Belgium
Belgium bringing in new year ban on disposable electronic cigarettes
On January 1, the country will become the first in the EU to introduce a ban on health and environmental grounds.
Migrant Channel crossings top 34,000 for year so far
Crossings resumed on Thursday after an eight-day hiatus, with more than 600 arriving in a single day.
Suspects arrested in international operation targeting people-smuggling gang
The operation targeted an Iraqi organised crime group suspected of smuggling people across the Channel to the UK, the National Crime Agency said.
Fake art network involving Banksys, Warhols and Picassos uncovered in Italy
Thirty-eight people have been placed under investigation, including six in Spain, France and Belgium.
Calls for change to student financing as Newry graduate ‘heartbroken’ after withdrawal from prestigious EU academic offer
Aspiring student had secured Masters degree course at College of Europe in Belgium
Lionesses rescued from Ukraine to find home at Scottish zoo
Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian is preparing to welcome the animals.
Pope ends troubled visit to Belgium by demanding no cover-up of abusive clergy
An abuse scandal has devastated the church’s credibility in the country.
Pope Francis faces calls for ‘paradigm change’ on women’s issues
Francis repeated his view that women are the ‘fertile’ nurturers of the church, inducing grimaces in his audience during a speech.
Pope promises ‘all help we can’ to victims of sexual abuse by Belgian clergy
Francis met for more than two hours with 17 survivors who are seeking compensation.
Belgian PM blasts Pope Francis for Catholic Church’s sex abuse cover-up legacy
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo’s speech was one of the most pointed ever directed at the pope during a foreign trip.