Brussels

EU plans tougher safeguards against democratic backsliding by future members

The EU is developing robust safeguards to ensure future member countries cannot backslide on reforms or use their veto power to obstruct the bloc after joining, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos…

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European Parliament Trials Shorter Debates to Improve Attendance

The European Parliament is set to test new rules in its upcoming June plenary session to avoid empty seats during debates and improve engagement between lawmakers and EU Commissioners. The…

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Influencer-Turned-MEP Stays in European Parliament, Declines Cyprus Seat

MEP Fidias Panayiotou on Monday said he will remain a lawmaker in the European Parliament and decline to take the seat to which he was elected in this weekend’s legislative…

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EU Commission Considers Sweeping Overhaul of Departments Managing Funds

Every European Commission department that handles EU cash could be in the firing line as part of President Ursula von der Leyen’s restructuring plans, according to five officials familiar with…

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EU Commission considers overhaul of regional policy department in spending shake-up

The European Commission is considering a major restructuring of one of its oldest departments as President Ursula von der Leyen seeks more direct control over EU spending. The Directorate-General for…

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How the EU Agrees and Pays for Its Long-Term Budget

European Union governments and institutions are heading for a bitter battle over the bloc's 2028-2034 budget, as fresh defence and competitiveness demands vie for funds against more traditional farm and…

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EP President Metsola to EU leaders: “Europe cannot face a new era with an old budget”

At the Informal Meeting of Heads of State and Government in Nicosia (Cyprus),President Metsola focused on three topics: The situation in the Middle East and its impact on energy prices,…

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Europe’s response to the Iran war energy crunch

The European Commission will publish a package of measures on Wednesday seeking to offset surging energy prices, as countries grapple with the biggest shock to energy markets in history from…

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Number of immigrants in EU reaches record high of 64.2 million in 2025

The number of immigrants residing in the European Union climbed to a record high of 64.2 million in ‌2025, up about 2.1 million from a year earlier, according to a…

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“Deaf” wins the 2026 LUX Audience Award

The European Parliament, together with EU citizens and MEPs, has awarded the 2026 LUX Audience Award to Spanish director Eva Libertad for her film Deaf. The prize reflects the Parliament’s…

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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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