Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer wins Boon Literature Prize and Audience Award – VRT issues mea culpa and broadcasts De Pauw documentary after all

1. ‘Alkibiades’ by Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer wins the Boon Literature Prize and the Audience Award

Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer won the Boon Literature Prize for Alkibiades, his most political book ever and, according to the jury, “incomparable”. In the children’s literature category, Erna Sassen took the lead, with the audience award going to the Belgian writing duo Elvis Peeters. read more

2. VRT expresses mea culpa and broadcasts De Pauw documentary anyway

After the fuss in recent days about the documentary about Bart De Pauw and an open letter signed by hundreds of TV makers and artists, the VRT has issued an apology. The public broadcaster will then broadcast the documentary, in which women testify about De Pauw’s transgressive behavior. read more

3. Grim farmers’ protest in Brussels

The farmers’ demonstration in Brussels started out quite quietly, but soon demonstrators set fire to hay and threw manure and bombs. The press was also targeted several times. The police used water cannon. read more

4. Bridge in Baltimore collapses after ship hits pier: six missing

A major bridge collapsed after a ship struck the pillars in Baltimore, Maryland. Several people and cars are said to have ended up in the water. There are currently six missing people. read more

5. Julian Assange not extradited to the US for the time being

Julian Assange will not be extradited to the United States for the time being, the British Supreme Court has decided. The Wikileaks founder has been allowed to continue his appeal against extradition to the United States at a new hearing. read more

6. No corruption in government procurement of vaccines, but disciplinary proceedings against civil servants

Did Movianto receive advantages in the award of the government contract for the distribution of vaccines, to the detriment of Medista? An internal audit shows that three suspected integrity violations have occurred by an official. Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) transfers the information to the public prosecutor’s office and starts disciplinary proceedings. read more

7. Progressive parish in Buizingen expelled from Catholic church

The Don Bosco Church in Buizingen, the former parish of priest Rik Devillé, has been expelled from the church by the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels. “We think it is a missed opportunity.” read more

8. Mayor Francesco Vanderjeugd of Staden to court in case of real estate deals

Francesco Vanderjeugd (Open VLD), the mayor of Staden, is being summoned for two real estate deals from a few years ago. According to Audit Flanders, there was a conflict of interest, after which the public prosecutor’s office started an investigation. read more

9. Strong stock market start for Donald Trump’s social network

The media company of former American president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump made a flying start on the stock exchange on its first day of trading. At Truth Social’s current stock price, Trump controls more than $5 billion. read more

10. The budget is half a billion better than expected

According to the Monitoring Committee, Belgium is facing a budget deficit of 26.9 billion euros this year. The deficit will increase to 45 billion euros by 2029. read more