Brussels

EU age verification app ready as Europe moves to curb children’s social media access

The EU's age verification app for online platforms is ready and will soon be ‌available to use, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday, as member states…

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Britain eyes summer deadline for EU reset deal

A deal to re-align key parts of the U.K. economy with the European Union is on course to be reached by the early summer, according to the minister in charge…

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Belgium to Deploy Soldiers in Streets for Security Patrols

Belgium will begin deploying soldiers on its streets from Monday, Defence Minister Theo Francken announced Thursday during a plenary session of the Chamber of Representatives. Up to 200 soldiers will…

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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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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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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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Spain Revives Campaign to Scrap Daylight Saving Across Europe

Spain will attempt Monday to reenergize the EU's stalled proposal to end seasonal clock changes and demand Brussels fulfill its promise to end daylight saving time. "As you know, the…

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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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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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EPA’s Eye In The Sky: Brussels, Belgium

Aerial view of the European district in Brussels with European Commission headquarters building, also called Berlaymont, in Brussels, Belgium. Via EPA-EFE/OLIVIER HOSLET

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Photo Story – Violence erupts in Brussels after Morocco’s victory

General view after clashes between fans of Morocco and riot police in the streets of Brussels, Belgium, 27 November 2022, after the FIFA World Cup 2022 group F soccer match…

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Brussels’ flower carpet blooms despite heatwave

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The creators of Brussels' vast flower carpet, unfurled every two years in front of city hall, are opting for more heat-resistant blooms and the use of pot…

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Uber to halt app in Brussels from Friday after court ruling

Uber Technologies Inc. said it would halt operations in Brussels from Nov. 26 after a court ruled that a 2015 ban on private individuals offering taxi services also applies to…

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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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Brussels to Poland: protect human lives, allow EU guards to Belarus border

The EU executive expressed concern on Friday over the plight of migrants stuck on the Polish-Belarusian border and urged Warsaw to allow the bloc's joint frontier force Frontex to provide…

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Polish court to rule on primacy of EU law amid deepening row with Brussels

Poland's Constitutional Tribunal is set to rule on Tuesday on whether the country's constitution or European Union treaties take precedence, a judgement that could further strain Warsaw's already troubled relationship…

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Malta: Brussels orders hunting quotas for turtle dove to be cut by 50%

Malta will have to reduce its hunting bag limit on turtle dove by 50% during the autumn, after the European Commission deemed the species needed more protection. In a statement, BirdLife Malta…

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Four held, dozens injured at Brussels rave labelled ‘unacceptable’

Four people were arrested for rebellion, assault and battery against police officers and failure to comply with coronavirus measures following an illegal party in a Brussels' park. Water cannon and…

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In Pictures – Police disperse thousands at Belgian April Fool party

Police used teargas and water cannons on Thursday to disperse thousands of young people gathered in a Brussels park for a party in defiance of Belgium's COVID-19 lockdown, an event that…

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Brussels to rename tram, bus stops after famous women

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Brussels' public transport operator marked International Women's Day on Monday by renaming 10 metro stations after famous women for one day, and pledging to permanently rename 17…

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EU Agenda: What’s on in the European institutions this week

Here’s a look at the upcoming events in the European Parliament, European Council and European Commission. Tuesday 27 October: Public hearing in the European Parliament on Beating Breast Cancer: Challenges…

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77% of Europeans insist EU funds be linked to respect for Rule of Law- European Parliament survey

A majority of EU citizens supports a larger EU budget to overcome the pandemic. Public health is the priority, followed by economic recovery and climate change. In a new survey…

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Malta: Government to contest Brussels action on golden passports

Criticism of Malta’s golden passport scheme by Nationalist Party exponents “did not help” the situation, Chris Fearne said in view of infringement proceedings started by the European Commission. The Deputy…

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Malta: PM in bilateral meeting with Head of Task Force for relations with UK, Michel Barnier

Before embarking on talks on the second day of the Special Summit which is meeting in Brussels, the PM Robert Abela had a bilateral meeting with the Head of Task…

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Brussels to strengthen coronavirus restrictions, PM urges city to act fast

Bars and cafés in Brussels will have to close at 11 p.m. from Monday. This one of a new set of measures aimed at controlling the coronavirus outbreak, announced by…

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Belgian schools to re-open on September 1

All Belgian schools will reopen on September 1, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès said after Thursday's National Security Council meeting, confirming an earlier decision of regional governments, who are responsible for…

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EU Commission President welcomes Malta’s plans to reform rule of law

In a letter to Prime Minister Robert Abela, EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen praised the decision taken by the Maltese Government to consult the Venice Commission and request…

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Merkel presents German Presidency priorities to MEPs, calls for swift agreement on economic response

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday called for a swift agreement on the European Union's mass economic stimulus to advance unity that would strengthen the bloc as it recovers from the coronavirus…

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Towards a climate-neutral economy: EU Commission sets out plans for the energy system of the future

To become climate-neutral by 2050, Europe needs to transform its energy system, which accounts for 75% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions. The EU strategies for energy system integration and…

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Corona Chronicles – The Virus Diaries Day 1 – Martin Bugelli

Good morning from this dream country... the home of all the shades of grey! I landed in Brussels last night, not knowing when I shall be able to return to…

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Brussels Viewpoint – US president Donald Trump meets Von der Leyen

The big news this week takes us to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, where US President Donald Trump met EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen for the first…

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Photo Story: Greenpeace action on European Council building in Brussels

Greenpeace environmental activists hang a giant placard reading "Climate Emergency" and light flares on the European Council Europa building ahead of a European summit in Brussels, Belgium, 12 December 2019.…

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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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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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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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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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KLM to cut one daily flight from Brussels to Amsterdam

The Dutch airline, KLM, will cancel one of its daily flights between Brussels and Amsterdam Schiphol in March 2020, the company announced. Instead of the flight, passengers will be encouraged…

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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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Ten European cities seek EU help in battle between tourists’ impact on short-stay lettings and residents needs

Ten European cities have demanded more help from the EU in their battle against Airbnb and other holiday rental websites, which they argue are locking locals out of housing and…

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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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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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10 European cities appeal to the EU for support against Airbnb

Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bordeaux, Brussels, Krakow, Munich, Paris, Valencia and Vienna want more support from the European Union in their fight against tourist rental through online platforms like Airbnb. They…

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UPDATED: EU leaders fail to agree over top jobs at Brussels summit

A summit of 28 European Union leaders has ended without an agreement on who should take on the bloc's top jobs. The talks, held in Brussels, continued until the early…

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Corporate Dispatch Morning Briefing

Good morning, These are the main stories from Malta, Europe and around the world, in our daily morning briefing. Leading Stories Voters in Malta will be voting to elect their…

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Brussels demands 2.1 million euros compensation for nuisance caused by air traffic

Céline Fremault, the Brussels Minister for Environment, has made a request for 2.14 million euros of penalty payments for the noise nuisance in Brussels in April because of the airport…

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Slideshow: ‘Intimate Audrey’ exhibition in Brussels

Photos from the exhibition 'Intimate Audrey' at Espace Vanderborght Museum in Brussels, Belgium, 10 May 2019. 'Intimate Audrey' is an exhibition about the life of Audrey Hepburn created by…

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EPP expected to remain the largest grouping after May elections… Farage’s Brexit Party to top EU elections in Britain

An alliance of pro-EU centre right, socialist and liberal parties would win an absolute majority in next month's European Parliament election, though eurosceptic groups will gain ground, a survey showed…

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Certain hybrid cats banned in Brussels

The local authorities in Brussels have banned certain hybrid cat breeds from the city due to risks associated with their behaviour and health. Cats of the Scottish Fold breed are now illegal…

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Another night of disruption at Brussels Airport

Once more, on Friday night the airspace above Belgium was closed again, for at least three hours, because of a lack of air traffic controllers. Airspace has been closed several…

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EU and UK reach agreement on another Brexit extension

European Council president Donald Tusk has said the UK and the EU have agreed a "flexible extension" of Brexit until 31 October. Speaking after five hours of talks at…

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Brussels and Beijing find common ground… declare summit a success

EU and Chinese officials meeting in Brussels on Tuesday proclaimed their summit as a win-win. European Council President Donald Tusk declared a "breakthrough" on some of the EU's major trade…

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Corporate Dispatch Europe Explained – The Week Ahead 8-13 April 2019

A quick glance at the main forthcoming events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and other EU-related conferences and events. Events for the week of…

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China wants to work with EU on trade and climate change

As China and the EU gears up for this week's summit, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang wrote in a German newspaper saying China wants to work with the European Union…

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BBC to move some of its TV channels to either Amsterdam or Brussels

If the United Kingdom leaves the European Union with no deal in place, the BBC will move some of its television channels to either Amsterdam or Brussels. BBC director Tony…

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Lega set to be second party in European Parliament latest projections

La Lega or the League Party of Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini is set to win 27 seats in May's European elections, according to new set of projections…

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