Author: OMN AI

BRUSSELS — Belgium is watching the spread of West Nile virus after tests found the mosquito borne virus in animals and mosquitoes around Mechelen. The finding has raised concern about possible human infections, but experts say there is no reason for panic. Mechelen city authorities issued a warning after tests showed that West Nile virus is circulating among horses and mosquitoes in the area. Hospitals and doctors were asked to keep the virus in mind when checking patients with possible symptoms. The Red Cross has also taken action. From Monday, it began testing blood donors from the area around Vilvoorde,…

BRUSSELS — Gun violence is rising again in the Belgian capital, with a new run of shootings raising fresh concern about public safety. Police and local leaders are facing pressure to stop drug gangs from using streets in Brussels for violent disputes. Federal police recorded 57 shootings across the 19 municipalities of the Brussels Capital Region in the first seven months of 2026. The shootings caused two deaths and 21 injuries by the end of July. The figure puts Brussels on track for another very high year for gun crime. The latest incidents have added to that concern. On Monday…

New European packaging rules are now raising fresh questions in Belgium about a possible deposit return system for plastic bottles and cans. The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation began applying on 12 August 2026. It replaces the EU’s older packaging waste framework and introduces common rules for packaging across the bloc. The regulation covers packaging made from plastic, paper, glass, metal, wood and other materials. It aims to reduce waste and improve recycling across Europe. For Belgium, one of the biggest questions is whether the country will need to introduce a national deposit system for drinks containers. Such a…

Brussels is facing growing concern over gun violence after police recorded 57 shootings in the capital during the first seven months of 2026. The incidents took place across the 19 municipalities of the Brussels Capital Region. The shootings caused two deaths and left 21 people injured by the end of July. The pace has raised fears that Brussels could pass last year’s record if the current trend continues. Police recorded 101 shootings across Brussels during the whole of 2025. Those attacks caused eight deaths and 43 injuries. The number of deaths and injuries this year is lower so far. Yet…

Brussels is adding a new twist to its leisure scene. Across the city and nearby areas, people can now throw axes, smash old objects and try virtual shooting games. These activities are part of a growing trend that gives people a more active way to spend their free time. For years, Brussels has been known for beer, chocolate, food and historic sights. Now, some businesses are betting that visitors and locals want something louder and more physical. The rise of Brussels rage rooms and axe throwing shows that the city’s leisure market is changing. Axe throwing is one of the…

Belgium is dealing with the damage left by its largest wildfire in more than a century. The High Fens wildfire burned about 3,000 hectares of land in eastern Belgium. The blaze began on 14 August in the High Fens nature reserve, near the German border. It spread fast through dry peat, heath and pine trees. The fire was brought under control on 20 August after seven days of hard work. Local officials said the blaze should not spread again unless there is a major change in the weather or another unexpected event. Still, the danger has not fully gone. Hot…

Brussels is entering a busy final weekend of summer events, with music, dance, food and family activities across the city. Saturday, August 22, is one of the main days of the weekend programme. Several events are taking place across the Belgian capital, giving residents and visitors many ways to enjoy the summer before the new school year begins. One of the main events is the Brussels Dance Festival. The free open-air festival is running until Sunday, August 23. It brings dance shows and music to several central areas of the city. The festival includes many styles of dance. Visitors can…

Wildfires across Europe are revealing a hidden danger left from the two world wars. Old bombs, mines and other weapons are being exposed by flames and heat. Belgium is among the countries facing this risk. Some of the old weapons have also exploded. Blasts have been reported in Belgium and other parts of Europe. The danger is greatest in places where heavy fighting took place during the First and Second World Wars. Belgium has a long history of war on its soil. Many areas still contain weapons that were never found or removed. For decades, soil, plants and forests have…

Belgium’s largest wildfire in more than a century has been brought under control after a week-long battle involving hundreds of firefighters, aircraft crews, and emergency teams working across the High Fens nature reserve. Authorities announced that the fire, which burned for seven days in eastern Belgium, is no longer spreading and has been contained across the affected area. Officials cautioned that the situation will continue to be monitored closely, particularly because weather conditions can change rapidly and create new risks. The wildfire swept through the High Fens, a protected nature reserve located near the German border. The area is known…

The suspension of an American academic at a Belgian university has sparked an international debate about academic freedom, institutional accountability, and the responsibilities of universities when dealing with controversial research and public criticism. The dispute centers on Nathan Cofnas, an American postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University in Belgium. Cofnas recently became the focus of public attention after publishing allegations of plagiarism against Jason Arday, a professor at the University of Cambridge. Arday, who became the youngest Black professor at Cambridge in 2023, was found dead at his home in London earlier this month. His death followed a period of intense…