It starts in a gloomy Brussels underground station. But Tram 44 is one of the world’s great tram rides. Maybe not quite as thrilling as Lisbon’s famous Tram 28, but still a beautiful ride. And no tourists. The old yellow trams that run out to Tervuren are relics of the 1950s. No way you can board with a buggy or a bike. But they give the ride a nostalgic mood. Down Avenue de Tervuren they rattle, past the grand embassies, the rolling Parc de Woluwe and the modernist masterpiece Palais…
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This Violence Must Stop”: Belgium Sounds the Alarm on Congo Conflict
The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the surging violence in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) while calling on the Rwandan government to stop funding the M23 rebel group. Violence perpetrated by armed groups has devastated the east and northern regions of the former Belgian colony for years. Eastern DRC has more than 5.5 million displaced people, including 2.5 million in North Kivu alone – where the violence “adds to an already very challenging situation for the civilian population in the east of the country,” says the…
Read MoreFuture Post-Brexit Passport Checks Could Limit Eurostar Service
The much-delayed post-Brexit EU Entry-Exit System (EES), which is expected to come into effect by the end of 2024, will have a major impact on Eurostar trains to Brussels. The EES is an automated IT system for registering third-country travelers to the EU; after February 1, 2020, UK nationals will be considered “third country nationals” under EU law. Short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travelers will also have to submit fingerprint and facial biometric data each time they enter the EU. The system will also record entry refusals. The introduction of…
Read MoreRock Werchter Announces 18 New Artists for 2024
Rock Werchter, which will take place July 4-7, 2024, has announced 18 new artists, including headliners Dua Lipa and the Foo Fighters as well as the Pretenders, Tom Odell, and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats. According to organizers, these newly announced groups will showcase a blend of soulful sounds, powerful blues, sharp rock, high-impact hip-hop, and accomplished songwriters and inspiring icons. Thursday, July 4 will feature live performances by The Cat Empire, Jaren Gonda, Bombay Bicycle Club, guitarist Johnny Marr, and folk band Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats….
Read MoreLufthansa Strike: 6 Germany-bound Flights Canceled at Zaventem Airport Wednesday
German airline Lufthansa will operate only 10% to 20% of its original flight schedule this Wednesday due to a ground staff strike, a spokesman announced Monday. The company plans to operate 100-200 of its approximately 1,000 scheduled flights. Estimates are that more than 100,000 passengers will have to reschedule. Earlier Monday, the Verdi labor union called on Lufthansa ground workers to strike on Wednesday. Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, and Düsseldorf airports are affected. The strike will begin at 4:00 AM Wednesday morning and extend until 7:00 AM Thursday. The action…
Read MoreRyanair presented an updated summer schedule
On Tuesday, Ryanair unveiled its summer flight schedule for Belgium, encompassing a total of 126 scheduled services operating from the two Belgian airports under its purview: Brussels Airport and Charleroi. Notably, six of these services are entirely new additions to the airline’s repertoire. Charleroi Airport will be the launchpad for the new routes, with services connecting to Amman (Jordan), Cork (Ireland), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Gothenburg (Sweden), Sarajevo (Bosnia), and Tirana (Albania). These additions mark a strategic expansion of Ryanair’s offerings from Charleroi and demonstrate the airline’s commitment to enhancing connectivity. To…
Read MoreExtreme snowfalls caused a traffic paralysis
An extreme precipitation system is expected to move across Europe on Wednesday, bringing substantial snowfall to many countries. In the southern part of the German region of North Rhine-Westphalia, which borders Limburg, many schools will remain closed. Heavy snowfall is anticipated from Wednesday morning until Thursday morning, with approximately 25 centimeters of snow expected, as reported by German media. German weather services anticipate significant disruptions to road and rail traffic due to the adverse weather conditions. Particularly in Bonn, the nearby Aachen near Maastricht, and in the districts of Euskirchen,…
Read More#buyblueandwhite: Kvitna Charitable Foundation and Uriel Stern ask to show solidarity
“Our initiative is not about raising money, it is an act of solidarity and support for Israel in difficult times,” said Uriel Stern, chairman of the Kvitna Charitable Foundation. “Over the past two weeks, we have been actively trying to draw attention to an important initiative to support the people of Israel by purchasing Israeli goods. We realize that in today’s world, each of us has the opportunity to support and strengthen nations through our daily purchases. Every Israeli item you buy is your contribution to the country’s prosperity, struggle…
Read MoreBelgium proposed to sanction Israel for Gaza strip atrocities
Belgium is contemplating imposing sanctions on Israel in response to the devastating bombings in Gaza, which have resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and countless injuries. Additionally, the country is weighing the possibility of officially recognizing the Palestinian state, as revealed by the Belgian Minister of Development Cooperation, Caroline Gennez, in an announcement to Al Jazeera. Gennez emphasizes that recognizing Palestine is seen as a crucial step toward achieving lasting peace in the region. She urges Israel to permit more humanitarian aid into Gaza, where the population is…
Read MoreNicotine pouches banned in Belgium, for much of cigarette producers delight
The decision to prohibit the sale of nicotine pouches in Belgium, effective from October 1, has significant implications for public health and tobacco control efforts. The move is part of a comprehensive anti-tobacco plan endorsed by Federal Minister of Public Health Frank Vandenbroucke and other ministers. By taking this action, the Belgian government is making a clear statement about its commitment to reducing the harms associated with nicotine consumption. Nicotine pouches, which do not contain tobacco but deliver nicotine and flavorings, have gained popularity in recent years as an alternative…
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