Storm Austen is sweeping across Belgium today, bringing strong winds of up to 110 km/h and causing initial damage, particularly in the Westhoek region. The storm is impacting cultural events and leading to site closures.

RTBF: Storm Austen to sweep across Belgium on Friday

Storm Austen is expected to bring strong winds and unsettled weather to Belgium on Friday, impacting cultural events and leading to site closures.

HLN: Storm Austen batters Belgium: Winds up to 110 km/h, first damage in Westhoek

Storm Austen is sweeping across Belgium, bringing wind gusts of up to 110 km per hour and causing initial damage in the Westhoek region.

Federal budget negotiations continue to face delays, with the political party Vooruit pushing back an agreement. This has frustrated coalition partners, and a deal is now not anticipated until early November. Prime Minister Bart De Wever's government, a five-party coalition, is responsible for the budget.

De Standaard: Analysis: Vooruit pushes De Wever deep into injury time with the budget

The political party Vooruit has delayed agreement on the budget, causing frustration among coalition partners, with a deal now not expected until early November.

Following an investigation into the evangelical migration church Go Church, five cities in Flanders have decided to take action. Reports include a mother describing her son's increasing dependence on the church and an undercover journalist being forced to leave after a single misplaced photograph, revealing aspects the organization prefers to keep private.

De Morgen: Kelly Saw Son Milo Become Increasingly Dependent on Go Church: 'For a Teen…

Kelly describes her son Milo's growing dependence on Go Church, noting the large sums he, as a teenager without personal income, contributed.

De Morgen: One Wrong Photo and Our Undercover Journalist Had to Leave: What Go Church…

An undercover journalist was forced to leave after a single misplaced photograph, revealing aspects of Go Church that the organization prefers to keep private.

De Morgen: Following Investigation into Evangelical Migration Church Go Church: Five…

After an investigation into the evangelical migration church Go Church, five cities in Flanders have decided to take action.

The trial of former politician and entrepreneur Sihame El Kaouakibi has begun today. She is facing charges related to forgery and subsidy fraud. El Kaouakibi, who previously served as an independent Member of the Flemish Parliament, stated, "a job is not a trivial matter."

HLN: Trial against Sihame El Kaouakibi begins: 'A job is not a trivial matter'

The trial of Sihame El Kaouakibi has commenced today, with her stating that 'a job is not a trivial matter'.

The 'Russian House' in Brussels has been identified as a central hub for the Kremlin's soft power initiatives within the European capital.

La Libre: Russian House in Brussels: A Kremlin Soft Power Outpost in the European Capital

The 'Russian House' in Brussels is identified as a hub for the Kremlin's soft power initiatives within the European capital.

Minister of Social Action and Solidarity Ahmed Laaouej has resolved a crisis in Brussels by appointing Isabelle Grippa, CEO of hub.brussels, to lead Actiris, the Brussels Regional Employment Office. The MR party has commented on this development.

La Libre: Brussels Crisis Resolution: Laaouej Secures Grippa for Actiris, MR Criticizes…

Ahmed Laaouej has achieved a resolution to a crisis by appointing Isabelle Grippa to lead Actiris, with the MR party also commenting on their drug commissioner.

Belgian tennis player David Goffin has announced his retirement from professional tennis, with tributes highlighting key moments of his career.

RTBF: David Goffin bids farewell to tennis

Belgian tennis player David Goffin is retiring from professional tennis, with a tribute highlighting key moments of his career.

The drug Ozempic, primarily known for diabetes treatment, is now demonstrating a revolutionary effectiveness in treating a range of addictions, from alcohol to heroin.

HLN: Ozempic shows revolutionary effect against addictions from alcohol to heroin

The drug Ozempic, often used for diabetes, is also proving effective in treating addictions ranging from alcohol to heroin, a development described as revolutionary.

An investigation is underway to understand why it took ten years to secure the necessary permit for the redevelopment of Boulevard Reyers.

La Libre: Ten Years for Boulevard Reyers Redevelopment Permit

An investigation into why it took a decade to obtain the permit for the redevelopment of Boulevard Reyers.

Concerns are being raised about the health risks for Brussels residents due to frequent overflights from Brussels Airport, according to a recent investigation.

RTBF: Health of Brussels residents endangered by overflights from Brussels Airport

An investigation raises concerns about the health risks faced by Brussels residents due to frequent overflights from Brussels Airport.

Many elderly individuals are experiencing isolation due to cuts in public transport services, prompting civil society organizations to take action.

De Morgen: Elderly Cut Off from Outside World: Civil Society Acts Against Public…

Many elderly individuals are isolated from the outside world, prompting civil society to take action against cuts in public transport services.