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A collection of 26 posts

WEST FLANDERS | Westhoek 'Monuments & Moments' World War I theme year 2027-2028

WEST FLANDERS | Westhoek 'Monuments & Moments' World War I theme year 2027-2028

From 16 June 2027 to 11 November 2028, the Province of West Flanders, together with Westtoer/Toerisme Westhoek, Toerisme Vlaanderen and local partners, will organise 'Monuments & Moments', a new World War I theme year in the Westhoek region. The large-scale initiative will highlight 100 years of commemoration

FLANDERS | 1 in 6 experience daily difficulties due to disability or impairment

FLANDERS | 1 in 6 experience daily difficulties due to disability or impairment

A new report by Statistics Flanders and the Flemish Agency for Persons with Disabilities (VAPH) provides a detailed overview of disability and impairment in Flanders, based on data from The Social Study (TSS), a large-scale scientific panel survey in Belgium. The report is the first in a planned series presenting

Brussels Airlines invests in improved on-board product for all passengers: Premium Economy gets the biggest upgrades, but enhancements are coming across cabins both on short-haul and long-haul flights

Brussels Airlines invests in improved on-board product for all passengers: Premium Economy gets the biggest upgrades, but enhancements are coming across cabins both on short-haul and long-haul flights

Brussels Airlines will enhance the passenger experience in its different booking classes, both on short-haul and long-haul flights, a press release says. The biggest investment goes to Premium Economy on long-haul flights, with improved tableware and more meal options and an improved service flow, but other booking classes will see

LGBTQIA+ & worldwide politics: what will 2026 bring?

LGBTQIA+ & worldwide politics: what will 2026 bring?

What will 2026 bring regarding LGBTQIA+ issues in (world) politics? Lucy Middleton made some predictions for Context, the news site of the Thomson Reuters Foundation. A year likely to be shaped by elections, court rulings and legislative reforms. After a period marked by funding cuts and legal setbacks, the global

Antwerp 10 Miles 2026 spread over two days: Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April

Antwerp 10 Miles 2026 spread over two days: Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April

The 40th edition of the Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles is fast approaching, with a record 50,000 participants set to take part in Flanders’ largest running event on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April 2026. Organisers have announced slight changes to the course, with runners entering the Kennedy Tunnel earlier

Belgian travel stats to the United States continued to decline throughout 2025

Belgian travel stats to the United States continued to decline throughout 2025

Travel demand from Belgium to the United States weakened markedly in 2025, confirming a structural downturn rather than a short-lived fluctuation. Official arrival data from the U.S. International Trade Administration indicate that in 11 of the 12 months, fewer Belgians entered the United States than during the same periods

Queer March Ghent returns in March 2026

Queer March Ghent returns in March 2026

Ghent in East Flanders will once again host a month of queer-focused activities in March 2026 as Queer March Ghent rolls out a city-wide programme of talks, workshops, exhibitions, performances and community gatherings. The grassroots initiative, run by a collective of queer-identifying volunteers, positions itself as an independent platform without

BRUSSELS AIRPORT | 24.4 million passengers in 2025, 3.3% more than in 2024, cargo transport grows by 8.5% with 795,000 tonnes of freight

BRUSSELS AIRPORT | 24.4 million passengers in 2025, 3.3% more than in 2024, cargo transport grows by 8.5% with 795,000 tonnes of freight

24.4 million passengers travelled through Brussels Airport in Zaventem in 2025, an increase of 3.3% compared to 2024, the press release says. Immediately followed with: "Due to the seven national union actions, this growth was lower than expected, with a negative impact of 275,000 fewer travellers.

BELGIUM | Safer in theory, harsher in reality: violence and polarisation mark 2025 for LGBTQIA+ people

BELGIUM | Safer in theory, harsher in reality: violence and polarisation mark 2025 for LGBTQIA+ people

Belgium remains one of Europe’s front-runners when it comes to legal protection for LGBTQIA+ people. Yet 2025 exposed a widening gap between progressive legislation and everyday reality, one can read in ILGA-Europe's Annual Review. Civil society organisations report a continued rise in homophobic and transphobic violence, declining

Europe reaches new low as LGBTQIA+ people face renewed criminalisation

Europe reaches new low as LGBTQIA+ people face renewed criminalisation

From Pride bans in the European Union to prosecutions under 'propaganda' and 'extremism' laws, a new report from ILGA-Europe shows that attacks on LGBTQIA+ communities have evolved into systemic suppression of dissent and individual freedoms. ILGA-Europe’s Annual Review, published today, reports a sharp escalation over

Cyprus's Nicosia 1st, Belgium's Leuven 4th on Best European Cultural Destinations 2026 list

Cyprus's Nicosia 1st, Belgium's Leuven 4th on Best European Cultural Destinations 2026 list

Looking for the ideal European city break in 2026, where heritage, creativity and everyday local life blend seamlessly? The Best European Cultural Destinations 2026 selection celebrates ten cities where culture is not a backdrop, but a living, evolving experience shaped by history, innovation and participation. The Top 10 Cultural Destinations

City of Antwerp marks 25 years of district governance with city-wide anniversary programme

City of Antwerp marks 25 years of district governance with city-wide anniversary programme

The City of Antwerp is marking the 25th anniversary of its district system with a year-long programme of activities highlighting the identity of each district and their connections within the city. Since 2001, the city’s districts have had their own elected administrations. With the addition of Borsbeek as the

Poland, Germany and France launch joint push for cross-border rail upgrades and future high-speed links

Poland, Germany and France launch joint push for cross-border rail upgrades and future high-speed links

Poland, Germany and France have launched a coordinated push to strengthen cross-border rail connectivity and develop future high-speed links, with a strong emphasis on security, resilience and military mobility, following a series of agreements and declarations signed in Warsaw in mid-February 2026. On 16 February 2026, Poland and Germany signed

Purple Friday to move to the second Friday of October from 2026

Purple Friday to move to the second Friday of October from 2026

From 2026 onwards, Dutch LGBTQIA+ organisation COC Nederland, in consultation with schools, will move Purple Friday (Paarse Vrijdag) to the beginning of the school year. The annual day of solidarity with LGBTQIA+ students will now take place on the second Friday of October, instead of in December. For the 2026–

Premetro tunnel between Antwerp’s left and right banks to close for nearly a year for major renovation works

Premetro tunnel between Antwerp’s left and right banks to close for nearly a year for major renovation works

metro tunnel connecting Antwerp’s left and right banks will close for almost a year for extensive renovation works, starting on 4 May 2026 and lasting until at least mid-March 2027. During this period, no trams will run between the Park-and-Ride Melsele on Linkeroever (Left Bank) and the Astrid and

Belgian Defence Ministry sees Antwerp Airport as strategic asset as pilot training school expands despite uncertainty over Deurne’s future

Belgian Defence Ministry sees Antwerp Airport as strategic asset as pilot training school expands despite uncertainty over Deurne’s future

The Belgian Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Antwerp International Airport (also: Antwerp City Airport) in Deurne remains a strategic asset for military operations and training, with the armed forces carrying out more than 200 flight movements per year at the regional airport in recent years, Gazet van Antwerpen reports.

GERMANY | Bodycams for train guards and other public-facing staff at Deutsche Bahn after deadly attack

GERMANY | Bodycams for train guards and other public-facing staff at Deutsche Bahn after deadly attack

Germany is moving to introduce body-worn cameras for all customer-facing Deutsche Bahn (DB) employees and significantly strengthen security measures across the rail network, following the fatal assault of conductor Serkan Çalar during a ticket inspection earlier this month. The decision was announced after an emergency security summit convened by DB

Spoorwegmuseum cancels theatre programme and cuts jobs amid financial crisis

Spoorwegmuseum cancels theatre programme and cuts jobs amid financial crisis

Het Spoorwegmuseum or The Railway Museum in Utrecht in the Netherlands is scrapping its entire theatre programme and cutting ten jobs as part of a major restructuring aimed at preventing bankruptcy. The decision, announced during a staff meeting, marks a significant shift in the museum’s strategy after years of

Brussels Pride 2026 looking for input from LGBTQIA+ community

Brussels Pride 2026 looking for input from LGBTQIA+ community

Brussels Pride – In the Capital of Europe. That is the official name of Brussels Pride. The rebrand from Belgian Pride happened for the 2023 edition, as it is now organised by visit.brussels, the tourism board of the Brussels-Capital Region. This year, the pride parade will be held on Saturday

ANTWERP | Archaeologists uncover 17th-century Fort Piémentel foundations and rare 15th-century wooden structure along the Scheldt

ANTWERP | Archaeologists uncover 17th-century Fort Piémentel foundations and rare 15th-century wooden structure along the Scheldt

Archaeologists in Antwerp have uncovered significant remains of the 17th-century Fort Piémentel, alongside an exceptionally rare large-scale wooden structure dating back to the 15th century, during excavations linked to the ongoing Oosterweel infrastructure works. The discoveries are expected to provide valuable new insights into the city’s maritime, military and

City of Antwerp seeks new concession holder for event venue under Antwerp-Central Railway Station

City of Antwerp seeks new concession holder for event venue under Antwerp-Central Railway Station

The City of Antwerp has launched a call for a new concession holder for the large shell space beneath the railway bridges of Antwerp-Central Railway Station, currently occupied by Club Ampère. The entrance to the venue is located at Simonsstraat 21, and the site forms part of the Kievit II

Brussels Airlines unveils its newest Belgian Icon: Tintin discovers new horizons, this time in space

Brussels Airlines unveils its newest Belgian Icon: Tintin discovers new horizons, this time in space

Today, Brussels Airlines proudly presents its latest Belgian Icon, a tribute to one of Belgium’s most internationally cherished creations: Tintin. The airline revealed its freshly painted aircraft (Airbus A320 – OO‑SNJ), inspired by Hergé’s universe and the famous adventures on the Moon and in space. It is the

Access gates to be introduced in major Belgian railway stations, reversing earlier opposition

Access gates to be introduced in major Belgian railway stations, reversing earlier opposition

The Belgian Federal Government is moving ahead with the installation of access gates in major railway stations, despite earlier opposition from passenger groups, unions, and the railway operator itself, Gazet van Antwerpen, Het Nieuwsblad and De Standaard report. Frequent public transport users are expected to become accustomed to gates restricting

Trenitalia Frecciarossa unveils new brand identity as FS accelerates European high-speed push

Italy’s state-backed passenger operator Trenitalia, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) has launched a new visual identity for its flagship high-speed brand Frecciarossa, linking the rebrand to the next phase of its fleet renewal programme and to FS Group’s broader ambitions to expand across Europe. The new logo and

NS proposes major timetable upgrades for 2027, boosting links in northern and eastern Netherlands

NS proposes major timetable upgrades for 2027, boosting links in northern and eastern Netherlands

Dutch state operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) has outlined plans for significant timetable improvements from 2027, with a strong focus on better rail connections in the north and east of the Netherlands. In its draft timetable consultation submitted to regional authorities and passenger organisations (Locov), NS proposes restoring a direct Groningen–