The European Parliament is moving to close EU markets to Chinese investment in strategic sectors, as Belgium arrests a Chinese citizen for allegedly stealing advanced microchip technology. The developments reflect growing European anxiety about Beijing's industrial espionage and trade practices.
Belgian prosecutors have held a 52-year-old man with Belgian and Chinese nationality in pre-trial detention since May 10 on suspicion of espionage, allegedly passing gallium nitride chip-making secrets from bankrupt firm BELGAN to a China-based rival. The case is part of a broader wave of Chinese espionage investigations across Europe.
Firefighters launched a decisive push to encircle Belgium's largest wildfire in a century in the High Fens nature reserve near the German border. Rain and cooler temperatures are aiding containment efforts despite hampering air support operations, with the blaze having ravaged an area half the size of Manhattan.
Firefighters are battling Belgium's largest modern-day wildfire, which has burned over 3,000 hectares of the High Fens nature reserve and is heading toward the German border. The EU deployed helicopters and water bombers to assist, with hundreds evacuated.
Builders renovating a property in Dendermonde, Belgium stumbled upon a hidden trove of gold bars and coins worth approximately €9 million while excavating for a new sewage system. The discovery was made by workers, including a student on a summer job, who found the gold sealed in the walls of the building's cellar.
Belgian-Dutch biotech argenx agreed to acquire Forte Biosciences for $2.2 billion in cash ($77 per share, an 86% premium to its VWAP since July 9), adding FB102, an anti-CD122 antibody in development for vitiligo and celiac disease, to its immunology pipeline.
The Dutch government announced it will prohibit the import and sale of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories beginning September 22, 2026, joining Ireland, Belgium, and Spain in imposing such restrictions. The ban, announced in May but only now dated, is intended to reflect the Netherlands' obligations under international law, though enforcement is expected to be challenging due to inadequate product labeling.
At least six people were killed in a fire that broke out Tuesday morning at a building under renovation in central Brussels. The victims' bodies were recovered from a lift blocked in a shaft after the fire started on the second floor and spread.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented each NATO leader attending the alliance's summit in Ankara with a Turkish-made Gumusay revolver and ammunition as parting gifts. The unexpected firearms created logistical and legal complications, with some leaders like Belgian PM Bart De Wever discovering the weapons in their luggage upon return, while UK PM Keir Starmer left his behind due to British gun laws.
FIFA made the unprecedented decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's automatic one-game red card ban, allowing the U.S. striker to play in Monday's World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium. The decision came after President Donald Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the situation.
Preliminary official data shows at least 3,700 excess deaths across Western Europe following a severe late-June heatwave, with older populations particularly affected. The crisis has triggered political fallout in France, where the prime minister faces a no-confidence vote.
Russia conducted an 18-month drone surveillance campaign targeting nuclear facilities in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, while simultaneously stepping up jet-powered drone attacks against Ukraine. The escalation comes as Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries have created fuel shortages across Russia.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off with opening matches ending in draws across multiple groups. Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in Los Angeles, Saudi Arabia held Uruguay to a draw in Miami, and Belgium settled for 1-1 with Egypt despite numerous chances.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the escalating Gulf war between the US, Israel, and Iran is 'out of control' and urged all sides to step back from the brink. He announced the appointment of a special envoy to push for peace as the conflict approaches its one-month mark.
NATO's annual report shows European allies and Canada increased defense spending by 20% in real terms in 2025 compared to the previous year, marking the second consecutive year of such growth. The report comes amid tensions over NATO members' contributions and the ongoing Iran conflict.
Russia allegedly orchestrated an extensive drone surveillance operation over 18 months using vessels from its shadow fleet to monitor nuclear facilities and military sites across the UK, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, while testing NATO air defenses. The campaign repeatedly disrupted civilian aviation and comes amid increased Russian warplane activity near NATO territory.
