Belgium

First coronavirus death in Belgium

Belgium’s health ministry reported on Wednesday the first coronavirus death in the country, Belga news agency said citing a statement. The government statement said the patient was 90 years…

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Belgium’s PM advices people to work from home and cancel any non-urgent meetings

Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès said Tuesday that all events involving more than 1,000 people will be canceled as part of measures aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus. Schools…

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European school in Brussels closed over coronavirus fears

The European School of Brussels III will be closed on Monday and Tuesday after a parent tested positive for the coronavirus, Belgian media reported Sunday. "As some test results are…

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Brussels Airlines further reduces services to Italy

Brussels Airlines will further reduce its services to and from Italy due to the coronavirus outbreak, and the impact on flights, the Airline announced on Tuesday. As the overall changing…

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New coronavirus infections in Antwerp and Rome, cases in Iceland and Andorra

In Italy, Monday saw the first case of the coronavirus in the capital Rome as a policeman tested positive for COVID-19 at the capital's Spallanzani Hospital. The man's movements and…

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Spanish Coronavirus ‘serious’ case linked to Belgium raises concern

The health authorities in Belgium and Spain are investigating the case of a Spanish woman who became ill with the Covid-19 virus after visiting Belgium. Brussels Times reports that the…

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UK monuments to remain in Mini-Europe

Management at Mini-Europe in Brussels have decided to retain the attraction’s UK monuments. Mini-Europe is a miniature park, home to little scale models of monuments and famous sites from around…

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Burglary at Belgian Royal Mint thwarted

Brussels prosecutors have confirmed that at least two men forced their way into the building on the Pachecolaan in Brussels on Thursday night. They were about to steal several…

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Brussels Airport police strikes will cause delays throughout the coming week

Actions by airport police that caused long delays at passport control on their first day on Friday look like being continued throughout the Carnival holidays, police unions said. On…

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Problems expected tomorrow at Brussels airport passport control

There might be some chaos on Friday in Brussels airport after the Belgian airport police announced they will be carrying out a work to rule at passport control. The action,…

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Brussels Airport scraps e-passport gates

Brussels Airport is scrapping its €2.4 million electronic passport gates after less than five years - because they keep malfunctioning. The 24 gates have been condemned as "a waste of…

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Photo story: Storm Ciara hits Belgium

A man walks his dog near an uprooted tree partially removed from the street after storm Ciara, in Brussels, Belgium, 10 February 2020. Severe warnings have been issued for Western…

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New pickpocketing scam hitting tourists in Bruges

Pickpockets are targeting tourists in Bruges by spraying them with fake pigeon poo before stealing their valuables while helping them clean their jackets. Police in the Belgian tourist hotspot have…

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Belgian tests positive for coronavirus

A Belgian citizen repatriated from China has tested positive for coronavirus, the country's health ministry said Tuesday. "In Belgium, a case of the new coronavirus has been detected in one of…

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New European School to open in Brussels in 2021

The provisional opening of a new European School in Brussels in 2021 has been approved by the Council of Ministers. Originally, the European Schools educated the children of European civil…

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Photo Story: ‘Brussels Calling’ Event in Brussels city centre

Buildings on Grand Place is lit with Union Jack flag colours in Brussels, Belgium, 30 January 2020. The city of Brussels is organizing the 'Brussels Calling' event to underline its…

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Belgian drivers face fines for holding their phone while driving

Belgian drivers could face fines for holding – rather than calling on – their smartphone while driving, a new ruling from the Court of Cassation has shown. This information has…

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Leuven and Antwerp Universities suspend student exchanges to China over virus outbreak

The University of Antwerp and the Catholic University of Leuven have announced that they are suspending authorisation for their students to take part in exchange programmes or work experience in…

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Patient in Belgium given all clear after suspicion of corona virus infection

Belgian media are reporting a patient has been admitted to St-Pierre hospital in central Brussels, showing symptoms of the Coronavirus. However the health ministry has confirmed the man does not…

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Photo Story: The Ferrari F8 at the Brussels Motor Show 2020

The Ferrari F8 on display at the Ferrari stand during the inauguration of the Brussels Motor Show in Brussels, Belgium. The motor show opened on the 10th January and will…

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Bumper year for passenger traffic at Brussels Airport

2019 was a record year for passengers at Brussels Airport. 26.4 million passengers passed through the airport in 2019. Last year, Brussels Airport welcomed 26,360,003 passengers, i.e. a 2.7% increase…

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Photo Story: World Premiere for the new Opel Insignia at Brussels Motor Show

The new Opel Insignia on display at the Opel stand during the inauguration of the Brussels Motor Show in Brussels, Belgium, 09 January 2020. The motor show will run from…

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Brussels Zaventem Airport to get own 5G network in March

Zaventem Airport, the main airport of Brussels will soon have its own 5G network, announced the Brussels Airport Company. The 5G-ready network is being built in a strategic partnership with…

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Belgium tightens rules for asylum seekers

Belgian federal minister for asylum and migration Maggie De Block has announced a tightening of the rules on the reception given to asylum seekers who refuse to abide by existing…

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Photo Story: Claude Monet- The Immersive Experience exhibition in Brussels

Scenes of the French painter Claude Monet's creations projected on the walls of Horta Gallery in Brussels, Belgium, 18 December 2019. The exhibition, created with virtual imagery and sound effects,…

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24-hour strike in Belgium

The National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB) has announced that only a third of all scheduled trains will run during a national 24-hour strike being held by several unions, starting…

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Re-enactment in Belgium on the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne

Actors wearing German and US WWII uniforms take part in a historical re-enactment of the Battle of the Ardennes for the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in…

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Belgium on the road to fresh elections

As Belgium struggles to form a new federal government nearly seven months after the 26 May poll Deputy Premier David Clarinval (Francophone liberal) has identified two options for Belgium’s political…

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Over 400 refugee children have disappeared without a trace in Belgium

In Belgium, 427 refugee children have disappeared from the Fedasil reception centres without a trace, according to new figures from Missing Children Europe and Child Focus. It is estimated that…

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Sultan of Oman books a complete 4-star hotel in Leuven, Belgium

The Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said Al Said, 79, will be spending several weeks in Leuven soon, for medical reasons. For the occasion, he rented a complete 4-star hotel.…

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Photo Story: Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits Queen Fabiola University Children’s Hospital in Brussels

Queen Mathilde of Belgium (in red) participates in Saint Nicholas Day at the hospital school during a visit at Queen Fabiola University Children's Hospital in Brussels, Belgium, 06 December 2019.…

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Photo Story: The Christmas Market opens in Brussels

The Grand Place is illuminated during a light show as part of the 'Winter Wonders' event in Brussels, Belgium. The 'Winter Wonders' and Christmas Market takes place in the…

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Alcohol consumption in public in central Brussels to be banned from February 2020

The consumption of alcohol during the night in central Brussels will be banned from 1 February over a six-month test phase. This measure is intended to combat problems related to…

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Photo Story: Demonstration for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

People hold placards with victims’ names during a demonstration against all kinds of violence towards women, in central in Brussels, Belgium, 25 November 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/STEPHANIE LECOCQ

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Warnings of kidnapping attempt by fake taxi service in Brussels

A Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) student anonymously posted on a university-affiliated Facebook page this week warning fellow students of being forced to escape from a Hetch taxi that did…

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Photo Story: Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the European Parliament

Queen Mathilde of Belgium is welcomed by European Parliament President David Sassoli ahead of a ceremony for 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in…

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Throwing cigarette butts on the streets of Brussels to be punished by €200 fine

In the Belgian capital, Plan Filters, an awareness initiative from the Alderman for Public Cleanliness in Brussels, Zoubida Jellab, has kicked off this week. The campaign has to make people…

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Payments in Belgium to be rounded to nearest 5 cents from December

As of 1 December, retailers in Belgium will be obliged to round final totals to the nearest 5 cents in the case of cash payments, removing the need for 1…

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Suspicions Belgian death might be linked to vaping

A Belgian teen's death reported Thursday might be the first vaping-related death in Europe. Raphaël Pauwaert, 18, died on November 6 after developing a lung illness and falling into an…

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Belgium’s new Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes chairs her first council of minister

New Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes chairs her first council of minister in Brussels, Belgium, 08 November 2019. Wilmes is the first woman to hold the post of prime minister…

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Belgian police find 12 men alive inside refrigerated lorry

Twelve men have been discovered hiding inside a refrigerated lorry in a car park near a motorway in Belgium's Antwerp province, local police say. Police were called to the scene…

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No reduction in military presence on Belgian streets

Belgium’s National Security Council has rejected an army request to reduce the maximum number of military personnel deployed in major Belgian cities under Operation Vigilant Guardian (OVG) to back up…

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Photo Story: Youth For Climate demonstration in Brussels

Protesters march during a student strike action organized by 'Youth For Climate', urging pupils to skip classes to protest against a lack of climate awareness in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday…

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Paralympic gold medallist Marieke Vervoort ends life through euthanasia

Belgian Paralympian Marieke Vervoort has ended her own life through euthanasia. The 40-year-old - who had an incurable degenerative muscle disease - won gold and silver at the London 2012…

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Big increase in the number of foreign nationals working in Belgium

Currently, one in seven people that are employed in Belgium are foreign nationals. According to figures from the HR consultancy Acerta. The number of foreign nationals working there has risen…

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Man attempts to set himself on fire in front of European Commission

There were some moments of panic outside the headquarters of the European Commission on Wednesday as a man attempted to set himself on fire. Witnesses said authorities “swarmed” on the…

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Pilot project for fingerprints on Belgian ID-cards

A pilot project, to be launched in 25 municipalities at the end of 2019, will see fingerprints registered on the chips of Belgian ID-cards. The project will concern people who…

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Brussels Airlines cancels 105 flight due to Thomas Cook bankruptcy

Brussels Airlines have announced they will cancel 105 flights in October due to bankruptcy of tour operators Thomas Cook. A decision that is affecting 3,500 passengers. All the holidays that…

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Belgian F-16 crashes in France

A Belgian Air Force F-16 fighter plane has crashed in France, officials say, leaving one pilot caught on a high-voltage electricity line. Both pilots ejected from the plane near Lorient…

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Photo Story: Color Run in Brussels

Participants during the Color Run in Brussels, Belgium on August 31 2019. The 5km run sees runners get covered in colored powder from head to toe. Photos: EPA-EFE/ARIS OIKONOMOU

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Photo Story: Flowertime 2019 in Brussels

A floral structures on display at the City Hall for the floral event 'Flowertime' in Brussels, Belgium. Every other summer, in alternation with the Flower Carpet, the City Hall of…

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Over 3,000 Britons have obtained Belgian citizenship since the Brexit referendum

Since voters in the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in a referendum held in June 2016 3,454 British nationals living in Belgium have obtained Belgian citizenship. The…

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Flights leave without luggage at Brussels Airport on the busiest day of the year

Brussels Airport is currently experiencing technical problems with the baggage-handling system this Saturday morning, on what is expected to be the airport’s busiest day of the year. According to the…

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Power cut in French capital effects Eurostar service, passengers advised not to travel

Eurostar services to and from the French capital are severely disrupted on Friday with the company advising passengers not to travel due to power cut in Paris. Four services —…

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Heatwave prompts Belgium’s railways to take special measures

As Europe once more is in the grip of another heatwave, Belgium’s railway authorities are taking no chances: the current heatwave has prompted both Infrabel and the SNCB to take…

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Arthur is Belgium’s most popular boy’s name

It’s an annual tradition that the Belgian statistics office releases the figures of the most popular given names in Belgium. Last year 565 boys were named Arthur. It’s the most…

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Second Chinese cybersecurity centre opens in Brussels

China’s ZTE is opening a cybersecurity centre in Brussels, four months after a similar move by Huawei. ZTE said in a press release that its “lab” will be installed…

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