Oliver Devereaux

New ‘Master’s Tours’ explore Flemish art heritage
New ‘Master’s Tours’ explore Flemish art heritage

New ‘Master’s Tours’ explore Flemish art heritage

Nine new ‘Master’s Tours’ will guide art and heritage lovers through key works of the Flemish Masters. Launched on Wednesday at the Message Chapel in Heverlee, the routes are part of Flemish
3 months ago
Year-on-year Tesla registrations down 70 per cent in Belgium
Year-on-year Tesla registrations down 70 per cent in Belgium

Year-on-year Tesla registrations down 70 per cent in Belgium

Tesla, the US electric car manufacturer, saw registrations in Belgium plummet in March. Registrations of Tesla cars fell by almost 70 per cent compared to March 2024, figures from industry federation Febiac
3 months ago
Tomorrowland adds extra shows as UNITY sells out in Las Vegas
Tomorrowland adds extra shows as UNITY sells out in Las Vegas

Tomorrowland adds extra shows as UNITY sells out in Las Vegas

The first three shows of UNITY, the new Tomorrowland concept in collaboration with US festival giant Insomniac, have sold out completely. Due to overwhelming demand, organisers have added six extra dates, with
3 months ago
Belgium rejects US pressure on corporate diversity policies
Belgium rejects US pressure on corporate diversity policies

Belgium rejects US pressure on corporate diversity policies

Finance minister Jan Jambon, Foreign minister Maxime Prévot and Equal Opportunities minister Rob Beenders have rejected US pressure on the diversity policies of Belgian and European companies. Belgium immediately contacted the US
3 months ago
Flemish exports amounted to 418bn euros last year
Flemish exports amounted to 418bn euros last year

Flemish exports amounted to 418bn euros last year

According to figures from Statistics Flanders, the export of goods from Flanders amounted to 418 billion euros in 2024. That is 3.7% less than in 2023, but still the third-highest export figure
3 months ago
Work, work, work leads to strike, strike, strike
Work, work, work leads to strike, strike, strike

Work, work, work leads to strike, strike, strike

On Monday, immediately after a week-long strike at the railway, Belgian trade unions hold a ‘national strike’. They protest against measures of the new federal government, mostly concerning pensions. The De Wever
3 months ago
Beringen expands tourism with 60K stays and mining projects
Beringen expands tourism with 60K stays and mining projects

Beringen expands tourism with 60K stays and mining projects

Beringen (60,000+ overnight stays/year) aims to attract more business travelers with conference spaces and mining-themed retreats. Alderman Ornella Schreurs highlights projects like a B&B (opening May 1), Mineset museum, be-NATURE, and Kolenspoor
3 months ago
Ninove introduces home ID card service for reduced mobility
Ninove introduces home ID card service for reduced mobility

Ninove introduces home ID card service for reduced mobility

Ninove – Ninove’s “Loket aan huis” helps people who can’t visit city hall get a new ID card at home. The first user, Yolande Doomst, benefited. Guy D’haeseleer supports expanding services. The city
3 months ago
What to expect from the national strike on 31 March
What to expect from the national strike on 31 March

What to expect from the national strike on 31 March

Belgium is bracing for major disruption on Monday 31 March as the country’s two largest unions – the socialist ABVV and the Christian democrat ACV – plan a national strike. This follows
3 months ago
Gezondheidsmakers Kempen leads health program in 27 towns
Gezondheidsmakers Kempen leads health program in 27 towns

Gezondheidsmakers Kempen leads health program in 27 towns

Kempen – Towns in Kempen joined Gezondheidsmakers Kempen, led by Lieselot Wynants, signing a health charter to promote well-being through exercise, smoke-free areas, mental health programs, and preventive healthcare like the 10,000 steps
3 months ago
Kortrijk Railway Station demolition halted by permit council
Kortrijk Railway Station demolition halted by permit council

Kortrijk Railway Station demolition halted by permit council

Kortrijk – The Council for Permit Disputes paused the demolition of Kortrijk Railway Station (built in the 1950s), citing a lack of consideration for its historical value. Groups like the Flemish Association for
3 months ago
LGBTQI+ rights in the US prompt Belgium to update travel advice
LGBTQI+ rights in the US prompt Belgium to update travel advice

LGBTQI+ rights in the US prompt Belgium to update travel advice

As announced earlier this week, the Belgian Federal Public Service (FPS) for Foreign Affairs officially updated its travel advice for the United States on Wednesday evening, citing recent changes in the treatment of
3 months ago
German, Austrian ministers cancel Syria trip over threats
German, Austrian ministers cancel Syria trip over threats

German, Austrian ministers cancel Syria trip over threats

Berlin – According to German authorities, the interior ministers of Germany and Austria canceled their scheduled trip to Syria on Thursday due to a potential threat to their delegation. Germany’s Nancy Faeser
3 months ago
EU court adviser backs WhatsApp in privacy fine appeal
EU court adviser backs WhatsApp in privacy fine appeal

EU court adviser backs WhatsApp in privacy fine appeal

Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – WhatsApp, a Meta Platforms got the support of an adviser to Europe’s top court in its fight against the European Union privacy watchdog, which had ordered the
3 months ago
Umicore refocuses on core businesses amid profit pressure
Umicore refocuses on core businesses amid profit pressure

Umicore refocuses on core businesses amid profit pressure

Brussels-based materials group Umicore is holding an investor day in London on Thursday, with CEO Bart Sap unveiling a strategic overhaul that marks a clear shift away from large-scale investment in battery
3 months ago
Armenian parliament approves EU accession bill
Armenian parliament approves EU accession bill

Armenian parliament approves EU accession bill

Yerevan  – The Armenian parliament on March 26 passed a bill “On starting the process of accession of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union” in its second and final reading.
3 months ago
Flemish government agrees to reform renovation subsidy
Flemish government agrees to reform renovation subsidy

Flemish government agrees to reform renovation subsidy

The Flemish government has reached an agreement on the reform of the renovation subsidy, announced Energy and Housing minister Melissa Depraetere. From 1 July, financial support will only be available for energy-saving
3 months ago
Leuven sewage shows daily Ketamine for 18 months
Leuven sewage shows daily Ketamine for 18 months

Leuven sewage shows daily Ketamine for 18 months

Leuven – The Leuven sewage water contains ketamine that researchers detected daily for eighteen months. The strong anaesthetic ketamine continues to increase as a recreational drug. The situation with ketamine in sewage
3 months ago
Spanish PM vows to expand defence industry before summer
Spanish PM vows to expand defence industry before summer

Spanish PM vows to expand defence industry before summer

Madrid – Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that the Spanish government will outline and begin implementing a plan to increase the defence sector before the summer. “The objective of this plan is
3 months ago
EU to provide 8 million euros in aid for Van Hool workers
EU to provide 8 million euros in aid for Van Hool workers

EU to provide 8 million euros in aid for Van Hool workers

The European Commission has proposed an 8 million euro support package to help 2,400 workers made redundant after the bankruptcy of Belgian bus manufacturer Van Hool. The funding, requested by Belgium, comes
3 months ago
Belgium considers Kosovo prison deal for overcrowded jails
Belgium considers Kosovo prison deal for overcrowded jails

Belgium considers Kosovo prison deal for overcrowded jails

As the Belgian government is exploring options to expand prison capacity abroad, Kosovo is emerging as a potential location. Justice minister Annelies Verlinden confirmed discussions are ongoing, though other countries are also
3 months ago
Port of Ostend reports record financial profit
Port of Ostend reports record financial profit

Port of Ostend reports record financial profit

Ostend’s port has achieved its highest financial profit in years. This marks six consecutive years of growth, according to annual figures released on Wednesday. Officials credit strategic investments and a focus on
3 months ago
Umicore's germanium projects receive EU support
Umicore's germanium projects receive EU support

Umicore’s germanium projects receive EU support

The European Commission has selected 47 strategic projects to improve the extraction, processing and recycling of critical raw materials in the European Union, including the germanium activities of Belgium’s Umicore. Under the
3 months ago
OECD: Belgium must strengthen fight against foreign bribery
OECD: Belgium must strengthen fight against foreign bribery

OECD: Belgium must strengthen fight against foreign bribery

Belgium has made legal progress in tackling foreign bribery, but enforcement remains weak, according to a new OECD report. The organisation urges stronger corporate accountability, tougher sanctions, and more resources for investigations.
3 months ago
French entrepreneur wants to relaunch Tupperware in Europe
French entrepreneur wants to relaunch Tupperware in Europe

French entrepreneur wants to relaunch Tupperware in Europe

A French entrepreneur has bought Tupperware France and plans to relaunch the brand in several European countries, including Belgium and Germany.  Tupperware, the maker of the iconic plastic food containers, filed for
3 months ago
Ukraine as part of the European defense system
Ukraine as part of the European defense system

Ukraine as part of the European defense system

Brussels supports Ukraine’s deeper integration into the EU defense sector. In 2025, the European Commission presented the White Paper on European Defense – Readiness 2030, which states: These steps will allow Ukraine
3 months ago
SAFE - European Rapid Reaction Force
SAFE - European Rapid Reaction Force

SAFE – European Rapid Reaction Force

Another strategic initiative is SAFE (Strategic Autonomous Forces Europe), created to ensure rapid response to conflicts in Europe. SAFE provides for: SAFE can become an alternative to UN peacekeeping missions, which depend
3 months ago
ReArm Europe: a revolution in European defense
ReArm Europe: a revolution in European defense

ReArm Europe: a revolution in European defense

One of the main initiatives in 2025 is the launch of the ReArm Europe fund, aimed at accelerating the build-up of European defense capabilities. Its objectives: ReArm Europe will allow Europe to
3 months ago
EU expands military support for Ukraine
EU expands military support for Ukraine

EU expands military support for Ukraine

The European Union plays a key role in strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities. In recent months, Brussels has announced new military assistance programs, including the supply of ammunition, modernization of the Armed Forces,
3 months ago
Belgium’s prison population hits record high
Belgium’s prison population hits record high

Belgium’s prison population hits record high 

Belgium’s prisons have surpassed 13,000 inmates for the first time. Overcrowding has left hundreds sleeping on the floor, while thousands of short-term offenders wait for a place. In response, officials are calling
3 months ago
Pro-Russian hackers attack Belgian government websites
Pro-Russian hackers attack Belgian government websites

Pro-Russian hackers attack Belgian government websites

The pro-Russian hacker collective NoName057 has taken several Belgian government websites down today. Government portal MyGov.be, which gives citizens access to official documents, can currently not be reached. The Walloon Parliament’s website
3 months ago
Energy war: why is the Kremlin destroying infrastructure?
Energy war: why is the Kremlin destroying infrastructure?

Energy war: why is the Kremlin destroying infrastructure?

France, the Netherlands and Brussels have condemned the Russian strikes on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure, calling them war crimes. Dutch companies have offered assistance in rebuilding destroyed facilities, while the EU is
3 months ago
Russia wants to freeze the war: where will it lead?
Russia and Ukraine peace crisis as a geopolitical conflict clash between the Ukrainian and Russian nation as a European security concept with a dove and olive branch in a 3D illustration style.

Russia wants to freeze the war: where will it lead?

Russia is actively promoting the idea of a temporary cessation of hostilities, but experts warn that this is only a tactical pause to prepare a new offensive. France, the Netherlands, Latvia and
3 months ago
Singapore’s president begins state visit to Belgium
Singapore’s president begins state visit to Belgium

Singapore’s president begins state visit to Belgium

Singapore’s president, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, has arrived in Belgium for a three-day state visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations. The visit begins with a formal welcome from
3 months ago
Belgian prime minister invited to Ukraine summit in Paris
Belgian prime minister invited to Ukraine summit in Paris

Belgian prime minister invited to Ukraine summit in Paris

Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever has been invited to the summit on Ukraine organised by French prime minister Emmanuel Macron on Thursday 27 March. De Wever’s spokesman confirmed this on Sunday,
3 months ago
2/3 IC Trains run Monday amid Metisp-protect strike till March 30
2/3 IC Trains run Monday amid Metisp-protect strike till March 30

2/3 IC Trains run Monday amid Metisp-protect strike till March 30

Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Over two-thirds of scheduled IC trains will operate on Monday as per SNCB’s announcement for the period of Metisp-Protect’s railway worker strike. Metisp-Protect labour union’s strike will
3 months ago
STVV Chairman David Meekers in coma after brain hemorrhage
STVV Chairman David Meekers in coma after brain hemorrhage

STVV Chairman David Meekers in coma after brain hemorrhage

Brussels – David Meekers, 59 years old, chairman of STVV since 2018, suffered a brain hemorrhage and is in a medically-induced coma. His condition is serious. STVV president David Meekers became ill at
3 months ago
Keir Starmer backs Trump on Europe’s defence spending
Keir Starmer backs Trump on Europe’s defence spending

Keir Starmer backs Trump on Europe’s defence spending

London – UK PM Keir Starmer said U.S. President Donald Trump has a point that European nations must bear a greater burden for their collective self-defence, the New York Times reported. Starmer
3 months ago
1 4 5 6 7 8 32