Poland: cyber attack targets ruling party, two days before presidential election
2025-05-16 12:44
2 min read

Websites of Poland's ruling centrist party were down on Friday due to a cyber attack, two days before the first round of the presidential election, the Prime Minister's Office announced on Friday.

Websites of Poland's ruling centrist party were down on Friday due to a cyber attack, two days before the first round of the presidential election, the Prime Minister's Office announced on Friday.

Poland: cyber attack targets ruling party, two days before presidential election
295 million people suffering from hunger in 53 countries: a toll worsened by conflicts
2025-05-16 10:47
4 min read

This is the sixth year in a row that this toll has worsened. While there have been improvements in Afghanistan and Kenya, these have been masked at global level by the deteriorating situation in Sudan, Burma and Gaza, according to this annual report published by the Global Food Crisis Network.

This is the sixth year in a row that this toll has worsened. While there have been improvements in Afghanistan and Kenya, these have been masked at global level by the deteriorating situation in Sudan, Burma and Gaza, according to this annual report published by the Global Food Crisis Network.

295 million people suffering from hunger in 53 countries: a toll worsened by conflicts
Unusual minute: Swiss student breaks drone speed record
2025-05-16 09:30
1 min read

The Swiss student pushed his quadcopter drone to 557.64 km/h. The device was designed and optimized by Samuele Gobbi himself, as part of a thesis for his Master's degree in engineering. The "Fastboy 2" (the drone's name) incorporates a number of innovations that have enabled it to reach this speed. These include an inertial water cooling system and an aerodynamic design.

The Swiss student pushed his quadcopter drone to 557.64 km/h. The device was designed and optimized by Samuele Gobbi himself, as part of a thesis for his Master's degree in engineering. The "Fastboy 2" (the drone's name) incorporates a number of innovations that have enabled it to reach this speed. These include an inertial water cooling system and an aerodynamic design.

Unusual minute: Swiss student breaks drone speed record
Polio epidemic declared in Papua New Guinea, 25 years after being eradicated
2025-05-16 09:18
2 min read

Traces of the poliomyelitis virus, a highly infectious disease that can cripple affected patients for life, have been detected in wastewater and samples in the Pacific nation's capital, Port Moresby, and its second city Lae, according to the WHO.

Traces of the poliomyelitis virus, a highly infectious disease that can cripple affected patients for life, have been detected in wastewater and samples in the Pacific nation's capital, Port Moresby, and its second city Lae, according to the WHO.

Polio epidemic declared in Papua New Guinea, 25 years after being eradicated
Libya now recognizes the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court
2025-05-15 19:52
1 min read

"I salute the courage, leadership and decision of the Libyan authorities" who have sent an official statement to this effect regarding war crimes and crimes against humanity committed since 2011, ongoing and until the end of 2027, Karim Khan added at a UN Security Council meeting.

"I salute the courage, leadership and decision of the Libyan authorities" who have sent an official statement to this effect regarding war crimes and crimes against humanity committed since 2011, ongoing and until the end of 2027, Karim Khan added at a UN Security Council meeting.

Libya now recognizes the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court
The City of Brussels seals a building entirely dedicated to accommodation rented out on airbnb
2025-05-15 19:29
3 min read

"We're facing a housing shortage in the center of Brussels. These are apartments that would be perfect for large families, and we're taking them off the rental market to turn them into illegal tourist accommodation," says Anaïs Maes, the alderman for urban planning, pointing to the building that has just been sealed off.

"We're facing a housing shortage in the center of Brussels. These are apartments that would be perfect for large families, and we're taking them off the rental market to turn them into illegal tourist accommodation," says Anaïs Maes, the alderman for urban planning, pointing to the building that has just been sealed off.

The City of Brussels seals a building entirely dedicated to accommodation rented out on airbnb
War in the Middle East: UN will not participate in aid distribution by Washington-backed foundation
2025-05-15 18:18
2 min read

"I have made it clear that we are participating in aid operations in accordance with our basic principles. As we have said repeatedly, this distribution plan is not in line with our basic principles, including those of impartiality, neutrality and independence, and we will not participate in that," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General.

"I have made it clear that we are participating in aid operations in accordance with our basic principles. As we have said repeatedly, this distribution plan is not in line with our basic principles, including those of impartiality, neutrality and independence, and we will not participate in that," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General.

War in the Middle East: UN will not participate in aid distribution by Washington-backed foundation
Algeria: five dead and a hundred injured after torrential rains
2025-05-15 17:41
1 min read

The report covers interventions over 24 hours, and mentions motorists stranded due to flooding, as well as residents evacuated from homes encircled by rising waters.

The report covers interventions over 24 hours, and mentions motorists stranded due to flooding, as well as residents evacuated from homes encircled by rising waters.

Algeria: five dead and a hundred injured after torrential rains
LGBTQ+ rights: Belgium takes second place in ILGA-Europe's annual Rainbow Map
2025-05-15 15:25
2 min read

With 84 points, Iceland completes the podium, having come second last year. Malta has dominated the ranking for the past ten years, while Belgium has occupied the podium for several years. Last year, however, it slipped from second to third place. Its rise this year, from 78 to 85 points, is due to increased prosecution of hate crimes and discrimination, particularly on the basis of gender or sexual orientation.

With 84 points, Iceland completes the podium, having come second last year. Malta has dominated the ranking for the past ten years, while Belgium has occupied the podium for several years. Last year, however, it slipped from second to third place. Its rise this year, from 78 to 85 points, is due to increased prosecution of hate crimes and discrimination, particularly on the basis of gender or sexual orientation.

LGBTQ+ rights: Belgium takes second place in ILGA-Europe's annual Rainbow Map
Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of having turned the blockade in Gaza into a "tool of extermination"
2025-05-15 15:15
2 min read

"The blockade imposed by Israel has gone beyond military tactics to become a tool of extermination," said Federico Borello, acting executive director of the NGO in a statement.

"The blockade imposed by Israel has gone beyond military tactics to become a tool of extermination," said Federico Borello, acting executive director of the NGO in a statement.

Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of having turned the blockade in Gaza into a "tool of extermination"
Obsessive-compulsive disorder: a discovery that could lead to better treatment
2025-05-15 13:20
5 min read

An article by Carol Mathews, researcher and clinical psychiatrist, University of Florida.

An article by Carol Mathews, researcher and clinical psychiatrist, University of Florida.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder: a discovery that could lead to better treatment
Power outage in Spain: no cyber attack on the grid operator, confirms the executive
2025-05-14 12:28
2 min read

"After analysis of all the relevant data, no indication has been found that the system operator has been the victim of a cyber attack," announced the Minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, referring to a hearing in Parliament as "very good news".

"After analysis of all the relevant data, no indication has been found that the system operator has been the victim of a cyber attack," announced the Minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, referring to a hearing in Parliament as "very good news".

Power outage in Spain: no cyber attack on the grid operator, confirms the executive
War in Ukraine: the Kremlin refuses to reveal the Russian delegation on the eve of talks with Kiev
2025-05-14 10:32
2 min read

During his daily press briefing, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to announce the identity of Moscow's representatives: "Nothing has changed in this regard. We will do so when we receive instructions from President" Vladimir Putin, he said, answering a question from AFP.

During his daily press briefing, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to announce the identity of Moscow's representatives: "Nothing has changed in this regard. We will do so when we receive instructions from President" Vladimir Putin, he said, answering a question from AFP.

War in Ukraine: the Kremlin refuses to reveal the Russian delegation on the eve of talks with Kiev
EU Justice annuls refusal of access to SMS between von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO
2025-05-14 07:53
3 min read

The Luxembourg-based court "upholds the appeal" brought by a New York Times journalist for access to these documents, and overturns the Commission's refusal. Brussels' lack of transparency in this matter had already been criticized by the EU Ombudsman in 2022.

The Luxembourg-based court "upholds the appeal" brought by a New York Times journalist for access to these documents, and overturns the Commission's refusal. Brussels' lack of transparency in this matter had already been criticized by the EU Ombudsman in 2022.

EU Justice annuls refusal of access to SMS between von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO
Investigation, the danger of trichloramine in our swimming pools: "We've been exposing children to an uncontrolled gas for half a century"
2025-05-14 04:00
7 min read

Water. Vital element, source of life. From our earliest moments, we float in this precious liquid. As we grow up, we discover the pleasure of swimming, diving and jumping in. In Wallonia and Brussels, 175 public swimming pools and dozens of private establishments welcome thousands of swimmers every day.

Water. Vital element, source of life. From our earliest moments, we float in this precious liquid. As we grow up, we discover the pleasure of swimming, diving and jumping in. In Wallonia and Brussels, 175 public swimming pools and dozens of private establishments welcome thousands of swimmers every day.

Investigation, the danger of trichloramine in our swimming pools: "We've been exposing children to an uncontrolled gas for half a century"
Romania between two rounds of presidential elections, for the second time in less than a year. And a failure for Europe on several counts
2025-05-13 16:40
3 min read

Indeed, the latest poll gives over 54% for Georges Simion (AUR) against Democrat Nicusor DAN at 45%. The latter only managed to rally around his name 45%, with a margin of error of 3%. We can't say that what is known in France as the "sursaut républicain" is taking hold in Romania. That said, the die is not cast and the polls were wrong before the first round.

Indeed, the latest poll gives over 54% for Georges Simion (AUR) against Democrat Nicusor DAN at 45%. The latter only managed to rally around his name 45%, with a margin of error of 3%. We can't say that what is known in France as the "sursaut républicain" is taking hold in Romania. That said, the die is not cast and the polls were wrong before the first round.

Romania between two rounds of presidential elections, for the second time in less than a year. And a failure for Europe on several counts
Albania: behind the postcard of a fashionable vacation destination, the issues at stake in the election won by Edi Rama
2025-05-13 15:56
5 min read

Edi Rama's Socialist Party (PSSH) wins this Sunday's parliamentary elections hands down. In power since 2013, he's back, yet again. With 95% of votes counted, the SP is credited with 52.08% of the vote, against 34.47% for the opposing party, the Democratic Party (PD).

Edi Rama's Socialist Party (PSSH) wins this Sunday's parliamentary elections hands down. In power since 2013, he's back, yet again. With 95% of votes counted, the SP is credited with 52.08% of the vote, against 34.47% for the opposing party, the Democratic Party (PD).

Albania: behind the postcard of a fashionable vacation destination, the issues at stake in the election won by Edi Rama
Overweight, a widespread phenomenon among workers in Belgium
2025-05-13 14:20
4 min read

According to the study, 59% of workers are overweight, 68% do too little physical activity, 25% smoke and 24% have high blood pressure. Men seem particularly prone to overweight: 64% of them have a BMI over 25 (the norm for overweight), compared with 52% of women.

According to the study, 59% of workers are overweight, 68% do too little physical activity, 25% smoke and 24% have high blood pressure. Men seem particularly prone to overweight: 64% of them have a BMI over 25 (the norm for overweight), compared with 52% of women.

Overweight, a widespread phenomenon among workers in Belgium
The Bibi files: the documentary that reveals Benjamin Netanyahu's interrogations for corruption
2025-05-13 14:07
9 min read

"Anything you say can be used against you. "On the video, the Israeli Prime Minister faces two policemen sitting on the other side of the desk. They question him at length about his troubled relationship with businessmen who for years delivered him unlimited cigars and champagne. These videos leaked from the case in which Benjamin Netanyahu is accused of corruption. They are the main theme of the documentary The Bibi files, which hits cinemas in Belgium this May 14.

"Anything you say can be used against you. "On the video, the Israeli Prime Minister faces two policemen sitting on the other side of the desk. They question him at length about his troubled relationship with businessmen who for years delivered him unlimited cigars and champagne. These videos leaked from the case in which Benjamin Netanyahu is accused of corruption. They are the main theme of the documentary The Bibi files, which hits cinemas in Belgium this May 14.

The Bibi files: the documentary that reveals Benjamin Netanyahu's interrogations for corruption
Protecting the oceans: citizens and NGOs put pressure on EU to draw up new plan
2025-05-13 13:05
2 min read

On June 4, the European Commission is due to present its "Pact for the Oceans", which it will then defend at the United Nations Ocean Conference from June 9 to 13 in Nice, south-east France.

On June 4, the European Commission is due to present its "Pact for the Oceans", which it will then defend at the United Nations Ocean Conference from June 9 to 13 in Nice, south-east France.

Protecting the oceans: citizens and NGOs put pressure on EU to draw up new plan