The impact of the far-right's rise in Europe has begun to surface in recent local elections across several EU countries, particularly regarding tougher measures to curb immigration.

As European countries welcome refugees fleeing war and persecution, they stress they are "not naive" about the potential misuse of international protection.

"The Devil's Old Lady, Um Fadak, Instigator of Corruption" — these titles have been attributed to Hennis-Plasschaert, the former UNAMI head in Iraq and current UN Special Coordinator in Lebanon.

A political crisis erupted in the Netherlands on Friday night, with the prime minister offering the resignation of his government to the king, meaning there will be new elections in the fall.

The Netherlands and Canada are bringing the Assad regime to the U.N.'s highest court over allegations of torture and human rights violations against its people since 2011.