Latest news

Political situation in Belgium
Belgian students: "Chose education – not *The Hunger Games*"

Hundreds of students in Belgium are following the example of their French neighbors and demonstrating against poor conditions in schools, Reuters reports.

"We support each other because we are facing essentially the same problems," says 19-year-old Alfred.

In the city of Liège in eastern Belgium, 107 demonstrators have been arrested, and local authorities have urged shops in the area to close early due to expected "unrest."

The students are demonstrating against issues such as rising education costs and overcrowded classrooms. They are carrying placards with messages such as "We are fighting for a right, not a privilege" and "I chose education – not *The Hunger Games*!"

Political situation in France
France stops using grenades against student protesters

France has decided to stop using stun grenades and tear gas against protesters in the ongoing student demonstrations, French media report.

"There is one police operation that raises questions for all of us at the Ministry of the Interior, and that is what happened in Lens," says Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.

He is referring to an incident this week in which a 15-year-old high school student picked up a police stun grenade and blew off his hand.

Nuñez also announces that 18 investigations into police conduct during the demonstrations have been opened. More than 200 high school students have been injured during the protests; many of them are under the age of 18.

Hurricane season
Year's first hurricane threatens US oil production

Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to become the first hurricane of the year in the Atlantic and could affect key oil and gas regions along the US Gulf Coast, AP and Bloomberg report.

The storm could strengthen into a hurricane on Thursday and make landfall between Louisiana and Florida on Friday or Saturday, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

A change in the storm's path or an increase in intensity could also affect six refineries operated by Shell, Valero, Marathon, PBF Energy, and Chevron. Consequently, Chevron has begun evacuating non-essential personnel from its oil platforms in the area, though production has not yet been affected. At the same time, disruptions could drive up gasoline and diesel prices, which are already high due to the war involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

The violent attack in Copenhagen
Danish minister furious: "I struggle to find words"

Denmark’s Justice Minister Nicolai Wammen has reacted strongly to what he considers a far too lenient sentence for the fatal beating of Swedish national Christian Zedig.

Speaking to TV2, he points out that the 31-year-old perpetrator has previously been convicted of attempted murder and rape, and that repeat offending must be reflected in the sentencing. He does not believe the one-year prison sentence is sufficient and vows to introduce a new legislative proposal.

"I struggle to find words for how furious I am that a Swedish police officer and family man was subjected to such a senseless act of violence."