Belgium

East Med: Direct Erdogan, Mitsotakis talks a possibility ahead of EU summit

Greece says high-level talks between aides to Turkish President Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis raise the possibility of direct engagement between the leaders over the eastern Mediterranean maritime zone conflict.

EU chief sets tougher climate, digital investment targets

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tells lawmakers her new ambitious plan of cutting 55 percent emissions by 2030 should help the European Union achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

EU lawmakers suspend Myanmar's Suu Kyi from Sakharov Prize community

Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner of Myanmar's then-ruling military junta in the 1990s who now rules as state counsellor, was awarded the European parliament's Sakharov Prize in 1990.

EU: 1 in 8 deaths linked to pollution in Europe

Prolonged exposure to pollutants can cause diabetes, lung disease and cancer, and early evidence suggests air pollution may be linked to higher death rates among Covid-19 patients.

Thousands of origami birds help fund Covid-19 units at Belgium hospital

Suspended from the ceiling of the medieval Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula by thin wires, the paper creations have come from as far as Hong Kong, New York and Tokyo after Belgian designer Charles Kaisin asked people for submissions.

Trump cancels Republican convention in Florida amid virus – latest updates

Coronavirus has now infected some 15.4 million people and has killed more than 632,000. Here are the latest updates for July 23:

EU leaders reach deal on budget and $858 billion Covid-19 recovery

The coronavirus has sent the EU into a tailspin, killing around 135,000 of its citizens and plunging its economy into an estimated contraction of 8.3 percent this year.

EU leaders bicker over virus recovery deal stalemate

An alliance of "frugals", led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of Austria, has been resisting calls for the bulk of funds to be doled out as non-repayable grants.

EU virus economic rescue summit begins

Leaders are under pressure to find a compromise over the $2.1 trillion budget proposal, which includes an $825-billion new recovery instrument to help relaunch the European economy after the pandemic.

Social media to face EU broadcasting rules on harmful content

The non-binding guidelines apply to social platforms where audiovisual content is seen as an essential. EU countries have until September 19 to implement the rules.

King of Belgium 'regrets' crimes against Congolese. But is that enough?

Letter sent by Belgium’s King to the President of the DRC sparks debate as many see it as an insincere acknowledgement of his ancestor's crimes.

EU and UN donors pledge $7.7B to tackle Syria humanitarian crisis

Pledges came from countries including Qatar, which has promised $100 million, and Germany, which offered 1.58 billion euros ($1.78 billion) in what Berlin said was the single biggest country donation.