee shelter on fire in the Dutch town of Loosdrecht on Tuesday evening, following weeks of demonstrations against the arrival of asylum seekers.
According to NOS, an angry crowd threw firecrackers at a town hall building that authorities said would temporarily house refugees. The incident occurred after the first group of 15 asylum seekers arrived earlier that day.
The crowd also threw objects at police officers and attempted to block firefighters from accessing the site. The fire was eventually extinguished, and several people were detained, NOS reported.
Previous protests in Loosdrecht, a town of 8,600 people, forced authorities to scale back plans to house 110 asylum seekers to 70.
Last month, a petition opposing the opening of the shelter, signed by 3,000 people, was submitted to the authorities. Despite protests from local residents and business owners, a court ruled in favor of allowing the vacant town hall to be used to house refugees.
Several right-wing politicians joined the rallies, with Gidi Markuszower, leader of the Dutch Alliance (DNA), telling the crowd that refugees should “go back to their own country.”
Pro-immigration politicians condemned the violence, with some claiming that many of the protesters were not from Loosdrecht. Justice Minister David van Weel suggested that “groups with bad intentions” may have exploited the protests to incite violence, according to Dutch News.
A pair of PC-12 turboprop reconnaissance aircraft allegedly flew without authorization, Vienna said
Austria said it scrambled Eurofighter Typhoons to intercept US Air Force spy planes that entered its airspace without authorization on Sunday and Monday.
According to Austrian Defense Ministry spokesman Michael Bauer, a pair of PC-12 turboprop aircraft flew over the Totes Gebirge mountains in Upper Austria on two occasions. He added that the plan
A pair of PC-12 turboprop reconnaissance aircraft allegedly flew without authorization, Vienna said
Austria said it scrambled Eurofighter Typhoons to intercept US Air Force spy planes that entered its airspace without authorization on Sunday and Monday.
According to Austrian Defense Ministry spokesman Michael Bauer, a pair of PC-12 turboprop aircraft flew over the Totes Gebirge mountains in Upper Austria on two occasions. He added that the planes turned back toward Germany after being intercepted by the Eurofighters. Bauer said the incident would be “resolved through diplomatic channels.”
Austria’s response was criticized and mocked on social media, with some commenters arguing that “nobody takes our airspace seriously.”
Bauer responded to critics on X: “Should we shoot down the plane? Is that what you’re suggesting?” Replying to another post, he wrote: “If you’re driving too fast on the highway, do you expect the police to shoot you, or just give you a fine?”
Last month, Austria denied US requests for overflight rights during the war against Iran, citing its longstanding neutrality.
“We are not part of Trump’s chaotic policy and must not yield an inch here,” Austrian Vice Chancellor Andrea Babler said at the time, according to Anadolu.
Beijing said the US must not meddle in issues related to Taiwan and human rights, and must respect China’s “development right”
US President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he described on Tuesday as “a friend” and “somebody that we get along with.” Trump added that he plans to discuss the war involving Iran, a country the US and Israel have accused China of supporting.
The Chinese Embassy in the US, meanwhile, outl
Beijing said the US must not meddle in issues related to Taiwan and human rights, and must respect China’s “development right”
US President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he described on Tuesday as “a friend” and “somebody that we get along with.” Trump added that he plans to discuss the war involving Iran, a country the US and Israel have accused China of supporting.
The Chinese Embassy in the US, meanwhile, outlined four “red lines” in bilateral relations that “must not be challenged”: Taiwan, democracy and human rights, “development paths and political systems,” and “China’s development right.” Beijing has repeatedly insisted that the US must not interfere in its domestic affairs or support what it calls the “separatist” government in Taipei.
— Chinese Embassy in US (@ChineseEmbinUS) May 12, 2026
The US-Israeli war against Iran has further strained relations with China after the US Treasury sanctioned a Chinese refinery for allegedly purchasing Iranian oil. Beijing responded by barring its private refineries from complying with the US restrictions, which Chinese officials denounced as illegal.
🇺🇸🇨🇳🇮🇷 Reporter: What is your message to President Xi as it relates to the Iran war?
Trump: I think number one, we're going to have a long talk about it. I think he's been relatively good, to be honest with you. We've had no problem. And he's been a friend of mine.
China has denied providing military aid to Iran and condemned the US for blacklisting Chinese satellite companies accused of supplying data to Tehran. “The Chinese government always asks Chinese companies to operate in accordance with laws and regulations. We will firmly protect Chinese businesses’ legitimate rights and interests,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday.
Iran has reportedly retained access to most of its missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz
Iran has retained most of its missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz, The New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing a classified intelligence assessment from earlier this month.
The report follows a series of publications in the American media contradicting President Donald Trump’s claims that Iran’s military had been largely destroyed during the US-Is
Iran has reportedly retained access to most of its missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz
Iran has retained most of its missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz, The New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing a classified intelligence assessment from earlier this month.
The report follows a series of publications in the American media contradicting President Donald Trump’s claims that Iran’s military had been largely destroyed during the US-Israeli bombing campaign that lasted from February 28 until a ceasefire took effect on April 8.
According to the Times, Iran has restored operational access to 30 of the 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz, which are capable of targeting US warships and tankers passing through the narrow waterway that normally handles about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade. Iran closed the route to what it described as “enemy ships” in response to US and Israeli airstrikes and has since insisted on the right to control all maritime traffic and collect tolls.
The intelligence assessments cited by the Times reaffirmed earlier reports that Iran has retained about 70% of its mobile launchers and roughly 70% of its prewar missile stockpile.
Negotiations remain stalled after the US and Iran once again rejected each other’s proposals over the weekend as unacceptable. Trump has intensified threats to resume the military campaign, with media reports saying he has been briefed on additional strike options.
The US has demanded that Iran dismantle its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, which Tehran has rejected, insisting that its uranium enrichment activities are solely for civilian purposes.
Iran’s peace terms include an end to Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the lifting of sanctions, reparations, and recognition of what Tehran calls its “sovereignty” over the Strait of Hormuz.
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