Belgian politician, long-time Vlaams Belang leader and prime minister since 2025
The U.S. faces Switzerland? No, this is about Balogun and the World Cup. The U.S. is set to play Belgium; Balogun is eligible to play after FIFA allowed a one-game reprieve following a red card, amid calls from Belgium to challenge the ruling.
A school minibus has been struck by a train at a level crossing in Buggenhout, Belgium, this morning, killing four people — the driver, a chaperone and two pupils — and injuring five children. Authorities have said barriers were closed and the red light was on; investigators are examining footage and questioning witnesses.
Hungary has arrived in Brussels to negotiate the release of billions in EU recovery funds, while Brussels signals that some issues remain unresolved. The talks follow Budapest’s post-election push to unblock grants and cheap loans worth several billions of euros, with a formal request deadline looming in August.
Russia has been applying economic and diplomatic pressure on Armenia ahead of its 7 June 2026 parliamentary election, banning or restricting imports, recalling its ambassador and warning Armenia against pursuing EU membership. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is framing the vote as a choice between peace with Azerbaijan and a return to war while deepening ties with the EU and US.
France and Germany have announced they will end plans to build a joint sixth-generation fighter jet, after industrial deadlock between Dassault and Airbus blocked progress. Leaders say work on associated drones and a shared combat data network will continue, but the core €100bn fighter programme has been abandoned this week.
President Donald Trump has unveiled a Qatari‑donated Boeing 747 that the Air Force has converted and repainted as a temporary Air Force One. The plane has completed flight testing, will serve as a "bridge" until purpose‑built VC‑25Bs arrive around 2028, and has drawn questions about cost, security and the ethics of accepting a foreign gift.
A massive fire has engulfed a ten-story apartment block in Antwerp’s Linkeroever district, where more than 200 residents live. Firefighters are battling the blaze amid heavy smoke; several casualties are feared while dozens are evacuated to a nearby shelter. Authorities urge residents to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed.