News from Belgium – Euro Weekly News https://euroweeklynews.com News and views in English since 1998 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 11:11:49 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://euroweeklynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/cropped-EuroWeeklyNews-Favicon-2-60x60.png News from Belgium – Euro Weekly News https://euroweeklynews.com 32 32 55-Year old tradition where nearly a million flowers transform Brussels central square https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/08/02/55-year-old-tradition-where-nearly-a-million-flowers-transform-brussels-central-square/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/08/02/55-year-old-tradition-where-nearly-a-million-flowers-transform-brussels-central-square/#respond Sun, 02 Aug 2026 11:10:57 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=575417 There’s a small window every two years when Brussels’ central square turns into a giant, living canvas in a 55 year old tradition, but only for a brief four days. Putting the Flower Carpet display together is a massive team effort. Around 120 volunteers assemble the entire huge 1,680-square-metre design by hand in under four hours, carefully laying almost one million flowers across a 70-by-24…

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]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/08/02/55-year-old-tradition-where-nearly-a-million-flowers-transform-brussels-central-square/feed/ 0 Brussels firefighters’ indefinite strike could affect emergency response times https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/07/23/brussels-firefighters-indefinite-strike-could-affect-emergency-response-times/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/07/23/brussels-firefighters-indefinite-strike-could-affect-emergency-response-times/#respond Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:33:42 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=574610 If you are heading to Brussels this summer, or have family living in the Belgian capital, an indefinite firefighters’ strike could affect emergency response times. While firefighters remain on duty for the most serious incidents, the ongoing strike is continuing to disrupt the city’s fire service, raising concerns about delays to some emergency responses and public safety.

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]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/07/23/brussels-firefighters-indefinite-strike-could-affect-emergency-response-times/feed/ 0 Belgium wants tougher proof from EU jobseekers and some could lose residency after six months https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/06/21/belgium-wants-tougher-proof-from-eu-jobseekers-and-some-could-lose-residency-after-six-months/ Sun, 21 Jun 2026 11:41:04 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=572075 EU citizens who move to Belgium to look for work could soon face much tougher checks, under a new Belgian government proposal that would force jobseekers to prove from day one that they are actively applying for jobs and, six months later, that they still have a realistic chance of being hired. If they cannot show that, Belgium says it wants the power to withdraw their right to stay.

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]]> Belgium air traffic strike grounds hundreds of flights in major travel disruption for Europe https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/06/02/belgium-air-traffic-strike-grounds-hundreds-of-flights-in-major-travel-disruption-for-europe/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:58:09 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=570692 Air traffic controllers at Skeyes, the Belgian company in charge of the skies over the country, have launched previously unannounced strikes that have brought Belgian aviation to a halt on Tuesday, June 2. Operations have been facing severe interruptions from the overnight spontaneous walkout and a larger planned action in the afternoon. Staff walked off the job between 2.30am and 7am in…

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]]> Some Airbnb listings in Belgium could disappear under new rules for holiday rentals https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/06/02/some-airbnb-listings-in-belgium-could-disappear-under-new-rules-for-holiday-rentals/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:18:31 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=570669 Finding a holiday apartment on Airbnb in Belgium may soon become a little different. The Flemish government has approved new measures that will prevent tourist accommodation from appearing on platforms such as Airbnb unless it has an official registration number. At the same time, local councils will be given faster ways to act against properties that fail to comply with planning rules.

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]]> Flying from Brussels Airport? A major security change is on the way https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/31/flying-from-brussels-airport-a-major-security-change-is-on-the-way/ Sun, 31 May 2026 21:24:18 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=570507 If you have flown anywhere in Europe recently, you probably know the routine by heart. You reach the security checkpoint and immediately start preparing for inspection. The laptop comes out. The liquids come out. Chargers, tablets and other electronics often end up in separate trays. By the time your belongings finally disappear into the scanner, half your hand luggage seems to be spread across…

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]]> At least four killed in Belgium after train collides with school minibus https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/26/at-least-four-killed-in-belgium-after-train-collides-with-school-minibus/ Tue, 26 May 2026 11:16:26 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=570091 At least four people, including two minors, have died after a passenger train collided with a school minibus at a level crossing in Belgium on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred in Buggenhout, in the province of East Flanders, approximately 30 kilometres north-west of Brussels. Emergency services were deployed shortly after 8am local time following reports that a train had struck a minibus…

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]]> Bangers and cash: two arrested in sausage smuggling case https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/15/bangers-and-cash-two-arrested-in-sausage-smuggling-case/ Fri, 15 May 2026 12:01:32 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=569173 Illegal contraband is constantly being smuggled across borders from knock-off merchandise to drugs and weapons, and even, apparently, sausages. French police recently arrested two Belgians for illegally smuggling currywurst, frikandel and merguez sausages across the France-Belgium border. Crime doesn’t sleep, but it does snack. The arrests were made as part of a larger investigation into the…

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]]> Belgian farmers resort to bizarre, archaic methods, and not everyone is happy about it https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/11/belgian-farmers-resort-to-bizarre-archaic-methods-and-not-everyone-is-happy-about-it/ Mon, 11 May 2026 09:52:20 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=568764 Reports from Belgian countryside areas describe farmers resorting to more ancient methods of scaring away crows and other pests, but not everyone is pleased with the archaic method. The act of suspending dead crows or magpies on poles in the middle of crop fields has been making a comeback as a tried-and-tested method of deterring living birds through a stark visual warning.

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]]> Watch people compete in Europe’s strangest seagull screeching contest https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/27/europes-strangest-competition-seagull-screeching-championship-takes-over-belgian-coast/ Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:40:44 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=567599 In a world of ultra-polished talent shows, one European contest is proving that chaos – and a very convincing squawk – might be far more entertaining. On Sunday April 26, the quiet Belgian seaside town of De Panne erupted with shrieks, feathers and applause as dozens of competitors gathered for the annual European Seagull Screeching Championship: a delightfully bizarre event that’s rapidly…

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]]> This airline is ending free hand luggage on cheapest tickets https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/24/this-airline-is-ending-free-hand-luggage-on-cheapest-tickets/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:03:42 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=567398 Passengers booking the cheapest Brussels Airlines tickets on short and medium haul routes are about to see a major change. Free cabin bags will no longer be included on the lowest fare, meaning many travellers who want to bring a standard hand luggage case will have to pay more. The move forms part of a wider shake up across the Lufthansa Group and is likely to affect people who have grown used…

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]]> Belgium launches new emergency warning campaign and wants residents ready before the next crisis https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/23/belgium-launches-new-emergency-warning-campaign-and-wants-residents-ready-before-the-next-crisis/ Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:20:15 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=567319 Belgium is asking people to do something many only think about when there is already a problem. Get prepared before the emergency starts. The country’s National Crisis Centre has launched a four year public campaign encouraging residents to be ready for events such as severe weather, power cuts, gas outages and other sudden disruptions. The first focus is simple but important: know where to get…

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]]> Forget the plane: new night train from Brussels to Milan launches this September https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/12/forget-the-plane-new-night-train-from-brussels-to-milan-launches-this-september/ Sun, 12 Apr 2026 20:59:00 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=566358 A new overnight train linking Brussels and Milan will start running on September 9, 2026, giving travellers a very different option from the usual short flight. Instead of rushing through airports, passengers can leave in the evening, sleep on board and wake up as the train crosses the Alps. For many, that alone is enough to make it worth considering. The service, operated by European Sleeper…

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]]> Cheap as chips: price of potatoes falls to €0 in Belgium https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/10/cheap-as-chips-price-of-potatoes-falls-toe0-in-belgium/ Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:14:56 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=566169 The saying “cheap as chips” has never been truer than in Belgium, where the price of potatoes has fallen to €0 Belgium currently faces a significant potato surplus, with the VRT reporting around 860,000 tons of unsold potatoes stored in long-term facilities. The oversupply reflects weaker-than-expected demand from the processing sector, particularly for frozen potato products such as chips.

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]]> EU commission calls for lower motorway speeds and teleworking to save fuel https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/31/eu-commission-calls-for-lower-motorway-speeds-and-teleworking-to-save-fuel/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/31/eu-commission-calls-for-lower-motorway-speeds-and-teleworking-to-save-fuel/#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2026 20:07:08 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=565404 The European Commission has urged member states to adopt measures aimed at reducing fuel consumption, citing rising geopolitical tensions and instability in global energy markets. Officials stressed that while Europe is not facing an immediate oil shortage, proactive steps are necessary to prevent sudden price spikes and to ensure that supplies remain stable. The appeal highlights three main…

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]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/31/eu-commission-calls-for-lower-motorway-speeds-and-teleworking-to-save-fuel/feed/ 3 Belgian supermarket giant makes waves with a €29 ‘survival food kit’ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/31/belgian-supermarket-giant-makes-waves-with-a-e29-survival-food-kit/ Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:18:30 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=565378 A major European supermarket chain is tapping into growing public anxiety around emergencies by rolling out ready-made food survival kits designed to keep households going for 24 hours. Belgium-based retailer Colruyt has begun selling compact “basic packs” filled with essential food and supplies, marking a shift in how supermarkets are responding to consumer fears around disruptions…

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]]> Ancient bell discovered in Bruges garden could be the oldest ever found in Flanders https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/25/ancient-bell-discovered-in-bruges-garden-could-be-the-oldest-ever-found-in-flanders/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:57:55 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=564859 In a city famed for its canals, cobbled streets and medieval skyline, it’s easy to assume Bruges has already given up all its secrets. But a recent discovery suggests otherwise. What may be the oldest bell ever found in Flanders was unearthed, not in a church tower or museum archive, but in the back garden of a private home. The unexpected find has quickly captured the attention of historians…

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]]> Belgian PM warns of growing terror threat after explosion damages synagogue in Liège https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/13/belgian-pm-warns-of-growing-terror-threat-after-explosion-damages-synagogue-in-liege/ Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:40:29 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=563833 Belgium’s prime minister has warned of a growing terrorism threat in Europe following an explosion that damaged a synagogue in the eastern Belgian city of Liège, an incident that authorities are investigating as a possible antisemitic attack. The blast occurred in the early hours of the morning outside the synagogue building in the Walloon city, causing structural damage to the entrance and…

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]]> First Belgian evacuation flight lands in Brussels as hundreds flee escalating Middle East crisis https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/09/first-belgian-evacuation-flight-lands-in-brussels-as-hundreds-flee-escalating-middle-east-crisis/ Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:23:36 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=563424 A Belgian evacuation flight carrying citizens stranded in the Middle East has arrived at Brussels Airport in Zaventem on Sunday March 8, as the government begins a complex operation to bring nationals home from a rapidly deteriorating security situation in the region. The aircraft touched down early Sunday morning, with passengers stepping onto Belgian soil after days of uncertainty as conflict…

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]]> Belgian adventurer Koen Darras sets sights on historic first solo kitesurf crossing of the Atlantic in 2026 https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/07/belgian-adventurer-koen-darras-sets-sights-on-historic-first-solo-kitesurf-crossing-of-the-atlantic-in-2026/ Sat, 07 Mar 2026 10:46:55 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=563278 Belgian extreme sports fanatic Koen Darras is preparing to make history as the first person to cross the Atlantic Ocean solo by kitesurf. The 37-year-old from Torhout plans to embark on this daring 5,000-kilometre (approximately 3,000 nautical miles) adventure starting in November 2026. The expedition will launch from the Canary Islands off Africa’s northwest coast, heading to Cape Verde…

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]]> Brussels airport strikes – everything travellers need to know for next week https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/05/brussels-airport-cancels-all-departing-flights-on-march-12-as-nationwide-strike-hits-belgium/ Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:28:06 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=563150 All departing passenger flights from Brussels Airport will be cancelled on Thursday March 12 2026 after a nationwide strike by trade unions forced the hub to suspend outbound operations for the day. The airport confirmed that the decision was taken in coordination with airlines due to the expected participation of large numbers of security screeners and ground handling staff in a national…

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]]> Brussels Airport faces shutdown as nationwide strike threatens all departing flights https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/22/brussels-airport-faces-shutdown-as-nationwide-strike-threatens-all-departing-flights/ Sun, 22 Feb 2026 10:11:03 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=562124 Travellers planning to leave Belgium on March 12 2026 may need to rethink their plans. Brussels Airport is warning that a nationwide general strike could bring all departing flights to a standstill for an entire day, with airport operations expected to be heavily disrupted. The 24-hour strike notice, filed by Belgium’s major trade unions, is set to affect multiple sectors at once – and transport…

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]]> Spanish football fans clash with authorities and damage buses in Belgium https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/21/spanish-football-fans-clash-with-authorities-and-damage-buses-in-belgium/ Sat, 21 Feb 2026 08:51:02 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=562032 Spanish football supporters were at the centre of fresh unrest in Bruges, Belgium, this week as scenes of vandalism and confrontations marred the build-up to a high-profile European match involving Atlético Madrid. According to local reports, supporters clashed with stewards and damaged public transport vehicles, prompting concern among Belgian authorities and residents alike.

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]]> Split-second from disaster: SAS flight tries take off wrong way down taxi lane at Brussels airport https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/06/split-second-from-disaster-sas-flight-tries-take-off-wrong-way-down-taxi-lane-at-brussels-airport/ Fri, 06 Feb 2026 10:31:23 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=560606 A Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Airbus A320neo narrowly avoided a serious incident at Brussels Airport (Zaventem) when the crew began accelerating for takeoff on a taxiway instead of the assigned runway. The flight, operating as SK2590 from Brussels to Copenhagen, Denmark, was safely halted, with all passengers and crew evacuated without injuries. The aircraft, registered SE-ROM…

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]]> Second Belgian infant tests positive for dangerous cereulide toxin after consuming recalled formula https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/05/second-belgian-infant-tests-positive-for-dangerous-cereulide-toxin-after-consuming-recalled-formula/ Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:14:48 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=560447 Belgian health authorities have confirmed that a second baby in the Flanders region tested positive for traces of the bacterial toxin cereulide after consuming an infant milk product that was part of a widespread recall earlier this year. Laboratory analyses of the baby’s stool revealed the presence of the toxin – a substance produced by Bacillus cereus bacteria that can cause vomiting…

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]]> Belgium’s 5-day national rail strike: What train services are operating this week https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/26/belgiums-5-day-national-rail-strike-what-train-services-are-operating-this-week/ Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:31:08 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=559548 Belgium’s national railway system is in the midst of a five-day strike that began late on Sunday January 25 and continues until the evening of Friday January 30 2026. The stoppage, called by several major rail unions, targets planned reforms to employment conditions, pension arrangements and budget cuts affecting the national rail operator SNCB/NMBS and infrastructure manager Infrabel.

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]]> Brussels says it is ready to respond as Trump raises tariff threats https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/19/brussels-says-it-is-ready-to-respond-as-trump-raises-tariff-threats/ Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:04:41 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=558909 The European Union says it is prepared to respond to any new trade measures imposed by US President Donald Trump, while stressing that restraint and dialogue remain its preferred approach as tensions over tariffs return to the political agenda. Speaking in Brussels, European Commission officials confirm that the EU has the necessary tools to protect its economic interests if Washington proceeds…

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]]> Dalí in the dump! Charity shop hero saves surrealist treasure from the skip https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/17/dali-in-the-dump-charity-shop-hero-saves-surrealist-treasure-from-the-skip/ Sat, 17 Jan 2026 09:18:20 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=558706 An employee at a charity shop in Ghent, Belgium has pulled off the ultimate art-world save after rescuing a Salvador Dalí artwork that was moments away from being thrown out. Yes – Dalí in the dump very nearly became a reality. The unlikely art rescue unfolded at a branch of Kringwinkel on Getouwstraat, where staff member Nicolas Bracke was sorting through donated items when he spotted something…

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]]> A major upgrade in the air: Brussels Airlines to offer free WiFi https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/01/14/a-major-upgrade-in-the-air-brussels-airlines-to-offer-free-wifi/ Wed, 14 Jan 2026 07:59:26 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=558395 For years, flying with Brussels Airlines has meant one thing: once the plane took off, you were offline. No messages, no emails, no scrolling – just the sky and your thoughts. That is finally about to change. The airline has announced plans to introduce free, ultra-fast WiFi on board, allowing passengers to stay connected throughout their flight. It’s a major shift for Brussels Airlines…

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]]> Flights grounded, passengers stuck: Strikes hit Brussels airport hard in 2025 https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/12/27/flights-grounded-passengers-stuck-strikes-hit-brussels-airport-hard-in-2025/ Sat, 27 Dec 2025 18:05:47 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=557065 If you flew through Brussels Airport this year, chances are you felt it. Missed flights, last-minute cancellations, packed terminals and mounting frustration became part of the routine in 2025, as strike action repeatedly brought Belgium’s main airport to a halt. New figures now put a clear number on the disruption. According to data shared by MP Kjell Vander Elst (Open VLD)…

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