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The European Commission is preparing to release up to €17 billion in previously frozen EU funds to Hungary after a major political shift in the country’s leadership, triggering renewed debate over how European Union money is used and what conditions are attached to it. The funding package includes about €10.4 billion from the EU’s post-Covid Recovery and Resilience Facility and another €6–7 billion from cohesion policy funds that had been blocked for years. The money was withheld over concerns related to rule of law, judicial independence, anti-corruption safeguards, and academic freedom standards. Hungary had remained the only EU member state…
Financial technology company Wise has confirmed that it is cooperating with the Brussels prosecutor’s office after being asked to respond to questions about its business operations, according to a company statement. The London-listed firm said it is working with authorities but stressed that no specific findings have been presented so far and that the inquiry remains at an early stage. It added that any speculation about potential allegations would be premature. Wise Group PLC, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker Wise, said the engagement with Belgian authorities is part of standard procedures that apply to…
A Himalayan climate dialogue Brussels event brought diplomats, scientists, and international officials together in Belgium to discuss the growing impact of climate change on the Himalayan region and the urgent need for stronger global cooperation and financing. The event, titled “Dialogue on Climate Change and its Impact on the Himalayas,” was organised by the Embassy of Nepal in Brussels at the European External Action Service (EEAS). It was held on Friday to mark International Everest Day, which commemorates the first successful ascent of Mount Everest and highlights the global significance of mountain ecosystems. According to the embassy, the dialogue focused…
The European Union has stepped up its response to violence and settlement activity in the occupied West Bank by introducing new EU West Bank sanctions against individuals and organisations it says are linked to abuse and coercion against الفلسطيني communities. The move signals a stronger and more structured approach from Brussels, using its global human rights sanctions system to apply direct pressure. The latest package includes restrictive measures against four settler organisations and three individuals. The groups listed are Nachala Settlement Movement, Regavim, Hashomer Yosh, and Amana. The individuals named in the sanctions are Daniella Weiss, Meir Deutsch, and Avichai…
Brussels launches major spring clean of city centre with steam cleaning ahead of summer tourism season Brussels has begun a large-scale spring cleaning operation across its city centre as authorities prepare the Belgian capital for the busy summer season. The campaign will run for around 10 days and aims to refresh public spaces, remove dirt and graffiti, and improve the overall appearance of key urban areas. The initiative covers a wide range of public infrastructure. Cleaning teams are working on benches, street signs, litter bins, lampposts, cycle racks, flower boxes, drinking fountains, kiosks, walls, and public toilets. Officials say no…
Residents have been evacuated after a major fire broke out at a textile warehouse in Tubize, a town southwest of Brussels in Belgium, amid fears that stored gas canisters inside the building could trigger explosions. Local authorities moved quickly to clear nearby streets after emergency services warned of a serious risk to surrounding homes. Officials said the presence of pressurised gas containers inside the burning warehouse made the situation particularly dangerous. Tubize Mayor Samuel d’Orazio Samuel d’Orazio confirmed that residents living closest to the site were ordered to leave immediately as firefighters worked to control the blaze and reduce the…
The municipality of Ixelles in Brussels has introduced new rules to control the rapid growth of student housing. Local officials say the move is needed to prevent what they describe as a “speculative bubble” in the student accommodation market. The decision comes as the area continues to attract large numbers of students and new housing projects. Ixelles is known as one of the main student hubs in Brussels. Nearly 45% of students in the region study in the municipality. This is mainly due to the presence of major universities such as Université libre de Bruxelles and Vrije Universiteit Brussel. As…
Brussels has begun a major effort to remove thousands of concrete blocks placed across the city over the past decade. The move is part of a wider plan to improve public spaces and reshape the urban landscape. Officials say the project will gradually dismantle around 3,000 blocks placed in streets, intersections, and public areas. The first symbolic removal took place on Avenue de la Toison d’Or near Porte de Namur, on the border between Ixelles and the City of Brussels. The event was attended by President Boris Dilliès of the Reformist Movement (MR), Secretary of State for Urban Planning Audrey…
Around 30 passengers were evacuated from Simonis metro station in Brussels on Saturday evening after reports of breathing difficulties and irritation inside the station. Emergency services responded quickly as several people reported feeling unwell shortly after 21:30 local time. According to the Brussels fire brigade, emergency teams assessed around 15 passengers on site. Two individuals were taken to hospital for further medical care, while the remaining passengers were treated at the scene. Authorities believe the incident may have been caused by the use of pepper spray inside the metro station, which spread through the enclosed space and affected commuters. Investigators…
A rainy night on the outskirts of Charleroi sets the scene for a job that most people only see in films. A woman sits alone inside an unmarked car, watching quietly as strangers pass by. When police stop to check on her, she calmly shows her licence. Moments later, they leave. She is not a spy or bodyguard, but a private investigator working in Belgium. The investigator, Roxane, now runs her own agency called RB Investigations. Before entering the profession, she spent 15 years working in real estate. She later decided to change careers after selling her business stake and…
