Only in Flanders are all house prices still rising – N-VA again blocks VRT CEO hearing – Belgian woman found dead in Tenerife

1. Belgian woman found dead on Tenerife, husband still missing

Laura T., the 66-year-old Belgian who disappeared last week on the Canary Island of Tenerife with her husband Marc O. (71), has been found dead. According to local media, the woman was violently killed. Her husband is still missing. read more

2. N-VA again blocks VRT CEO hearing

A new attempt to summon the CEO of the VRT to parliament has failed. N-VA once again puts Frederik Delaplace out of the wind. “This is active obstruction.” read more

3. Lebanon receives European money to stop Syrian refugees

The EU offers Lebanon a support package of 1 billion euros. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced this in Beirut. In addition to promoting stability, the money also goes to “border management”. read more

4. Prosecutors demand 24 million from PostNL Belgium

According to the Public Prosecution Service (OM), two departments of PostNL Belgium are partly responsible for violations of social legislation by their subcontractors. The Public Prosecution Service is therefore demanding a total fine of 24.4 million euros. read more

5. Woman is seriously injured in explosion at metal company Umicore

An explosion occurred in one of the departments at the metal company Umicore in Sint-Jozef-Olen (Olen) on Wednesday evening. That was followed by a short fire. One person suffered serious injuries. read more

6. Only in Flanders are all house prices still rising

House prices appear to be stabilizing in Wallonia and Brussels, but are still rising in Flanders. In 2023, you paid an average of 410,000 euros for a detached house, 245,000 euros for an apartment, with enormous regional differences. read more

7. ‘Deacon of Death’ Ivo Poppe released after six years

Ivo Poppe, the 67-year-old ‘Deacon of Death’ from Wevelgem who was sentenced to 27 years in prison in 2018 for five murders, has been released from prison “for medical reasons”. read more

8. US accuses Russia of using chemical weapons

The US government says Russia has violated the UN Convention on the Use of Chemical Weapons. In the war against Ukraine, the Russian army has used irritant gases “as a form of warfare”. read more

9. Students plan to occupy Ghent University for two days

In Ghent and Brussels, students plan to occupy university buildings next week to denounce the war in Gaza. “The context is different than in the US.” read more

10. Commission of Inquiry makes 137 recommendations: government commissioner must tackle sexual abuse

The parliamentary committee of inquiry into child abuse and sexual violence makes 137 recommendations to better combat child abuse and sexual violence. The appointment of a government commissioner is one of those recommendations. read more