Crowds paying tribute to Pope lying in state at St Peter’s Basilica
The body of Pope Francis, laid out in an open coffin, was carried in a solemn procession from his residence within the walls of the Vatican City to St Peter’s Basilica. Cardinals, priests, friars and Swiss Guards walked slowly into the vast, sunlit esplanade
IMF warns of ‘major negative shock’ from Trump’s tariffs
Lender cuts forecasts for every major economy, with UK expected to grow by 1.1% this year, down from 1.6% Donald Trump’s tariffs have unleashed a “major negative shock” into the world economy, the International Monetary Fund has said, as it
Sanchez: Spain to meet NATO spending goal of 2% GDP in 2025
Span’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said thaty his government will meet NATO’s
How did King Philippe and Queen Mathilde remember Pope Francis?
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde honour Pope Francis, who died on April
Pope Francis dies aged 88
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88 at his residence
Politics
UGent warns of possible academic risks in cooperating with US under Trump
Ghent University (UGent) has raised concerns about the growing risks associated with academic cooperation with the United States under Donald Trump’s administration. In a
Young buyers boosted real estate sales in Belgium during first quarter
In the first three months of 2025, Belgium saw a jump in real estate sales, according to the notary federation Fednot. Bart van Opstal,
European Commission proposes list of ‘safe’ countries for asylum returns
The European Commission has proposed a list of seven “safe countries of origin” from which asylum applications could be fast-tracked as they are “unlikely
Business
Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity: No Concessions to the Aggressor
In the course of the war, Russia has not only engaged in military actions but also actively promotes ideas aimed at discrediting Ukraine and encouraging territorial concessions. One such idea is the
Sport
Culture
Leuven’s Afrika Film Festival celebrates 30 years with focus on core mission
The Afrika Film Festival in Leuven celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The programme has been reduced to just four days, a conscious decision
Art Against Violence aims to give voices to women who have been silenced
A powerful new art and awareness project, Art Against Violence, brings the often-hidden realities of violence against women into public view through deeply personal
Film Fest Gent launches new award for Belgian film composers
Film Fest Gent has announced a new award: the WSAward for Belgian Film Composer of the Year. The prize will be given for the
Brussels researchers display mycelium-based fashion and furniture at Milan Design Week
Researchers from Brussels are travelling to Milan Design Week with designs based on mycelium, the root structure of fungi. They have processed the material
Society
Overcrowding reaches alarming levels in Ghent prison
Overcrowding in Ghent prison reached alarming proportions in 2024, according to a new report by the Inspection Committee. The number of complaints from inmates about living conditions in the prison has risen
Brussels’ only outdoor pool to close after 5 years
Brussels’ only open-air swimming pool is closing after five years. Flow, in Anderlecht, was intended as a prototype to show demand for outdoor swimming in the capital, and the organisers say they
Proportion of private-sector employees with disabilities is falling, study shows
Only 0.23 per cent of employees in Belgium’s private sector had a disability in 2024, a decrease of around 8 per cent compared to 2023, according to figures from HR specialists Acerta