VRT NWS: newshttps://images.vrt.be/w960hx/logos/vrtnws_logo_2022_wbg.pnghttps://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2024-03-19T10:29:56.857ZVRT NWSAntwerp to further expand its CCTV camera networkhttps://vrtnws.be/p.WkmvR9ao72024-03-19T09:53:12.000Z2024-03-19T09:53:12.000ZThe City of Antwerp has announced that it is to further expand its network of CCTV cameras. A further 64 cameras will be added bringing the total number of surveillance cameras operated by the city authorities or the local police service in Antwerp to 819. The Mayor of Antwerp Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist) told VRT news that CCTV cameras are a useful tool in the fight against crime and nuisance behaviour.BinnenlandFlemish Interior Minister suspends Aalst mosque’s official recognition https://vrtnws.be/p.ew7kpxVPN2024-03-19T09:07:05.000Z2024-03-19T09:07:05.000ZThe Flemish Interior Minister Gwendolyn Rutten (liberal) has suspended the official recognition that had been granted to a mosque in the East Flemish city of Aalst for one year. The suspension of official recognition means that the Diyanet Mosque won’t receive any funding from the provincial authorities for the coming year. Previously the Flemish authorities only had the option of revoking recognition from mosques and other places of worship definitively. Now they also have the option to suspend recognition. It’s the first time that the Flemish authorities have suspended recognition from a place of worship.Binnenland1 police officer dead, 2 other officers
injured in Charleroi house search (VIDEO)https://vrtnws.be/p.aD78jNmQJ2024-03-18T08:35:53.000Z2024-03-18T15:14:00.000ZA house search in Lodelinsart, a borough of the southern city of Charleroi (Wallonia), got out of hand today. 1 police officer was killed. Another was seriously injured. A third policeman sustained minor injuries. The officers are members of the DSU, the Directorate of Special Units. An injured suspect was also apprehended at the scene and taken to hospital where he later died.BinnenlandPresident Obama at the palace in Brusselshttps://vrtnws.be/p.ew7konDwq2024-03-18T13:54:58.000Z2024-03-18T13:54:58.000ZFormer US president Barack Obama was in Belgium at the weekend for an appearance of the SuperNova technology festival in Puurs-Sint-Amands (Antwerp). During his brief stay in Belgium the president also took time out to visit Filip, King of Belgians, at the royal palace in Brussels. The king’s daughter, crown princess Elisabeth, was also on hand to welcome this V.I.P.RoyaltyWestmalle Castle to open to the public in
spring 2025https://vrtnws.be/p.y35YRYkvQ2024-03-18T13:35:44.000Z2024-03-18T13:35:44.000ZHundreds of locals have been the first to discover the marvels of Westmalle Castle and its estate. The municipality of Malle, Antwerp Province and the Kempen Landscape Foundation recently purchased castle and estate. The castle and estate are soon to be renovated and opened to the public at large. Before the estate closes to allow the renovation work to proceed the local municipality decided to allow local residents to visit.Cultuur & MediaFinancial worries hit more than half of all Flemish householdshttps://vrtnws.be/p.LNYQxVMy72024-03-18T11:00:16.000Z2024-03-18T11:00:16.000ZMore than half of all Flemish households face financial worries. 3 in 10 households do not even have enough left over at the end of the month to pay their bills, even in two-income households. The figures come the ‘Family Barometer’, a survey conducted by the Gezinsbond, the Family Association.EconomieObama at Belgian technology festival: “Trump is leading us to the abyss"https://vrtnws.be/p.lOMNk17WZ2024-03-18T09:38:57.000Z2024-03-18T09:38:57.000ZAt the opening of the SuperNova technology festival in Puurs-Sint-Amands (Antwerp) former US president Barack Obama addressed a packed audience for an hour at the weekend. During the interview on entrepreneurship and technology, President Obama made repeated forays into politics. "You could hear a pin drop as the president spoke," VRT’s Tom Van de Weghe says.Technologie & WetenschapEurostar bomb alert brings rail traffic in Brussels to a standstillhttps://vrtnws.be/p.QAoELRZl52024-03-18T09:03:10.000Z2024-03-18T09:03:10.000ZRail traffic is disrupted following a bomb alert on a Eurostar. Traffic in the Brussels area was suspended, while federal police officers examined the Eurostar train that was travelling from Cologne in Germany to Brussels South.MobiliteitProspective social tenants must now register with new online toolhttps://vrtnws.be/p.aD78jlV7l2024-03-18T08:23:37.000Z2024-03-18T08:23:37.000ZProspective tenants who wish to apply for social housing must now do so via a new registration tool. This also applies to those already on waiting list.BinnenlandVirtual “Museum of Flanders” to put Flemish history in the spotlight https://vrtnws.be/p.qERO3ylkW2024-03-18T08:22:00.000Z2024-03-18T08:22:00.000ZRecently an online project called ‘FAAM’ was launched at a press conference in the East Flemish town of Dendermonde. The aim is that in time FAAM will grow to become an online museum that tells the story of Flemish history. FAAM will be developed by as a website and as an app.Expo“James Ensor. Inspired by Brussels” at the Royal Library https://vrtnws.be/p.M9141aL0Z2024-03-16T08:15:00.000Z2024-03-16T08:15:00.000ZAfter a first exhibition of still lifes in his native Ostend, a second exhibition marking Ensor Year 2024 has opened in Brussels. On display at the Royal Library are paintings, etchings and, quite exceptionally, all kinds of witty drawings by James Ensor. The Ostender studied in Brussels and often returned here, to exhibit or visit friends.Cultuur & MediaZombie drug ‘flakka’: prosecutors get tough!https://vrtnws.be/p.JNlo7lbMZ2024-03-16T07:25:00.000Z2024-03-16T07:25:00.000ZDesigner drug ‘flakka’ is giving greater and greater cause for concern. It’s above all in western parts that use of the drug has been on the rise. In West Flanders the public prosecutor sees the number of cases steadily increasing and is eager to take decisive action against flakka dealers and users. Flakka is called a "zombie drug" because users are no longer fully conscious and make uncontrolled movements. The drug is dangerous and highly addictive. In West Flanders, it’s especially in the region around the town of Roeselare, where the drug first gained popularity, that it is giving cause for concern.JustitiePrimary schools in Jezus Eik in lockdown while police search for violent criminalshttps://vrtnws.be/p.bD7RmndVW2024-03-15T15:38:53.000Z2024-03-15T15:38:53.000Z2 primary school in the Jezus-Eik area of Overijse (Flemish Brabant) were placed under lockdown on Friday morning as police searched for two fugitives suspected of having carried out a violent robbery. The two suspects were eventually detained by officers from the Druivenstreek Local Police Service.JustitieRail infrastructure management company distributes images of woman with pram crossing track while level crossing gates are closedhttps://vrtnws.be/p.jGYb30mxw2024-03-15T14:55:34.000Z2024-03-15T14:55:34.000ZDespite repeated warnings about the risk of death and serious injury, some members of the public continue to cross rail tracks when level crossings are closed. The rail infrastructure management company Infrabel has now distributed images of two such instances that occurred within minutes of each other at a level crossing in the East Flemish town of Wetteren.MobiliteitWest Flemish judge suspended for 3 months after son is caught cheating during his magistrates’ examhttps://vrtnws.be/p.lOMK6leVW2024-03-15T12:34:47.000Z2024-03-15T12:34:47.000ZA judge from the West Flemish town of Ieper has been suspended from her duties for 3 months after her son was caught cheating during an exam for would-be magistrates. He was allegedly given the exam questions in advance by a magistrate that is a friend of his parents. A disciplinary investigation has been launched and the judge has been suspended pending the outcome.JustitieLonger journey times between Brussels and Luxembourg due to track maintenance workhttps://vrtnws.be/p.M91Kw77ky2024-03-15T12:02:05.000Z2024-03-15T12:02:05.000ZRail passengers that wish to travel between Brussels, Walloon Brabant, Namur and Luxembourg this weekend will face longer journey times due to track maintenance work. The rail infrastructure company Infrabel will be carrying out work between Brussels Luxembourg station and Ottignies station in Walloon Brabant.MobiliteitZookeepers at Antwerp Zoo in shock after “Lion King” Nestor bites lioness to death at Bellewaerde Parkhttps://vrtnws.be/p.aD7kx407y2024-03-15T11:11:25.000Z2024-03-15T11:11:25.000ZZookeepers at Antwerp Zoo have reacted with shock at the news that a male lion that they had cared for for many years has killed a lioness at the Bellewaerde animal and theme park in Ieper (West Flanders). It was just a couple of weeks ago that “Lion King” Nestor left Antwerp Zoo to start a new life in West Flanders. It had been hoped that Nestor would breed with the lioness Maya.Binnenland24-hour strike in the country’s prisons, Justice Minister promises measures to tackle overcrowdinghttps://vrtnws.be/p.NvMQbp4Pk2024-03-15T10:37:16.000Z2024-03-15T10:37:16.000ZA 24-hour strike got under way in the country’s prisons at 10pm on Thursday. Prison staff are taking strike action in protest at overcrowding and an increase in violence against prison officers. Meanwhile, the Federal Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt (Flemish liberal) has promised a number of measures to address the prison officers’ concerns. Mr Van Tigchelt proposes increasing capacity at Ieper Prison in West Flanders and Haren Prison in Brussels, sending undocumented migrants back to their country of origin more quickly and changes the arrangements on prison leave.BinnenlandSecure smartphones to be issued to ministers, diplomats and top civil servants https://vrtnws.be/p.y35nKjpWp2024-03-15T09:31:27.000Z2024-03-15T09:31:27.000ZThe Federal Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt (Flemish liberal) has announced that ministers and top civil servants are to be issued with secure smartphones. Belgian diplomats will also be issued with the special smartphones.BinnenlandGreen light for stricter rules on the sale of tobacco and alcohol https://vrtnws.be/p.Pqe6VbZP72024-03-15T09:01:56.000Z2024-03-15T09:01:56.000ZThe Federal Parliament has approved a bill tabled by the Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Flemish socialist) that tightens the rules regarding the sale of tobacco and alcohol. Belgium’s federal, regional and language community government wish to dissuade people from smoking and drinking.Politiek'Attention! Elderly people crossing'! courts controversyhttps://vrtnws.be/p.QAopK0kYb2024-03-14T14:29:43.000Z2024-03-14T14:29:43.000ZAn unusual road sign is now to be found in the seaside resort of Koksijde. It depicts two elderly people, with the caption: "Attention! Elderly people crossing the road". "The sign has been hanging there for several years. Not too many people have noticed it," says Griet Maenhout, the municipal mobility officer.MobiliteitBelgian football: new strip for Red Devils and Red Flames (VIDEO)https://vrtnws.be/p.VLWMm4jkB2024-03-14T13:59:53.000Z2024-03-14T13:59:53.000ZBelgian football fans are already familiar with the Tintin strip that the Belgian national squad, the Red Devils, wear during away matches, but the Red Devils and the Red Flames, the Belgian national women’s football team, have now also been treated to new maroon strips replacing the customary red strips. Players’ names appear in gold. Belgium’s Italian-German manager Domenico Tedesco is a fan of both strips and has great expectations of the next few months.BinnenlandHas a white knight stepped forward for bus manufacturer Van Hool?https://vrtnws.be/p.jGYVmJQdY2024-03-14T13:40:29.000Z2024-03-14T13:40:29.000ZCaptain of industry Guido Dumarey says he’s a candidate to take over ailing bus manufacturer Van Hool. He promises to keep bus production and 1,800 jobs in Koningshooikt (Lier – Antwerp), but the company would first have to be declared bankrupt first.EconomieAllegations of abuse of power and sexually inappropriate behaviour hit army battalionhttps://vrtnws.be/p.pALpLlPJm2024-03-14T08:24:29.000Z2024-03-14T13:03:00.000ZSerious instances of abuse have allegedly come to light in the Belgian army. Accusations centre on abuse of power, unauthorised violence and sexually inappropriate behaviour. Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder (Francophone socialist/PS) has admitted serious problems at the battalion.BinnenlandXTC exhibition in Ghent: “Get people to think about alternative drug policy”https://vrtnws.be/p.M91KWVNQZ2024-03-14T10:42:08.000Z2024-03-14T10:42:08.000ZBelgium’s very first ecstasy exhibition is coming to Ghent. In an empty building people will be able to act as if they are buying pills of this synthetic drug in 3 different settings. The exhibition is supposed to encourage visitors to consider an alternative drug policy.Samenleving Flemish exorcists “can barely keep up with demand”https://vrtnws.be/p.kQ15VOVjB2024-03-14T09:49:52.000Z2024-03-14T09:49:52.000ZAverbode Abbey, a Norbertine abbey in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem (Flemish Brabant) has emerged as Belgium’s hotspot for exorcisms. More than 1,000 exorcisms take place here every year. Historian Kristof Smeyers (Leuven University) and "Geert", one of Flanders' official exorcists, explains the renewed popularity of 'devil exorcisms'.Religie & LevensbeschouwingMore details emerge about Brussels shooting (VIDEO)https://vrtnws.be/p.6KJD3jjJ32024-03-13T09:23:05.000Z2024-03-14T08:54:00.000ZSeveral people were injured in a shooting near the Sint-Antoniusplein in the Brussels suburb of Vorst on Tuesday. "Several victims were hospitalised but are not in a critical condition," Brussels-South police say.JustitieFarmers take their protests to the ports (VIDEO)https://vrtnws.be/p.APe36p0R42024-03-14T07:47:29.000Z2024-03-14T08:04:00.000ZSeveral farming organisations are today again calling for attention to their uncertain future. The farmers have taken their protests to the ports of Antwerp, Ghent and Zeebrugge. They have gathered at the ports together with dozens of their tractors. For now, the disruption is limited. No access roads or businesses are being blockaded completely. Farmers risk fines if they were to do so.BinnenlandFlemish PM says that “There are private investors that are interested in Van Hool”https://vrtnws.be/p.VLWvlLJnE2024-03-13T15:18:56.000Z2024-03-13T15:18:56.000ZThe Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon (nationalist) has told VRT News that there are private investors that are prepared to invest in the ailing Flemish bus builder Van Hool. However, Mr Jambon also told VRT News’ parliament programme ‘Villa Politica’ that it is still too early to say whether Van Hool can be saved from bankruptcy.Binnenland Carolingian fortifications in Lanaken preserved for posterityhttps://vrtnws.be/p.pALk90vjM2024-03-13T14:44:24.000Z2024-03-13T14:44:24.000ZThe remains of a Carolingian fortress in the Limburg town of Lanaken are receiving protection as an archaeological site Flemish heritage minister Matthias Diependaele (Flemish nationalist/N-VA) has decided. The site lies next to the Roman road leading to the famous Dutch city of Maastricht and is exceptionally well preserved and unique in Flanders.Cultuur & MediaBelgian roads are getting safer (VIDEO)https://vrtnws.be/p.43ADb8kD62024-03-13T13:56:21.000Z2024-03-13T13:56:21.000ZFewer and fewer people are dying on Belgian roads. Last year there were 7 per cent fewer road deaths according to figures from Belgian traffic institute Vias. 483 people were killed on Belgian roads last year. The number of fatalities is down 37 on the year. The figure is a record low if the years of the pandemic are not taken into account. The number of injured people also fell slightly by 2 per cent.Binnenland“Antwerp prison inmate tortured for 3 days”https://vrtnws.be/p.Wkmq4RMAK2024-03-13T08:57:56.000Z2024-03-13T13:41:00.000ZAn inmate of Antwerp prison has been taken to hospital seriously injured after being abused by fellow inmates in his cell for several days VRT NWS has learned. How the torture could continue for so long without anyone intervening is unclear. The public prosecutor's office has launched an investigation.BinnenlandTorture in prison: “Horrifying and repulsive, if it's true”https://vrtnws.be/p.vL3Q0WXoN2024-03-13T13:37:48.000Z2024-03-13T13:37:48.000ZBelgian justice minister Paul Van Tigchelt (Flemish liberal) has responded to the alleged torture of an inmate of Antwerp prison by fellow prisoners. The prison guards unions blame overcrowding and staff shortages.JustitieEmployment rate in Belgium rises to 72.1%https://vrtnws.be/p.8eJDl18ml2024-03-13T11:49:54.000Z2024-03-13T11:49:54.000ZFigures released by the Belgian Bureau of Staistics Statbel show that the percentage of people of working age (20 to 64) that are in work in Belgium rose by 0.2 percentage points to 72.1%. However, there are big regional differences with Flanders still being well ahead of the other 2 regions when it comes to the percentage of the working population that is in work.EconomieBelgian arrested in France after wife’s death is labelled ‘suspicious’https://vrtnws.be/p.BloDwRvyv2024-03-13T10:42:47.000Z2024-03-13T10:42:47.000ZA Belgian holidaymaker has been arrested in the French resort of Fréjus, in the Var region of the South of France, after his wife was found dead with 'suspicious marks' on her body local prosecutors say.JustitieNearly 10% of Antwerpians confronted with noise as loud as a hoover all day longhttps://vrtnws.be/p.6KJDydJbX2024-03-13T10:05:06.000Z2024-03-13T10:05:06.000ZAlmost 1 in 10 Antwerp residents constantly hears noise at home that is as loud as a vacuum cleaner according to a new noise study conducted by the City of Antwerp and the Port Authority. About 8 per cent of residents are continuously exposed to an average of 70 decibels the daily Gazet van Antwerpen reports.GezondheidNational Bank warns of sharply rising budget deficit and politicians failing to take actionhttps://vrtnws.be/p.M914Z6oVa2024-03-13T08:33:11.000Z2024-03-13T08:33:11.000ZBelgium’s central bank Nationale Bank van België (NBB) has once again sounded the alarm regarding Belgium's public finances: the next government will have to save 2.5 billion euros each year, just to prevent the deficit from getting bigger. "We need to build reserves for future crises," says NBB governor Pierre Wunsch.EconomieRegistration for the Brussels 20KM race open on Wednesdayhttps://vrtnws.be/p.8eJDMaaoo2024-03-12T14:47:10.000Z2024-03-12T14:47:10.000ZRegistrations for those wishing to take part in what will be the 44th Brussels 20km race will open tomorrow (Wednesday 13 March). The race that this year will take place on Sunday 26 May attracts thousands of runners from home and abroad. The Brussels 20KM race is the largest mass sporting event in Belgium.SportAnimal rights group GAIA legitimate against Brussels-Capital Region over anaesthetised slaughterhttps://vrtnws.be/p.qERO6jXYV2024-03-12T13:45:40.000Z2024-03-12T13:45:40.000ZThe Animal rights organisation GAIA is taking the Brussels-Capital Region to court to force it to introduce a ban on the unanaesthetised slaughter of animals. A thorn in GAIA's side is what it sees as an omission in the Brussels Animal Welfare Codex, that will soon be put before the regional parliament.PolitiekToo few dentists back the new Belgian tariff and fee agreementhttps://vrtnws.be/p.XE3xK8jjG2024-03-12T13:05:42.000Z2024-03-12T13:05:42.000ZA large proportion of dentists in Belgium will not be adhering to the tariffs set in a new agreement on fees that was made between the Federal Health ministry and the health mutuals. Dentists are not obliged to charge the fees laid out in the agreement and more than 1 in 4 says that they don’t back the new tariffs.Jouw levenComing soon: 700 additional charging points for electric cars at Brussels Airport https://vrtnws.be/p.WkmqM4P4p2024-03-12T11:56:16.000Z2024-03-12T11:56:16.000ZThe company that operates the carparks at Brussels Airport in Zaventem (Flemish Brabant) has announced that it will soon be installing 700 additional charging points for electric cars. 500 of the new charging points will be for passengers, the remaining 200 will be for people that work at the airport. All of the charging points will be slow-charge facilities.MobiliteitBelgium wants to be heard by the International Criminal Court in the genocide case against Israelhttps://vrtnws.be/p.LNYRE74KM2024-03-12T11:14:05.000Z2024-03-12T11:14:05.000ZThe Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib (Francophone liberal) has said that Belgium intends to tell the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague its interpretation of what constitutes genocide. Speaking on Monday Ms Lahbib (photo) said that Belgium wishes to do this during the proceedings that South Africa has brought against Israel at the ICC.BuitenlandPensioner in critical condition after car mounts pavement in Mortsel https://vrtnws.be/p.VLWvWn9bA2024-03-12T10:32:19.000Z2024-03-12T10:32:19.000ZTwo pedestrians have been injured, one of whom critically, after a car mounted the pavement and hit them as they were walking down the street in the town of Mortsel, just south of Antwerp. A 67-year-old woman has been taken to hospital in a critical condition. The second accident victim is said to have sustained serious injuries in the accident that happened on Tuesday morning.BinnenlandFormer MP given 1-year prison sentence https://vrtnws.be/p.93QDw0byN2024-03-12T10:00:26.000Z2024-03-12T10:00:26.000ZThe Criminal Court in the East Flemish city of Ghent has sentenced the former federal MP Dries Van Langenhove to 1 year’s imprisonment for breaches of the racism and negationism law. The founder of Schild & Vrienden, a far-right, conservative nationalist youth movement, was also given a 10-month suspended prison sentence after also having been found guilty of breaches of the law on the possession of weapons. Mr Van Langenhove's civil rights have also been revoked for a period of 10 years and he has been fined a total of 16,000 euro.JustitieDisruption to public transport in Brussels https://vrtnws.be/p.RaLkDQKa92024-03-12T09:06:58.000Z2024-03-12T09:06:58.000ZFor the second time in less than a week there is major disruption to public transport in the capital. On Friday many bus, tram and metro services were cancelled as public transport workers took part in a day of action to mark International Women’s Day. Today trades unionists are staging a demonstration against European austerity measures. The socialist trade union ABVV has issued a strike notice for today that covers its members if they wish to take part in the demonstration.MobiliteitBus manufacturer Van Hool announces 1,100 jobs losses https://vrtnws.be/p.KK0edV19k2024-03-11T09:46:09.000Z2024-03-11T14:37:00.000Z830 jobs are set to disappear at bus builder Van Hool this year and nearly 300 more job losses will kick in during the next three years. Management announced redundancies and other job losses at a special works council. "We understand the impact this plan will have on employees and their families, and it is hard for us to take this step," says co-CEO Marc Zwaaneveld.BinnenlandSweden’s flag is raised at NATO HQ in Brusselshttps://vrtnws.be/p.5wPZnPjAl2024-03-11T13:37:30.000Z2024-03-11T13:37:30.000ZSweden has joined NATO. Crown princess Victoria of Sweden, Swedish premier Ulf Kristersson (M) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attended the moving ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels where on Monday morning the Swedish flag was raised for the first time to the notes of 'Du Gamla, Du Fria'. Mr Kristersson was keen to explain Sweden’s reasons for joining the bloc.BuitenlandVan Hool job losses: unions incandescent at market distortionhttps://vrtnws.be/p.BloZKDvQW2024-03-11T11:56:55.000Z2024-03-11T11:56:55.000ZThe management of bus manufacturer Van Hool is inviting trade unions to participate in the upcoming information and consultation rounds it will be organising after it announced 1,100 job losses at the company. "It is clear that we face major and difficult challenges and negotiations," Kim Samison of the Christian ACV union said.BinnenlandWorst morning rush hour of the year thanks to heavy rainhttps://vrtnws.be/p.DYRZBkKDD2024-03-11T10:54:18.000Z2024-03-11T10:54:18.000ZAnyone travelling by car this morning will have noticed it: this was a particularly nasty morning rush hour. According to the Flemish Traffic Centre’s traffic jam barometer we witnessed the worst morning rush hour of the year so far, with around 300 kilometres of traffic jams. Rain was the cause. It meant that several minor incidents had a more serious impact. Also at the "regular" traffic blackspots, the congestion was worse.BinnenlandJapanese cherry trees and magnolias blooming exceptionally early at Kalmthout Arboretumhttps://vrtnws.be/p.y35jO5Zpn2024-03-11T09:26:22.000Z2024-03-11T09:26:22.000ZThe Japanese cherry trees and magnolias are already in full bloom at the Arboretum in Kalmthout. This is exceptionally early and earlier than usual. "Due to the warm and sunny weather, we are already able to enjoy the white and red flowers three weeks earlier than usual," says Bram Rammeloo, curator-director of the Arboretum.Milieu & Klimaat