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Belgiums defense chief stands by 50 million drone scare

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:08:51 GMT

While most reports of drone sightings have been proven false, some appeared plausible even despite lack of any evidence, Theo Francken insists

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken has defended the costly drone scare, which cost some €50 million (some $ 58.5 million) in emergency spending, and offered a lackluster apology for personally disseminating images purporting to picture the UAVs, which

Belgium's defense chief stands by 50 million drone scare

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:08:51 GMT

While most reports of drone sightings have been proven false, some appeared "plausible" even despite lack of any evidence, Theo Francken insists

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken has defended the costly drone scare, which cost some 50 million (some $ 58.5 million) in emergency spending, and offered a lackluster a

EU energy bill spikes amid Iran war supply shock commissioner

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:41:32 GMT

Daily fossil fuel import costs have exceeded $587 million since the Middle East escalation, the blocs energy chief Dan Jorgensen has said

The EU is facing months of uncertainty as its energy crisis deepens following the escalation of the Middle East conflict, with the bloc now paying far more for fossil fuel imports, Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen has said.

The US-Israeli war on Iran has

EU threatens to cut Venice Biennale funding over Russian return

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:58:51 GMT

Italian Deputy PM Salvini has called the European Commissions plan to withdraw 2 million in funding ignorant pettiness

The EU wants to cut funding for the Venice Biennale after the exhibition decided to readmit Russian artists to its 2026 edition, the bloc's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has said.

Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Russian artists have faced event ca

Heres what the Bulgaria election reveals

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:56:30 GMT

More European countries are quietly stepping back from the anti-Russian front

The latest election in Bulgaria has delivered a striking result. Former President Rumen Radev's party, Progressive Bulgaria, secured a commanding 44.5% of the vote, far ahead of its rivals. The once-dominant GERB-SDS alliance trailed in second place with 13.3%, followed by the We Continue the Change/Democratic Bulgaria

Jet fuel prices surge amid W Asia crisis: Lufthansa cuts 20,000 flights, adjusts summer flight schedule

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:01:05 GMT

New Delhi [India], April 22(ANI) Germany's flag carrier and largest airline Lufthansa has announced cancellation of 20,000 of its short-haul flights between May and October, a move aimed at saving jet fuel, the price of which has doubled since the outbreak of the Iran conflict.

The German carrier cancelled about 120 daily flights on Sunday stating that its capacity will be 'marginally reduced,' by less than one p

Zelensky Says Druzhba Pipeline Ready, EU Loan for Ukraine Nearer

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:27:28 GMT

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine has completed repairs on the damaged section of the Druzhba oil pipeline, opening the way for the resumption of Russian oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia and potentially clearing a major obstacle to the release of a 90 billion euro EU loan for Kyiv.

The southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline had been out of operation since late January after what Kyiv describ

Charles Michel Blasts von der Leyen Over Authoritarian Governance

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:20:29 GMT

Former European Council President and former Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has launched sharp criticism against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, accusing her and the Commission of attempting a ?power grab? within the European Union's institutional structure.

In an interview with The Brussels Times, Michel said the European Commission has increasingly tried to expand its authority beyond

Lufthansa trims summer schedule, rebalances network as fuel costs surge amid West Asia crisis

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:00:31 GMT

New Delhi [India], April 22 (ANI): Germany's flag carrier Lufthansa Group has announced a calibrated optimisation of its summer flight schedule across its six major hubs, citing a volatile operating environment marked by surging fuel costs and geopolitical uncertainty, according to an official press release.The airline said capacity will be marginally reduced, by less than one percent in available seat kilometres, thro

Iran Says It Has Seized 2 Vessels In The Strait Of Hormuz

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:05:00 GMT

New posts

12:51

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Say They Seized 2 Ships In Hormuz Strait

People on Revolution Square in Tehran on April 22 walk past a giant billboard saying "the Strait of Hormuz remains closed."

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) says it has seized two offending vessels during an alleged secret attempt to leave the Strait of Hormuz.

The naval arm of the IRGC s

Washington Says Iran Blockade Will Continue Under 'Maximum Pressure'

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:05:00 GMT

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07:34

Shipping Monitor Reports Incident Near Oman

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British maritime security monitoring center that issues alerts to commercial shipping in the Middle East, said on April 22 that it received a report of an incident 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman.

The captain of a container ship said their vessel was approached by an Iranian Revo

Iran Says It Has Seized 2 Vessels In Strait Of Hormuz

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:05:00 GMT

New posts

15:11

Iran Says War Has Cost More Than 700,000 Jobs

By

RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Alireza Mahjub, secretary-general of Irans Labor House, an influential officially recognized labor organization, has said that more than 700,000 jobs have been lost during Iran's war with the United States and Israel.

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on April 22, he sa

Trump Says Iran Spares 8 Women; Tehran Denies Death Penalty Claims

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:05:00 GMT

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21:06

Trump Says Iran To Spare 8 Women He Claims Faced Imminent Execution

US President Donald Trump said he has learned that eight Iranian women "who were going to be executed tonight" would not be killed after he appealed to Tehran to release them. Iran's judiciary denied it and asserted that none of the women faced the death penalty.

Neither claim could immediately be verified.

Wider Europe Briefing: The EU's First-Ever Armenia Summit

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:08:12 GMT

Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods.

I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I am drilling down on two issues related to Armenia: the first-ever EU-Armenia summit and the bloc's new mission to the South Caucasus nation.

Hungarys Magyar warns Netanyahu of arrest

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:00:46 GMT

The incoming PM has pledged to stop Budapests withdrawal from the ICC, which has an active warrant for the Israeli leader

Hungary's incoming prime minister, Peter Magyar, has said he would order the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters the country, marking a sharp reversal of predecessor Viktor Orban's policy.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Magyar said

Funding Feud Over Russia's Return To The Venice Biennale

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:14:00 GMT

When Russia returns to the Venice Biennale art exhibition on May 9, the Ukrainian team exhibiting nearby say they will not be staging any protest.

Artist Zhanna Kadyrova, who will represent Ukraine at the Venice exhibition, told RFE/RL, we will focus on our message and spend all our stress to make our pavilion as good as possible. This is our fight.

The upcoming biennale will mark the first time since Mosco

Funding Feud Over Russia's Return To The Venice Biennale

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:14:00 GMT

When Russia returns to the Venice Biennale art exhibition on May 9, the Ukrainian team exhibiting nearby say they will not be staging any protest.

Artist Zhanna Kadyrova, who will represent Ukraine at the Venice exhibition, told RFE/RL, "We will focus on our message and spend all our stress to make our pavilion as good as possible. This is our fight."

The upcoming biennale will mark the first time since Mos

Over 60 countries join Brussels talks to revive Two-State Solution amid growing global concern

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:26:33 GMT

BRUSSELS, 21st April, 2026 (WAM) -- Brussels today witnessed the start of the ninth session of the meetings of the International Coalition for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, with the participation of representatives from more than 60 countries, amid escalating international interest in reviving the political path for the Palestinian cause.

Maxime Prevot, the Belgian Foreign Minister, confirmed duri

Von der Leyen super authoritarian ex-European Council chief

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:10:54 GMT

Charles Michel has become the latest EU figure to criticize the Commission presidents leadership style

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has turned EU governance into a "super authoritarian" system, former European Council President Charles Michel has said, accusing her of overstepping her mandate.

Michel, who worked alongside von der Leyen for five years from 2019 until 20

Bulgaria is not going 'pro-Russia' - the EU is just paranoid

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:55:57 GMT

Brussels just can't kick its irrational Russophobia, as Rumen Radev's supposed friendliness towards Moscow has many up in arms

After eight snap elections in five years, Bulgaria's Rumen Radev, a 62-year-old reform-minded pragmatist with much political (he's a former president) and military (he's also a former general)

EU on Radev's Victory: It Is a Pleasure to Welcome You Back

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:15:16 GMT

European Council President Antonio Costa publicly congratulated Rumen Radev on his election victory, becoming one of the first senior EU officials to react to the outcome of Bulgaria's parliamentary vote.

In a message posted on X, Costa addressed Radev directly, acknowledging what he described as an ?outright victory? in the legislative elections and welcoming his return to the European Council.

?Congratula

Kremlin on Radev's Victory: We Welcome Pragmatic Dialogue

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:06:29 GMT

The Kremlin has issued its first public reaction to Rumen Radev's election victory, signaling a positive response to his statements about maintaining pragmatic dialogue with Moscow.

Asked to comment on Western media descriptions of the leader of ?Progressive Bulgaria? as ?Putin's Trojan horse,? Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was focused instead on Radev's declared readiness for communication with Rus

Dialogue with Russia must be restored Bulgarian election winner

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:01:08 GMT

Rumen Radev, the leader of Progressive Bulgaria, has pushed for more critical thinking and pragmatism in EU foreign policy

The winner of the Bulgarian parliamentary election, Progressive Bulgaria's Rumen Radev, has called for dialogue with Russia to be restored. The former president has led the newly formed left-leaning populist party to a landslide victory on a platform of critical dialogue with

(SP)ITALY-IMOLA-AUTO-WEC 6 HOURS 2026-RACE

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 03:46:08 GMT

(260420) -- IMOLA, April 20, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Chinese driver Ye Yifei of Ferrari AF Corse competes during the Hypercar category race at the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy, April 19, 2026. (Photo by Qian Jun/Xinhua)

String of suspected gang-related blasts rocks Brussels suburb

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 04:20:30 GMT

The mayor of Saint-Gilles has requested reinforcements to combat "terrorism"

The mayor of a Brussels suburb has denounced what he described as "terrorism" and called for reinforcements after a series of explosions linked to gang violence struck the EU capital this week.

At least five blasts have been r

Italian deputy PM calls for return to Russian energy imports

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:59:13 GMT

Matteo Salvini says lifting EU restrictions is key to averting an economic crisis

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has called on the EU to resume imports of Russian oil and gas, arguing that the bloc should prioritize energy security.

The war in the Middle East has exacerbated Europe's energy crisis, as disruptions to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz-a key route handling

EU has four years to militarize - Belgian defense chief

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 08:33:49 GMT

The bloc should build up its defenses by 2030 to deter Russia even without US backing, Frederik Vansina has said

European nations have around four years to build up their defenses enough to deter a Russian attack without US backing, Frederic Vansina, Belgium's Chief of the General Staff, has said. Moscow has dismissed

EU has four years to militarize Belgian defense chief

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 08:33:49 GMT

The bloc should build up its defenses by 2030 to deter Russia even without US backing, Frederik Vansina has said

In an interview wit

EU court finds Hungary's anti-LGBTQ legislation violates bloc's rules

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:36:45 GMT

Hungary's outgoing government violated European law withrules prohibiting or restricting access to LGBTQ content,which stigmatise and marginalise gay and trans people, the European Court of Justiceruledon Tuesday.

TheEuropean Commission, 16 of 27 member states and theEuropean Parliamenttook Hungary to theEuropean Court of Justice(ECJ) over the2021 law, in what has been billed as the largesthuman rightscase in the

Mirzoyan, Prevot discuss bilateral, regional issues

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 01:47:32 GMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held a phone conversation with Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation, Maxime Prevot, discussing bilateral and regional issues.

The foreign ministers of Armenia and Belgium expressed satisfaction with the active political dialogue established

Europe's far right leaders gather in Milan rally against immigration

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 18:22:48 GMT

Far-right leaders from Europe gathered in Milan Saturday for a rally attended by thousands against irregular immigration and Brussels bureaucracy, the first since the electoraldefeat of nationalist Viktor Orban in Hungary.

Supporters of the Patriots for Europe party, the third-largest bloc in the European Parliament, rallied in front of Milan's Duomo cathedral, separated by a significant police presence from a li

Europe's far-right leaders gather in Milan rally against immigration

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 18:22:48 GMT

Supporters of the Patriots for Europe party, the third-largest bloc in the European Parliament, rallied in front of Milan's Duomo cathedral, separated by a significant police presence from a li

China drawn with titleholder U.S. for 2026 Women's Basketball World Cup

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:45:25 GMT

BERLIN, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China was drawn with defending champion the United States, Italy and the Czech Republic in Group D as the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup draw was held here on Tuesday.

The 16-team tournament, scheduled for September 4-13 in the German capital, will mark the 20th edition of the Women's World Cup and the first to feature an expanded field of 16 teams, up from 12 at the previous

Belgium launches four-year campaign to prepare public for emergencies

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:03:36 GMT

BRUSSELS, 21st April, 2026 (WAM) -- The Belgian government has launched a nationwide campaign to help people prepare for emergencies, urging households to be ready to cope on their own for at least 72 hours.

The initiative, led by the National Crisis Centre, begins on Tuesday and forms part of a four-year plan to improve public resilience amid growing geopolitical tensions and climate-related disasters.

Off

Peace Board's Mladenov says holds "very productive meeting" with Palestinian PM

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:15:15 GMT

RAMALLAH, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Nickolay Mladenov, the U.S.-led Board of Peace's High Representative for Gaza, said on Monday that he held a "very productive meeting" with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa over the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 2803 in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement posted on his X account, Mladenov said, "We are both committed to the coordination needed to ensure that as decom

Strike continues to disrupt Bpost services in Belgium

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:45:11 GMT

BRUSSELS, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Strike action continued to disrupt services at Belgian postal operator bpost on Monday, with Wallonia and Brussels among the hardest-hit regions, as management, unions, and mediators prepared to resume negotiations on the company's transformation plan.

According to bpost, parcel processing is currently affected by union action. In Flanders, delays are possible, while in Wallonia an

Four teams at 2-0 after opening week of CDL Stage 3 qualifying

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:05:15 GMT

FaZe Vegas and Toronto KOI joined two other teams at 2-0 in the standings after the first week of qualifying for the Call of Duty League's Stage 3.

The Paris Gentle Mates and Vancouver Surge, who did not have matches on Sunday, also are 2-0.

Toronto downed Boston Breach, while FaZe Vegas topped the Riyadh Falcons and OpTic Texas won its first match over Cloud9 New York. All matches were by 3-1 decisions.

EU exerting efforts to release withheld Palestinian tax funds: official

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 15:15:21 GMT

RAMALLAH, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A European Union official said Sunday that efforts are underway to secure the release of Palestinian tax revenues withheld by Israel, warning of mounting financial pressure on the Palestinian Authority.

Shadi Othman, media officer at the EU Office in Jerusalem, told reporters in Ramallah that the bloc is working with regional and international partners to address the dispute, sayin

EU optimistic Hungary veto on 90bn Ukraine loan will be lifted

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:18:05 GMT

Orban, who has led Hungary since 2010, was ousted inthe election of 12 April, in which his opponent Peter Magyar won a landslide victory, but is still the caretaker prime minister until the new government takes over in May.

He has consistently tied his refusal to approve the loan to the Druzhba pipeline dispute, but signalled on Sunday that Budapest would stop blocking the package once oil deliveries resumed.

Bulgaria's political instability ends, but with a pro-Russian twist

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:35:54 GMT

(CN) - After eight parliamentary elections since 2021, Bulgaria on Monday was set to finally get a stable government. But the winner of Sunday's ballot, former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, posed a fresh headache for the European Union due to his pro-Russia stance and dislike of some key EU policies.

Radev's anti-corruption message about taking on oligarchic structures struck a chord with voters and his n

CVE-2026-40372- Microsoft Patches ASP.NET Core Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 20:16:47 GMT

CVE-2026-40372- Microsoft Patches ASP.NET Core Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Boards Of Canada announce new album after more than decade - The Herald

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:08:29 GMT

Boards Of Canada announce new album after more than decade - The Herald

Baby rabbits rescued after being trapped on North Sea drilling rig - The Herald

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:07:09 GMT

Baby rabbits rescued after being trapped on North Sea drilling rig - The Herald