World News liveblog
Reuters live coverage of events around the world. Follow @ReutersWorld on Twitter for top news and @ReutersLive for live video events.
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12:12 PM - 22 Mar 2016- Reply
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Rescue workers treat victims outside the Maelbeek underground station, in this image taken from television video, after a blast in Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. REUTERS/RTL Belgium via Reuters TV
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Denmark, Sweden, Finland increase airport security after Belgium explosionsPolice in Denmark, Sweden and Finland have stepped up security at airports and public places following the explosions in Brussels on Tuesday.Danish police said they had increased patrols at Copenhagen airport and other key points in the city following the deadly explosions at Brussels airport and a metro station in the city. (Full Story)"We are aware of what has happened in Brussels. Therefore you will see more police in the airport and at key points in Copenhagen," Danish police said on its official Twitter page.Danish authorities have been on high alert since two people were killed in shooting attacks on a free speech event and a synagogue in Copenhagen in February last year.In Norway, police officers in Oslo will carry weapons again for a temporary period, a police spokeswoman said. Officers were armed between November 2014 and February of this year due to a risk of attacks by Islamist militants. More police would also patrol the streets of the capital.Police in Sweden said they had reinforced their presence at airports and taken increased security measures at other public places.Finnish Interior Minister Petteri Orpo said on Twitter "Finnish security officials have increased monitoring at Helsinki-Vantaa airport".
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Turkey, Gulf Arab states condemn Brussels attackTurkey and six Gulf Arab states condemned the attacks in Brussels on Tuesday that killed at least 26 people at the airport and aboard a metro train.Both Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and the spokesman of President Tayyip Erdogan strongly condemned the attacks, which came three days after a suspected Islamic State member blew himself up in Istanbul, killing four tourists.The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abdullatif al-Zayani, said in a statement the GCC offered its support to Belgium. The bloc comprises Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.The blasts at the airport and metro station occurred four days after the arrest in Brussels of a suspected participant in November militant attacks in Paris that killed 130 people.
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House searches ongoing in Brussels region after blasts at airport and metro according to public broadcaster RTBF
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Belgium's royal palace in central Brussels was evacuated on Tuesday following a bomb blast at a nearby metro station and two explosions at the city's airport that left a total of 26 dead, Belgian public broadcaster RTBF said.
The broadcaster said King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were in shock, but it did not specify whether they had actually been in residence on Tuesday. The palace could not immediately be reached for comment. -
Lebanon's Hezbollah, reacting to attacks in Belgium, says Europe is being burnt by the same fire lit in Syria and the Middle East by 'Some regimes'.
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U.S. Republican Presidential candidate Kasich on the attacks in Belgium says must reject acts of terror and strengthen alliances, international system to face such challenges.
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People wrapped in blankets leave the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport -
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The hashtag #ikwilhelpen or 'I want to help' trending in Belgium with people offering lifts, accommodation or anything they can do to help11:42 AM - 22 Mar 2016
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Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences on the civilian deaths in a series of explosions in Brussels5:56 AM - 22 Mar 2016
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10:19 AM - 22 Mar 2016
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outside departure hall of #brusselsairport. blown out windows bywitnesses who felt the bomb blasts (ph: Sture Berg) https://t.co/p6GXkDHRir
11:38 AM - 22 Mar 2016- Reply
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Thalys, France-Benelux train operator, says entire network has been closed following Brussels attacks.
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Slovenia diplomat has been injured in Brussels blasts - Foreign Minister
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People wrapped in blankets leave the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport -
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En solidarité avec les Bruxellois, #Paris illuminera ce soir @LaTourEiffel aux couleurs du drapeau belge. #NousSommesUnis10:55 AM - 22 Mar 2016
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People wrapped in blankets leave the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport -
No cops to be seen in #brussels Gran Place. Just confused tourists and I'm a little startled it's not locked down. https://t.co/XnID7bCwNv
10:09 AM - 22 Mar 2016- Reply
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Shocked and saddened by events in Brussels - the thoughts of Londoners are with the victims this morning9:25 AM - 22 Mar 2016
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German authorities have stepped up security measures at airports, train stations and the borders with Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg following explosions in Brussels, a spokesman for the federal police said on Tuesday.
An additional police presence was noticeable at Frankfurt airport and train station on Tuesday morning, a Reuters eyewitness said. -
Havana - President Obama, visiting Havana, has been apprised of Brussels blasts and U.S. officials are in close contact with their Belgian Counterparts - according to White House Official.
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Emergency personnel are seen at the scene of a blast outside a metro station in Brussels, in this still image taken from video on March 22, 2016. REUTERS/Reuters TV -
A police woman gestures in front of ambulances at the scene of a blast outside a metro station in Brussels, in this still image taken from video on March 22, 2016. REUTERS/Reuters TV -
Attacks on Brussels airport, metro station kill around 20 - Belgian mediaA suicide bomber blew himself up at Brussels airport on Tuesday killing at least 11 people and a further blast tore through a rush-hour metro train in the capital shortly afterwards, claiming 10 lives, according to public broadcaster VRT.A witness said he heard shouts in Arabic shortly before two blasts struck the packed airport departure lounge. Pictures on social media showed smoke rising from the terminal building through shattered windows and passengers fleeing down a slipway, some still hauling their bags.All public transport in Brussels was shut down, as it was in London during 2005 militant attacks on the underground that killed 52. A further 225 soldiers were sent into the city and the Belgian Crisis Centre, clearly wary of a further incident, appealed to the population: "Stay where you are".The blasts at the airport and metro station occurred four days after the arrest in Brussels of a suspected participant in November militant attacks in Paris that killed 130 people. Belgian police had been on alert for any reprisal action.British Sky News television's Alex Rossi, at the airport, said he heard two "very, very loud explosions"."I could feel the building move. There was also dust and smoke as well...I went towards where the explosion came from and there were people coming out looking very dazed and shocked."Alphonse Youla, 40, who works at the airport, said he heard a man shouting out in Arabic before the first explosion. "Then the glass ceiling of the airport collapsed.""I helped carry out five people dead, their legs mangled," he said, his hands covered in blood.The blasts triggered concern across western Europe with Britain and France calling emergency security meetings. The Dutch military strengthened security at airports and borders and Britain stepped up police presence at key locations including transport hubs.Video showed devastation inside the departure hall with ceiling tiles and glass scattered across the floor. Some passengers emerged from the terminal with blood spattered over their clothes. Others sat wrapped with blankets.A witness said the blasts occurred at a check-in desk.Belga news agency cited the fire brigade as saying 11 were killed at the airport, but there was still some uncertainy about casualties.The metro station hit by the explosion was Maelbeek, close to European Union institutions.The VRT broadcaster carried a photograph of a metro carriage at a platform with doors and windows completely blown out, its structure deformed and the interior mangled and charred. It said ten were killed in the blast.A local journalist tweeted a photograph of a person lying covered in blood among smoke outside Maelbeek metro station, on the main Rue de la Loi avenue which connects central Brussels with the EU institutions.Ambulances were ferrying the wounded away and sirens rang out across the area.
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Fifteen people are dead following a blast in a Brussels metro station-RTBF
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Fifteen dead in Maelbeek metro blast: public broadcaster RTBF quoting transport operator STIB
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Dutch Prime Minister Rutte says the Netherlands advises against travel to Belgium after the attacks in Brussels.
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European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini reacts to news of the Belgium blasts during a joint news conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Amman -
10:26 AM - 22 Mar 2016
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Official Brussels Airport death toll 11 - According to Belgian news agency Belga quoting the Fire Brigade
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Please everyone. Prioritize communication over WiFi (WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter etc) . Telenet WiFi hotspots open https://t.co/pZN5PokFrJ9:38 AM - 22 Mar 2016
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No public transport. Stay where you are, also in schools, companies, ... Contact crisiscenter: 1771 #Brussels9:26 AM - 22 Mar 2016
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British police will step up presence at key locations after Brussels blastsLONDON, March 22 (Reuters) - British police said they would step up their presence at key locations across the country, including transport hubs, after explosions in Brussels on Tuesday.Mark Rowley, Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer, said the move was precautionary and did not result from any specific intelligence."In London specifically, the Metropolitan Police Service has mobilised additional officers, who will carry out highly visible patrols at key locations around the capital including the transport network," Rowley said in a statement."We are in close liaison with the Belgium authorities and will continue to monitor the situation."
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Belgium sending 225 extra troops to Brussels following blasts - Belga
Belgium is sending 225 extra troops to Brussels following two explosions at Brussels airport and another one on the metro which left at least 13 people dead, Belgian news agency Belga said on Tuesday. -
Jet Airways say two cabin crew were injured in the blasts at Brussels airport.
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10:22 AM - 22 Mar 2016
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Facebook has enabled its 'Safety Check' feature for people in Brussels.
Biden says United States would come to Taiwan's defense
BALTIMORE (Reuters) -The United States would come to Taiwan's defense and has a commitment to defend the island China claims as its own, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday, though the White House said later there was no change in policy towards the island.