Stories from Brussels · Belgium

Three inmates required medical treatment for smoke inhalation following a fire at Saint-Gilles prison. The fire started outside the prison perimeter during the night. Emergency services managed to control the blaze quickly. No other injuries were reported during the incident. Gillis prison in Brussels. No injuries to staff or structural damage were reported.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has labeled the phase-out of nuclear power a strategic error. She is currently advocating for a renaissance of nuclear energy across the continent. In Germany, politicians from the CDU and CSU are also calling for the potential reactivation of decommissioned nuclear power plants. All German nuclear power plants have remained shut down for three years. She stated that while nuclear power may not be technically or economically viable for current needs, rising energy prices due to the Iran war highlight the risks of oil and gas import dependency. Nuclear power plants contributed less than 6% to electricity and less than 2% to total energy consumption last year before being decommissioned. The current contribution level is deemed insufficient to stabilize energy costs.

NATO members, Canada, and Italy have expressed dissatisfaction with US military actions against Iran. The criticism follows potential demands for war reparations from Iran. Iran has proposed new conditions regarding the management and tolling of the Strait of Hormuz in response to these tensions. The geopolitical situation remains fluid as leaders weigh the implications of US-led military pressure. Araghchi's departure follows a trip through Oman and Azerbaijan. The move comes after Donald Trump characterized the recent shooter as a lone wolf. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has left Islamabad following a visit to Oman and Azerbaijan. His departure follows the cancellation of a planned visit to the US by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Beijing has issued a warning to the European Union after several Chinese firms were included in sanctions related to Russia. Ukraine is also working toward the first batch of proposals for joining EU negotiations. The 20th round of sanctions is now officially implemented, with Ukraine already coordinating with the EU on a 21st round to target military-industrial capacity. China's Ministry of Commerce expressed strong dissatisfaction regarding the European Union's 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions. The sanctions package targets six Chinese companies, nine from the United Arab Emirates, two from Uzbekistan, and one each from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Iran. Affected entities face asset freezes and prohibitions on receiving financial, asset-based, or economic resources. The move aims to target entities supporting Russian interests.

A reform of the French pension system is expected to lead to lower pension payouts on average. Women are more likely to utilize part-time work or experience career interruptions, which reduces their total years of contribution. The reform reinforces the link between total years worked and pension amounts, disproportionately affecting female retirees. The law does not explicitly discriminate by gender, which would be unconstitutional, but reflects existing societal career choices. Recent pension reforms in France are contributing to differences in retirement payouts between men and women. The impact of the reform is being analyzed in relation to these career-long inequalities. New government pension reform measures in Belgium are projected to increase inequality among future retirees by approximately 9%.

The European Commission has proposed a series of legislative amendments to simplify existing AI laws. The new framework seeks to streamline oversight before the primary legislation fully enters into force. The European Commission is facing criticism regarding its approach to high-risk AI systems and data usage. Critics argue the Commission is ignoring the potential for AI to cause regular discrimination. There are concerns regarding who will ultimately decide if specific data or systems constitute a high risk. The European Union is discussing the classification of high-risk AI applications in sectors such as healthcare, education, employment, and law enforcement. Current frameworks allow developers and users discretion in assessing risk within 'grey areas' of the legislation.

All citizens from non-EU countries, including those with visa-free travel rights, must register in the new ETIAS system for short-term visits to Europe for tourism, business, or personal reasons. The collected data will be stored for three years and automatically deleted. Initial implementation saw system collapses and hours-long queues at major airports, causing missed flights, but the situation is reportedly stabilizing. European authorities acknowledge potential delays, especially in popular airports and during peak travel seasons. Biometric data submitted for a visa is separate from the biometric data required for border crossing.

NATO officials stated they have no concerns regarding a leaked Pentagon email suggesting the potential removal of Spain and other partners from the alliance. The organization maintained that Spain remains a reliable member with its own independent criteria. The Partido Popular noted that no member can be expelled from the organization.

The United States is drafting a list to categorize NATO members based on their contributions to the alliance. The United States is pressuring European NATO allies regarding their positions and actions in the Iran conflict. This pressure is driving a shift toward European strategic autonomy and a reduction in unilateral dependence on the US for security responsibilities. This shift in strategic awareness is being observed across multiple geopolitical contexts including Ukraine and Iran. Analysts suggest the US approach to the Iran war is exposing the limits of American power. Negotiations have entered a period of stagnation following US instructions to avoid direct presence at the table. Experts suggest indirect negotiations via video conference may replace the need for a US delegation to be physically present.

The European Union has approved a 90 billion euro loan package intended for Ukraine. The loan is specifically designed to ensure Ukraine remains resilient until the end of next year. This funding is intended to meet Kyiv's military and financial requirements through 2027. The loan follows the electoral defeat of Viktor Orban. The breakthrough comes as Ukraine seeks to reduce reliance on American financial or military aid. The development follows a period of survival for Ukraine since February. The move aims to provide stability regardless of potential changes in American financial or military aid under the Trump administration. This represents a breakthrough in European-led support for Ukraine. Ukraine is increasing domestic production of air defenses to compensate for a lack of American Patriot missiles due to the conflict in Iran.