Belgium

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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Ryanair to cut Brussels winter schedule over Belgium ticket tax hike

Ryanair said it would cut 1 million seats and 20 routes from its Brussels 2026/27 winter schedule over Belgium's decision to raise tax on air passenger tickets to 10 euros…

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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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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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UPDATED: Ukraine: EU Proposal for using frozen Russian assets ‘fully legal and fair’

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged European Union leaders on Thursday to agree as soon as possible on a plan to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Zelenskyy, who is…

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Hungary found to have sent agents to spy on EU

A report published in the Belgian newspaper De Tijd on Thursday revealed that the Hungarian intelligence service has for years been using a secret spy network in the European Union…

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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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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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Gaza killings denounced as ‘disgrace to humanity’ by Belgian king

Belgium’s King Philippe said Europe “must show stronger leadership” on the crisis in Gaza, adding that “the current situation has gone on far too long” and “is a disgrace to…

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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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Belgium to tax capital gains in major fiscal reform

Belgium will introduce capital gains tax on financial assets, such as shares and cryptocurrencies, its finance minister said, bringing it into line with its European peers. Belgium was one of…

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European Parliament to stop Belgium ‘tarnishing’ MEPs’ reputations

The European Parliament is to take steps to shield lawmakers from being named by Belgian police publicly during criminal investigations, following criticism their reputations are being dragged through the mud…

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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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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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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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Belgian footballer Nainggolan arrested in cocaine trafficking sting

Belgian footballer Radja Nainggolan has been arrested as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking. The 36-year-old was one of several suspects apprehended by Belgian police on Monday morning, after…

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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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Pope says doctors who provide abortions are ‘hitmen’

Pope Francis wrapped up a troubled visit to Belgium on Sunday by doubling down on his traditional views on women and abortion and demanding that Catholic bishops stop covering up…

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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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Pope Francis’ Upcoming Trip to Luxembourg and Belgium to go ahead as planned

Pope Francis will press ahead with plans to travel to Luxembourg and Belgium later this week, despite cancelling his meetings for Monday due to a mild flu, the Vatican said.…

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Brussels Airlines to cancel most Oct. 1 flights due to strike

Brussels Airlines said on Friday that it would cancel most of its flights on Oct. 1 due to a Belgian national strike of security workers. Brussels Airport, the largest airport…

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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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Belgium appoints FM Hadja Lahbib as EU commissioner

Belgium is set to appoint Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib as its pick for the next European Commission, said the president of the Francophone center-right liberal Reformist Movement (MR) — dealing…

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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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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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Main European ports targeted in ant-drug operation

Europol has supported the German Criminal Police (LKA Baden Wuttemberg) and German Customs (ZFA Stuttgart and ZOLL Karlsruhe) in dismantling a criminal organisation smuggling large quantities of cocaine in containers…

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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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European Parliament Election Results 2023: Implications for National Governments & EU Direction

Government's across Europe suffered a significant dent in their support during the weekend's electoral test. From Malta to France, same with Belgium, Germany and Hungary the results have indicated a…

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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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Police raid EU Parliament offices in ‘Russiagate’ probe

Police carried out raids Wednesday in connection to “Russian interference” in the European Parliament, according to a statement by the Belgian federal prosecutor. The searches, conducted at a private residence…

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Belgium to send 30 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by 2028, Swedish plan for Gripen jets to Ukraine put on hold

Belgium has pledged to send 30 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by 2028, with the first deliveries scheduled to arrive later this year, as the two countries signed a ten-year…

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Pope in Luxembourg, Belgium 26 to 29 Sep

Pope Francis will travel to Luxembourg and Belgium from 26 to 29 September, the Vatican said Monday."Accepting the invitation of the respective Heads of State and ecclesiastical authorities" Pope Francis…

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Union Saint-Gilloise end 110-year wait for Belgian Cup success

Union Saint-Gilloise ended a 110-year wait to win the Belgian Cup as Koki Machida’s goal earned them a 1-0 victory over holders Royal Antwerp in the final in Brussels on…

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Belgium probing alleged Russian interference in EU election campaign

Belgian prosecutors are looking into possible Russian interference in the upcoming European Parliament election following findings provided by intelligence services, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said on Friday. He said…

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UPDATED: MEPs call for ‘urgent’ debate into Russian influence scandal

Allegations that Moscow paid members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to interfere in the upcoming European election must be investigated, according to Liberals and Greens in Parliament. The Czech government…

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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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Coordinated European police action against one of the largest networks smuggling migrants across the English Channel

A large-scale operation involving law enforcement and judicial authorities from Belgium, France and Germany, coordinated by Europol and Eurojust, led to the dismantling of one of the most active networks…

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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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One dead in Belgium as heavy rainfall hits the country; Sweden and Finland freezing in minus 40C

A 59-year-old woman died in Belgium's East Flanders province on Tuesday after being hit by a blown-away fence during a period of heavy rainfall in the country, local governor Carina…

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Belgium takes over over the EU presidency

From the 1st of January, Belgium , as President of the Council, will lead the European agenda and promote cooperation among the Member States. The Council of the European Union…

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UEFA and Belgian football association rules on home-grown players could be contrary to EU law -EU Court

BRUSSELS, Dec 21 (Reuters) - The rules of UEFA and the Belgian Football Association on homegrown players could be contrary to EU law, but it is up to a national court to…

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Belgian PM sees China as ‘hostile’ country after espionage allegations

Belgian Prime Minister Alexandre de Croo on Wednesday described China as a "sometimes very hostile" country, following allegations that Beijing had recruited a member of the Belgian far-right party Vlaams…

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Schools closed in Belgium due to bomb alert

BRUSSELS, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Numerous Belgian schools in Brussels and the Brabant region will remain closed to pupils on Monday after a late Sunday evening bomb alert, the Wallonie-Bruxelles…

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Cost of living and rents in Belgium continues to rise

Rents have experienced a notable increase in Belgium over the past decade, rising by approximately 23%, as reported by Statbel, the Belgian statistical office. This surge is in tandem with…

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Belgian justice minister resigns after Brussels attack

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian Justice Minister Vincent van Quickenborne said he has decided to step down, following pressure over how Belgium had handled the case of a Tunisian gunman who…

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