Vue lecture

$10 Million in Contraceptives Have Been Destroyed on Orders From Trump Officials

The birth control pills, IUDs and hormonal implants were purchased by U.S.A.I.D. for women in low-income countries. They had been in limbo in a Belgian warehouse after the U.S. cut much of its foreign aid.

© Hilary Swift for The New York Times

The warehouse in Geel, Belgium, where millions of contraceptives bought by U.S.A.I.D. were stored when the U.S. government defunded the agency.
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Belgium to Recognize Palestinian State, Joining Pressure on Israel

The recognition was conditioned on the release of hostages by Hamas. It comes after similar moves by other countries as they try to push Israel to end the war in Gaza.

© Virginia Mayo/Associated Press

Belgium’s foreign minister, Maxime Prévot, in February. He said his country would recognize a Palestinian state in response to the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza.
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Even 2025’s Chaos Couldn’t Keep Brussels From the European August Holiday

With President Trump’s trade moves, war in Ukraine and wildfires, it was a busy month for the European Union. But not in Brussels.

© Ksenia Kuleshova for The New York Times

The European Commission’s becalmed headquarters, the Berlaymont building, in Brussels on Tuesday.
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Europe Gets a Written Trump Trade Deal, With a Caveat for Automakers

Under the newly fleshed-out details, Washington will maintain high tariffs on vehicles imported from the bloc until the E.U. takes steps to lower its levies on many American products.

© Virginia Mayo/Associated Press

Cars at the Port of Zeebrugge, Belgium. European automakers face 27.5 percent tariffs on vehicles exported to the United States.
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