{"id":2016396,"date":"2026-06-28T21:09:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T18:09:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2016396"},"modified":"2026-06-28T21:09:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T18:09:17","slug":"stars-stripes-vips-and-protests-brussels-hosts-us-independence-bash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2016396","title":{"rendered":"Stars, Stripes, VIPs and Protests: Brussels hosts US Independence bash"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/65\/58\/1200x675_cmsv2_cc8f05e1-fabe-5e8e-9f90-14da77dd8ec3-9816558.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2905650-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2905650\" data-cid=\"9816705\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905650-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/67\/05\/189x106_cmsv2_00e5d9c8-0eee-5ee5-bf09-28994428c860-9816705.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Joy as man pulled from the rubble caused by the Venezuelan quakes\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Venezuela<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Joy as man pulled from rubble three days after Venezuela quake\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905642-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2905642\" data-cid=\"9816685\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905642-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/66\/85\/189x106_cmsv2_8e965eef-27c6-54b8-a1bb-84cd7cf517e1-9816685.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: US Navy sailors walk beside a F-35 fighter jet on the deck of aircraft carrier USS George Washington during joint exercises off the coast of Argentina, 30 May 2024\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran threatens total halt to talks as US warplanes circle near Hormuz\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905567-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2905567\" data-cid=\"9816528\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905567-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/64\/75\/189x106_cmsv2_2389776d-795b-5ef0-b988-fc3131beaa03-9816475.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Invited by Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Lithuania&apos;s Gitanas Naus\u0117da, Latvia&apos;s Edgars Rink\u0113vi\u010ds, Estonia&apos;s Alar Karis and Romania&apos;s Nicu\u0219or Dan visited Poland.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Informal presidents&#8217; summit in Poland amid dispute with Zelenskyy\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905592-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2905592\" data-cid=\"9816514\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905592-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/65\/14\/189x106_cmsv2_a3d26018-8ed4-5571-97a4-259caf2afa4c-9816514.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Matthias Huss, of the glacier monitoring group GLAMOS, stands at the Rhone Glacier that is partially covered with sheets near Goms, Switzerland, on June 10, 2025. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Swiss glaciers melting rapidly in June as Europe faces extreme heat\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905650-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2905650\" data-cid=\"9816705\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905650-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/67\/05\/189x106_cmsv2_00e5d9c8-0eee-5ee5-bf09-28994428c860-9816705.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Joy as man pulled from the rubble caused by the Venezuelan quakes\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Venezuela<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Joy as man pulled from rubble three days after Venezuela quake\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905642-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2905642\" data-cid=\"9816685\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905642-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/66\/85\/189x106_cmsv2_8e965eef-27c6-54b8-a1bb-84cd7cf517e1-9816685.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: US Navy sailors walk beside a F-35 fighter jet on the deck of aircraft carrier USS George Washington during joint exercises off the coast of Argentina, 30 May 2024\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran threatens total halt to talks as US warplanes circle near Hormuz\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905567-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2905567\" data-cid=\"9816528\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905567-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/64\/75\/189x106_cmsv2_2389776d-795b-5ef0-b988-fc3131beaa03-9816475.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Invited by Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Lithuania&apos;s Gitanas Naus\u0117da, Latvia&apos;s Edgars Rink\u0113vi\u010ds, Estonia&apos;s Alar Karis and Romania&apos;s Nicu\u0219or Dan visited Poland.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Informal presidents&#8217; summit in Poland amid dispute with Zelenskyy\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905592-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2905592\" data-cid=\"9816514\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905592-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/65\/14\/189x106_cmsv2_a3d26018-8ed4-5571-97a4-259caf2afa4c-9816514.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Matthias Huss, of the glacier monitoring group GLAMOS, stands at the Rhone Glacier that is partially covered with sheets near Goms, Switzerland, on June 10, 2025. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Swiss glaciers melting rapidly in June as Europe faces extreme heat\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Stars, Stripes, VIPs and Protests: Brussels hosts US Independence bash<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/65\/58\/1536x864_cmsv2_cc8f05e1-fabe-5e8e-9f90-14da77dd8ec3-9816558.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Members of the US armed forces march on stage during the America 250 event in Brussels, Sunday, June 28, 2026.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Members of the US armed forces march on stage during the America 250 event in Brussels, Sunday, June 28, 2026.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspEvelyn Ann-Marie Dom&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbspManuela Scarpellini\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1782680957\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-06-28 23:09:17 +02:00\">28\/06\/2026 &#8211; 23:09 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup js-c-article-share-comment-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" 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js-c-article-share-comment-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-share-comment-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Among those attending are Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Thousands of guests, including diplomats, politicians and military personnel, attended an event organised by the US Embassy to Belgium in Brussels on Sunday to celebrate the 250th anniversary of US independence.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;The US Embassy in Belgium will host an invitation-only celebration to celebrate this historic milestone: 250 Years of Independence: Building Our Future Together.<\/p>\n<p>The lavish celebration took place at Parc du Cinquantenaire, an iconic park in the Belgian capital near the European Union institutions. Guests tried their hand at baseball, rode a mechanical bull and participated in a linedance.<\/p>\n<p>The festivities also featured music, performances, a ceremonial flyover and will conclude with a drone and firework show. <\/p>\n<p>US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White opened the ceremony. Among those attending were Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and European Parliament president Roberta Metsola.<\/p>\n<p>In a post on X, Metsola honoured 250 years of the transatlantic partnership that has weathered both triumphs and challenges alike.<\/p>\n<p>Many US military personnel based in the Belgian capital were also in attendance.<\/p>\n<p>Asked about funding, the US ambassador said he had raised more than five million dollars from over 220 donors, Belgian media report. <\/p>\n<p>Both American and Belgian companies, as well as private individuals contributed, according to White. Sponsors include American multinationals such as Meta, Microsoft, Nike and McDonald&#8217;s, alongside Belgian names such as Leonidas, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Sabena, Van Moer Logistics and Sibelco. <\/p>\n<h2>Criticism: the privatisation of a public space<\/h2>\n<p>The event, however, drew widespread criticism from local residents and numerous organisations. <\/p>\n<p>On Sunday morning, Greenpeace unrolled a massive banner in the historic Grand Place square in the Belgian capital. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The 600-square-metre banner read &#8216;<em>War. Greed. Energy Crisis. What\u2019s there to celebrate?<\/em>&#8216; condemning using the occasion to promote Trump\u2019s political and corporate agenda,&#8221; Greenpeace wrote in a statement. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The celebration in Brussels takes place against a backdrop of intensifying global instability driven by the White House,&#8221; the statement added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/65\/58\/808x539_cmsv2_0332aa2f-2249-5d42-8991-ca07300f78fe-9816558.jpg\" alt=\"Protestors demonstrate against the America 250 event taking place in the Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels, Sunday, June 28, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Protestors demonstrate against the America 250 event taking place in the Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels, Sunday, June 28, 2026.<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Geert Vanden Wijngaert<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Outside of the security perimetre of the park, several activist groups, including Extinction Rebellion, Indivisible Belgium and Rise for Climate denounced the event, protesting against the privatisation of the public park. <\/p>\n<p>Local residents also expressed their discontent, unhappy with the lack of communication surrounding the event, but also with the multi-day closure of one of the city&#8217;s largest public parks amid an ongoing heatwave that has swept across Europe the past week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  How do European countries celebrate US Independence Day?<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  US Independence Day celebrated under heightened security<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Stars, Stripes, VIPs and Protests: Brussels hosts US Independence bash<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  independence day<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Celebration<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  EU-USA<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2905642-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905642\" data-cid=\"9816685\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905642-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/66\/85\/320x180_cmsv2_8e965eef-27c6-54b8-a1bb-84cd7cf517e1-9816685.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: US Navy sailors walk beside a F-35 fighter jet on the deck of aircraft carrier USS George Washington during joint exercises off the coast of Argentina, 30 May 2024\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran threatens total halt to talks as US warplanes circle near Hormuz<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2905517-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905517\" data-cid=\"9816269\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905517-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/62\/69\/320x180_cmsv2_38208c5d-8609-5ca5-b634-d9279147394a-9816269.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tourists with an umbrella walk near the Louvre museum during a heat wave in Paris, Saturday, June 27, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More than 1,300 excess deaths in Europe amid brutal heatwave, WHO says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2905522-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905522\" data-cid=\"9816275\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905522-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/62\/75\/320x180_cmsv2_6f33275e-073f-5e85-bcc0-ce1510a1771e-9816275.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A couple embraces in front of a building destroyed by twin earthquakes three days after they struck La Guaira, Venezuela, Saturday, June 27, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More than 68,000 people still missing in Venezuela after earthquakes<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2905564-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905564\" data-cid=\"9816448\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905564-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/64\/48\/320x180_cmsv2_29782c2e-6a56-524a-83b2-b6f140c46650-9816448.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Portugal&apos;s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) leads his players onto the field for the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Everything you need to know ahead of the World Cup knockout stage<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2905575-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905575\" data-cid=\"9816496\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905575-label-pos6-top-stories\" 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u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2905194-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905194\" data-cid=\"9814985\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump declared war on renewables \u2013 but Americans aren\u2019t listening<br \/>\n  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biologically, study finds<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2905538-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905538\" data-cid=\"9816387\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain removes Gibraltar from its tax haven blacklist<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2905361-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905361\" data-cid=\"9815775\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Satellite images of Venezuela before and after the earthquakes<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905642-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905642\" data-cid=\"9816685\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905642-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/66\/85\/320x180_cmsv2_8e965eef-27c6-54b8-a1bb-84cd7cf517e1-9816685.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: US Navy sailors walk beside a F-35 fighter jet on the deck of aircraft carrier USS George Washington during joint exercises off the coast of Argentina, 30 May 2024\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran threatens total halt to talks as US warplanes circle near Hormuz<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905517-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905517\" data-cid=\"9816269\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905517-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/62\/69\/320x180_cmsv2_38208c5d-8609-5ca5-b634-d9279147394a-9816269.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tourists with an umbrella walk near the Louvre museum during a heat wave in Paris, Saturday, June 27, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More than 1,300 excess deaths in Europe amid brutal heatwave, WHO says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905522-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905522\" data-cid=\"9816275\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905522-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/62\/75\/320x180_cmsv2_6f33275e-073f-5e85-bcc0-ce1510a1771e-9816275.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A couple embraces in front of a building destroyed by twin earthquakes three days after they struck La Guaira, Venezuela, Saturday, June 27, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More than 68,000 people still missing in Venezuela after earthquakes<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905564-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905564\" data-cid=\"9816448\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905564-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/64\/48\/320x180_cmsv2_29782c2e-6a56-524a-83b2-b6f140c46650-9816448.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Portugal&apos;s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) leads his players onto the field for the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Everything you need to know ahead of the World Cup knockout stage<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905575-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905575\" data-cid=\"9816496\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure 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id=\"abe-2905299-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905299\" data-cid=\"9815719\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    World Cup: Which third-place teams will reach the knockout stage?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905169-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905169\" data-cid=\"9814824\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Younger people are ageing faster biologically, study finds<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905538-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905538\" data-cid=\"9816387\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain removes Gibraltar from its tax haven blacklist<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905361-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905361\" data-cid=\"9815775\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Satellite images of Venezuela before and after the earthquakes<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Thousands of guests, including diplomats, politicians and military personnel, attended an event organised by the US Embassy to Belgium in Brussels on Sunday to celebrate the 250th anniversary of US independence.&#8221;The US Embassy in Belgium will host an invitation-only celebration\u202fto celebrate this historic milestone:\u202f250 Years of Independence: Building Our Future Together.The lavish celebration took place at Parc du Cinquantenaire, an iconic park in the Belgian capital near the European Union institutions. Guests tried their hand at baseball, rode a mechanical bull and participated in a linedance.The festivities also featured music, performances, a ceremonial flyover and will conclude with a drone and firework show.US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White opened the ceremony.\u00a0Among those attending were Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and European Parliament president Roberta Metsola.In a post on X, Metsola honoured 250 years of the transatlantic partnership that has weathered both triumphs and challenges alike.Many US military personnel based in the Belgian capital were also in attendance.Asked about funding, the US ambassador said he had raised more than five million dollars from over 220 donors, Belgian media report.Both American and Belgian companies, as well as private individuals contributed, according to White. Sponsors include American multinationals such as Meta, Microsoft, Nike and McDonald&#8217;s, alongside Belgian names such as Leonidas, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Sabena, Van Moer Logistics and Sibelco.\u00a0Criticism: the privatisation of a public spaceThe event, however, drew widespread criticism from local residents and numerous organisations.On Sunday morning, Greenpeace unrolled a massive banner in the historic Grand Place square in the Belgian capital.&#8221;The 600-square-metre banner read &#8216;War. Greed. Energy Crisis. What\u2019s there to celebrate?&#8217; condemning using the occasion to promote Trump\u2019s political and corporate agenda,&#8221; Greenpeace wrote in a statement.&#8221;The celebration in Brussels takes place against a backdrop of intensifying global instability driven by the White House,&#8221; the statement added.Outside of the security perimetre of the park, several activist groups, including Extinction Rebellion, Indivisible Belgium and Rise for Climate denounced the event, protesting against the privatisation of the public park.Local residents also expressed their discontent, unhappy with the lack of communication surrounding the event, but also with the multi-day closure of one of the city&#8217;s largest public parks amid an ongoing heatwave that has swept across Europe the past week.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/06\/28\/stars-stripes-vips-and-protests-brussels-hosts-us-independence-bash&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/65\/58\/1200x675_cmsv2_cc8f05e1-fabe-5e8e-9f90-14da77dd8ec3-9816558.jpg&#8221;] Venezuela Joy as man pulled from rubble three days after Venezuela quake Iran Iran threatens total halt to talks as US warplanes circle near Hormuz Europe News Informal presidents&#8217; summit in Poland amid dispute with Zelenskyy Earth News Swiss glaciers melting rapidly in June as Europe faces extreme heat Venezuela Joy as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2016396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2016396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2016396"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2016396\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2016396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2016396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2016396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}