Two Swedish nationals have been shot dead and a third person injured in Brussels, in an attack that prosecutors are treating as terrorism. Brussels is on its highest terror alert as the gunman, who appeared to have an assault rifle, remains at large. With two ‘motivated by Israel-Hamas war’ attacks within 24 hours, the European Union leaders are now scheduled to hold an emergency summit on Tuesday.

How the Israel-Hamas war is keeping Europe at the edge

Two Swedish Nationals have been shot tent and a third person injured in Brussels in an attack which prosecutors are treating as terrorism. Brussels is on its highest Terror alert as the gunman who appeared to have an assault rifle remains at large in Europe. Belgium's Euro 2024 qualifier against Sweden was suspended at half-time and subsequently abandoned.

Brussels shooting: 'Europe shaken' after two Swedes shot dead

Belgium: Two Swedes shot dead in Brussels, Belgium raises top-level alert

Brussels shooting: Suspected gunman 'neutralised' after Brussels attack

Brussels shooting: How Israel-Hamas war is keeping Europe at the edge?

Euro 2024 qualifier between Sweden and Belgium was abandoned after terrorist attack in Brussels. It is on its highest terror alert as the gunman who appeared to have an assault rifle remains at large in Europe. Belgium's Euro 2024 qualifier against Sweden was suspended at half-time and subsequently abandoned.

Euro 2024 qualifiers: Sweden-Belgium match abandoned after terror attack in Brussels

Brussels shooting: Belgian police hunt for gunman with suspected terrorist motives

France, Belgium and Portugal all blinked with a Euro 2024 place in their grasps but clung on for one-goal victories on Friday night which made them the first sides to qualify for next year's tournament.

Belgium led by three goals in Vienna and won 3-2 with 10 men to ensure a top-two finish in Group F and a ticket to the finals in Germany.&nbsp;

France led by two Kylian Mbappe goals in Amsterdam and beat the depleted Dutch 2-1.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/all-streaks-are-meant-to-be-broken-babar-azam-shrugs-off-past-records-ahead-of-india-pakistan-world-cup-tie-646407">All streaks are meant to be broken: Babar Azam shrugs off past records ahead of India-Pakistan World Cup tie</a>

Cristiano Ronaldo was another to score twice but Portugal also wobbled with a two-goal lead before beating Slovakia 3-2 in Porto in Group J.

In Amsterdam, Mbappe leapt to hook home a volley after seven minutes and then added a second eight minutes into the second half with a sumptuous curler.

It was his 42nd international goal, overtaking French legend Michel Platini and putting him fourth in the all-time list.

Quilindschy Hartman replied on his Dutch debut but Mbappe almost clinched his hat-trick, when his late drive hit the crossbar.

"We mustn't get carried away, but we must appreciate and not trivialise things," said France coach Didier Deschamps.

"To qualify with two games to go, with six wins, 13 goals scored and just one conceded, I'm very proud of what the group has achieved, both in terms of spirit and on the pitch."

"We got the result we wanted, we achieved our objective."

Greece won 2-0 in Dublin to eliminate Ireland and pull clear of the Dutch.

Giorgos Giakoumakis and Giorgos Masouras scored in the first half for the 2004 European champions who moved three points clear of the Dutch.

The two nations meet on Monday in Athens.

<h2>Ronaldo double</h2>

Unbeaten Belgium survived an Austria fightback in Vienna.

Dodi Lukebakio, with his first two international goals, and captain Romelu Lukaku with his ninth of the campaign, put Belgium 3-0 up after 58 minutes.

Konrad Laimer replied with a long-range drive. With Belgium reduced to 10 men when Amadou Onana collected a second yellow card, Arthur Theate handled in his own box with six minutes left.&nbsp;

Marcel Sabitzer converted the penalty to make it an anxious last few minutes for the Belgians.&nbsp;

But they held out to secure a third straight trip to the Euros. The Red Devils' last Euro qualifying loss was a 1-0 defeat in Wales in June 2015.

Austria remains seven points clear of idle Sweden, who have a game in hand.

Cristiano Ronaldo moved to 125 international goals as the Portuguese made it seven wins from seven matches in Group J.&nbsp;

They have 21 points which ensures them a top two finish.

Goncalo Ramos had opened the scoring for Portugal. Ronaldo then converted a penalty.

David Hancko's deflected strike gave Slovakia hope – the first goal Portugal had conceded in qualifying – but Ronaldo soon tapped in a Bruno Fernandes cross. Stanislav Lobotka's long-range strike made for a nervy finale but Portugal held on.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is having a great time, playing a lot of minutes and scoring a lot of goals for his club," said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez.

"He has a lot of experience with the national team and he's a reference point for young players."

Slovakia stayed second in the group, but the pursuers inched closer.

Third-place Luxembourg drew 1-1 in Iceland to close to two points behind Slovakia who visit the Duchy on Monday.

Bosnia and Herzegovina are&nbsp;a further two points back after beating Liechtenstein 2-0 with first-half goals from Amar Rahmanovic and Miroslav Stevanovic.

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France, Belgium and Portugal all blinked with a Euro 2024 place in their grasps but clung on for one-goal victories on Friday night which made them the first sides to qualify for next year's tournament.

France, Belgium and Portugal all blinked with a Euro 2024 place in their grasps but clung on for one-goal victories on Friday night which made them the first sides to qualify for next year's tournament. Belgium led by three goals in Vienna and won 3-2 with 10 men to ensure a top-two finish in Group F and a ticket to the finals in Germany. France led by two Kylian Mbappe goals in Amsterdam and beat the depleted Dutch 2-1. Also Read: All streaks are meant to be broken: Babar Azam shrugs off past records ahead of India-Pakistan World Cup tie Cristiano Ronaldo was another to score twice but Portugal also wobbled with a two-goal lead before beating Slovakia 3-2 in Porto in Group J. In Amsterdam, Mbappe leapt to hook home a volley after seven minutes and then added a second eight minutes into the second half with a sumptuous curler. It was his 42nd international goal, overtaking French legend Michel Platini and putting him fourth in the all-time list. Quilindschy Hartman replied on his Dutch debut but Mbappe almost clinched his hat-trick, when his late drive hit the crossbar. "We mustn't get carried away, but we must appreciate and not trivialise things," said France coach Didier Deschamps. "To qualify with two games to go, with six wins, 13 goals scored and just one conceded, I'm very proud of what the group has achieved, both in terms of spirit and on the pitch." "We got the result we wanted, we achieved our objective." Greece won 2-0 in Dublin to eliminate Ireland and pull clear of the Dutch. Giorgos Giakoumakis and Giorgos Masouras scored in the first half for the 2004 European champions who moved three points clear of the Dutch. The two nations meet on Monday in Athens. Ronaldo double Unbeaten Belgium survived an Austria fightback in Vienna. Dodi Lukebakio, with his first two international goals, and captain Romelu Lukaku with his ninth of the campaign, put Belgium 3-0 up after 58 minutes. Konrad Laimer replied with a long-range drive. With Belgium reduced to 10 men when Amadou Onana collected a second yellow card, Arthur Theate handled in his own box with six minutes left. Marcel Sabitzer converted the penalty to make it an anxious last few minutes for the Belgians. But they held out to secure a third straight trip to the Euros. The Red Devils' last Euro qualifying loss was a 1-0 defeat in Wales in June 2015. Austria remains seven points clear of idle Sweden, who have a game in hand. Cristiano Ronaldo moved to 125 international goals as the Portuguese made it seven wins from seven matches in Group J. They have 21 points which ensures them a top two finish. Goncalo Ramos had opened the scoring for Portugal. Ronaldo then converted a penalty. David Hancko's deflected strike gave Slovakia hope – the first goal Portugal had conceded in qualifying – but Ronaldo soon tapped in a Bruno Fernandes cross. Stanislav Lobotka's long-range strike made for a nervy finale but Portugal held on. "Cristiano Ronaldo is having a great time, playing a lot of minutes and scoring a lot of goals for his club," said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez. "He has a lot of experience with the national team and he's a reference point for young players." Slovakia stayed second in the group, but the pursuers inched closer. Third-place Luxembourg drew 1-1 in Iceland to close to two points behind Slovakia who visit the Duchy on Monday. Bosnia and Herzegovina are a further two points back after beating Liechtenstein 2-0 with first-half goals from Amar Rahmanovic and Miroslav Stevanovic. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Football: France, Belgium and Portugal qualify for Euro 2024 with last gasp wins

Belgium is expecting to collect 2.3 billion euros ($2.4 billion) in taxes it will get on frozen Russian asset, to use in reconstructing Ukraine. Group of Seven (G7) countries along with the European Union (EU) have been discussing if they could use the interest incurred on over 300 billion euros of immobilised Russian public money to fund Ukraine.

Over 200 billion frozen assets have been held in Europe and 125 billion of them are managed by Belgian clearing house Euroclear.

The European Commission said in July that it would put forth a proposal on whether these funds could legally be used after in-principle nod from G7. Unites States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday said that the Biden administration was supporting taxing windfall proceeds from these assets.

Belgium has gone ahead on its own and has decided using the tax paid on the interest. It has said previously in May that it would use 92 million euros it had already received in taxes.

"We only needed EU approval to use the interest. We are simply applying the Belgian tax code, which is our competence," a spokesperson for Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said.

It is expected that Belgium will collect 625 million euros from 2023 tax revenues on frozen Russian assets. It is estimated that it will collect 1.7 billion euros in 2024.

"Last year, it was very clear to us that the taxation on the proceeds of those assets should go 100% to the Ukrainian population," De Croo told reporters earlier on Wednesday.

"That fund will be used for buying military equipment. We will do that in consultation; as well it will be used for humanitarian support."

Although frozen Russian assets are a problem for Russia, there are jitters on the Ukrainian side as well as fresh fears have arisen over certainty of continued US support.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year. The Western countries led by the US have poured in billions of dollars in humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. But there are voices in US political circles that are expressing that US help to Ukraine can't go on forever. President Joe Biden, however, has sought to assert that the US was serious about continued support to Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Belgium is expecting to collect 2.3 billion euros ($2.4 billion) in taxes it will get on frozen Russian asset, to use in reconstructing Ukraine. Group of Seven (G7) countries along with the European Union (EU) have been discussing if they could use the interest incurred on over 300 billion euros of immobilised Russian public money to fund Ukraine.

Belgium is expecting to collect 2.3 billion euros ($2.4 billion) in taxes it will get on frozen Russian asset, to use in reconstructing Ukraine. Group of Seven (G7) countries along with the European Union (EU) have been discussing if they could use the interest incurred on over 300 billion euros of immobilised Russian public money to fund Ukraine. Over 200 billion frozen assets have been held in Europe and 125 billion of them are managed by Belgian clearing house Euroclear. The European Commission said in July that it would put forth a proposal on whether these funds could legally be used after in-principle nod from G7. Unites States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday said that the Biden administration was supporting taxing windfall proceeds from these assets. Belgium has gone ahead on its own and has decided using the tax paid on the interest. It has said previously in May that it would use 92 million euros it had already received in taxes. "We only needed EU approval to use the interest. We are simply applying the Belgian tax code, which is our competence," a spokesperson for Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said. It is expected that Belgium will collect 625 million euros from 2023 tax revenues on frozen Russian assets. It is estimated that it will collect 1.7 billion euros in 2024. "Last year, it was very clear to us that the taxation on the proceeds of those assets should go 100% to the Ukrainian population," De Croo told reporters earlier on Wednesday. "That fund will be used for buying military equipment. We will do that in consultation; as well it will be used for humanitarian support." Although frozen Russian assets are a problem for Russia, there are jitters on the Ukrainian side as well as fresh fears have arisen over certainty of continued US support. Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year. The Western countries led by the US have poured in billions of dollars in humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. But there are voices in US political circles that are expressing that US help to Ukraine can't go on forever. President Joe Biden, however, has sought to assert that the US was serious about continued support to Ukraine. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Belgium plans to use tax on frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine

European Union (EU) has launched the first phase of its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)&nbsp;aimed at imposing CO2 emissions tariffs on various imported goods, including steel, cement, and more, reported Reuters. This initiative is designed to safeguard the EU's commitment to sustainability by preventing the influx of environmentally detrimental foreign products that could jeopardise its green transition. The proposal has sparked concerns among trade partners, with China's top climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, urging against unilateral actions, like the EU levy during a recent forum.

<h2>CBAM's initial phase</h2>

Although the EU will not start collecting CO2 emission charges at its borders until 2026, the commencement of CBAM's initial phase took place on Sunday (Oct 1).

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blast-reported-near-turkish-parliament-ahead-of-planned-session-641429">Suicide bomber triggers blast near Turkish parliament, another shot dead</a>

"To help EU importers and non-EU installations in the practical implementation of the new rules, a new CBAM transitional registry will become available on 1 October to help importers perform and report these calculations," the EU said in a statement.&nbsp;

During this phase, EU importers will be required to report the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of imported commodities, such as iron and steel, aluminium, cement, electricity, fertilizers, and hydrogen.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-caretaker-prime-minister-anwarul-haq-kakar-hints-military-picked-him-641537">Pakistan’s caretaker PM Kakar says military very strong, ‘picked’ him for post</a>

Starting in 2026, importers will need to purchase certificates to offset these CO2 emissions. This will bring them to a level playing field compared to EU industries that must acquire permits from the EU carbon market to mitigate their pollution.

"It will equalise the price of carbon between domestic products and imports. This will ensure that the EU's climate policies are not undermined by production relocating to countries with less ambitious green standards or by the replacement of EU products by more carbon-intensive imports," the EU said in a statement.&nbsp;

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As per the EU, CBAM is a WTO-compatible measure that will inspire global industries to watch out for greener and more sustainable technologies.

EU added, "Reviews of the CBAM's functioning and product scope during its transitional phase will be concluded before the start of the definitive period, as well as the feasibility of extending the scope of CBAM to other goods produced in ETS sectors."&nbsp;

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European Union (EU) has launched the first phase of its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) aimed at imposing CO2 emissions tariffs on various imported goods, including steel, cement, and more, reported Reuters.

European Union (EU) has launched the first phase of its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) aimed at imposing CO2 emissions tariffs on various imported goods, including steel, cement, and more, reported Reuters. This initiative is designed to safeguard the EU's commitment to sustainability by preventing the influx of environmentally detrimental foreign products that could jeopardise its green transition. The proposal has sparked concerns among trade partners, with China's top climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, urging against unilateral actions, like the EU levy during a recent forum. CBAM's initial phase Although the EU will not start collecting CO2 emission charges at its borders until 2026, the commencement of CBAM's initial phase took place on Sunday (Oct 1). Also Read | Suicide bomber triggers blast near Turkish parliament, another shot dead "To help EU importers and non-EU installations in the practical implementation of the new rules, a new CBAM transitional registry will become available on 1 October to help importers perform and report these calculations," the EU said in a statement. During this phase, EU importers will be required to report the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of imported commodities, such as iron and steel, aluminium, cement, electricity, fertilizers, and hydrogen. Also Read | Pakistan’s caretaker PM Kakar says military very strong, ‘picked’ him for post Starting in 2026, importers will need to purchase certificates to offset these CO2 emissions. This will bring them to a level playing field compared to EU industries that must acquire permits from the EU carbon market to mitigate their pollution. "It will equalise the price of carbon between domestic products and imports. This will ensure that the EU's climate policies are not undermined by production relocating to countries with less ambitious green standards or by the replacement of EU products by more carbon-intensive imports," the EU said in a statement. Watch | Bangladesh bars ex-PM Khaleda Zia from going abroad for treatment × As per the EU, CBAM is a WTO-compatible measure that will inspire global industries to watch out for greener and more sustainable technologies. EU added, "Reviews of the CBAM's functioning and product scope during its transitional phase will be concluded before the start of the definitive period, as well as the feasibility of extending the scope of CBAM to other goods produced in ETS sectors." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

EU launches world's first carbon border tax to bolster green transition

Belgium on Tuesday opened a memorial garden on the site where notorious serial killer Marc Dutroux imprisoned his young victims, more than a quarter of a century after his crimes shocked Europe.

Authorities in the city of Charleroi last year tore down the "house of horrors", in which Dutroux tortured and raped children in a soundproofed dungeon.

The fathers of two eight-year-old victims, Julie Lejeune and Melissa Russo, were there to formally inaugurate the tree-filled garden decorated with a mural of a child watching a kite soar into the sky.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/naked-aggression-biden-hits-hard-at-russia-for-prolonged-war-in-ukraine-637627">'Naked aggression': Biden hits hard at Russia for prolonged war in Ukraine</a>

"Thank you for preserving the memory of our little ones with this superb work," said Julie's father, Jean-Denis Lejeune, after a minute's silence.

He said it was important to remember that paedophilia "existed and that it still exists".

Sentenced in 2004 to life imprisonment, Dutroux, today aged 66, was found guilty on charges including kidnapping and raping six girls and young women from 1995-1996, and the murder of two of the teenagers.

The modest red-brick building in the Marcinelle suburb of Charleroi became infamous when in August 1996 Dutroux led police to two kidnapped girls, aged 14 and 12, cowering in the basement.

The investigation into Belgium's worst paedophile crimes established that Julie and Melissa had also been held at the property for months.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-republicans-to-hold-first-impeachment-hearing-against-president-biden-next-week-637624">US House Republicans to hold first impeachment hearing against President Biden next week</a>

Their bodies were found buried at another property. A postmortem showed they had been starved to death.

'Marked for eternity'

Public shock turned to fury as it emerged not only that police had missed a string of clues, but that Dutroux had been released from jail in 1992 after serving just three years of a 13-year sentence for the abduction and rape of five girls.

"There isn't anyone in Belgium who hasn't heard of these disappearances," said Charleroi mayor Paul Magnette.

"It was a tragedy of sufficiently universal scope that it must be marked for eternity."

Gino Russo, the father of victim Melissa, thanked the city for agreeing to his "express demand" that the underground dungeon be preserved beneath the monument.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/un-needs-to-change-with-changing-world-expert-637637">UN needs to change with changing world: Expert</a>

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Russo believes that important questions in the case remain unanswered and asked the basement be left intact for potential future investigations.

He told AFP it was "impossible" Melissa and Julie could have survived in the cramped cellar of just a few square metres for over 100 days without outside care.

"My indignation remains undiminished, it has not been appeased," he said.

Dutroux dropped a bid for parole in 2020 after a psychiatric report concluded he remained dangerous.

His former wife Michelle Martin, who was found guilty of aiding him, and a co-conspirator have already been released from jail.

Authorities also demolished another house this year in the village of Sars-la-Buissiere, where the bodies of Julie and Melissa were discovered.

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Belgium on Tuesday opened a memorial garden on the site where notorious serial killer Marc Dutroux imprisoned his young victims, more than a quarter of a century after his crimes shocked Europe.

Belgium on Tuesday opened a memorial garden on the site where notorious serial killer Marc Dutroux imprisoned his young victims, more than a quarter of a century after his crimes shocked Europe. Authorities in the city of Charleroi last year tore down the "house of horrors", in which Dutroux tortured and raped children in a soundproofed dungeon. The fathers of two eight-year-old victims, Julie Lejeune and Melissa Russo, were there to formally inaugurate the tree-filled garden decorated with a mural of a child watching a kite soar into the sky. Also Read | 'Naked aggression': Biden hits hard at Russia for prolonged war in Ukraine "Thank you for preserving the memory of our little ones with this superb work," said Julie's father, Jean-Denis Lejeune, after a minute's silence. He said it was important to remember that paedophilia "existed and that it still exists". Sentenced in 2004 to life imprisonment, Dutroux, today aged 66, was found guilty on charges including kidnapping and raping six girls and young women from 1995-1996, and the murder of two of the teenagers. The modest red-brick building in the Marcinelle suburb of Charleroi became infamous when in August 1996 Dutroux led police to two kidnapped girls, aged 14 and 12, cowering in the basement. The investigation into Belgium's worst paedophile crimes established that Julie and Melissa had also been held at the property for months. Also Read | US House Republicans to hold first impeachment hearing against President Biden next week Their bodies were found buried at another property. A postmortem showed they had been starved to death. 'Marked for eternity' Public shock turned to fury as it emerged not only that police had missed a string of clues, but that Dutroux had been released from jail in 1992 after serving just three years of a 13-year sentence for the abduction and rape of five girls. "There isn't anyone in Belgium who hasn't heard of these disappearances," said Charleroi mayor Paul Magnette. "It was a tragedy of sufficiently universal scope that it must be marked for eternity." Gino Russo, the father of victim Melissa, thanked the city for agreeing to his "express demand" that the underground dungeon be preserved beneath the monument. Watch | UN needs to change with changing world: Expert × Russo believes that important questions in the case remain unanswered and asked the basement be left intact for potential future investigations. He told AFP it was "impossible" Melissa and Julie could have survived in the cramped cellar of just a few square metres for over 100 days without outside care. "My indignation remains undiminished, it has not been appeased," he said. Dutroux dropped a bid for parole in 2020 after a psychiatric report concluded he remained dangerous. His former wife Michelle Martin, who was found guilty of aiding him, and a co-conspirator have already been released from jail. Authorities also demolished another house this year in the village of Sars-la-Buissiere, where the bodies of Julie and Melissa were discovered. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Belgium opens memorial on site of serial killer's 'horror house'

A Belgian court on Friday handed out sentences ranging up to life in prison to eight men for the 2016 jihadist bombings in Brussels, ending the country's largest-ever criminal trial.

Belgian court sentences men behind Brussels bombings 2016

An Irish tourist, on holiday in Belgium, was captured climbing a historic statue outside the Brussels stock exchange, causing a portion of it to break off. This is the latest in a spate of bad tourist behaviour incidents.&nbsp;

The incident, which was first reported by local newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, took place on Sunday (September 10).

The man was allegedly drunk and wanted to have his photo clicked while sitting on the back of the statue that comprises a lion and a figure of a man with a torch in hand, as per local media reports.

The video of the incident, which has been doing rounds on social media, shows the man climbing on the statue, but when he tries to get down, he somehow loses his balance and holds on to the torch, causing it to break off.

He was later arrested at a fast-food restaurant that was located near the statue, according to Het Nieuwsblad.

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Belgium. <a href="https://t.co/Wa08vUYz6i">pic.twitter.com/Wa08vUYz6i</a>
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&nbsp;

"The police arrived at the scene and found the tourist a bit further away. He was temporarily held in police custody and will face criminal charges," Insider quoted Brussels police as saying.

The incident took place just a day after the statue was opened to the public after a three-year restoration project that cost 17,600 euros, or around $18,750.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-cities-kyiv-lviv-on-unescos-list-of-heritage-in-danger-636352">Ukrainian cities Kyiv, Lviv on UNESCO's list of heritage 'in danger'</a>

The Brussels Stock Exchange in a statement said that it expects the tourist to pay for the restoration of the statue that he broke.

"On Sunday evening, an Irish tourist in a merry mood wanted to climb onto the lion in front of the Brussels Stock Exchange building," project manager Nel Vandevennet of the renovated stock exchange building told VRT. In the process, the man broke off a newly restored sculpture 'The hand with a torch'."

"The repairs are going to cost a lot of money because the work will have to be done by real craftsmen. It is listed heritage and there will be follow-up from the monuments and landscapes agency of the Brussels region."

"We would like to carry out the repairs quickly, but it will surely take a few weeks or even months. The whole building has only just been restored to its former glory, including the two lions which were in a bad way. We thought the sculptures would enjoy greater respect. We just think it’s very sad this happened."

<h2>Bad tourist behaviour, bizarre things vacationers did</h2>

This summer, a woman stepped into Rome's iconic tourist attraction, Trevi Fountain, to fill her water bottle.&nbsp;

The clip, which was filmed on July 18 by an onlooker Lex Jones, who witnessed the bizarre incident, shows how the woman casually makes her way out of the 18th-century landmark before a guard confronts her.

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This tourist really walked across the Trevi Fountain to go fill up her water bottle.…🤦‍♂️ 
 
(via Lex Jones - storyful) <a href="https://t.co/9vxxZsmgCL">pic.twitter.com/9vxxZsmgCL</a>
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In another bizarre incident, a tourist, who was later identified as Ivan Dimitrov (27) from England, was seen carving his and his fiancee's names on the walls of the Colosseum using a key.

Dimitrov said that he was unaware of the antiquity of the ancient monument and then handed a letter of apology to Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri.

“Through these lines, I would like to address my heartfelt and honest apologies to the Italians and to the whole world for the damage caused to an asset which, in fact, is the heritage of all humanity,” he stated in the letter.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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An Irish tourist, on holiday in Belgium, was captured climbing a historic statue outside the Brussels stock exchange, causing a portion of it to break off. This is the latest in a spate of bad tourist behaviour incidents.

An Irish tourist, on holiday in Belgium, was captured climbing a historic statue outside the Brussels stock exchange, causing a portion of it to break off. This is the latest in a spate of bad tourist behaviour incidents. The incident, which was first reported by local newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, took place on Sunday (September 10). The man was allegedly drunk and wanted to have his photo clicked while sitting on the back of the statue that comprises a lion and a figure of a man with a torch in hand, as per local media reports. The video of the incident, which has been doing rounds on social media, shows the man climbing on the statue, but when he tries to get down, he somehow loses his balance and holds on to the torch, causing it to break off. He was later arrested at a fast-food restaurant that was located near the statue, according to Het Nieuwsblad. An Irish tourist has been arrested in Brussels for breaking off part of a statue outside the city's Stock Exchange building, one day after it was unveiled following £15,000 restoration. Belgium. pic.twitter.com/Wa08vUYz6i — Funny News Hub (@Funnynewshub) September 14, 2023 × "The police arrived at the scene and found the tourist a bit further away. He was temporarily held in police custody and will face criminal charges," Insider quoted Brussels police as saying. The incident took place just a day after the statue was opened to the public after a three-year restoration project that cost 17,600 euros, or around $18,750. Also read: Ukrainian cities Kyiv, Lviv on UNESCO's list of heritage 'in danger' The Brussels Stock Exchange in a statement said that it expects the tourist to pay for the restoration of the statue that he broke. "On Sunday evening, an Irish tourist in a merry mood wanted to climb onto the lion in front of the Brussels Stock Exchange building," project manager Nel Vandevennet of the renovated stock exchange building told VRT. In the process, the man broke off a newly restored sculpture 'The hand with a torch'." "The repairs are going to cost a lot of money because the work will have to be done by real craftsmen. It is listed heritage and there will be follow-up from the monuments and landscapes agency of the Brussels region." "We would like to carry out the repairs quickly, but it will surely take a few weeks or even months. The whole building has only just been restored to its former glory, including the two lions which were in a bad way. We thought the sculptures would enjoy greater respect. We just think it’s very sad this happened." Bad tourist behaviour, bizarre things vacationers did This summer, a woman stepped into Rome's iconic tourist attraction, Trevi Fountain, to fill her water bottle. The clip, which was filmed on July 18 by an onlooker Lex Jones, who witnessed the bizarre incident, shows how the woman casually makes her way out of the 18th-century landmark before a guard confronts her. This tourist really walked across the Trevi Fountain to go fill up her water bottle.…🤦‍♂️ (via Lex Jones - storyful) pic.twitter.com/9vxxZsmgCL — Growing Up Italian (@GrowingUpItalia) August 16, 2023 × In another bizarre incident, a tourist, who was later identified as Ivan Dimitrov (27) from England, was seen carving his and his fiancee's names on the walls of the Colosseum using a key. Dimitrov said that he was unaware of the antiquity of the ancient monument and then handed a letter of apology to Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri. “Through these lines, I would like to address my heartfelt and honest apologies to the Italians and to the whole world for the damage caused to an asset which, in fact, is the heritage of all humanity,” he stated in the letter. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH | Drunk Irish tourist climbs onto ‘heritage’ statue in Belgium, breaks it; arrested

A Belgian court on Friday (September 15) sentenced eight men to prison for their&nbsp; involvement in the twin bomb blasts that killed 32 people in the capital city of Belgium in 2016, the local media reported.&nbsp;

Six men convicted of murder and attempted murder for their role&nbsp;in the bombings were handed sentences ranging from 20 years to life in jail.&nbsp;

French citizen Salah Abdeslam and Belgian-Moroccan Mohamed Abrini, already given a life sentence by France for a&nbsp;2015 massacre in Paris, were the highest-profile of six culprits found guilty of murder last month.&nbsp;

The Belgian court said&nbsp;Abdeslam's prison sentence was enough and he did not receive a further sentence.&nbsp;He was seized in Brussels four days before the Belgian attacks, after fleeing the French capital.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Abrini, who fled the airport without detonating the bomb and testified the same during the proceedings was found guilty of being in one of the teams of the suicide bombers and handed a 30-year jail term.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Krayem, who is from Sweden, was accused of planning to be a second bomber on the Brussels&nbsp;metro. He was found guilty of murder along with defendants Ali El Haddad Asufi and Bilal El Makhoukhi and handed a life sentence.&nbsp;

Osama Atar, who is believed to have been killed in an air strike in Syria, was convicted in absentia of masterminding the attacks.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-hunter-biden-indicted-on-gun-charges-will-president-bidens-reputation-go-south-636434">Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Hunter Biden indicted on gun charges | Will President Biden's reputation go south?</a>

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<h2>What happened in Belgium?</h2>

Seven years ago on March 22, 2016, two jihadist attacks conducted by the Islamic State (IS) rocked the Belgian capital. Two suicide bombers set&nbsp;themselves off at&nbsp;Brussels Airport in Zaventem and&nbsp;on a train leaving Maalbeek/Maelbeek metro station in central Brussels. While 32 people were killed, more than 300 were injured in the attacks.&nbsp;

The attacks took place near the headquarters of both NATO and the EU. Subsequent investigation revealed they were part of a wave of attacks claimed by the IS in Europe.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-brussels-bombings-what-happened-in-2016-what-is-the-case-619506">Also read |&nbsp;Explained | Brussels bombings: What happened in 2016? What is the case?</a>

The bombings caused widespread devastation, leaving hundreds of travellers and transport staff severely injured. Years and countless court appearances later, the&nbsp;victims, their families, and rescuers continue to suffer from the trauma inflicted on that&nbsp;day.

The trial, which&nbsp;started at the end of last year, was held under tight security at the converted former headquarters of the NATO military alliance. The proceedings aimed to bring justice to those affected and hold the perpetrators accountable.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A Belgian court on Friday (September 15) sentenced eight men to prison for their involvement in the twin bomb blasts that killed 32 people in the capital city of Belgium in 2016, the local media reported.

A Belgian court on Friday (September 15) sentenced eight men to prison for their involvement in the twin bomb blasts that killed 32 people in the capital city of Belgium in 2016, the local media reported. Six men convicted of murder and attempted murder for their role in the bombings were handed sentences ranging from 20 years to life in jail. French citizen Salah Abdeslam and Belgian-Moroccan Mohamed Abrini, already given a life sentence by France for a 2015 massacre in Paris, were the highest-profile of six culprits found guilty of murder last month. The Belgian court said Abdeslam's prison sentence was enough and he did not receive a further sentence. He was seized in Brussels four days before the Belgian attacks, after fleeing the French capital. Meanwhile, Abrini, who fled the airport without detonating the bomb and testified the same during the proceedings was found guilty of being in one of the teams of the suicide bombers and handed a 30-year jail term. Krayem, who is from Sweden, was accused of planning to be a second bomber on the Brussels metro. He was found guilty of murder along with defendants Ali El Haddad Asufi and Bilal El Makhoukhi and handed a life sentence. Osama Atar, who is believed to have been killed in an air strike in Syria, was convicted in absentia of masterminding the attacks. Watch | Gravitas: Hunter Biden indicted on gun charges | Will President Biden's reputation go south? × What happened in Belgium? Seven years ago on March 22, 2016, two jihadist attacks conducted by the Islamic State (IS) rocked the Belgian capital. Two suicide bombers set themselves off at Brussels Airport in Zaventem and on a train leaving Maalbeek/Maelbeek metro station in central Brussels. While 32 people were killed, more than 300 were injured in the attacks. The attacks took place near the headquarters of both NATO and the EU. Subsequent investigation revealed they were part of a wave of attacks claimed by the IS in Europe. Also read | Explained | Brussels bombings: What happened in 2016? What is the case? The bombings caused widespread devastation, leaving hundreds of travellers and transport staff severely injured. Years and countless court appearances later, the victims, their families, and rescuers continue to suffer from the trauma inflicted on that day. The trial, which started at the end of last year, was held under tight security at the converted former headquarters of the NATO military alliance. The proceedings aimed to bring justice to those affected and hold the perpetrators accountable. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Belgian court sentences 8 for 2016 Brussels twin bombings

Belgium’s justice minister has landed in hot water after three of his friends who were attending his birthday party were caught on CCTV urinating on an empty police van. Vincent Van Quickenborne, speaking to the parliament about the incident, on Thursday (September 7) said that he was unaware of what happened but did apologise and denied joking about it afterwards.

<h2>‘Pipigate’ scandal: Here’s what we know</h2>

The incident has since been dubbed the “pipigate” by the media.&nbsp;The hearing in the parliament comes after news outlets showed images from a&nbsp;security camera footage of three of Van Quickenborne’s guests peeing against the van of police assigned to protect the minister’s residence.

He also denied laughing about the incident which was also reportedly seen in one of the footage that showed the lawmaker mocking the incident by laughing with someone and pretending to urinate. Van Quickenborne claimed it was just him performing “air guitar”.&nbsp;

“Some say these images show me in the act of mimicking the act of peeing. The person I was accompanying thinks...it is an air guitar solo...I admit I play air guitar some times...It is possible, I honestly do not know,” the Belgian justice minister told the parliament.&nbsp;

During the hearing, he also apologised and said, “I am ashamed that people I invited at my house peed against a police van, not once, but three times. It is disgusting, especially considering why the van is there.”&nbsp;

Van Quickenborne and his family have been granted round-the-clock police protection after a failed attempt to kidnap him last year. The lawmaker also said that he had no access to police video, but played footage of cameras at his house during the parliament hearing.&nbsp;

An investigation into the incident has been launched by the public prosecutor’s office in the city of Kortrijk. Van Quickenborne, of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats party, reportedly said that he helped the investigation by asking those involved to come forward.&nbsp;

<h2>Incident sparks outrage</h2>

Since the incident came to light, opposition politicians and police unions have expressed outrage and slammed Van Quickenborne for apparently not only supposedly mimicking his guests&nbsp;but also joking about it at the end of the party for his 50th birthday.

“You have given a whole new dimension to the concept of the Belgian joke,” said opposition party N-VA’s Yngvild Ingels. Meanwhile, the NSPV police union released a scathing statement which said that Van Quickenborne was “unworthy” of being the minister of justice, as per BBC.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Belgium’s justice minister has landed in hot water after three of his friends who were attending his birthday party were caught on CCTV urinating on an empty police van.

Belgium’s justice minister has landed in hot water after three of his friends who were attending his birthday party were caught on CCTV urinating on an empty police van. Vincent Van Quickenborne, speaking to the parliament about the incident, on Thursday (September 7) said that he was unaware of what happened but did apologise and denied joking about it afterwards. ‘Pipigate’ scandal: Here’s what we know The incident has since been dubbed the “pipigate” by the media. The hearing in the parliament comes after news outlets showed images from a security camera footage of three of Van Quickenborne’s guests peeing against the van of police assigned to protect the minister’s residence. He also denied laughing about the incident which was also reportedly seen in one of the footage that showed the lawmaker mocking the incident by laughing with someone and pretending to urinate. Van Quickenborne claimed it was just him performing “air guitar”. “Some say these images show me in the act of mimicking the act of peeing. The person I was accompanying thinks...it is an air guitar solo...I admit I play air guitar some times...It is possible, I honestly do not know,” the Belgian justice minister told the parliament. During the hearing, he also apologised and said, “I am ashamed that people I invited at my house peed against a police van, not once, but three times. It is disgusting, especially considering why the van is there.” Van Quickenborne and his family have been granted round-the-clock police protection after a failed attempt to kidnap him last year. The lawmaker also said that he had no access to police video, but played footage of cameras at his house during the parliament hearing. An investigation into the incident has been launched by the public prosecutor’s office in the city of Kortrijk. Van Quickenborne, of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats party, reportedly said that he helped the investigation by asking those involved to come forward. Incident sparks outrage Since the incident came to light, opposition politicians and police unions have expressed outrage and slammed Van Quickenborne for apparently not only supposedly mimicking his guests but also joking about it at the end of the party for his 50th birthday. “You have given a whole new dimension to the concept of the Belgian joke,” said opposition party N-VA’s Yngvild Ingels. Meanwhile, the NSPV police union released a scathing statement which said that Van Quickenborne was “unworthy” of being the minister of justice, as per BBC. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

‘Pipigate’: Belgian justice minister slammed over peeing scandal, issues apology

Strikes&nbsp;by airport and airline staff grounded hundreds of flights and left&nbsp;thousands&nbsp;of travellers stranded in Europe on Saturday at the height of the busy summer tourism season.&nbsp;

In&nbsp;Italy, some 1,000 flights, both domestic and international, were cancelled as a result of the strike by ground crew, according to airport and airline authorities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-launches-air-strike-on-kyiv-ahead-of-nato-summit-614156">Russia launches air strike on Kyiv ahead of NATO summit</a>

Another 120 flights due to depart and arrive from Belgium's Charleroi airport were cancelled Saturday and Sunday, triggered by a walkout of budget carrier Ryanair pilots over working conditions.&nbsp;

Italy's strike alone left some 250,000 travellers stranded in one of the world's top tourist spots.

It comes amid a record heatwave, billed by the national weather service as "one of the most intense of all time", that would bring temperatures of at least 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) to Rome and 48C to the islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

The strike by ground crew, who are demanding a new collective contract six years after the previous one expired, was due to last from 10:00 am (0800 GMT) to 6:00 pm (1600 GMT).

The airport in Rome saw some 200 flights cancelled, authorities said.

Flights by Malta Air, which handles transfers for popular budget carriers Ryanair, Vueling and Ita Airways, were also affected after pilots joined the walkout.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ancient-white-marble-head-possible-of-aphrodite-unearthed-in-italys-rome-613357">Ancient white marble head, possibly of Aphrodite, unearthed in Italy's Rome</a>

Milan's airports saw some 150 flight cancellations, while dozens of others were grounded in Turin and Palermo.

Transport Minister Matteo Salvini called the strikers to exercise "common sense" so as "not to harm millions of other workers and&nbsp;tourists".

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Strikes by airport and airline staff grounded hundreds of flights and left thousands of travellers stranded in Europe on Saturday at the height of the busy summer tourism season.

Strikes by airport and airline staff grounded hundreds of flights and left thousands of travellers stranded in Europe on Saturday at the height of the busy summer tourism season. In Italy, some 1,000 flights, both domestic and international, were cancelled as a result of the strike by ground crew, according to airport and airline authorities. Also read | Russia launches air strike on Kyiv ahead of NATO summit Another 120 flights due to depart and arrive from Belgium's Charleroi airport were cancelled Saturday and Sunday, triggered by a walkout of budget carrier Ryanair pilots over working conditions. Italy's strike alone left some 250,000 travellers stranded in one of the world's top tourist spots. It comes amid a record heatwave, billed by the national weather service as "one of the most intense of all time", that would bring temperatures of at least 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) to Rome and 48C to the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. The strike by ground crew, who are demanding a new collective contract six years after the previous one expired, was due to last from 10:00 am (0800 GMT) to 6:00 pm (1600 GMT). The airport in Rome saw some 200 flights cancelled, authorities said. Flights by Malta Air, which handles transfers for popular budget carriers Ryanair, Vueling and Ita Airways, were also affected after pilots joined the walkout. Also read | Ancient white marble head, possibly of Aphrodite, unearthed in Italy's Rome Milan's airports saw some 150 flight cancellations, while dozens of others were grounded in Turin and Palermo. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini called the strikers to exercise "common sense" so as "not to harm millions of other workers and tourists". WATCH WION LIVE HERE :

Strikes strand thousands of tourists in Italy, Belgium

In a shocking incident in Brussels, Belgium, a Thai Twitch streamer named Ppim became the target of a racist slur while streaming an "IRL" (In Real Life) session. The streamer was confronted by a group of individuals who deliberately greeted her in "Chinese" and made racial comments, aiming to mock her based on her Asian ethnicity.

Ppim was live-streaming on Twitch in Brussels when the distressing incident occurred.&nbsp;

As she was walking in Brussels, a few miscreants approached her and used the phrase "Ni hao," typically associated with the Chinese language, with the clear intent to ridicule her. Unwilling to tolerate such behavior, Ppim immediately addressed the miscreants on her live stream.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-will-join-nato-putin-has-lost-the-war-biden-in-helsinki-615245">Ukraine 'will join NATO', Putin has 'lost the war': Biden in Helsinki</a>

She courageously confronted them saying she was not from China, and urged them to educate themselves about different cultures and ethnicities.&nbsp;

A derogatory racial remark directed at Ppim provoked her anger leading to a swift response.&nbsp;In a video capturing the incident, Ppim can be seen confronting the individuals who had used the phrase "Ni hao" in a disrespectful manner.

In a strong and assertive tone, she expressed her frustration, and said that she does not hail from China but rather from Thailand.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cocaine-at-white-house-secret-service-ends-probe-without-identifying-suspect-615229">Cocaine at White House: Secret Service ends probe without finding suspect</a>

Her passionate reaction seen in the video clearly shows her refusal to tolerate such offensive behaviour.

"Ni hao. F**k you. I am not from China. I am from Thailand man. You f**king educate. Not everybody is from China. F**k you. You f**king bi*ch," Ppim can be seen&nbsp;saying in the video.&nbsp;

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Twitch streamer live-streaming racism she experienced in Belgium. <a href="https://t.co/PeAuaeJPKf">pic.twitter.com/PeAuaeJPKf</a>
— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) <a href="https://twitter.com/spectatorindex/status/1679438401479774209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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In addition to the racial slur, the video footage also revealed a disturbing moment when one of the men made an inappropriate attempt to touch Ppim, further compounding the distressing nature of the incident.

Watch | Russian general says top military brass betrayed soldiers fighting in Ukraine

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This incident, in a broader sense, sheds light on the persisting issue of racial discrimination faced by individuals of Asian descent.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case, as racial abuses continue to plague various aspects of society.&nbsp;

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In a shocking incident in Brussels, Belgium, a Thai Twitch streamer named Ppim became the target of a racist slur while streaming an "IRL" (In Real Life) session.

In a shocking incident in Brussels, Belgium, a Thai Twitch streamer named Ppim became the target of a racist slur while streaming an "IRL" (In Real Life) session. The streamer was confronted by a group of individuals who deliberately greeted her in "Chinese" and made racial comments, aiming to mock her based on her Asian ethnicity. Ppim was live-streaming on Twitch in Brussels when the distressing incident occurred. As she was walking in Brussels, a few miscreants approached her and used the phrase "Ni hao," typically associated with the Chinese language, with the clear intent to ridicule her. Unwilling to tolerate such behavior, Ppim immediately addressed the miscreants on her live stream. Also Read | Ukraine 'will join NATO', Putin has 'lost the war': Biden in Helsinki She courageously confronted them saying she was not from China, and urged them to educate themselves about different cultures and ethnicities. A derogatory racial remark directed at Ppim provoked her anger leading to a swift response. In a video capturing the incident, Ppim can be seen confronting the individuals who had used the phrase "Ni hao" in a disrespectful manner. In a strong and assertive tone, she expressed her frustration, and said that she does not hail from China but rather from Thailand. Also Read | Cocaine at White House: Secret Service ends probe without finding suspect Her passionate reaction seen in the video clearly shows her refusal to tolerate such offensive behaviour. "Ni hao. F**k you. I am not from China. I am from Thailand man. You f**king educate. Not everybody is from China. F**k you. You f**king bi*ch," Ppim can be seen saying in the video. Twitch streamer live-streaming racism she experienced in Belgium. pic.twitter.com/PeAuaeJPKf — The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) July 13, 2023 × In addition to the racial slur, the video footage also revealed a disturbing moment when one of the men made an inappropriate attempt to touch Ppim, further compounding the distressing nature of the incident. Watch | Russian general says top military brass betrayed soldiers fighting in Ukraine × This incident, in a broader sense, sheds light on the persisting issue of racial discrimination faced by individuals of Asian descent. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case, as racial abuses continue to plague various aspects of society. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

WATCH | Thai Twitch streamer subjected to racist abuse in Belgium, confronts miscreants on live stream

Sports has always been about team spirit and Belgian shot putter Jolien Boumkwo proved it at the recently-concluded European Athletics Team Championship in Krakow, Poland. Belgium was staring at disqualification when Boumkwo stepped up to run a 100m hurdle race for her country.

The need for Boumkwo to run arose when Belgium's two designated hurdle runners Anna Zagr and Hanne Claes got injured and Belgium were in a soup. Boumkow not only finished the race getting her team crucial points but she did it without dropping any of the hurdles. Everyone in the stadium applauded her. Have a look at the video here:

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A curious incident happened at the European Games in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Poland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Poland</a>. A <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Belgian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Belgian</a> runner could not participate in the race because of an injury, so the national team was at risk of disqualification. 
 
The situation was saved by the Belgian shot put champion Jolien <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Boumkwo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Boumkwo</a>. She had never… <a href="https://t.co/0HovxHCE9U">pic.twitter.com/0HovxHCE9U</a>
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) <a href="https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1673620319888629760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2023</a></blockquote>
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“I thought the chance would have been very small of me having to do this,” said Boumkwo, who learned she would be running the hurdles the day before the race, reported the New York Times.

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Boumkow, however, didn't think much about the race she had never run once her name was finalised and decided to enjoy it rather.

“If I’m going to do this, I want to make the best of it and try to enjoy it,” read the NYT report further.&nbsp;

The 29-year-old shot putter also added during her interview with the NYT that she wasn't nervous about the race at all. “It was a beautiful atmosphere,” she said. “I took my race seriously,” Boumkow said, adding that she “took it hurdle by hurdle.”&nbsp;

The athlete although, said that she's going to focus on her sport&nbsp;and not prefer to do hurdling any further. “I’m not made for hurdling,” she said to NYT.

Boumkow finished last with a time of 32.81 seconds but got the needed job done. Teresa Errandonea of Spain won the race in 13.22 seconds.&nbsp;

It was, however, not the perfect ending Belgium had hoped for. Belgium finished with 6.5 points behind Greece and 14th in the team standings, which put them into Division 2.

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Sports has always been about team spirit and Belgian shot putter Jolien Boumkwo proved it at the recently-concluded European Athletics Team Championship in Krakow, Poland.

Sports has always been about team spirit and Belgian shot putter Jolien Boumkwo proved it at the recently-concluded European Athletics Team Championship in Krakow, Poland. Belgium was staring at disqualification when Boumkwo stepped up to run a 100m hurdle race for her country. The need for Boumkwo to run arose when Belgium's two designated hurdle runners Anna Zagr and Hanne Claes got injured and Belgium were in a soup. Boumkow not only finished the race getting her team crucial points but she did it without dropping any of the hurdles. Everyone in the stadium applauded her. Have a look at the video here: A curious incident happened at the European Games in #Poland. A #Belgian runner could not participate in the race because of an injury, so the national team was at risk of disqualification. The situation was saved by the Belgian shot put champion Jolien #Boumkwo. She had never… pic.twitter.com/0HovxHCE9U — NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 27, 2023 × “I thought the chance would have been very small of me having to do this,” said Boumkwo, who learned she would be running the hurdles the day before the race, reported the New York Times. Also Read: Utah Jazz set to acquire Hawks forward John Collins - Report Boumkow, however, didn't think much about the race she had never run once her name was finalised and decided to enjoy it rather. “If I’m going to do this, I want to make the best of it and try to enjoy it,” read the NYT report further. The 29-year-old shot putter also added during her interview with the NYT that she wasn't nervous about the race at all. “It was a beautiful atmosphere,” she said. “I took my race seriously,” Boumkow said, adding that she “took it hurdle by hurdle.” The athlete although, said that she's going to focus on her sport and not prefer to do hurdling any further. “I’m not made for hurdling,” she said to NYT. Boumkow finished last with a time of 32.81 seconds but got the needed job done. Teresa Errandonea of Spain won the race in 13.22 seconds. It was, however, not the perfect ending Belgium had hoped for. Belgium finished with 6.5 points behind Greece and 14th in the team standings, which put them into Division 2. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Belgian shot putter Jolien Boumkwo runs in 100m hurdle to save country from getting disqualified - WATCH

How far would you go to be appreciated, it seems sky was the limit for this Belgian man who faked his own death and the reason will leave you shell shocked. David Baton, a 45-year-old TikToker, was often been left out of the family gatherings and in a bizarre reaction to this - he did this!

Belgium: Man fakes own death to prank family members, arrives at his funeral in helicopter | WION

Olivier Vandecasteele, a Belgian humanitarian worker who had been jailed in Iran for 15 months, arrived in Belgium late Friday after being deported in a military plane, images broadcast on television showed.&nbsp;

The 42-year-old was received on the tarmac of the Melsbroek military post outside Brussels by his parents, sister, and other family members after he was released on Friday.&nbsp;

The images shown on RTL-TVI channel showed that the plane bringing him back from Oman landed shortly after 9:30pm (1930 GMT).&nbsp;

Vandecasteele was arrested during a visit to Iran in February 2022 and sentenced to 40 years in prison and 74 lashes in January on charges that included spying.&nbsp;

The Belgian government said on Friday they had reason to believe that Iran had been planning to increase his sentence.&nbsp;

Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said earlier that in the swap, a diplomat, Assadolah Assadi, was released from Belgium.&nbsp;

Assadi was jailed in Belgium over a 2018 plot to bomb an Iranian opposition rally outside Paris.&nbsp;

The Iranian foreign minister tweeted that Assadi, "the innocent diplomat of our country... is now on his way back to his homeland and will soon enter our beloved Iran".&nbsp;

Oman's foreign ministry said in a statement that "the Omani efforts have resulted in an agreement between the two sides for a mutual exchange deal" and both Belgium and Iran thanked Oman for its role in securing the release.&nbsp;

<h2>Belgium prime minister's comment&nbsp;</h2>

Belgium has always claimed that Vandecasteele was innocent and after news of his release, Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said, "Olivier spent 455 days in prison in Tehran in unbearable conditions. Innocent."&nbsp;

"For me, the choice has always been clear. Olivier's life has always come first. It's a responsibility that I take upon myself, that I accept. In Belgium, we do not abandon anyone," he added.&nbsp;

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Olivier Vandecasteele, a Belgian humanitarian worker who had been jailed in Iran for 15 months, arrived in Belgium late Friday after being deported in a military plane, images broadcast on television showed.

Olivier Vandecasteele, a Belgian humanitarian worker who had been jailed in Iran for 15 months, arrived in Belgium late Friday after being deported in a military plane, images broadcast on television showed. The 42-year-old was received on the tarmac of the Melsbroek military post outside Brussels by his parents, sister, and other family members after he was released on Friday. The images shown on RTL-TVI channel showed that the plane bringing him back from Oman landed shortly after 9:30pm (1930 GMT). Vandecasteele was arrested during a visit to Iran in February 2022 and sentenced to 40 years in prison and 74 lashes in January on charges that included spying. The Belgian government said on Friday they had reason to believe that Iran had been planning to increase his sentence. Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said earlier that in the swap, a diplomat, Assadolah Assadi, was released from Belgium. Assadi was jailed in Belgium over a 2018 plot to bomb an Iranian opposition rally outside Paris. The Iranian foreign minister tweeted that Assadi, "the innocent diplomat of our country... is now on his way back to his homeland and will soon enter our beloved Iran". Oman's foreign ministry said in a statement that "the Omani efforts have resulted in an agreement between the two sides for a mutual exchange deal" and both Belgium and Iran thanked Oman for its role in securing the release. Belgium prime minister's comment Belgium has always claimed that Vandecasteele was innocent and after news of his release, Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said, "Olivier spent 455 days in prison in Tehran in unbearable conditions. Innocent." "For me, the choice has always been clear. Olivier's life has always come first. It's a responsibility that I take upon myself, that I accept. In Belgium, we do not abandon anyone," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Aid worker arrives in Belgium after prisoner swap with Iranian diplomat

In pics | Thousands of Belgian union members march against 'social dumping' in Brussels

Belgian police on Thursday arrested seven people suspected of supporting the Islamic State (IS) group and plotting a "terrorist attack", prosecutors said.

Almost all the suspects are ethnic Chechens, and three of them possess Belgian nationality, prosecutors said in a statement.&nbsp;

"The exact target of the planned attack has not yet been determined," they said.

Police, backed by elite units, raided nine addresses in several towns in western Belgium in an operation led by an investigating judge specialised in terrorism cases.

The judge will decide "at a later stage" if there is sufficient evidence to charge the suspects, the statement said.

"Possible charges are attempted terrorist assassination, participation in the activities of a terrorist group and preparation of a terrorist attack," it said.

Prosecutors added that all seven arrested "are suspected of preparing a terrorist attack in Belgium".

They all "belong to a group of strong supporters of the IS".

A spokesman for the federal prosecutors' office, Eric Van Duyse, told AFP that "they apparently intended to target an institution located in Belgium" and had been "actively searching for weapons".

The police raids took place in the city of Ghent and the smaller towns of Roeselare, Menen, Ostend and Wevelgem.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for suicide bombings in Belgium on March 22, 2016 that targeted Brussels' airport and the capital's metro, killing 32 people and wounding hundreds.

Those bombings occurred months after the November 2015 attacks in Paris that were planned by the same IS cell and which killed 130 people.

Chechnya, a republic in Russia's North Caucasus region, has a predominantly Muslim population.&nbsp;

It is ruled by pro-Kremlin strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, who supports Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine and who has sent his militia there to fight.

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Belgian police on Thursday arrested seven people suspected of supporting the Islamic State (IS) group and plotting a "terrorist attack", prosecutors said. Almost all the suspects are ethnic Chechens, and three of them possess Belgian nationality, prosecutors said in a statement.

Belgian police on Thursday arrested seven people suspected of supporting the Islamic State (IS) group and plotting a "terrorist attack", prosecutors said. Almost all the suspects are ethnic Chechens, and three of them possess Belgian nationality, prosecutors said in a statement. "The exact target of the planned attack has not yet been determined," they said. Police, backed by elite units, raided nine addresses in several towns in western Belgium in an operation led by an investigating judge specialised in terrorism cases. The judge will decide "at a later stage" if there is sufficient evidence to charge the suspects, the statement said. "Possible charges are attempted terrorist assassination, participation in the activities of a terrorist group and preparation of a terrorist attack," it said. Prosecutors added that all seven arrested "are suspected of preparing a terrorist attack in Belgium". They all "belong to a group of strong supporters of the IS". A spokesman for the federal prosecutors' office, Eric Van Duyse, told AFP that "they apparently intended to target an institution located in Belgium" and had been "actively searching for weapons". The police raids took place in the city of Ghent and the smaller towns of Roeselare, Menen, Ostend and Wevelgem. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for suicide bombings in Belgium on March 22, 2016 that targeted Brussels' airport and the capital's metro, killing 32 people and wounding hundreds. Those bombings occurred months after the November 2015 attacks in Paris that were planned by the same IS cell and which killed 130 people. Chechnya, a republic in Russia's North Caucasus region, has a predominantly Muslim population. It is ruled by pro-Kremlin strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, who supports Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine and who has sent his militia there to fight. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Belgium arrests foil suspected jihadist 'terrorist attack'

Belgium's Luca Brecel became the first player from continental Europe to win snooker's World Championship as he withstood a fightback from four-time champion Mark Selby to triumph 18-15 in the final on Monday.

Brecel's victory also meant he joined Canadian Cliff Thorburn (1980), the Republic of Ireland's Ken Doherty (1997) and Australian Neil Robertson (2010) as only the fourth modern-era world champion from outside the United Kingdom at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.

Having overturned huge deficits to defeat both seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and Si Jiahui in the quarter and semi-final rounds respectively, Brecel held his nerve after Selby had eroded his lead.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pl-arsenals-rebuilding-process-must-inspire-chelsea-urges-manager-frank-lampard-587900">Arsenal's rebuilding process must inspire Chelsea, urges manager Frank Lampard</a>

The 28-year-old, who had never won a match at the World Championship before this year's edition, started Monday's concluding session 15-10 up.

Selby, however, won five of the next six frames as he closed to within one at just 16-15 behind.

But the Englishman then missed a black off its spot and Brecel capitalised to move within a frame of victory at 17-15.

Brecel was first in come the next frame and then demonstrated excellent cue-ball control around the black in a match-winning break of 112.

"It's amazing, I can't see any more, I don't know why," Brecel told the BBC.

"So tough, he (Selby) is the worst opponent to have in a final, he just keeps coming back, he's such a fighter, when it was 16-15 I didn't fancy winning at all, I was missing balls by a mile but then I made a good break."

Asked what his win would mean for European snooker, former child prodigy Brecel replied: "It's going to explode, I was so nervous because I wanted it to happen for Belgium and Europe and now I can't wait to see what it brings, I'm so happy I did it."

Something of a throwback, the crowd-pleasing Brecel's path to the final was notable for his unconventional approach to match preparation.

"It's been a crazy week, no practice just partying, it shouldn't be legal!"

Selby, who on Sunday became the first player to make a maximum 147 break in a World Championship final, paid tribute to the new champion by saying: "Congratulations to Luca, he's a great talent and a great lad, a great family. Enjoy the year, you deserve it mate, you played fantastic.

"It was great to make a 147 at the Crucible, never thought I would do it in a final, the atmosphere was amazing and something I will remember for rest of my life."

The 39-year-old, however, added: "But it's not about me today, Luca played fantastic.

"Every time he potted a ball I fancied him to clear up but I battled -- but every credit to Luca he deserves it."

Belgium's Luca Brecel became the first player from continental Europe to win snooker's World Championship as he withstood a fightback from four-time champion Mark Selby to triumph 18-15 in the final on Monday.

Belgium's Luca Brecel became the first player from continental Europe to win snooker's World Championship as he withstood a fightback from four-time champion Mark Selby to triumph 18-15 in the final on Monday. Brecel's victory also meant he joined Canadian Cliff Thorburn (1980), the Republic of Ireland's Ken Doherty (1997) and Australian Neil Robertson (2010) as only the fourth modern-era world champion from outside the United Kingdom at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre. Having overturned huge deficits to defeat both seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and Si Jiahui in the quarter and semi-final rounds respectively, Brecel held his nerve after Selby had eroded his lead. Also Read: Arsenal's rebuilding process must inspire Chelsea, urges manager Frank Lampard The 28-year-old, who had never won a match at the World Championship before this year's edition, started Monday's concluding session 15-10 up. Selby, however, won five of the next six frames as he closed to within one at just 16-15 behind. But the Englishman then missed a black off its spot and Brecel capitalised to move within a frame of victory at 17-15. Brecel was first in come the next frame and then demonstrated excellent cue-ball control around the black in a match-winning break of 112. "It's amazing, I can't see any more, I don't know why," Brecel told the BBC. "So tough, he (Selby) is the worst opponent to have in a final, he just keeps coming back, he's such a fighter, when it was 16-15 I didn't fancy winning at all, I was missing balls by a mile but then I made a good break." Asked what his win would mean for European snooker, former child prodigy Brecel replied: "It's going to explode, I was so nervous because I wanted it to happen for Belgium and Europe and now I can't wait to see what it brings, I'm so happy I did it." Something of a throwback, the crowd-pleasing Brecel's path to the final was notable for his unconventional approach to match preparation. "It's been a crazy week, no practice just partying, it shouldn't be legal!" Selby, who on Sunday became the first player to make a maximum 147 break in a World Championship final, paid tribute to the new champion by saying: "Congratulations to Luca, he's a great talent and a great lad, a great family. Enjoy the year, you deserve it mate, you played fantastic. "It was great to make a 147 at the Crucible, never thought I would do it in a final, the atmosphere was amazing and something I will remember for rest of my life." The 39-year-old, however, added: "But it's not about me today, Luca played fantastic. "Every time he potted a ball I fancied him to clear up but I battled -- but every credit to Luca he deserves it."

Belgium's Luca Brecel becomes first continental Europe player to win snooker World Championship

Days after being placed under house arrest, Eva Kaili, the Greek Member of European Parliament (MEP), charged with corruption in the Qatargate inquiry has said she will not return to her homeland Greece until her name is cleared.

Days after being placed under house arrest, Eva Kaili, the Greek Member of European Parliament (MEP), charged with corruption in the Qatargate inquiry has said she will not return to her homeland Greece until her name is cleared. Kaili was released from prison on Friday and placed under house arrest in Belgium. "If I do not succeed in convincing Belgian justice of my innocence, I shall never return to my home country," she was quoted as saying by a Greek weekly. "My whole world came crashing down in December 2022 when I was informed by the media of accusations against my partner and the father of my child. There have been moments when I thought of putting an end to this torment... but the thought of my daughter kept me going," she added. WATCH | Gravitas: The couple at the heart of EU Corruption scandal Court orders house arrest On Wednesday, a Belgian court in its judgement placed Kaili under house arrest, pending trial. The judge ordered that kaili be fitted with a tracking bracelet. "She is under house arrest in Belgium and placed under electronic surveillance. The investigating judge has just made the decision," Antoon Schotsaert, a magistrate at the Belgian federal prosecutor's office was quoted as saying by AFP. ALSO READ | EU corruption scandal: Prime accused Eva Kaili placed under house arrest Kaili claims innocence Kaili was one of the first politicians to have been arrested in the cash-for-influence corruption probe which rocked the EU. Kaili, the former vice-president of the European Parliament has been accused of taking money from the governments of Qatar and Morocco to influence EU policy in their favour. She was arrested in December last year when the Belgian police found at least $1.6 million (1.5mn euros) in cash from the houses of key suspects. Belgium's federal prosecutor released pictures of the cash found after raiding parliament offices and 19 homes. ALSO READ | EU corruption scandal: Eva Kaili claims innocence, says she feels betrayed by partner Nearly $164,000 was found at Kaili's apartment while a similar amount was found in her father's suitcase who was caught carrying it at the Brussels Sofitel Hotel. Essentially, the alleged bribe was paid to water down European criticism of Qatari labour ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, both governments have vehemently denied the allegations saying there was no wrongdoing on their part. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

EU corruption scandal: Prime accused Kaili says won't return to Greece until name is cleared

A&nbsp;report by the Belgium-based&nbsp;newspaper Derniere Heure says&nbsp;that Uber has allegedly been increasing the prices for people if their phone battery is low. The media outlet conducted a small study which showed how the pricing for users in Brussels was based on how much battery they had on their phones. The test was conducted after some users claim to have seen varied prices for the same trips, however, the ride-hailing giant has since refuted these claims.&nbsp;

<meta charset="utf-8" />

What did the investigation find?

Two phones, one with 84 per cent battery and the other with 12 per cent, were used for the investigation while requesting a ride from their office in Brussels to Tour and Taxis in the centre. The report shows a notable discrepancy in prices, as the phone which was at 12 per cent was charged 17.56 euros ($19.32), as opposed to the phone with an 84 per cent battery which charged 16.6 euros ($18.26) for the same distance.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/uber-ceo-khosrowshahi-moonlighted-as-driver-in-2022-this-is-what-he-learnt-580966">Uber CEO Khosrowshahi 'moonlighted' as driver in 2022, this is what he learnt</a>

What did Uber say about these accusations?

In response, the company in a statement to the Brussels-based newspaper&nbsp;has since denied these claims and said, “Uber does not take into account the phone’s battery level to calculate the price of a trip. The dynamic pricing applied to trips booked via Uber is determined by the existing demand for rides and the supply of drivers who can respond to it.”&nbsp;

It added, “During peak hours, when there are many ride requests and few available drivers in a certain geographical area, this may impact the price of the trip.” Uber also said that the app is not able to measure the battery of a user’s phone.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uber-signs-mou-with-tata-motors-to-bring-25000-evs-on-platform-in-india-563989">Uber signs MoU with Tata Motors to bring 25,000 EVs on platform in India</a>

Not the first time

This is not the first time that the ride-hailing giant has been accused of taking advantage of its users’ battery life. In a 2016 interview with the National Public Radio (NPR), a Washington-based nonprofit media organisation, Uber’s former head of economic research, Keith Chen said that their company had found that users with lower battery levels were more willing to pay for surge pricing, as per Vice.&nbsp;

However, Chen denied that the firm was explicitly hiking pricing for these customers.&nbsp; 
 
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A report by the Belgium-based newspaper Derniere Heure says that Uber has allegedly been increasing the prices for people if their phone battery is low. The media outlet conducted a small study which showed how the pricing for users in Brussels was based on how much battery they had on their phones.

A report by the Belgium-based newspaper Derniere Heure says that Uber has allegedly been increasing the prices for people if their phone battery is low. The media outlet conducted a small study which showed how the pricing for users in Brussels was based on how much battery they had on their phones. The test was conducted after some users claim to have seen varied prices for the same trips, however, the ride-hailing giant has since refuted these claims. What did the investigation find? Two phones, one with 84 per cent battery and the other with 12 per cent, were used for the investigation while requesting a ride from their office in Brussels to Tour and Taxis in the centre. The report shows a notable discrepancy in prices, as the phone which was at 12 per cent was charged 17.56 euros ($19.32), as opposed to the phone with an 84 per cent battery which charged 16.6 euros ($18.26) for the same distance. ALSO READ | Uber CEO Khosrowshahi 'moonlighted' as driver in 2022, this is what he learnt What did Uber say about these accusations? In response, the company in a statement to the Brussels-based newspaper has since denied these claims and said, “Uber does not take into account the phone’s battery level to calculate the price of a trip. The dynamic pricing applied to trips booked via Uber is determined by the existing demand for rides and the supply of drivers who can respond to it.” It added, “During peak hours, when there are many ride requests and few available drivers in a certain geographical area, this may impact the price of the trip.” Uber also said that the app is not able to measure the battery of a user’s phone. ALSO READ | Uber signs MoU with Tata Motors to bring 25,000 EVs on platform in India Not the first time This is not the first time that the ride-hailing giant has been accused of taking advantage of its users’ battery life. In a 2016 interview with the National Public Radio (NPR), a Washington-based nonprofit media organisation, Uber’s former head of economic research, Keith Chen said that their company had found that users with lower battery levels were more willing to pay for surge pricing, as per Vice. However, Chen denied that the firm was explicitly hiking pricing for these customers. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Uber accused of charging customers more when their phone battery is low: Report

Belgian Easter bunnies may be a treat for kids around the world but not these ones. A veteran customs officer found a batch of Easter bunnies. Nothing suspect we would say but these bunnies were made from solid block of MDMA, the raw material used for pills of theh rave drug ecstasy.

Belgium has a reputation for being the gateway into Europe for Latin American cocaine. The country has also become a turntable for mail-order synthetic drugs made in Europe and sent worldwide.&nbsp;

Veteran customs officer Pol Meuleneire (61) caught the batch of MDMA bunnies which was being sent to Hong Kong.

Meuleneire, who retires in a few months after 43 years in Belgium's customs service, told AFP that when he began his career he was excited to find 10 grammes of cannabis in a letter.

Now, his office in the freight zone at Brussels airport is overflowing with suspect packages.

"So in 2022 we got to nearly six tonnes of drugs, seized here at the airport," explained Florence Angelici, spokeswoman for the SPF federal finance service.

"It goes all over the world. Today, people can order online on the 'dark web' in a few clicks and can decide what they want and have it delivered to their homes."

Meuleneire pressed his handheld scanner -- which uses Raman spectroscopy to identify substances by their chemical fingerprint -- against one supposed chocolate rabbit and took a reading.&nbsp;

The screen flashed green and the analysis was clear: "Caution: MDMA (ecstasy)".

"So you see? It's pure MDMA," the 61-year-old said. "So here we have, bumpety-bump, one or two kilogrammes of this. With one kilogramme you make six thousand ecstasy pills."&nbsp;

He was quoted by AFP.

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Belgian Easter bunnies may be a treat for kids around the world but not these ones. A veteran customs officer found a batch of Easter bunnies. Nothing suspect we would say but these bunnies were made from solid block of MDMA, the raw material used for pills of theh rave drug ecstasy.

Belgian Easter bunnies may be a treat for kids around the world but not these ones. A veteran customs officer found a batch of Easter bunnies. Nothing suspect we would say but these bunnies were made from solid block of MDMA, the raw material used for pills of theh rave drug ecstasy. Belgium has a reputation for being the gateway into Europe for Latin American cocaine. The country has also become a turntable for mail-order synthetic drugs made in Europe and sent worldwide. Veteran customs officer Pol Meuleneire (61) caught the batch of MDMA bunnies which was being sent to Hong Kong. Meuleneire, who retires in a few months after 43 years in Belgium's customs service, told AFP that when he began his career he was excited to find 10 grammes of cannabis in a letter. Now, his office in the freight zone at Brussels airport is overflowing with suspect packages. "So in 2022 we got to nearly six tonnes of drugs, seized here at the airport," explained Florence Angelici, spokeswoman for the SPF federal finance service. "It goes all over the world. Today, people can order online on the 'dark web' in a few clicks and can decide what they want and have it delivered to their homes." Meuleneire pressed his handheld scanner -- which uses Raman spectroscopy to identify substances by their chemical fingerprint -- against one supposed chocolate rabbit and took a reading. The screen flashed green and the analysis was clear: "Caution: MDMA (ecstasy)". "So you see? It's pure MDMA," the 61-year-old said. "So here we have, bumpety-bump, one or two kilogrammes of this. With one kilogramme you make six thousand ecstasy pills." He was quoted by AFP. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Not chocolate, these Easter bunnies in Belgium were made of 'pure MDMA'

With both teams eager to bounce back from their shock group stage World Cup exits in December, it was Belgium who were the better side, attacking at will and completely outclassing Germany in the first half.

Belgium beat Germany 3-2 to pile pressure on Euro 2024 hosts

The police have arrested eight people following investigations into a potential jihadist plot to commit “terrorist attacks” in Belgium, said the country’s officials, on Tuesday (March 28) as per AFP. In a statement, the federal prosecutor’s office said that the raids were conducted late Monday on homes in the capital city of Brussels, the port city of Antwerp and the border town of Eupen.&nbsp;

It added that the operation was conducted in connection with two inquiries one of which was led by the federal police in Brussels and the other by an investigating magistrate in Antwerp. “There are links between the two files, but further research will have to show to what extent the two groups were intertwined,” said the statement about the raids.&nbsp;

A judicial source told AFP that those arrested were “very young radicalised people” and possibly a part of some jihadist movement. According to the statement, at least five of those detained were suspected of planning to “commit a terrorist attack in Belgium”. However, in both cases, those accused have not been charged yet.

Some eight people were detained, following Monday’s raid, where the Antwerp inquiry led to five arrests including the one in Eupen, near the German border, while the Brussels probe led to three arrests. The state broadcaster RTBF had previously reported that the investigations in Antwerp and Brussels were initially focused on “two young adults suspected of violent radicalism.”

Notably, these arrests mark the first such terror inquiry to be made public in Brussels since last year, reported AFP. The European nation witnessed a wave of deadly jihadist attacks between 2016 and 2018. Meanwhile, Belgium’s biggest criminal trial, where nine people, accused of taking part in the 2016 suicide bombings is underway in Brussels. 
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The police have arrested eight people following investigations into a potential jihadist plot to commit “terrorist attacks” in Belgium, said the country’s officials, on Tuesday (March 28) as per AFP.

The police have arrested eight people following investigations into a potential jihadist plot to commit “terrorist attacks” in Belgium, said the country’s officials, on Tuesday (March 28) as per AFP. In a statement, the federal prosecutor’s office said that the raids were conducted late Monday on homes in the capital city of Brussels, the port city of Antwerp and the border town of Eupen. It added that the operation was conducted in connection with two inquiries one of which was led by the federal police in Brussels and the other by an investigating magistrate in Antwerp. “There are links between the two files, but further research will have to show to what extent the two groups were intertwined,” said the statement about the raids. A judicial source told AFP that those arrested were “very young radicalised people” and possibly a part of some jihadist movement. According to the statement, at least five of those detained were suspected of planning to “commit a terrorist attack in Belgium”. However, in both cases, those accused have not been charged yet. Some eight people were detained, following Monday’s raid, where the Antwerp inquiry led to five arrests including the one in Eupen, near the German border, while the Brussels probe led to three arrests. The state broadcaster RTBF had previously reported that the investigations in Antwerp and Brussels were initially focused on “two young adults suspected of violent radicalism.” Notably, these arrests mark the first such terror inquiry to be made public in Brussels since last year, reported AFP. The European nation witnessed a wave of deadly jihadist attacks between 2016 and 2018. Meanwhile, Belgium’s biggest criminal trial, where nine people, accused of taking part in the 2016 suicide bombings is underway in Brussels. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Belgium: Eight arrested in ‘terror attack’ probe following house raids

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne said on Tuesday he was "honoured" to be named Belgium captain following Eden Hazard’s retirement from international football.

Kevin De Bruyne honoured to be named Belgium captain

The government in Belgium also banned TikTok from government phones over concerns of misinformation, privacy and cybersecurity, said the country's prime minister on Friday.

The step taken is similar to the recent ban imposed on the video sharing app by the government authorities in the United States and Europe.

According to a post shared on Alexander de Croo’s website, TikTok will be prohibited temporarily for at least six months from the devices which the federal government of Belgium owns or is paying for.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/tiktok-adds-paywall-feature-with-longer-videos-for-creators-570548">TikTok adds paywall feature with longer videos for creators</a>

No immediate response was given by TikTok. The company, which is owned by China’s ByteDance, has for a long time maintained that no data of the application is shared with the Chinese government and that the data is not held in China.

This week, new measures were unveiled by TikTok to ease concerns being raised about user data protection in Europe.

But the three main institutions of the European Union and the defence ministry of Denmark have already given orders to their employees to delete the application from mobile devices which are being used for official business.

The governments have imposed similar bans in Canada and the US. De Croo said that the ban imposed by Belgium was based on the warning issued by its cybersecurity centre and the state security service, which stated that the user data can be harvested by the application and algorithms can be tweaked to manipulate its content and news feed.

The officials further warned that TikTok can be forced to spy for Beijing, he stated.

WATCH | White House backs Senate bill to boost U.S. ability to ban TikTok

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“We are in a new geopolitical context where influence and surveillance between states have shifted to the digital world,” said de Croo, in an online statement.

“We must not be naive: TikTok is a Chinese company which today is obliged to cooperate with the intelligence services. This is the reality. Prohibiting its use on federal service devices is common sense,” he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The government in Belgium also banned TikTok from government phones over concerns of misinformation, privacy and cybersecurity, said the country's prime minister on Friday.

The government in Belgium also banned TikTok from government phones over concerns of misinformation, privacy and cybersecurity, said the country's prime minister on Friday. The step taken is similar to the recent ban imposed on the video sharing app by the government authorities in the United States and Europe. According to a post shared on Alexander de Croo’s website, TikTok will be prohibited temporarily for at least six months from the devices which the federal government of Belgium owns or is paying for. ALSO READ | TikTok adds paywall feature with longer videos for creators No immediate response was given by TikTok. The company, which is owned by China’s ByteDance, has for a long time maintained that no data of the application is shared with the Chinese government and that the data is not held in China. This week, new measures were unveiled by TikTok to ease concerns being raised about user data protection in Europe. But the three main institutions of the European Union and the defence ministry of Denmark have already given orders to their employees to delete the application from mobile devices which are being used for official business. The governments have imposed similar bans in Canada and the US. De Croo said that the ban imposed by Belgium was based on the warning issued by its cybersecurity centre and the state security service, which stated that the user data can be harvested by the application and algorithms can be tweaked to manipulate its content and news feed. The officials further warned that TikTok can be forced to spy for Beijing, he stated. WATCH | White House backs Senate bill to boost U.S. ability to ban TikTok “We are in a new geopolitical context where influence and surveillance between states have shifted to the digital world,” said de Croo, in an online statement. “We must not be naive: TikTok is a Chinese company which today is obliged to cooperate with the intelligence services. This is the reality. Prohibiting its use on federal service devices is common sense,” he added. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Belgium follows footsteps of US and EU, bans TikTok from government phones

16 years to the day she murdered her five children, a Belgian woman has been euthanised at her own request. On February 28th, 2007, the woman Genevieve Lhermitte slit the throats of her four daughters and one son. Following the mass murder, the woman then tried to take her own life by stabbing herself. However, her suicide attempt failed, and she ended up calling for emergency services. The brutal case shocked the country.&nbsp;

As per AFP, soon after the murders, in 2008, Lhermitte was sentenced to life in prison. Ten years later, in 2019, she was moved to a psychiatric hospital.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/delhi-crimes-gruesome-cases-that-shocked-the-indian-national-capital-534837">'Delhi crimes': Gruesome cases that shocked the Indian national capital</a>

During the trial, her lawyers had argued that the mother of five was mentally disturbed and should not be sent to prison. However, the jury found her guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced her to life in jail.

Reportedly, Lhermitte, who carried out the quintuple murder while her husband had gone out, was seeking psychiatrist care even before the shocking incident.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/as-race-to-space-shoots-up-junk-in-earths-orbit-us-space-command-releases-responsible-space-behaviours-568413">As space race zooms junk in Earth’s orbit, US Space Command shares ‘responsible space behaviours’</a>

Lhermitte's lawyer, Nicolas Cohen, confirmed his client's death via euthanasia. Reportedly, she availed it under the country's laws that allow people to choose euthanasia if they are deemed to be suffering from "unbearable" physical or psychological suffering.

For an individual to choose euthanasia, they must be conscious of their decision and be able to express their wish in a consistent, reasonable manner.

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"It is this specific procedure that Mrs Lhermitte followed, with the various medical opinions having been collected," said her lawyer.

Speaking to RTL-TVI channel, psychologist Emilie Maroit said that Lhermitte might have chosen the 16th anniversary of her children's murder as a "symbolic gesture in respect" for them.

(With inputs from agencies)

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16 years to the day she murdered her five children, a Belgian woman has been euthanised at her own request. On February 28th, 2007, the woman Genevieve Lhermitte slit the throats of her four daughters and one son.

16 years to the day she murdered her five children, a Belgian woman has been euthanised at her own request. On February 28th, 2007, the woman Genevieve Lhermitte slit the throats of her four daughters and one son. Following the mass murder, the woman then tried to take her own life by stabbing herself. However, her suicide attempt failed, and she ended up calling for emergency services. The brutal case shocked the country. As per AFP, soon after the murders, in 2008, Lhermitte was sentenced to life in prison. Ten years later, in 2019, she was moved to a psychiatric hospital. Also read | 'Delhi crimes': Gruesome cases that shocked the Indian national capital During the trial, her lawyers had argued that the mother of five was mentally disturbed and should not be sent to prison. However, the jury found her guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced her to life in jail. Reportedly, Lhermitte, who carried out the quintuple murder while her husband had gone out, was seeking psychiatrist care even before the shocking incident. Also read | As space race zooms junk in Earth’s orbit, US Space Command shares ‘responsible space behaviours’ Lhermitte's lawyer, Nicolas Cohen, confirmed his client's death via euthanasia. Reportedly, she availed it under the country's laws that allow people to choose euthanasia if they are deemed to be suffering from "unbearable" physical or psychological suffering. For an individual to choose euthanasia, they must be conscious of their decision and be able to express their wish in a consistent, reasonable manner. "It is this specific procedure that Mrs Lhermitte followed, with the various medical opinions having been collected," said her lawyer. Speaking to RTL-TVI channel, psychologist Emilie Maroit said that Lhermitte might have chosen the 16th anniversary of her children's murder as a "symbolic gesture in respect" for them. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Belgian mother slits throats of her five children and 16 years later chooses to die by euthanasia

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