Latest Belgium government News
Danish leader on European tour as Copenhagen moves to strengthen presence around Greenland
BERLIN (AP) — Denmark's prime minister embarked on a tour of major European capitals Tuesday as the continent faces what she called “a more uncertain reality” and her country moves to strengthen its military presence around Greenland. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen planned...
EU's executive branch denies cover up over the health of its president, Ursula von der Leyen
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Commission denied on Monday that it had tried to cover up the state of health of its president, Ursula von der Leyen, after the head of the EU’s executive branch was hospitalized with severe pneumonia. Von der Leyen, 66, is the EU’s most...
Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU
BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke said the inexpensive e-cigarettes had turned into a health threat...
Vatican advances beatification process for Belgium's king who abdicated rather than approve abortion
ROME (AP) — The Vatican has taken the first main step to implement Pope Francis’ wish that Belgium’s late king be beatified for having abdicated for a day rather than approve legislation to legalize abortion. The Holy See’s saint-making office on Dec. 17 established a...
Putin boasts of gains in Ukraine at annual news conference meant to reinforce his authority
MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin boasted that his military operation in Ukraine has strengthened Russia and denied that the ouster of key ally Bashar Assad in Syria had hurt Moscow’s prestige, as he took questions at his annual news conference and call-in show Thursday. He...
Italy's Salvini faces verdict for blocking migrants at sea. Case weighs limits of stemming migration
MILAN (AP) — Italy’s deputy premier, Matteo Salvini, has sounded defiant ahead of Friday’s court verdict in Sicily for blocking some 100 migrants at sea on a humanitarian rescue boat in 2019 when he was interior minister. Salvini, who leads the Euroskeptic, anti-migrant League,...
NATO leader says he wants to put Ukraine in a position of strength for any peace talks with Russia
BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO's secretary-general said he wants to discuss ways to put Ukraine in a position of strength for any future peace talks with Russia during a meeting Wednesday with Ukraine’s president and a small number of European leaders. But Mark Rutte appeared frustrated at...
Georgia's outgoing president urges EU to use more leverage to back protesters
BRUSSELS (AP) — Georgia’s outgoing president on Wednesday appealed to the European Union to press her country’s pro-Russia government to hold a new election amid a police crackdown on peaceful opposition protesters. Tens of thousands of people have filled the streets regularly...
