Latest news with #TheBrusselsTimes
Al Etihad
30-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Belgian paper calls for rethinking Europe's Gulf strategy in age of disruption
30 June 2025 23:05 BRUSSELS (WAM)The Brussels Times called for rethinking Europe's Gulf strategy in an age of disruption, stressing that this rethinking should be grounded in a strategic vision that goes beyond transactional exchanges and embraces long-term cooperation rooted in shared interests, economic opportunity, and global an in-depth opinion article, the English-language Belgian publication said:'' The post-World War II international order built on Western alliances, multilateral institutions, and shared democratic values is now being reshaped by a complex convergence of rising nationalism, economic realignment, and a resurgence of this evolving landscape, middle powers are stepping into the breach, shaping global diplomacy in innovative ways and redefining traditional relationships. Among the most dynamic of these are the Gulf states, whose assertive foreign policies and ambitious development agendas are no longer confined to regional influence but are shaping global discourse on energy, technology, and strategic the European Union, this moment presents a critical opportunity. As the United States retreats from global leadership in certain spheres and political rhetoric increasingly overshadows diplomatic substance, the EU must reimagine its engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This rethinking should be grounded in a strategic vision that goes beyond transactional exchanges and embraces long-term cooperation rooted in shared interests, economic opportunity, and global Gulf's deepening engagement with BRICS and its central role in OPEC+ are not merely economic signals, they reflect a growing preference for diversified partnerships and autonomous foreign states are now guided less by traditional Western security guarantees and more by pragmatic national interests. Their expanded global footprint, including growing ties with China, India, and Southeast Asia, presents a timely opportunity for the EU to deepen its engagement with the Gulf, while momentum and mutual interests are strongly meet this moment, the EU must move beyond outdated assumptions and take seriously the strategic aspirations of Gulf countries. The UAE and Saudi Arabia, in particular, are positioning themselves as middle powers capable of influencing international frameworks. Both are investing billions in artificial intelligence, clean energy, space exploration, and smart infrastructure. These efforts coincide with the EU's own ambitions to lead the green and digital transitions, making the case for closer strategic alignment all the more 2022 EU Joint Communication on a Strategic Partnership with the Gulf and the 2024 EU-GCC Summit were welcome steps toward resetting relations. These initiatives reflect a growing understanding in Brussels that the Gulf is not merely a source of energy, but a partner in innovation, diplomacy, and global governance. However, such steps need to be translated into sustained action, with clear mechanisms for collaboration in areas of mutual security is one such area. While the EU remains preoccupied with the war in Ukraine, the Gulf faces its own set of complex challenges, from the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, to maritime insecurity in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean, and a weakened yet still disruptive Iran whose actions continue to shape the region's fragile security environment. These challenges are not isolated; the security theaters of Eastern Europe and the Gulf are increasingly interconnected, with ripple effects across energy markets, trade routes, and global stability. This makes joint de-escalation efforts, intelligence sharing, and maritime cooperation not only strategic imperatives but also necessary steps to reduce humanitarian suffering and uphold sovereignty in an era of heightened digital transformation reshaping global power dynamics, EU-Gulf cooperation in AI and tech is gaining new urgency. Gulf countries, particularly the UAE, are rapidly scaling up their foreign investments in artificial intelligence and digital and economic policy also warrant renewed focus. Amid rising protectionist rhetoric in the United States and the risk of renewed transatlantic trade frictions, the European Union remains a stable and attractive economic partner for Gulf countries. The UAE, in particular, is the EU's second-largest trading partner in the region, with annual trade in goods nearing 56 billion euros and services exceeding 39 billion euros. These figures underscore the importance of deepening and diversifying economic ties in today's unpredictable trade a promising step forward, the UAE and the EU officially launched bilateral Free Trade Agreement negotiations in May 2025. Both sides have emphasized their shared commitment to green and digital transformation, particularly in areas including renewables, hydrogen, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and sustainable food systems, highlighting how deeper cooperation can accelerate innovation and support long-term, future-proof growth across both the green transition offers fertile ground for deeper cooperation. Gulf states, led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are making significant investments in renewable energy, hydrogen technologies, and broader sustainability initiatives. The EU, with its global leadership in environmental regulation and innovation, is well-positioned to support these ambitions while also benefiting from Gulf investments and aligned energy exports. The 2024 EU-GCC Cooperation on Green Transition project, launched during the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, underscores this potential, aiming to accelerate renewable energy deployment, enhance environmental protection, and build resilience against climate the United States once played a leading role in driving global climate efforts, it is now China that is increasingly positioning itself at the forefront of the green transition, offering scalable and affordable technologies in solar and wind energy. This shift signals that traditional Western allies may no longer hold an exclusive claim to global climate leadership, encouraging the EU and the Gulf to explore new, strategic alignments in pursuit of net-zero said, the EU must also reflect on its internal posture. Often, Brussels has approached the Gulf through a fragmented or inconsistent lens, prioritizing short-term energy security at the expense of long-term cooperation which risks undermining the EU's credibility as a normative power. Rather than conditionalising engagement, the EU should offer principled partnerships based on mutual accountability and shared priorities. This means supporting reform initiatives in the Gulf when they emerge, while also being open to learning from successful Gulf strategies in areas like public sector innovation and digital states are increasingly shaping the institutions and norms of global governance. Their growing participation in multilateral forums, their mediation roles in regional conflicts, and their ambition to shape the future of global technology standards should not be underestimated. The EU has a choice: to remain reactive and risk irrelevance in a multipolar world, or to proactively shape new rules alongside rising powers. Above all, one foundational tie that can ensure the success of this relationship is a deepened bilateral understanding; a recognition that Europe and the Gulf, despite their differences, share more in common than is often acknowledged. Their challenges, from climate change to economic transformation to geopolitical volatility, are increasingly alike. By embracing that shared reality, both regions can forge a future based on trust, mutual economic growth, and strategic alignment.''
The Sun
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Czech woman, 88, wakes up in coffin after declared dead
PETALING JAYA: An 88-year-old woman in the Czech Republic was mistakenly pronounced dead—only to shock everyone by waking up in her coffin. According to The Brussels Times, which cited Czech daily Pravo, the elderly woman from the city of Pilsen was found unresponsive by her husband one morning. Unable to wake her, he called emergency services. A forensic doctor who arrived at the scene declared her dead and issued a death certificate. But as funeral home staff began placing her body into a coffin, the woman suddenly opened her eyes—prompting immediate calls to emergency services. She was rushed to the hospital for observation and, remarkably, was found to be in good condition despite her age and previous illnesses. Police have since launched an investigation into the forensic doctor, who is suspected of failing to provide aid to a person in danger. The company that dispatched the doctor has expressed regret over the incident and said disciplinary action would follow.
The Sun
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
88-year-old Czech woman wakes up in coffin, mistakenly declared dead
PETALING JAYA: An 88-year-old woman in the Czech Republic was mistakenly pronounced dead—only to shock everyone by waking up in her coffin. According to The Brussels Times, which cited Czech daily Pravo, the elderly woman from the city of Pilsen was found unresponsive by her husband one morning. Unable to wake her, he called emergency services. A forensic doctor who arrived at the scene declared her dead and issued a death certificate. But as funeral home staff began placing her body into a coffin, the woman suddenly opened her eyes—prompting immediate calls to emergency services. She was rushed to the hospital for observation and, remarkably, was found to be in good condition despite her age and previous illnesses. Police have since launched an investigation into the forensic doctor, who is suspected of failing to provide aid to a person in danger. The company that dispatched the doctor has expressed regret over the incident and said disciplinary action would follow.
Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
European city pleads for 'respect' as tourists keep stealing forbidden item
Tourists travelling to Belgium are literally picking apart centuries of history in the fairytale-esque city, where authorities have now pleaded with visitors to show some 'respect' Most travellers leave a European city break with a fridge magnet or maybe a cute vintage scarf, but it turns out some people are taking much more damaging keepsakes - bits of the actual street. That's what's happening in Bruges, the fairy-tale-like city in Belgium that's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Officials are now begging tourists to stop stealing the city's historic cobblestones, which date back to the Middle Ages. Bruges, which attracts over 8 million visitors every year, is best known for its chocolate shops, charming canals, and old-world vibes. But behind the picture-perfect views, locals say the city is literally being picked apart by overbearing tourists who want to take a piece of it home. Franky Demon, a city councillor, says Bruges is losing between 50 and 70 cobblestones every month. And while it might seem harmless to lift a loose one from the ground, replacing them costs €200 (£168) per square metre - a price that's quickly adding up. 'We ask for nothing but respect,' he told The Brussels Times. 'Walking in Bruges means treading on centuries of history. Please leave these stones where they belong.' It's not just the cost - the theft is damaging some of the city's most iconic areas, including the Grand Place, Vismarkt, the Gruuthuse Museum and the Lake of Love known as Minnewater - a romantic beauty spot that's sadly seeing more empty patches than ever. While heritage plays a huge part in the city's charm, it's also a safety issue. With so many of Bruges' visitors exploring the town on foot, gaps left by missing stones are becoming trip hazards, turning scenic strolls into risky ones. Over on Reddit, both tourists and locals have been weighing in with suggestions to fix the problem. Some have called for fines and tougher penalties, while others say replicas should be sold in gift shops to stop people from taking the real deal. CCTV has also been suggested, but for many users, it's baffling as to why anyone would want to steal a cobblestone in the first place. One local shared: 'I once caught a tourist digging a stone out of the street. I told them horses have been s***ting on it for decades. They didn't listen and took it anyway.' The cobble chaos is just one example of overtourism hitting major European destinations. Bruges has already slashed cruise ship arrivals to limit footfall. Meanwhile, Venice has doubled its tourist tax and Palma has capped tour group sizes.
NDTV
30-05-2025
- NDTV
"Stop Stealing Cobblestones": Bruges Pleads With Tourists As Historic Streets Crumble Underfoot
The picturesque city of Bruges, the capital and largest city of West Flanders in Belgium's Flemish Region, is celebrated for its medieval architecture and rich cultural heritage. Situated in the country's northwest, it is the sixth most populous city in Belgium. However, this historic tourist destination is now facing a rather unusual problem, officials have issued a public plea asking visitors to stop removing cobblestones from the city's iconic center, according to The Metro. Tourists have reportedly been taking pieces of the historic pavement as souvenirs, raising concerns about preserving the integrity of Bruges' treasured streets. According to The Metro, Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its charming canals and blend of Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance, Neo-Classicist, and Baroque architecture. The iconic cobbles date back to the Middle Ages. Every year, over 8 million international tourists descend on the capital of West Flanders to marvel at these wonders in real life. However, such popularity has led to the destruction of Bruges, which ironically, is also famed for being one of the most preserved medieval cities in Europe. According to the city councillor, Franky Demon, Bruges is losing between 50 and 70 cobblestones every month, due to tourists taking a piece of history home with them. While sneaky travellers might not think it's a big deal, he revealed that repair costs actually add up to 200 Euros (Rs 17,121) per square metre of stones. Demon told the The Brussels Times: 'We ask for nothing but respect. Walking in Bruges means treading on centuries of history. Please leave these stones where they belong.' The councillor then highlighted the places experiencing the most damage, including the iconic areas of Minnewater, Vismarkt, the Grand Place and the Gruuthuse Museum. He explained that while these thefts occur each month, the severity increases during spring and summer, when Bruges welcomes the majority of its visitors. Additionally, Demon said pinching the stones is a threat to people's safety, too. As Bruges is a compact and walkable city, renowned for being pedestrian-friendly, the gaps left by the missing stones pose trip hazards.
