Belgium

NATO will become more European-led, NATO Chief Rutte says

The NATO alliance will become more European-led, with a continuing strong presence of the United States, as European allies significantly increase military spending, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on…

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Belgium braces for more bad weather

A storm coming in from the English Channel will create dangerous weather conditions in large parts of Belgium from Thursday and into the weekend, the Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) has…

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Belgium records sharp rise in UFO sightings in 2025

Belgium’s UFO hotline recorded 237 reports of unidentified flying objects in 2025, according to its annual report published on Monday. The Belgische UFO-meldpunt, which has been analysing unusual aerial phenomena…

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Belgium Tightens New Year Security as Authorities Shift to Preventive Strategy

As Belgium prepares to usher in 2026, authorities in Brussels and across the country are rolling out an extensive security and prevention strategy aimed at avoiding a repeat of the…

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E-scooters to be banned in Brussels on New Year’s Eve

Scooters are prohibited in Brussels on New Year's Eve, following a decision by outgoing Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort. The ban applies to both private and shared scooters and will be…

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Belgium says Russian assets plan ‘going backward’ ahead of EU summit

EU leaders are set to meet in Brussels to discuss funding for Ukraine’s war effort, but Belgium has warned that talks are moving backwards. Belgium’s EU ambassador, Peter Moors, told…

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NATO’s Rutte says Europe must prepare for ‘scale of war our grandparents’ endured

NATO Chief Mark Rutte urged member countries to do more to prepare for the possibility of large-scale war, warning that Russia may be ready to attack the alliance within five…

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Brussels implements mandatory ID checks for all e-scooter users

From now on, anyone using a shared e-scooter in the Brussels-Capital Region will first have to complete a mandatory identity verification check, mobility operators Bolt and Dott announced. The ID…

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Belgium faces nationwide disruption as unions strike

Belgium began a three-day strike on Monday as unions protest the government's planned social and budget reforms. The walkouts are expected to heavily disrupt transport, schools, hospitals and public services,…

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Belgium to Reshape Global Diplomatic Network Amid Geopolitical Shifts

Belgium plans to overhaul its network of diplomatic posts in response to shifting global pressures, Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said, outlining a restructuring that will both streamline and reinforce the…

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UK deploys anti-drone specialists to Belgium after string of incursions

Britain has pledged to support Belgium in tackling a wave of drone incursions that have disrupted air traffic and raised security concerns. UK Chief of the Defence Staff Richard Knighton…

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Belgium to strengthen airspace security following multiple drones incursions

Belgium is set to strengthen its airspace security measures following a series of unauthorised drone incursions near major airports, including Brussels International Airport in Zaventem. Authorities confirmed that several recent…

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Brussels, Liege airports closed for hours due to drones

Belgium's Brussels and Liege airports were closed on Tuesday evening after drone sightings, diverting many incoming planes and preventing others from taking off. Kurt Verwilligen, a spokesperson for the Belgian…

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Unidentified Drones Raise Espionage Fears at Belgian Airfields

Suspicious drones spotted above Belgian military bases over the weekend are meant to spy on fighter jets and ammunition, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken said Sunday. “They [the drones] come…

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New drone sightings over military base in Belgium

Belgium has opened an investigation after two drone sightings over a military base in the country's south-east, Defence Minister Theo Francken said on Wednesday, the second case in the country…

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Antwerp Judge Decries Belgium’s Slide Toward Narco-State Status

Drug-trafficking is turning Belgium into a narco-state and the rule of law is under threat, an Antwerp judge wrote in an anonymous letter published Monday asking the federal government for…

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Belgium says it thwarted group planning to attack country’s prime minister

A suspected terrorist cell was dismantled by Belgium's federal prosecutor's office on Thursday, believed to have been planning an attack on Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Local media reported that…

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European airports struggle to fix check-in glitch after cyberattack

Some of Europe's biggest airports battled to restore normal operations on Sunday after hackers disrupted automatic check-in systems, with Brussels asking airlines to cancel half of Monday's flight departures due…

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Belgium to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly

Belgium will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly session opening on 9 September, Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced. This move places Belgium alongside Australia, France, Canada and…

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Flemish Government Launches Major Push to Promote Dutch in Brussels

The Flemish government has approved a sweeping plan to strengthen the role of Dutch in Brussels, marking the most ambitious effort in years to bolster the language in Belgium’s officially…

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Drug ring taken down in joint sweep across Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK

On 15 July 2025, a coordinated Europol-supported operation involving authorities from Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (UK) led to the arrest of seven suspects involved in the trafficking…

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NATO allies agree to 5 percent defense spending goal

NATO members agreed on Sunday to a big increase in their defence spending target to 5% of gross domestic product, as demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump, but Spain said…

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Belgium announces border checks in migration clampdown

Belgium will introduce border checks on people coming into the country to clamp down on illegal migration, the government said, in another limit on free movement across Europe's Schengen zone.…

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Under President Trump’s leadership, NATO will be stronger: New U.S. permanent representative to NATO

NATO chief Mark Rutte and the new U.S. ambassador sought to reassure European allies on Thursday that Washington will remain committed to the Western military alliance despite harsh words from…

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Belgium bans display of tobacco products in shops

A new law implemented in Belgium on Tuesday prevents cigarettes or any tobacco products from being put on display in shops. Supermarkets and other shops bigger than 400 square meters…

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Another gangland shooting in Brussels leaves one person dead

One person died after a shooting in Brussels that was likely linked to clashes between rival drug gangs, the local prosecutor's office said on Friday, highlighting rising crime in the…

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Brussels metro reopens as police continue to hunt shooting suspects

The Brussels metro faced major disruptions Wednesday morning after a shooting near Clemenceau station in Anderlecht around 6 a.m., triggering a police manhunt. The Brussels prosecutor's office said no arrests…

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Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever sworn in as Belgian prime minister

More than seven months after the parliamentary elections in June 2024, political talks have resulted in the formation of a coalition government led by nationalist Bart De Wever. Flemish nationalist…

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Toxic powder incident hospitalized Belgian PM office staff member

A member of Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo’s office was hospitalized in late November last year after coming into contact with a toxic powder at his office. The incident…

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Knifeman arrested outside Belgian PM office

A man armed with a knife was arrested by the Belgian police outside the Belgian prime minister’s office in Brussels on Monday morning. “A man with a knife has been…

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Belgian mayors call for Europe-wide ban on sale of fireworks

After a series of injuries on New Year’s Eve, Belgium is debating prohibiting the sale of fireworks to individuals, though disagreement persists over whether a nationwide ban is sufficient or…

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Top NATO official calls on business leaders to prepare for ‘wartime scenario’

A top NATO military official urged businesses to be prepared for a wartime scenario and adjust their production and distribution lines accordingly, in order to be less vulnerable to blackmail…

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Brussels police arrest 40 after violent protests against Belgian, French far right

Police arrested 40 people after protesters attempted to storm the Brussels headquarters of the far-right party Vlaams Belang following a book signing by French far-right leader Jordan Bardella. Authorities said…

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Belgium’s Charleroi airport cancels all departures for Tuesday

Brussels South Charleroi Airport canceled all flights departing on Tuesday due to a strike by security staff, the airport announced. “All arrivals at Charleroi airport will be maintained,” the airport…

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46 Unidentified Women: Interpol’s Initiative for Identification

Police in six European countries and Interpol are reopening investigations into 46 women who were murdered or died under suspicious circumstances in an effort to identify their remains, the international…

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No imminent nuclear threat from Russia, says new Nato chief

Mark Rutte, the new secretary general of Nato, said he does not see any imminent threat of nuclear weapons being used by Russia despite "reckless and irresponsible" rhetoric by the…

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UPDATED: Pope Francis lands in Luxembourg, first leg of rare European trip

Pope Francis arrived in Luxembourg on Thursday for a brief visit to one of Europe's smallest countries ahead of a weekend trip to Belgium, where he will highlight the needs…

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Belgium’s Charleroi airport flights cancelled for second day due to strike

All flights to and from Belgium's Charleroi airport, a major hub for budget airline Ryanair were cancelled on Friday for a second day as the airport's employees continued to strike.…

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Belgian coalition talks collapse over budget dispute

Belgian politician Bart De Wever, appointed by King Philippe to lead coalition talks following the country's June election, resigned on Thursday, the palace said. "The King has accepted his resignation…

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NATO finds gaping holes in Europe’s defences

The war in Ukraine and the looming U.S. presidential election dominated a NATO summit in Washington this month but, away from the public stage, the alliance's military planners have been…

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UPDATED: Arrests in Belgium over suspected terrorist plot

Police in Belgium arrested seven people today on suspicion they were preparing a “terrorist attack,” federal prosecutors say, adding that 14 raids were conducted nationwide. The house searches took place…

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Too few coins in circulation in Belgium

Too few coins are currently in circulation in Belgium and the finance ministry is calling on everyone to use their stock of coins. Many retailers often do not have enough…

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2024 could be world’s hottest year as June breaks records

Last month was the hottest June on record, the EU's climate change monitoring service said on Monday, continuing a streak of exceptional temperatures that some scientists said puts 2024 on…

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NATO chief says Russia, North Korea pact shows mutual support by authoritarian powers

Russia's new defensive pact with North Korea shows increasing alignment among authoritarian powers and underscores the importance of democracies presenting a united front, the head of NATO said. Russian President…

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NATO targets AI, robots and space tech in $1.1 billion fund

A consortium of NATO allies has confirmed the first tranche of companies awarded funding as part of the group’s one billion euro ($1.1 billion) innovation fund. The alliance unveiled the…

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NATO in talks to put nuclear weapons on standby

NATO is in talks to deploy more nuclear weapons, taking them out of storage and placing them on standby, in the face of a growing threat from Russia and China,…

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NATO adapting its nuclear arsenal to security threats

In a rare reference to the Western nuclear arsenal, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg highlighted the alliance's efforts to adapt its capabilities to current security threats, taking note of Russia latest…

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Belgian premier announces resignation after election failure

Belgium is heading for a new government after a general election in which an expected surge for the far right party Vlaams Belang failed to materialise and the outgoing governing…

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Belgian EU presidency urges governments to move toward muzzling Hungary

Belgium, current holder of the rotating Council of the EU presidency, is taking the extraordinary step of urging EU governments to consider moving ahead with the procedure to deprive Hungary…

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International police operation takes down one of world’s biggest botnets

Between 27 and 29 May 2024 Operation Endgame, coordinated from Europol’s headquarters, targeted droppers including, IcedID, SystemBC, Pikabot, Smokeloader, Bumblebee and Trickbot. The actions focused on disrupting criminal services through…

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Scrambles of NATO jets against Russian aircraft up more than 20%,

Scrambles of NATO jets to intercept Russian aircraft approaching allied airspace over the Baltic Sea region went up 20% to 25% in the first quarter of 2024, a NATO source…

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Belgian ship joins EU Aspides mission in Red Sea

The Belgian frigate Louise-Marie has joined the European operation Aspides in the Red Sea. The Louise-Marie will participate in the Aspides mission for “just over five weeks” before moving onto…

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UPDATED: US Secretary of State Blinken says Ukraine will be NATO member

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that Ukraine will eventually join NATO as support for the country remains "rock solid" among member states. "Ukraine will become a…

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Belgian PM says country will not legalize drugs

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo emphasised that Belgium won't back down in its war on drugs. “People who think that casual drug use is just an individual thing, that it…

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Large police operation against counterfeiting of luxury watches in Antwerp

Europol has supported a large-scale operation led by Belgian law enforcement authorities to dismantle an Israeli organised criminal group. The criminal organisation allegedly produced and imported counterfeit luxury watches and…

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Eight arrested for sexual exploitation in Belgium and Hungary

Thee Belgian Local Police Oostende (Lokale Politie Oostende), the Belgian Federal Police (Federale Politie/Police Fédérale) and the Hungarian National Police (Nemzeti Nyomozó Iroda), supported by Europol and Eurojust, have targeted…

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Belgium advises face coverings amid flu surge

Belgian health authorities issued a "code orange" alert as the country faces a sharp rise in influenza cases, which means wearing face masks is now "strongly recommended" for vulnerable people.…

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