I remember when my violin teacher asked me: “Kristīne, do you want to play the violin full time?” I was living without my parents in the capital of Latvia with older girls as roommates, having the time of my life. …
Trump’s second term – what will this mean for Ukraine?
President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Russia’s war in Ukraine will end “sooner” under Donald Trump than it would have otherwise in an interview with Ukrainian media. Zelensky referenced his phone call with Trump after the US presidential elections, remaining adamant …
Re-release of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ sparks criticism on lyrics

"THE TWELVE (45 RPM) SLEEVES OF CHRISTMAS: 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' - Band Aid (1984)" by RetroLand U.S.A. is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
As the 2024 Ultimate Mix of Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas? has been announced by the song’s producers, it has been criticized for its outdated portrayal of Africa. The song will be released on the 25th of November, marking …
Austrian Student Union’s posting about the academic ball causes a stir
An annual ball hosted by a right-wing Austrian party in Vienna draws protests from various groups, including the Austrian Student Union. This event, seen as a gathering point for right-wing organizations across Europe, sparks demonstrations. This year, the Student Union’s …
Belgium’s hidden community of the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons

PLAYERS CREATE CHARACTERS USING CHARACTER SHEETS AND EMBARK ON COLLABORATIVE ADVENTURES; PHOTO: KATHARINA WOISETSCHLÄGER AND MANOLIS GUSTAFSSON
The game is about to start and the whole bar is full to the brim. “Gosh, I haven’t seen you in a long time,” says Tanner Rawlings, one of the newly arrived players, walking up to his friend, Sigurd Joostens. …
Why John, the telecom operator from Yorkshire, would benefit from a salary cap in football
Instead of spending seven years of heavy studying to get a degree, which in turn will get you a good wage, you should apply on the FIFA agent platform to become a football agent. It will only take you a …
Crafting Fusion: Farrell Adam’s Brewing Journey from America to Belgium
In the heart of Gent, among its charming streets, Farrell Adams has a story that’s both unexpected and fascinating. The Colorado native shares how he shifted from working in research and global affairs to making beer—a path he didn’t foresee. …
Artevelde explains: Ecuador’s ongoing gang violence
Earlier this week, the Ecuadorian authorities recaptured Fabricio Colon Pico Suarez, the alleged leader of the notorious Los Lobos gang. His escape spotlights the South American country’s struggles with drug trafficking and gang violence, which has also expanded to Western …
Immigrant voices in Belgium: The uplifting story of Rodrigo Díaz Guzmán
Rodrigo Díaz Guzmán recently immigrated to Belgium; however, this is not the beginning of his unique immigration story, nor will it be the end. My name is Rodrigo Díaz Guzmán. I was born in 1989 in Oaxaca, Mexico. Oaxaca is …
This Was 2023: Flash Floods Kill Hundreds in Eastern Africa

More than 400 people died after heavy rains caused floods and landslides in eastern DR Congo. Image from MONUSCO Photos.
500 people killed and tens of thousands displaced after extreme weather in Eastern Africa. On Thursday, the 4th of May 2023, over 400 people lost their lives in flash floods in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). This comes …