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PHOTOS & VIDEOS: National strike by Belgium’s big unions hits public transport, airports and ships

Published

4 months ago

October 14, 2025

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Brussels as part of a national strike over government reforms and spending cuts that has brought flights to a halt and severely disrupted public transport.

Belgium’s three big unions are protesting over pensions and other measures by Prime Minister Bart de Wever’s centre-right government aimed at cutting the budget deficit.

There were no services at Belgium’s second biggest airport at Charleroi, and all departures and many of the arrivals were cancelled at Brussels Airport.

Although trains were running, most buses, trams and underground trains in the capital ground to a halt.

Shipping at Europe’s second biggest port Antwerp was suspended until Wednesday because of understaffing, and more than 100 ships waited in the North Sea for permission to dock at three ports, according to Belgium’s MDK maritime and coastal services.

Belgium has been hit by several strikes since Flemish nationalist Bart de Wever came to office last February.

By midday, police said 80,0000 protesters had joined the demonstration in the Belgian capital.

Public sector workers were protesting against austerity measures and a government increasingly perceived as leaning right.

They wound through the streets of central Brussels, many wearing the red or green colours of the main unions.

A key issue for the unions is the government’s plan to increase the number of days Belgians work per year before they can receive their pensions, as well as the end of special schemes for several sectors including military and railway workers.

De Wever’s government has also announced measures including a maximum two-year limit on claiming unemployment benefit. Further cuts are planned for next year’s budget, and some proposals such as reducing child benefit or raising VAT have already been floated.

“It’s about time we came together,” said Anaïs, 29. “It’s always the same part of the population that has to tighten their belts.”

Holding a placard showing the number 67 with a red line through it, she objected to the pension age going up: “65 is enough. 67 is too late. We are asked to work more, to work longer hours. It’s not fair.”

The rise in pension age was adopted 10 years ago, well before De Wever’s government came to office, but it remains deeply unpopular and the government is aiming to ringfence it and make it more expensive to retire earlier.

Thierry Bodson of the ABVV union told demonstrators that “the fight against the De Wever government is not just the fight of a day or a year – it’s for a whole generation”, Belga news agency reported.

“We need to fight for our rights,” said mother-of-two Vanessa, who had travelled from Charleroi.

“I’m worried about the measures that will be taken. What sort of future will my children have?” she told the BBC.

It is not just the federal government under pressure to cut spending. Belgium’s complex multi-level governance means regional authorities are also imposing austerity measures.

The ruling coalition in Belgium’s largely French-speaking Walloon region has announced that teachers in the higher tiers of secondary schools will have to work an extra two hours per week.

Many of them joined the protests today.

“Nothing is clear, and it’s really worrying, but if higher-level teachers have to work more, many jobs will be cut,” said Sandrine, 48, who works in education.

Although the protests were largely peaceful, there were several incidents of vandalism and arson early in the morning and some people in masks clashed with police later on.

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News

Ramadan: Adamawa gov relaxes night-time restriction on tricycles

Published

5 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has approved a review of the existing restriction on the operations of commercial tricycles, known as Keke NAPEP, in parts of the state for the 2026 Ramadan period.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Friday.

The statement said the restriction, which previously ran from 10pm to 5am would now commence an hour later.

“Under the revised directive, the restriction which previously ran from 10pm to 5am will now commence from 11p to 5am daily throughout the 2026 Ramadan period.

“The review takes immediate effect,” the statement read.

The government explained that the adjustment was introduced to ease movement for Muslim faithful during the holy month.

“The adjustment is intended to allow Muslim faithful attend late-night tafsir sessions with ease during the holy month,” it added.

The statement recalled that the Adamawa State Government had, in February 2021, imposed restrictions on the movement of tricycles and motorcycles through the Adamawa State Restriction of Movement of Tricycles/Motorcycles Executive Order No. 1 of 2021, as part of measures to strengthen public safety and security.

It noted that the latest review reflects the administration’s effort to balance religious observance with security considerations.

“The present review is therefore informed by the Government’s commitment to supporting religious observance, while maintaining the gains recorded in peace and security across the state,” the statement said.

Fintiri also directed security agencies to intensify patrols across the affected local government areas.

“Governor Fintiri has accordingly directed security agencies to intensify patrols, particularly within Yola North, Yola South and Girei, through the deployment of additional personnel to safeguard lives and property.

“He warned that any breach of the law will be dealt with decisively,” the statement added.

The governor further appealed to residents to act responsibly and avoid actions that could undermine the peace and stability currently enjoyed in the state.

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News

DSS to arraign El-Rufai Feb 25 over alleged cybercrime, security breach

Published

23 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Department of State Services (DSS) will on February 25 arraign former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on alleged cybercrime and breach of national security

LIB had earlier reported that the DSS on Monday, February 16, filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

According to the court papers, El-Rufai was alleged to have, on Feb. 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, “admitted during the interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr Ribadu.”

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

In count two, the ex-governor was alleged to have, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, stated during the interview that he knew and related with a certain individual who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Count three alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety and national security and instilled reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications.

The DSS said the ex-governor by his own comment during the live interview committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”

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News

Mob besieges Benin FRSC office

Published

23 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Malam Shehu Mohammed, has praised the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police Force for their swift and decisive response during the recent attack on the Benin Toll Gate Unit Command Office.

The attack occurred on Thursday at the RS5.12 Benin Toll Gate Unit on the Benin–Lagos Expressway, following a crash involving two trucks, the statement said.

One truck driver died in the accident, while FRSC personnel sustained critical injuries, with one officer later succumbing despite urgent medical attention.

“In the aftermath of the crash, an angry mob besieged and vandalised the Unit Command formation. However, the prompt response by security agencies helped to restore order and prevent further escalation,” Mohammed said in a statement issued on Friday by the FRSC spokesman, Olusegun Ogungbemide, in Abuja.

The Corps Marshal condemned the attack on FRSC personnel and facilities as “deeply regrettable and unacceptable,” emphasising that the operatives were on lawful duty to save lives.

He also commiserated with the families of the deceased driver, the fallen officer, and the entire FRSC workforce.

Mohammed has ordered a comprehensive investigation into both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and the circumstances that led to the mob action.

He assured the public that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.

The FRSC boss reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to ensuring safer roads for all Nigerians and called on the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and supportive of its activities.

(NAN)

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