US accuses Russia of using chemical weapons – ‘Deacon of Death’ Ivo Poppe released after six years

1. 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

2. Lebanon receives European money to stop Syrian refugees

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen heads to Beirut with a controversial aid package. Lebanon receives money for its economy, regional stability and to stop Syrian refugees. read more

3. 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

4. Pro League wants to limit “child transfers”.

Ilyes Bennane is only 13 years old, but there was a fierce battle among the largest football clubs in Belgium to acquire him. And he is not the only very young player experiencing this. The Pro League intervenes: “This is at the expense of the well-being of the child.” read more

5. ‘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

6. Arizona Senate repeals 1864 abortion ban

The Arizona Senate voted on Wednesday to repeal an 1864 abortion ban. Under that law, which could otherwise have come into effect within weeks, abortion would be banned in almost all cases in the American state. read more

7. 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

8. 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

9. Belgian woman found 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. According to local media, the woman was violently killed. Her husband is still missing. read more