<i> There were twice as many people killed last week in an attack in Ankara, but no mention of it here. </i>

If life were a numbers game, Edward2005, we'd be discussing the 32,000 people who died in 2014 alone on the highways in the US.

It isn't, and we aren't.

When will it stop? My thoughts and prayers to the people of Brussells.

You all have better coverage than CNN here in the states. Thank you and take care there. Whthello, you were first on my mind when I heard this. Retaliation for the arrest of the Paris bombers was my second thought.

The interior minister said a few days ago that the arrests could possibly lead to another attack; perhaps plans that were already made are now carried out earlier.

Brussels is in lock down. Naturally airport - but also all subway/train stations closed as is the border with France. They are still investigating 2 bombs in the airport and at least one in the subways (apparently near EU offices).

We need to do a much better job of finding and stopping these monsters.

yes i do too nytraveler.

Numbers game would probably lead to questions about why no one is doing a better job of stopping mass shootings in the US, or how many civilians have been killed for questionable purposes in the Middle East by US funded weapons and secret policies. Those pictures of blown up people at the market or a family wedding are pretty awful too. Describing everyone with a unhelpful political agenda and a powerful explosive as a monster is not merely one-sided but obscures understanding. It's an assymetric war, with multiple participants, some of them state actors, some non-state actors. You want peace, you need to make peace.

Thanks Flpab. Thanks for all who feel for my country.

Stange how you perceive asymetricity acording to where you are.
I was in Paris the day of Charlie Hebdo's attacks.
I was in Paris the weeks of the attacks in november.
I'm in PAris now and I can't go back to my wife in Brussels.

People who blow up other people are just monsters.
Whether they were doing it for PLO, IRA, RAF (not the royal air Force), Jews when asking for independance, etc etc.

Now, we do talk about Ankara, at least in Europe, but who listens to the nr of deads every week in Baghdad or Syria.

However, Belgium - as all of Europe for now - is at peace. We haven't got a civil war going on, but we do get blown up. Make peace ? with who ? Will it / Would it have been better to leave Saddam Hussein, to let Khadaffi live ?
What about Tchad ? We should have left them being slaughtered ?
I don't have answers - and today I just don't care - I'm feeling for my fellow countrymen and whoever got blown to pieces in our airport.

Some said it would be good to be nice to each others, if you can't refrain from giving stupid or snarky comments, you know what I think of you.

And yes, obviously it touches me more because I'm Belgian, but I said the same on a 9/11 or when France got hit.
Just wait a few days for the bodies to cool before starting with your advices/remarks, will you ?

Reports that the nuclear plant near Liege has been evacuated except for essential personnel. This particular Belgian plant has been of some concern to neighboring countries, not only because of aging and technical safety issues, but because of recent reports that raids of homes of ISIS suspects in Belgium had revealed that senior officials of the plant had been videotaped, and other evidence that ISIS has been seeking to gain nuclear material from the plant to make radioactive "dirty bomb".

One hopes the present situation at the nuclear plant is an excess of caution.

There are people "at large" right now in Brussels ...a very dangerous situation.

Actually, the report is now that 2 Belgian nuclear plants have been evacuated.

For travelers stranded in Belgium, Belgians are using the Twitter hashtag #ikwilhelpen (I want to help) to help coordinate rides, places to stay, etc. for people of all nationalities. Several American expats living in Beligium are offering to help Americans and other English-speakers specifically.

Brussels airport and metro remain closed at least until tomorrow morning.
Some Brussels bound plnes land at Liege instead of Brusssels.
Charleroi airport works normally, but the latest possible check in time has been fixed to 3 hrs prior to departure.

Belgian taxi unions are encouraging their drivers to offer free taxi rides (Uber, no.)

Whathello, it must be agonizing to be away from your wife at this point, a microcosm of all the suffering this craziness has caused.

This Twitter hashtag, #BrusselsLift, is organizing rides while transport is shut down

https://twitter.com/BrusselsLift

Sad to hear this news.
My heart is with Belgian people now.

Whathello, I hope you will be reunited with your wife soon.
In situations like this we often worry more about our beloved ones than about ourselves.

American Airlines has issued a statement saying that the explosions at the airport did not take place at the American Airlines check-in counter. It is also offering to re-book flights.

http://www.fox5ny.com/news/111462999-story

According to Belgian TV, the explosion took place CLOSE TO the AA counter.

Whathello:
So relieved to know you and yours are okay and sick at heart for all those affected by yet another atrocity - this time in your country. This madness! Incomprehensible.