Opinion

Rise in euthanasia due to ageing population, study shows

A recent study shows that the increase in euthanasia cases in Belgium is mainly due to the country’s ageing population, De Standaard reported on Tuesday. The growing numbers are not the result

1 day ago

Opinion

Boeing XF8B: The Ultimate Multirole Fighter that Never Took FlightBoeing XF8B

Boeing developed the XF8B as a single-seat, carrier-based aircraft for World War II. It could serve multiple functions, such as air superiority or bombings, but also escort and superiority. Despite this, only

3 days ago

Opinion

Despite long waiting list, over 8,000 social homes stand empty

The waiting list for social housing in Flanders has never been longer. Still, more than 8,000 properties stood empty in 2023, reports Het Nieuwsblad on Monday. This is almost four times the

3 days ago

Opinion

National strike to disrupt public transport on Tuesday

Train services across Belgium will be reduced on Monday evening and Tuesday due to a national strike by public sector workers. Other public transport services are also expected to be severely disrupted,

3 days ago

Opinion

Cultural Compass: Free outdoor festival, creative delirium and Brussels’ roaring past

Every Sunday, Belga English picks its favourite events from the cultural agenda. This week: A chance to be outdoors to enjoy music and dance in Bruges, Miet Warlop’s latest stroke of chaotic

4 days ago

Arts & Entertainment·Opinion

Criminal network of international arms dealers rounded up in Limburg

The Federal Judicial Police (FJP) of Limburg province has rounded up a criminal network of international arms dealers. Seven suspects, including two Austrians, are in pre-trial detention following their arrest on 9

5 days ago

Opinion

Thousands more people set to lose unemployment benefits under new cap

More than 113,000 people will lose their entitlement to unemployment benefits next year under the new two-year cap, many more than the 100,000 people initially estimated, De Morgen reports. The federal government

6 days ago

Opinion

Suicides in Flanders at lowest level in 25 years

The suicide rate in Flanders is at its lowest in 25 years, the Flemish Expertise Centre for Suicide Prevention (VLESP) reports. In 2023, 887 people died by suicide, of whom 652 were

1 week ago

Opinion

Bruges urges tourists to stop stealing cobblestones

Cobblestones are increasingly being stolen from the historic centre of Bruges. Councillor Franky Demon suspects tourists have been taking the stones as souvenirs and has urged people to leave the stones where

1 week ago

Opinion

Drug arrests in Antwerp Port surge, with juvenile involvement doubling

Just four months into 2025, the number of drug-related arrests at the Port of Antwerp has already surpassed last year’s total. The Port Police have detained 131 people, mostly ‘extractors’ who remove

1 week ago

Business·Opinion

Doctor files complaint over poor prison healthcare

A general practitioner has filed a formal complaint with the Order of Physicians, denouncing serious deficiencies in medical care at Haren prison. Le Soir reported the news on Monday; both VRT and

1 week ago

Opinion

Education minister unveils new knowledge-rich curriculum for Flemish primary education

Flemish education minister Zuhal Demir has introduced new knowledge-rich minimum goals for primary and nursery education. The new curriculum aims to raise standards by adopting a more content-focused approach, inspired by the

2 weeks ago

Opinion

Habemus papam: Robert Francis Prevost elected new Pope

The American Robert Francis Prevost has been elected Pope. At 19:24 local time, he stepped onto the balcony of St Peter’s to greet the faithful for the first time as Leo XIV.

2 weeks ago

Opinion·World

EU Parliament votes to weaken wolf protection

The European Parliament has voted to downgrade the legal protection status of the wolf, paving the way for more liberalised population control measures by national governments. The decision moves the species from

2 weeks ago

Opinion

US embassy asks Flemish universities about diversity policy

The US embassy has sent a survey to several Flemish universities asking about their diversity policies, Flemish Education minister Zuhal Demir told the Education Committee on Thursday. The survey also asks about

2 weeks ago

Opinion·World

Flanders launches campaign to limit spread of tiger mosquito

The Flemish Department of Public Health has launched a new campaign to minimise the spread of the tiger mosquito. Under the slogan “Leg de tijgermug droog” (Dry out the tiger mosquito), people

2 weeks ago

Opinion

Road deaths in Belgium fell to historic low in 2024

The number of road deaths in Belgium fell by 6 per cent last year compared to 2023, to 455 fatalities. This is the lowest number recorded in the official figures, which date

2 weeks ago

Opinion

People in Flanders are afraid to serve tap water to guests

More than eight out of ten people in Flanders drink tap water at home. Yet almost half of them are afraid to serve it to guests, according to a recent survey by

3 weeks ago

Opinion

Flanders sees rapid rise in measles cases

In April, 48 cases of measles were reported in Flanders, the Flemish Department of Public Health reported in a press release. That’s more than in the first three months of 2025 combined.

3 weeks ago

Opinion

Ten arrests and nearly 1.5m seized in Brussels money laundering case

Ten people have been arrested and nearly 1.5 million euros seized in a Brussels money laundering case, reported the Brussels public prosecutor’s office. In the case, drug money was passed on to

3 weeks ago

Opinion

Press freedom at an all-time low, warns Reporters Without Borders

Press freedom around the world is under greater threat than ever before, according to the latest report from Reporters Without Borders (RSF). For the first time in history, its World Press Freedom

3 weeks ago

Opinion

Protest marches and political rallies mark Labour Day

Protestors marched against the federal government and political parties held rallies on Thursday, Labour Day. In Brussels, some 300 people gathered at Place Poelaert, organised by the socialist public sector union CGSP,

3 weeks ago

Opinion

Hasselt “Burns winter welcomes spring” at May evening event

Hasselt burns in the true literal sense at the yearly May event as they create a massive bonfire. Householders ceremonially burn winter’s symbolism while beckoning spring through dance performances along with theatrical

3 weeks ago

Opinion

EU approves €321 million German aid for condor restructuring

The European Commission announced on Monday that it has approved €321.2 million in restructuring aid provided by Germany for Condor, in accordance with EU State aid regulations. Why was the previous 2021

3 weeks ago

Opinion

Socialist union ACOD calls for national strike over public sector cuts on 20 May

The socialist trade union ACOD has called for a national strike in the public sector on Tuesday, 20 May. The action is aimed at protesting what the union describes as the “disastrous

3 weeks ago

Opinion

Brussels Airlines remains confident for a profitable 2025 despite first-Quarter loss

Brussels Airlines reported an adjusted operating loss (EBIT) of 53 million EUR in the first quarter of 2025. The company announced this on Tuesday morning. While still in the red, the result

3 weeks ago

Opinion

Up to six years prison for foiled attack on PM De Wever

The Court of Appeal in Antwerp has handed down prison sentences of up to six years for the foiled assassination attempt on Belgium’s current prime minister, Bart De Wever. The group’s leader

4 weeks ago

Opinion

Flemish journalists’ association expresses concern over editorial merger at Mediahuis

The Flemish Association of Journalists (VVJ) has expressed its concern about the growing media concentration in Flanders. The reaction follows the decision by the Mediahuis to place Het Nieuwsblad/De Gentenaar and Gazet

4 weeks ago

Opinion

Girls seek mental health help more often, but suicide rates remain higher among boys

An increasing number of young girls are seeking help for mental health issues, while boys are doing so less frequently, even though men remain significantly more likely to die by suicide than

1 month ago

Opinion

Antwerp police warn of UK visa scam targeting Belgian travellers

Antwerp police have issued a warning about a scam linked to the new UK entry requirements. Since 2 April, Belgian travellers must have both an international passport and an Electronic Travel Authorisation

1 month ago

Opinion

Red Cross Flanders uses pharmacy signs to promote blood donation

Twenty pharmacies in Flanders will soon display the region’s current blood supply. This is an initiative of Red Cross Flanders to raise awareness about blood donation. By the end of the year,

1 month ago

Opinion

European stock markets open with heavy losses

European stock markets opened on Monday with heavy losses. The German DAX briefly fell 10 per cent while in Brussels, the Bel20 lost more than 6 per cent. US president Donald Trump’s

2 months ago

Opinion

Military intelligence service plans major expansion amid rising threats

Belgium’s military intelligence service, GISS, plans to double its workforce by 2040 to counter growing cyber threats, foreign interference, and espionage. Its latest annual report highlights a surge in Russian disinformation and

2 months ago

Opinion

Empty chairs at Antwerp’s central square symbolise toll of colorectal cancer

The non-profit organisation Stop Darmkanker (Stop Colorectal Cancer) has on Monday morning filled Antwerp’s Grote Markt, the city’s central square, with 248 empty white chairs. Each chair symbolises someone who died in

2 months ago

Opinion

Belgium and Vietnam strengthen ties with first state visit since 1973

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, together with a delegation of officials, will pay a state visit to Vietnam next week, from Tuesday 1 to Thursday 3 April. This is the

2 months ago

Opinion

Flemish power grid not strong enough to fully connect all businesses

The electricity grid in Flanders is not strong enough to immediately and fully connect companies that require large amounts of electricity. Grid operators Elia and Fluvius are working on temporary solutions until

2 months ago

Opinion

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

2 months ago

Opinion

KU Leuven and UCLouvain award honorary doctorate to United Nations

The KU Leuven and UCLouvain universities have on Friday awarded an honorary doctorate to the United Nations (UN). Secretary-General António Guterres came to receive the recognition in person. The universities initially wanted

2 months ago

Opinion

Opinion

Non-profit sector takes to the streets en masse for more investment in the sector

Rise in euthanasia due to ageing population, study shows

Boeing XF8B: The Ultimate Multirole Fighter that Never Took FlightBoeing XF8B

National strike to disrupt public transport on Tuesday

Cultural Compass: Free outdoor festival, creative delirium and Brussels’ roaring past

Criminal network of international arms dealers rounded up in Limburg

Suicides in Flanders at lowest level in 25 years

Bruges urges tourists to stop stealing cobblestones

Drug arrests in Antwerp Port surge, with juvenile involvement doubling

Doctor files complaint over poor prison healthcare

Habemus papam: Robert Francis Prevost elected new Pope

EU Parliament votes to weaken wolf protection

US embassy asks Flemish universities about diversity policy

Flanders launches campaign to limit spread of tiger mosquito

Road deaths in Belgium fell to historic low in 2024

People in Flanders are afraid to serve tap water to guests

Flanders sees rapid rise in measles cases

Ten arrests and nearly 1.5m seized in Brussels money laundering case

Press freedom at an all-time low, warns Reporters Without Borders

Hasselt “Burns winter welcomes spring” at May evening event

EU approves €321 million German aid for condor restructuring

Socialist union ACOD calls for national strike over public sector cuts on 20 May

Up to six years prison for foiled attack on PM De Wever

Flemish journalists’ association expresses concern over editorial merger at Mediahuis

Girls seek mental health help more often, but suicide rates remain higher among boys

Antwerp police warn of UK visa scam targeting Belgian travellers

Red Cross Flanders uses pharmacy signs to promote blood donation

European stock markets open with heavy losses

Military intelligence service plans major expansion amid rising threats

Empty chairs at Antwerp’s central square symbolise toll of colorectal cancer

Belgium and Vietnam strengthen ties with first state visit since 1973

Flemish power grid not strong enough to fully connect all businesses

Singapore’s president begins state visit to Belgium

KU Leuven and UCLouvain award honorary doctorate to United Nations

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