Bookmarks (44) clear filters

Twenty-six residents have died and 85 more have tested positive for coronavirus since visit in MolAt least 26 residents of a Belgian retirement home have died since a visit by a volunteer dressed as Saint Nicholas who has since tested positive for Covid-19.The deaths at the Hemelrijck home in Mol, near Antwerp, have prompted the local municipality to criticise the “completely irresponsible” organisers of...

Pharmaceutical companies complain of breach of confidentiality after amount EU has agreed to pay for leading vaccines goes publicCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA Belgian minister has blown the lid off a sensitive and commercial secret – the price that the EU has agreed to pay for the leading Covid vaccines.Belgium’s budget state secretary, Eva De Bleeker, posted the price list on...

Experts say ‘incredible discovery’ is the earliest known version of the early 17th century artist’s Holy Family worksA painting that hung for decades in a municipal building in Brussels has been authenticated as the work of Flemish master Jacob Jordaens.After analysis including dendrochronology – dating works from the wood panels they are painted on – experts determined that it is the oldest known version...

Mosque’s application for special recognition is refused after advice from security servicesThe Belgian government has refused permission for the Grand Mosque in the EU quarter of Brussels to be recognised as a local faith community, claiming that the place of worship has been infiltrated by Moroccan spies.The decision to deny the application was made by the justice minister, Vincent Van Quickenborne, following advice from...

Gathering took place above a bar in Brussels, which is under a 10pm to 6am Covid lockdownCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA group of 25 men, said to include an MEP who injured himself as he attempted to flee through a window, have been arrested by Belgian police for breaching the coronavirus lockdown after being discovered at a sex party above a...

Royals begin ‘new chapter’ as Delphine Boel recognised after two-decade court battleThe long-running royal scandal that has riveted Belgium and damaged those involved reached a new milestone when the former king Albert II reunited with the daughter he fathered out of wedlock more than half a century ago.Albert II sat between his wife, Queen Paola, and the former Delphine Boel, who has been recognised...

Tree that has survived bombing and search for firewood is voted country’s tree of the yearA chestnut tree that survived both the bombardment of Ypres in the first world war and a desperate hunt for firewood during the second has been named Belgium’s tree of the year in recognition of its survival in the face of adversity.The tree, the sole survivor of a chestnut...

Frank Vandenbroucke says situation in parts of country is ‘most dangerous in all of Europe’Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBelgium is losing control of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and is very close to being overwhelmed by a “tsunami” of infection, the country’s health minister has said.Frank Vandenbroucke, the federal minister, told the broadcaster RTL that Belgians needed to radically...

German capital tells bars to shut at 11pm, while fellow role model Belgium also tightens rulesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBerlin’s nightlife is facing a closing time for the first time in 70 years as the party-loving German capital seeks to contain spiralling coronavirus infection rates.From Saturday, bars, restaurants and off-licences will have to close their doors between 11pm and 6am as...

Following a revolution against rule from the Netherlands, a provisional government in Belgium declared its independence on 4 October 1830. See how the Guardian and Observer reported eventsAfter the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, Belgium became part of a single nation called the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, ruled by William of Orange. The traditionally Catholic Belgians in the southern provinces chafed with the largely...

Artist whose mother had affair with former king Albert II wins the right to use royal title and father’s surnameAn artist who successfully fought a seven-year legal battle to prove she was the daughter of the former king of Belgium, Albert II, has won the right to be recognised as a princess.The Brussels Court of Appeal has ruled that Delphine Boël, 52, had the...

Flemish Liberal Alexander De Croo sworn in as PM as country passes milestone of 10,000 Covid deathsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBelgium’s warring political parties have agreed to form a government nearly two years after the previous one collapsed, as the country passed the grim milestone of 10,000 deaths from coronavirus.The deal, only finalised in the early hours of Wednesday , ends...

Tighter measures are being imposed, but they vary across the continent Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage Continue reading...

Delphine Boël, whose mother had affair with ex-king Albert II, also wants to take her father’s surnameA woman who successfully fought a seven-year legal battle to prove she was the daughter of the former king of Belgium, Albert II, will learn next month whether, against the wishes of her father, she will be able to use the titles Her Royal Highness and the Princess...

Matt Hancock hails Belgian model amid rollout of new curbs in England – but data shows jump in new casesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBelgium has been cited by the UK health secretary, Matt Hancock, as a model for getting coronavirus under control – just as its public health body recorded a 15% rise in the number of daily infections compared with...

Government says it will not cancel trains to seaside after dozens are involved in fightCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBelgium’s government has ruled out cancelling trains to the seaside after a weekend beach brawl prompted local mayors to call for limits on visitors to the coast.Local politicians across Belgium’s 40-mile (65km) strip of coastline called for action after police confronted dozens of...

Department for Transport officials said to be finalising announcement of the move Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBelgium is set to be added to England’s quarantine list after a rise in Covid-19 cases, meaning arrivals from the country will have to isolate for 14 days.The Guardian understands that officials at the Department for Transport (DfT) are finalising the announcement of the move...

Romanian has been described as ‘bravest and most distinguished candidate for the job’Laura Codruƫa Kövesi made her name as the head of Romania’s respected anti-corruption agency, the DNA. She went after government ministers and mayors, fast becoming a favourite of the European parliament and anti-corruption campaigners.Kövesi was popular with many governments – but not her own, who vowed to do everything to block her...