Belgium

Belgium suffers record COVID cases

Fuelled by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, Belgium's daily cases of COVID-19 reached a new peak this week, with health experts warning of between 30,000 and 125,000 cases a day…

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Belgians spend a quarter of their money online

A quarter of all money spent by Belgians was spent online during the 3rd quarter of 2021, according to figures released by BeCommerce Market Monitor. 40.8 million online orders were…

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Coronavirus numbers keep falling in Belgium

The number of new coronavirus infections in Belgium continues to decline according to the latest figures released by the national health institute, Sciensano. Between 15 and 21 December, an average…

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New restrictions come into force in Belgium in response to Omicron spread

In Belgium a flurry of restrictions came into force Sunday in a bid to reopen schools after the Christmas holidays and ease tension on the health care system, as Omicron…

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Photo Story: The Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium

Visitors, some wearing face masks to protect against the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, stand in front of the illuminated Christmas tree at the Winter Wonder and Christmas Market on the Grand…

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Belgian government reaches compromise on nuclear power exit

BRUSSELS, Dec 23 (Reuters) - The Belgian government agreed in principle on Thursday to close its nuclear power plants by 2025, but left open the possibility of extending the life…

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Photo Story – Launch of childhood vaccination in Brussels

Photo A child gives a thumb up next to a giant Smurfette on the launch day of the vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 against COVID-19, in Brussels, Belgium,…

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Protest against coronavirus restrictions turns violent in Brussels

Police fired teargas and used water cannons on Sunday to disperse protesters pelting officers with cobblestones and fireworks as a demonstration in Brussels over government-imposed COVID-19 restrictions turned violent. A…

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Belgium tightens curbs as COVID cases peak

Belgium tightened its coronavirus restrictions for the third consecutive week to fight one of Europe’s worst spikes of COVID-19 cases, but stopped short of the strict curbs imposed in the…

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Photo Story: Brussels lights up for Christmas

Visitors, some wearing face masks to protect against the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, stand in front of the illuminated Christmas tree at the Winter Wonder and Christmas Market on the Grand…

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UPDATED: Belgium detects first case of new COVID-19 variant in Europe

BRUSSELS, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Belgium has detected the first case of the new coronavirus variant which was first found in South Africa, a virologist said on Friday. Marc Van…

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Clashes in Brussels in protests over coronavirus restrictions

Police and protesters clashed in the streets of Brussels on Sunday in demonstrations over government-imposed COVID-19 restrictions, with police firing water cannon and tear gas at demonstrators throwing rocks and…

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35,000 people demonstrate in Brussels against coronavirus measures

Brussels (dpa) - Around 35,000 people took to the streets of Brussels on Sunday to protest against stricter coronavirus measures and in particular the coronavirus pass, according to police. According to a report…

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Belgium extends mask use, enforces home working as COVID-19 spikes

Belgium tightened its coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday, mandating wider use of masks and enforcing work from home, as cases spiked in the country's fourth COVID-19 wave. From Saturday, all people…

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Covid-19: Belgium asks people to work from home

Belgium has call on its population to start working from home again due to surging Covid infections, with Europe once again at the centre of pandemic's fourth wave. "We have…

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Belgium sees increase in COVID-19 hospitalisations

Belgium reported a jump in COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations rose back to levels that had forced a lockdown in October 2020, as the United States advised against travelling to the…

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Poland summons Belgian ambassador in rule of law row

Poland has summoned Belgium's ambassador, a foreign ministry spokesman told state-run news agency PAP, after its Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, accused Warsaw of "playing with fire" in a worsening…

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Brussels to take tough action against e-scooters left abandoned outside official parking spaces

The legislative assembly of the Brussels region parliament is planning tougher actions on shared e-scooters and bicycles through the introduction of special parking areas, speed limits and fines if the…

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Belgium enters fourth COVID-19 infection wave as cases jump

Belgium's daily COVID-19 cases have jumped to the highest level in almost a year, prompting health experts to say that a fourth wave of infections has begun. Data from the…

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Belgium PM says all EU states must help handle migration

BRUSSELS, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said on Friday all European Union countries must act in solidarity to be able to handle the rising migratory…

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Italy edge Belgium 2-1 to finish third in Nations League

TURIN, Italy (Reuters) - Nicolo Barella’s thunderous strike and a penalty converted by Domenico Berardi proved enough to earn hosts Italy a 2-1 victory over Belgium on Sunday and third…

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France fight back to beat Belgium in Nations League thriller

TURIN, Italy (Reuters) -World champions France recovered from two goals down to beat Belgium 3-2 in a thrilling Nations League semi-final on Thursday with a last-minute strike from Theo Hernandez…

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Nations League final four offers silverware to Europe’s best

Fans of international football can be forgiven if it has slipped their attention that four of Europe's top national teams are about to play off this week for the Nations League title.…

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Court win for EU regulators in crackdown on $825 million Belgium tax scheme

LUXEMBOURG, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Belgium on Thursday lost its fight against an EU regulatory ruling that tax breaks granted to Magnetrol, BP and more than 30 other multinationals constituted…

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Verstappen wins in Belgium without racing a single lap

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (Reuters) - Red Bull's Max Verstappen won the rain-hit Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday without racing even a single lap as half-points were awarded for only the sixth…

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Verstappen spins but sets the pace in practice for Belgian GP

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (Reuters) - Max Verstappen put Red Bull at the top of the Formula One timesheets before spinning out of Friday's practice for the Belgian Grand Prix. The Dutchman,…

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Belgium, except for Brussels, to scrap COVID restrictions on restaurants, cafes

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgium will scrap COVID-19 restrictions on restaurants and cafes, allowing them to operate under their usual hours as part of the government's reopening plan and as more…

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Port of Antwerp sees volume growth despite pandemic disruption

The Port of Antwerp recorded a year-on-year rise in the volume of cargo handled for the first seven months of 2021, even though disruptions caused by COVID-19 and Britain's departure…

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One month after floods, Belgians try to rebuild

A month after devastating floods in Belgium, residents said efforts to rebuild battered towns were picking up pace, but some still saw months of disruption ahead. Flooding swept through parts…

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Seven die after outbreak of Colombian variant of COVID-19 at Belgian nursing home

Seven residents of a nursing home in Belgium have died after being infected with the Colombian variant of the coronavirus, despite being fully vaccinated, the virology team that conducted tests…

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Cars, pavements washed away as Belgian town hit by worst floods in decades

The southern Belgian town of Dinant was hit by the heaviest floods in decades on Saturday after a two-hour thunderstorm turned streets into torrential streams that washed away cars and…

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Belgium hit with renewed flooding amid heavy rain

Belgium witnessed a new round of flooding on Saturday, as the country grappled with the impact of heavy rains and thunderstorms. The floods mostly impacted areas in the country's southern French-speaking region…

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Heavy rain forecast in Belgium for the weekend

The government of the Walloon region in Belgium has warned that vigilance is needed this weekend because of weather forecasts predicting potentially intense and stormy rainfall. “The Royal Meteorological Institute…

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Belgium raises flood death toll to 37, further six missing

Belgian authorities raised the death toll from last week's burst rivers and flash floods to 37, with a further six people missing. Belgium's crisis centre, which is coordinating the rescue…

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Photo Story: Belgium celebrates National Day

King Philippe (2-R) and Queen Mathilde (L) of Belgium attend the National Day Ceremony in front of the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium, 21 July 2021. The Belgian National Day…

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EU pledges support for flood victims

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the weekend pledged EU support to help rebuild regions hit by this week's deadly flooding. On a visit to eastern Belgium, which…

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Death toll in rises to 157 in Germany and Belgium floods

R escue workers searched flood-ravaged parts of Germany and Belgium for survivors on Saturday after burst rivers and flash floods this week collapsed houses and claimed at least 157 lives.…

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Belgium sets day of mourning as flood deaths hit 20

Belgium declared a national day of mourning next week as the death toll from burst rivers and flash floods in the south and east of the country rose to 20…

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Brussels Airport warns of long queues due to strict checks on travel documents

Brussels Airport is warning travellers that long queues could form during peak hours, as the authorities earlier this week announced stricter checks on passengers’ Passenger Locator Forms (PLF). On Wednesday,…

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UPDATED: Belgian woman infected with Alpha and Beta Covid variants at the same time

A 90-year-old Belgian woman who died from COVID-19 in March had contracted two variants of coronavirus at the same time, which is believed to be the first documented case of…

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Spinazzola’s suspected ruptured Achilles tendon injury sours Italy celebrations

MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) - Italy's delight at reaching the Euro 2020 semi-finals with Friday's 2-1 win over Belgium was soured by a serious injury to left-back Leonardo Spinazzola who was…

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Italy book semi-final spot with 2-1 win over Belgium

MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) - Italy set up a Euro 2020 semi-final clash against Spain after first half goals from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne led the Azzurri to a 2-1…

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Italy’s first real test will be against Serie A top scorer Lukaku

MUNICH, Germany, June 30 (Reuters) - Doubters over Italy's chances of going all the way at Euro 2020 have pointed to their comfortable path to the quarter-finals, but that will all change…

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Hazard rocket fires Belgium past holders Portugal into last eight

Belgium knocked defending champions Portugal out of Euro 2020 with a 1-0 victory in the last 16 on Sunday to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final tie against Italy. A 43rd-minute…

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Belgium to ban British visitors due Delta variant cases increase

Belgium has said it is banning visitors from Britain. The measure will come into force on Saturday and includes an exemption for Belgian nationals or residents. Belgium said listed the…

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Body found of armed Belgian anti-vaccine fugitive, suicide suspected

Belgian police found the body on Sunday of a fugitive soldier who went missing a month ago with a stash of weapons after threatening a virologist and his family, the…

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Photo Story: Dinosaurs in Brussels

A view of Dinos Alive exhibition at Tour et Taxi in Brussels, Belgium. The exhibition is held on the Tour et Taxi site in Brussels, more than 80 species are…

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France, Portugal and Belgium are the Euro favourites – Italy’s Mancini

Roberto Mancini said France, Portugal and Belgium should be considered as favourites for Euro 2020 ahead of his Italy side after the Azzurri recorded their second consecutive 3-0 win at…

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UPDATE – Denmark and Belgium to stop playing at 10th minute to pay tribute to Eriksen

Romelu Lukaku has announced that Denmark and Belgium will stop play in the 10th minute when they meet tomorrow night to pay tribute to Christian Eriksen. Belgium's goal ace Romelu…

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Analysis – Belgium show their potential with classy display

Being top of the FIFA world rankings meant Belgium were always going to be among the European Championship favourites but Saturday’s comfortable 3-0 win over Russia sent out a strong…

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Belgium’s Castagne to undergo surgery on fractured eye socket

Belgium’s Timothy Castagne needs to have surgery on a double fracture of his eye socket and will play no further part in the European Championship, the Belgian football association said…

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“Chris I Love You” – Lukaku sends support to club teammate Eriksen after scoring

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku paid tribute to his club teammate Christian Eriksen who collapsed on the pitch on Saturday, calling out "Chris, Chris I love you" to a television camera…

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Lukaku hands Belgium 1-0 win over Croatia in warm-up match

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku underlined his status as one of the world’s top strikers with his 60th international goal to secure a 1-0 win over Croatia in their Euro 2020 warm-up…

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Belgium allows indoor dining from June 9 in lockdown easing

Belgium cleared the way for indoor dining and drinking next week as an acceleration of COVID-19 vaccinations reduced strain on hospitals and allowed a further easing of restrictions. Belgian Prime…

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UPDATED: Belgium says halts J&J COVID jab for under 41s after one dies

The Belgian government said on Wednesday it was suspending vaccinations with Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for people under the age of 41 following the death of a woman…

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Police break up Brussels anti-lockdown party

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Police fired water cannon and tear gas in a Brussels park on Saturday to break up an anti-lockdown party of several hundred people designed to defy coronavirus…

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EU approves ramp-up of Pfizer vaccine manufacturing site in Belgium

Europe's drug regulator on Friday approved an expansion in manufacturing capacity of the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine in Belgium, while recommending an approval for a new filling line at Moderna's site…

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