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A national strike over a government savings plan grounded flights and disrupted public transport in Belgium on Tuesday, with tens of thousands expected to join a demonstration in Brussels.Brussels airport -- Belgium's largest -- cancelled all departures as security workers downed their tools. Charleroi Airport, a major European hub for low-cost airline Ryanair, said it could not operate any flights due to lack of staff.The strike is the last in a series to hit the European country since Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever took office as prime minister in February.Grappling with a budget deficit whose size violates European Union rules, the government is looking to reform pensions and make other savings that have infuriated trade unions."This government promised more sustainable jobs and increased purchasing power. Hot air! And once again, everyone is paying, except the rich," trade union CSC said, calling on people to take to the streets in protest.Unions expect tens of thousands to join a rally in Brussels on Wednesday, as delays and cancellations also hit the capital's metro, tram, and bus services.Police in the capital advised citizens to avoid some central areas and travel by car.The protest action will increase pressure on De Wever's coalition government, which on Monday failed to agree on a budget, forcing the prime minister to postpone a key speech to parliament scheduled for Tuesday.Trade unions have mounted strong opposition against planned reforms including cutting early retirement and a wage indexation freeze.As it looks to find about 10 billion euros ($12 billion) in savings, Brussels -- long a laggard -- has also pledged to ramp up spending on defence as part of a NATO push to boost rearmament.De Wever came to power after lengthy coalition talks following Belgium's federal elections in June last year.

A young Palestinian man was shot with live ammunition on Monday after Israeli occupation forces suppressed a demonstration held by families gathered outside Ofer military prison, located in the town of Beitunia, west of Ramallah, where they were waiting for the release of their relatives. According to local media sources, the man was shot in the foot with live ammunition. However, his medical condition remains unknown. The prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel began Monday morning, with the handover of all 20 living Israeli hostages now complete.

More than 10,000 people took part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Copenhagen on Sunday, calling for an end to the war in Gaza and urging Denmark to recognise the state of Palestine.Some 100 organisations including Oxfam, Greenpeace and Amnesty took part in the march, as well as unions, political parties, artists' collectives and activists including Greta Thunberg.Police did not provide an estimate of the number of demonstrators.Gathering under sunny skies outside the Danish parliament, the demonstrators -- many of them families with young children -- waved flags and carried banners, chanting "Stop Arms Sales", "Free Free Palestine" and "Denmark Says No to Genocide".A traditional supporter of Israel, Denmark has said it wants to use its current presidency of the European Union to increase pressure on the Israeli government to end the war in Gaza, which Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen recently said had gone "too far".But Denmark has said it has no plans to recognise a Palestinian state in the near future."Those who are in power are not stopping the genocide, so it's even more important to go out and protest and show all the leaders that we do not agree with this," 43-year-old demonstrator Michelle Appelros told AFP.