Belgium

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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Swedish, Belgian leaders pay tribute to Brussels attack victims

By Johnny Cotton BRUSSELS, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo paid tribute in Brussels on Wednesday to the victims of…

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Man who smuggled 10,000 people to UK jailed in Belgium

LONDON, Oct 18 (Reuters) - A man who British police believe ran an operation involved in smuggling 10,000 people to the United Kingdom as part of a pan-European network has…

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ISIS claims responsibility for Brussels attack, Terrorist arrived in Italy’s Lampedusa in 2011

ROME, (Reuters) - The Tunisian man suspected of shooting dead two Swedish football fans in Brussels arrived in Italy's Lampedusa island in 2011, two Italian government and security sources said,…

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Updated: Brussels gunman shot and killed in a cafe, Ministry confirms

Updated 0950 A 45-year-old Tunisian gunman suspected of killing two Swedish football fans in Brussels died on Tuesday after being shot by police in a cafe, Belgium authorities said, while Sweden's prime…

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UPDATED: Belgian intelligence service monitors Alibaba hub over ‘espionage’ worry – FT

Oct 5 (Reuters) - Belgium's intelligence service has been monitoring the main logistics hub in Europe of China's Alibaba Group Holding over concern about possible espionage, the Financial Times (FT)…

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Belgium considers supplying F-16s to Ukraine, PM says

Sept 21 (Reuters) - Belgium is considering whether to supply its F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said. Belgium is replacing its F-16s with F-35 fighter…

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Belgium to help train Ukrainian F-16 pilots

This collaboration, spearheaded by the Netherlands and Denmark, aims to deliver F-16 fighter-bombers to Ukraine and cultivate a workforce skilled in operating them, Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder announced. Since the…

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Photo Story: Ryanair Belgium-based pilots go on strike

Ryanair Pilot representatives demonstrate on the first day of a two-day pilot strike at Brussels South Charleroi airport in Gosselies, Belgium, 14 September 2023. At Brussels South Charleroi Airport, a…

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Belgium questions Apple’s iPhone 12 after France suspends sales over radiation

PARIS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Belgium's junior minister for the digital economy said he would ask the telecoms regulator to analyse potential health risks linked to Apple's iPhone 12 after…

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‘Pipigate’ peeing scandal puts Belgian minister in hot water

By Geert De Clercq BRUSSELS, (Reuters) - Belgium's justice minister had not been aware that three of his friends had urinated against a police vehicle during a party at his…

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Belgian Ryanair pilots plan another strike Sept 14-15

BRUSSELS, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Belgian Ryanair pilots will go on strike for the fourth time in two months over Sept. 14-15, seeking higher pay and better working conditions, their…

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Railway stations in Brussels becoming a hotspot for crack cocaine and crime

Belgian capital Brussels is seeing a disturbing trend that has been shaking up the city. It's gotten so bad, in fact, that on Wednesday 40 Brussels neighborhood committees and associations…

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EPA’s Eye In The Sky: Walzin Castle, Dinant, Belgium

An aerial picture taken with a drone shows people enjoying kayaking on the Lesse River, near the Walzin Castle, in Dinant, southern Belgium.Usually the kayak season on the river last…

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Libyan wealth fund sues Belgian prince for fraud over reforestation project

By Marine Strauss BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Libya's sovereign wealth fund has filed a criminal complaint against Prince Laurent of Belgium, accusing him of fraud and extortion linked to his bid…

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EPA’s Eye In The Sky: Namur, Belgium

An aerial view taken with a drone shows a family enjoying bathing in the river Meuse to cool off, as temperature reach 30 degrees in Namur, Belgium. In Wallonia, the…

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Belgium win FIBA Women’s EuroBasket title

Players of Belgium cut down the net after winning the FIBA Women's EuroBasket final match between Belgium and Spain in Stozice Arena in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on Sunday. Belgium won 64-58.…

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Belgium plans short-term flight ban to combat pollution

The Federal Minister of Mobility, Georges Gilkinet, is proposing to ban frequent short flights between nearby airports, known as "flea hops," which are seen as a symbol of wasteful air…

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Belgian foreign minister in turmoil over Iran, Russian delegates invitations

By Marine Strauss BRUSSELS, June 19 (Reuters) - Belgian foreign affairs minister Hadja Lahbib is facing calls for resignation after granting visas to delegations from Iranian and Russian cities to…

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Belgian police raid EU parliament office of Qatargate suspect

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian police on Tuesday raided the office of Marc Tarabella, a Belgian EU lawmaker and suspect in a corruption scandal, his lawyer told Reuters. Maxim Toller said…

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25 arrested in Italy, Belgium and Germany in raids linked to the ‘Ndrangheta

ROME, June 5 (Reuters) - Authorities have arrested 25 people in Italy, Belgium and Germany in pan-European raids linked to an alleged drug- trafficking ring run by the 'Ndrangheta mafia,…

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Belgium investigating whether its weapons were used in Russia

BRUSSELS, June 5 (Reuters) - Belgium will ask Ukraine for clarification on reports that rifles made in Belgium had been used by pro-Ukrainian forces to fight Russian troops inside Russia's…

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Belgian Prime Minister De Croo briefly lost consciousness in bike fall

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo fell from a bicycle and briefly lost consciousness but hospital tests revealed no lasting effects, national news agency Belga reported. The…

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Photo story: Belgium royals celebrate 10 years of reign with garden party in Brussels

On Saturday (L-R) Belgium's Queen Mathilde, Prince Gabriel (hidden), Princess Eleonore, King Philippe of Belgium and Prince Emmanuel hosted a garden party at the Royal Domain of Laeken in Brussels,…

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European police search for the names of 22 women found murdered

Police in three European countries are asking for help to identify 22 murdered women whose names remain a mystery. The bodies were found in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany between…

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Belgium arrests seven suspected of planning terrorist attack

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian police have arrested seven people on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack, the prosecutor's office said. The suspects had discussed several scenarios for an attack in…

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Former MEP Eva Kaili moved to house arrest

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Eva Kaili, the former European Parliament vice president accused of corruption, is to be released from custody, while still facing charges, federal prosecutors and her lawyer's office…

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Belgium to become second EU country to recognize Buddhism

By Marine Strauss BRUSSELS, March 17 (Reuters) - Belgium is expected to officially recognize Buddhism after the federal government approves a draft law on Friday, opening the door to federal…

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Belgium adds beds for migrants as EU faces rising arrivals

By Gabriela Baczynska and Marine Strauss People fend for themselves as Belgium capacity stretched Italy, France warn higher arrivals still ahead Migration rhetoric gets harsher ahead of 2024 election BRUSSELS…

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Strike slashes Belgian domestic and international train services

BRUSSELS, March 10 (Reuters) - Only one in three trains were running in Belgium on Friday, rail operator SNCB/NMBS said, as public sector workers went on strike nationwide to protest…

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Belgium bans gambling advertising from July 1

By Marine Strauss BRUSSELS, March 9 (Reuters) - The Belgian government has decided to ban gambling advertising across multiple platforms from July 1 in a bid to crack down on…

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Photo Story: Snowfall in Brussels

A few centimetres of snow cover the ground near Jubilee Arch, in Brussels, Belgium. The snowfall on Wednesday morning resulted in over 200 kilometres of traffic jams on Flemish motorways.…

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Jailed MEP Eva Kaili challenges lifting of her immunity

Former European Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili has filed an appeal against the European prosecutor’s request to lift her immunity over alleged irregularities in assistants’ salaries. The Greek MEP has…

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Belgian justice minister warns of sabotage to infrastructure

Belgium's Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne said European countries should not be "naive" about the presence of a Russian "spy ship" in the North Sea, amid growing concerns that Moscow…

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Belgium investigates Russian ‘spy ship’ in North Sea

By Marine Strauss BRUSSELS, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Belgium said it is investigating the presence of a Russian "spy ship" in the North Sea, a day after its neighbour the…

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Europe’s biggest Chinese prostitution ring dismantled

An unprecedented law enforcement operation involving different countries has resulted in the dismantlement of an international sex-trafficking ring that held hundreds of Chinese women trapped in debt bondage across Europe. …

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Belgium detains two more EU lawmaker in graft investigation

ROME/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian prosecutors arrested one lawmaker and took another in for questioning on Friday in connection with a corruption scandal that has hit the European Parliament. The cash-for-influence…

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Four countries urge EU to set end date for new CO2-emitting trucks

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Luxembourg have urged the European Union to fix a date by which new trucks and buses sold in Europe must have zero…

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MEP Eva Kaili to remain in prison, protests treatment in Belgian jail

Eva Kaili, the Greek MEP at the centre of the corruption scandal engulfing the European Parliament, has been ordered to remain in prison for at least one additional month. The…

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Calls mount to send troops to Antwerp port as part of war on drugs

Politicians from across the spectrum have called for the army to be sent to the port of Antwerp after new figures showed a record amount of cocaine was seized in…

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Ryanair is closing Brussels Airport base -Belga

Ryanair is closing its Brussels Airport base, Belgian press agency Belga reported on Wednesday, quoting local union ACV Puls. It said 59 jobs could be at risk. The Irish low-cost…

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Italy delays hearing on EU graft scandal suspect on Belgian jail claim

BRESCIA, Italy (Reuters) - An Italian court on Tuesday postponed until January a hearing on whether to hand over to the Belgian authorities a second woman suspected of involvement in…

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Italy agrees to transfer suspect in EU graft scandal to Belgium

An Italian court on Monday agreed to hand over to Belgian authorities a woman suspected of involvement in a Qatar graft scandal that has rocked the European Parliament. An appeals court in…

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Judge to decide on detention of EU-Qatar graft scandal suspects

By Philip Blenkinsop and Johnny Cotton BRUSSELS, Dec 14 (Reuters) - A three-judge panel will decide on Wednesday whether four suspects charged and arrested in a fraud scandal rocking the…

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Belgium to tax private jets, short-haul flights

By Marine Strauss BRUSSELS, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Belgium will impose new taxes on older, noisier planes as well as private jets and short-haul flights in a bid to reduce noise and…

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Belgium risks gas shortage during severe winter, report says – De Tijd

Dec 9 (Reuters) - Belgium's natural gas supply could be at risk this winter in the event of a cold wave, Belgian newspaper De Tijd reported on Friday citing a…

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