Belgium has marked the 10th-anniversary of the 2016 Brussels terror attacks, remembering the victims of the country’s deadliest peacetime attack and reflecting on changes to national security.
The coordinated attacks on 22 March 2016, claimed by the Islamic State group, killed 32 people and injured more than 300. A decade on, the events continue to have a lasting impact across the country.
Commemorations began early on Sunday morning at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, where survivors shared their experiences of the day. Among those attending were Prime Minister Bart De Wever, alongside King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.
Ceremonies then moved to the Maelbeek metro station, where another explosion struck during the morning rush hour, before concluding at a memorial in central Brussels.
The attacks were carried out by the same militant network responsible for the November 2015 Paris attacks, which killed 130 people. Investigators later found that members of the group had regrouped in Brussels before launching the assault, shortly after the arrest of Salah Abdeslam.
In the years since, Belgian authorities say they have strengthened intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism efforts. The country’s threat level remains at “serious”, and the number of state security staff has significantly increased. A shared database tracking extremist suspects is now used across multiple agencies to improve coordination.
However, some victims and their families say support has been insufficient. Concerns remain over delays in recognising injuries and accessing compensation.
This week, Defence Minister Theo Francken acknowledged a “serious error” after several victims were mistakenly asked to repay compensation due to an administrative mistake.
U.S. and Iranian officials said they had agreed on a framework to end their war, halt the U.S. blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a pre...
The UK has become the latest country to annouce a social media ban for children under 16. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement on...
An armed unmanned aerial vehicle crashed on a Black Sea beach in northern Türkiye on Sunday, prompting a security operation and the controlled detona...
Spain has received around 900,000 applications from undocumented migrants seeking legal status under a government regularisation programme. The influx...
A Ukrainian man has been found guilty of carrying out a series of arson attacks on properties linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after bein...
An armed unmanned aerial vehicle crashed on a Black Sea beach in northern Türkiye on Sunday, prompting a security operation and the controlled detonation of its munitions.
Spain has received around 900,000 applications from undocumented migrants seeking legal status under a government regularisation programme. The influx has far exceeded initial expectations, the Migration Ministry said on Monday.
A Ukrainian man has been found guilty of carrying out a series of arson attacks on properties linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after being recruited by a mystery figure known only as "EL Money".
Fighting in southern Lebanon eased on Monday after a U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at ending months of regional conflict was announced, although uncertainty remained over how the deal would be implemented on the ground.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
U.S. and Iranian officials said they had agreed on a framework to end their war, halt the U.S. blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a preliminary pact that sent oil prices falling but leaves the fate of Iran's nuclear program to further negotiations.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
Spain has received around 900,000 applications from undocumented migrants seeking legal status under a government regularisation programme. The influx has far exceeded initial expectations, the Migration Ministry said on Monday.
A Ukrainian man has been found guilty of carrying out a series of arson attacks on properties linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after being recruited by a mystery figure known only as "EL Money".
British lawmakers look set to revisit assisted dying in the new parliamentary session after Labour MP Lauren Edwards said she would reintroduce legislation that failed to complete its passage through Parliament earlier this year.
Israel expects to secure new contracts for its air and missile defence systems from European countries within weeks, as governments across the continent continue to strengthen their militaries amid security concerns linked to Russia's war in Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on French wine and champagne unless France removes its digital services tax on major American technology companies.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment