Fire in France: EU "Prepared to Mobilize" Resources, "If Needed"

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed he had a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier on Saturday. The summary of their call noted that both leaders acknowledged the importance of the meeting in Kent as a crucial platform for discussing the progress toward achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been i

Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – St. Andrew’s Church in Antwerp held a prayer for Pride, led by Saskia Van den Kieboom. Transgender woman praised Bishop Johan Bonny for supporting LGBTQ+ rights and church openness.

What role does Antwerp’s St. Andrew’s play in LGBTQ+ church acceptance?What is the future of LGBTQ+ inclusion in European churches?

As VRT News reported, this morning, Aug 9,

Stephanie Loose, Programme Manager in Afghanistan, highlighted significant challenges in Geneva, emphasizing the reintegration of those who lost their homes, assets, and hope.
Afghanistan faces an unprecedented returnee crisis. Since September 2023, about three million Afghans from Pakistan and Iran have been deported or repatriated, with over two million arriving this year. Many returnees lack a

“We are closely monitoring the challenging situation regarding the fires in the Aude department,” stated Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, on the social platform X on Wednesday.
The EU is “prepared to mobilize” resources “if needed,” she added.
Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, expressed that “Europe stands with France as it faces the worst w

The decisions to acknowledge a Palestinian state arise amid increasing international criticism of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the “suffering and starvation” in Gaza as “unspeakable and indefensible.”
In a Thursday interview, Rubio stated that these decisions signaled to Hamas that the group was receiving rewards for its actions. “If I’m

Ostend (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – 7 seals returned to Klein Strand, Ostend, after weeks away due to a new protective fence. Alderman Fabrice Goffin and experts say the fence helps seals rest safely, pleasing visitors.
As VRT News reported, seals have returned to Klein Strand in Ostend after weeks away. On Saturday, Aug 9, 2025, just after noon, 7 seals were resting on the beach while one swa

Sunamganj, a district in northeast Bangladesh, is deeply affected by climate change, with sudden floods disrupting life and cutting access to services. Over 670,000 women of reproductive age in the region face challenges in accessing reproductive health care due to extreme weather. To prepare for these crises, UNFPA trains women to protect themselves and their children during floods. Shakila Akht

Brussels – In 2024, EU nations produced 32.7 billion liters of alcoholic beer and 2 billion liters of non-alcoholic beer, totaling 34.7 billion liters. The production of beer with less than 0.5 percent alcohol content saw a significant rise of 11.1 percent from the previous year, surpassing the growth of alcoholic beer, which increased by 0.6 percent. Eurostat released these statistics to coincid

The Israeli plan, approved early Friday by the government’s security cabinet, involves disarming Hamas, returning all hostages, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, establishing Israeli security control of Gaza, and setting up a new administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.
The military escalation comes amid increasingly urgent international condemnation over the humanitarian d

Velzenbeek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Vlezenbeek, Waste Warriors and Thomas Schiltz plan to quickly harvest 70,000 kg of pears from a family orchard and turn them into juice to prevent waste by New Year’s Eve.
As VRT News reported, in Vlezenbeek, in the province of Flemish Brabant near Brussels, Belgium, a family faces a problem with their 3-hectare pear orchard. The trees are full of rip