Belgium

Google plans to change the display of search results in Europe after complaints from competitors about reduced traffic. The company will also remove hotel maps in three countries, although some competitors consider these changes insufficient.

The yacht Sea Story with 44 passengers sank near the Egyptian resort of Marsa Alam. 31 people were rescued, 4 died, 9 are missing, and their search continues.

Eurovision 2004 winner Ruslana Lyzhychko took part in the Belgian show “The Masked Singer” in the form of a Zeeduivel fish. The singer lasted 10 out of 12 episodes and dedicated one of her performances to the fallen defender of the Da Vinci.

Ukraine will play against Belgium in the playoffs for promotion to League A of the Nations League 2024/2025. The first match will be at home on March 20, the return match away on March 23, 2025.

Ukraine defeated Albania 2-1 in the final match of the Nations League. Goals by Zinchenko and Yaremchuk early in the game brought the victory and second place in the group, which gives the right to play in the playoffs.

EU military spending in 2024 will amount to 326 billion euros, which is 1. 9% of the Union's GDP. 17 member states will sign agreements on joint air defense and military research and development projects.

In September 2024, India reduced imports of Russian diamonds from $112 million to $1. 5 million due to G7 sanctions. Belgium, Hong Kong and the UAE became the main suppliers of diamonds to India.

At the France-Israel soccer match, fans booed the Israeli anthem. The game was held under heavy security due to recent clashes in Amsterdam, and Macron and Barnier were present at the stadium.

The German Ministry of Economy has ordered Deutsche Energy Terminal to stop supplying Russian LNG. The decision was made after the announcement of planned gas supplies from Russia to the Brunsbüttel terminal.

Volunteers developed 63 projects for communities free of charge.

THALES Belgium has signed a memorandum of cooperation with a Ukrainian defense company to jointly produce anti-UAV missiles. Further expansion of cooperation with the transfer of technologies and components is planned.

The European Commission is considering allowing Euroclear to use frozen Russian assets to protect the G7 loan to Ukraine. This could compensate the company for possible losses due to sanctions lawsuits by Russia.

The Center for Strategic Communications of Ukraine denied reports that seven NATO countries oppose Ukraine's invitation to join the Alliance. The president's spokesman said that this information was not true.

According to Politico, in addition to Germany and the United States, five other NATO countries are blocking Ukraine's invitation to join the Alliance. These are Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, Slovenia, and Spain, which have different reasons for this position.

The next round of EU-Ukraine bilateral meetings within the framework of the screening process has begun in Brussels. The Ukrainian delegation presents the state of approximation of legislation to EU norms in the field of justice, freedom and security.

Roksolana Pidlasa explained that Orban could not block the EU's €35 billion allocation to Ukraine. All that is needed to disburse the funds is a simple majority vote in the EU Council, not a unanimous decision.

Ukraine's Defense Minister has signed an agreement with Germany to strengthen the air defense system. Four more countries will join the agreement, which provides for joint projects and funding to strengthen Ukraine's air defense.

A treasure trove of nearly 3,000 Roman coins from the third century AD has been discovered in Germany outside the borders of the empire. The discovery was made in the Westerwald Mountains, far from the known settlements of the time, which raises questions among scientists.

NATO is forming a 700-strong NSATU mission to support Ukraine. Headquarters will be located in Germany, Poland and Romania, coordinating military assistance and countering the Russian threat.

Ukrainian Olympic champion Yaroslava Maguchikh is among the five nominees for the World Athlete of the Year according to World Athletics. The voting will last until October 20 on social media.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the Alliance will not be intimidated by Russian threats and will continue to support Ukraine. He visited the new NATO mission in Germany, which will coordinate military assistance to Kyiv.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Germany remains one of the biggest supporters of Ukraine after the United States. He emphasized that Germany's goal is to protect Ukraine's independence and sovereignty.

NATO is conducting a two-week military exercise to practice the use of nuclear weapons. About 2,000 troops and 60 aircraft from 13 NATO countries will take part in the maneuvers.

Several military barracks in Belgium have been placed on high alert due to specific threats of sabotage and espionage. The security level has been raised from Alpha to Bravo, which provides for additional security measures.

Germany and its partners will provide Ukraine with a €1. 4 billion military aid package by the end of the year. The package will include air defense systems, howitzers, self-propelled artillery systems, armored vehicles, drones, radars, and ammunition.

The aurora borealis was observed in the sky over the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany on October 10-11, 2024. The phenomenon was caused by a solar maximum and a geomagnetic storm.

NATO will hold its annual Steadfast Noon nuclear exercise with the participation of 60 aircraft from 13 countries. The alliance secretary general stressed the importance of strengthening defense in the face of uncertainty and russia's nuclear rhetoric.

Taiwan's president said that China cannot be the island's “homeland”. China accused Taiwan of “severing historical ties”. The visit of Taiwan's ex-president to Europe may increase tensions.

An outbreak of Marburg virus with a mortality rate of up to 90% has been recorded in Rwanda. Ukraine's chief infectious disease specialist warns of the difficulties of protection and the risk of spreading outside Africa.

The third round of bilateral EU-Ukraine sessions within the framework of the legislative compliance screening has started in Brussels. The meetings are taking place in a hybrid format from October 8 to 10, covering economic criteria and other important areas.