Vote!  Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th!     Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.     We are already on our eighth episode! Check out the previous ones on our website. Today, we talk with Jo Smeets, from ‘Maastricht van Nu’.  About Jo

Over Jo Maastricht Diplomat (MD): Bent u in Maastricht geboren? Jo Smeets (JS): Ik ben een rasechte ‘sjeng’, ja. MD: Wat betekent het voor u om Maastrichtenaar te zijn? JS: Het woord 'Maastrichtenaar' vind ik al raar. Iedereen die in Maastricht woont, is een Maastrichtenaar. Of je hier nou geboren bent of niet. Ik maak soms wel de grap dat je alleen een ‘sjeng’ bent als je hier geboren bent, maar een Maastrichtenaar is iedereen die hier woont. Ik ben wel trots op mijn stad, n

Numerous places are not only charted on maps but also serve as geopolitical hotspots in the markets, among them: the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow maritime passage has had a recent, significant influence on multiple economies, following the American and Israeli strikes against Iran and the regional reprisals that ensued. This narrow strip of water is more than just a logistical corridor; it is the artery of global liquid oil consumption.  Where is this strait located? Why is

Maastricht kent, net als vele gemeenten, een breed scala aan lokale partijen. Een daarvan is de Senioren(Stads)Partij, met een naam die weinig aan de verbeelding overlaat omtrent haar publiek. Waar de loyaliteiten van deze partij daadwerkelijk liggen, hebben we met Harry Mevissen, gemeenteraadslid voor de SSP, besproken.  De SeniorenStadsPartij & U Maastricht Diplomat (MD): Waarom bent u de politiek ingegaan?  Harry Mevissen (HM): Lange tijd was ik werkzaam als vrijwilliger b

Vote!   Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th!     Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.     In this episode, learn more about the Senioren(Stads)Partij (Senior(City)Party) with Harry Mevissen. Maastricht, like many other Dutch municipalitie

Vote!  Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th!     Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.     We are already on our sixth episode! Check out the previous ones on our website. Today, we discuss the program of the Christian Democrat party (CDA)

Vote! Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th!   Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.   In this fifth episode of "Visions for Maastricht", we explore the programme of D66, with Marlou Jenneskens. On this rainy Friday morning, we met Marlou Je

For over six decades, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) has served as the undisputed high altar of international security, a " Davos of Defense " where the West has traditionally gathered to define itself. Since its founding in 1963 by Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist as  " Wehrkunde " ,  it has evolved from an intimate, smoke-filled transatlantic family meeting during the Cold War into the world’s most consequential independent forum for strategic debate. However, between Friday

Vote! Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th !  Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.  Meet Floris Soeren, candidate in the 5th position on the list of the Labour Party ‘Partij van de Arbeid’ (PvdA).  The red, yellow, and green decorations at

Vote! Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th!   Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.   In this third episode, we explore the programme of GroenLinks with Anne Lucas. On this cold Friday afternoon, a warm drink at Paulus was highly appreciate

Vote! Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th !  Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.  For our second episode, we introduce Muun Ubbink, candidate for the Socialist Party. [Author’s note: Our first article was in a “written format”. However,

Vote! Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th !  Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.  Today, we start with Jules Ortjens, who is running for Volt.  Made in Europe  It was not difficult to convince Jules Ortjens, Fractievoorzitter (party lead

A wish finally granted in January: Bulgaria enters the euro era Since this summer, Bulgarians have been preparing for the switch to the Euro from the Bulgarian Lev. Everywhere in shops, prices have been displayed in both currencies. However, the Bulgarian political system remains fragile. In four years, the country has held seven elections, which has considerably destabilized the domestic political situation. Some fear that this instability will worsen with the adoption of th

“ Maybe my  photos will live longer than I do, and that’s what makes me feel at peace… a timeless image th at cannot be buried by time or place”  These words were the hope of the late Fatma Hassona, a Palestinian photojournalist  who enlisted herself to capture the daily lives of Palestinians in Gaza and the suffering they have endured as a result of Israel’s genocide. As one can discern from this qu ote, Hassona wanted to spread the truth with her photos, she wanted the worl

Since its creation in 1948, Israel has been by far the largest recipient of cumulative aid by the U.S , the total equivalent amounting to 330 billion dollars. Comparatively, the second largest recipient, Egypt, has received 170 billion dollars since 1948. After October 7, the American aid package increased exponentially, with new billion-dollar arms sale agreements. According to a report conducted by Brown Universit y, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) could not have escalated

A Midnight Operation: The Fall of Maduro At 1:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time in Caracas, an event unfolded that has already reshaped the international political landscape. Reports began circulating that United States special operations forces had entered the presidential compound of Nicolás Maduro. Within minutes, social media channels and global news outlets filled with claims that the Venezuelan president and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured and removed from the cou

Photo taken by Ella Leffler in Cusco, Peru : Mafia de Ricos Limenos Esclavizan a 50% De Peruanos Capitalistas Demonios Roban y Empobrechen a Los Peruanos / Rich Lima Mafia Enslaves 50% of Peruvians Capitalists Demons Steal Impoverish Peruvians On September 9, 2025, Nepalese youth  protestors successfully overthrew their government following decades of corruption plaguing their country and exploiting state resources and their people. This historical moment inspired youth-based

A Comment on the Cynical Welfare Debate in Germany There are few better media attention triggers than the image of the "lazy immigrant." Discourse on foreigners who do not contribute to public funds, but drain countries' tax-financed welfare system enrages tax payers and does well in big letters. Fairly so, in times of aging populations, national social assistance schemes carry the twofold burden of even more pensioners and a shrinking working age demographic. Any public cent

Europe in a nutshell  As you might have guessed from our names, we are French and Dutch students. We are also writers for a student newspaper in Maastricht. But above all, we are young European citizens, attached to improving the EU that we believe in.  And we are not alone. Looking at recent news events and elections in Europe, there is a large attachment of the young generation to causes that shape the future of the continent. Among young voters, many of them tend to turn t

Climate justice discussions entangle multiple perspectives, which while often controversial must be addressed. Policy makers might have different priorities, while only pretending to listen to the voices of relevant people for climate negotiations. Are we supporting a more ecological and inclusive future, or simply using the sustainability flag to gain support and achieve hidden economic goals? COP, the Conference of the Parties 30, the 30 th  United Nations conference on Cli