WORLD WORLDWIDE EUROPE BELGIUM BRUSSELS - The Brussels Times - THE RECAP - Wednesday 5 February 2025

 

View this email in your browser THE RECAP Your daily catch up - great with a morning coffee. Sign up  here. 1. PM De Wever warns Belgians ‘road ahead is no walk in park’ in first speech De Wever focused on the efforts that will be required to put Belgium in order, an exercise that "will take longer than one legislature."  Read More .   2. N-VA minister ‘astonished’ over criticisms about lack of women in new government Francken said that the previous government, which had more women than men, did not necessarily perform well or gain much electoral support.  Read More . 3. Nearly 80,000 unsold Chinese electric cars sitting in European ports If lined up end to end, the cars would stretch for 400 kilometres – the distance between Brussels and Frankfurt.  Read More .   4. 47% of Belgians believe lower registration fees will make house ownership easier The findings are according to the CBC Real Estate Observatory report, which was released on Tuesday.  Read More . 5. Military staff no longer entitled to day off to strike on 13 February "The military does not serve to be used as a political weapon in the hands of bad losers against the government."  Read More . 6. Almost half of Belgians consuming ‘potentially carcinogenic’ sweetener "An additive with such risks has no place in our food or beverages."  Read More . 7. Works on railway line under Brussels Airport to disrupt train traffic There will be a reduced service, and passengers from Liège, Namur, Hasselt or Leuven will no longer have a direct train to Brussels Airport.  Read More . 8. US icon Oprah Winfrey to attend tech festival in Antwerp this March American television icon Oprah Winfrey will attend the Antwerp technology and innovation festival SuperNova.  Read More . HIDDEN SECRET OF THE DAY 9. Hidden Belgium: Café De Welkom The aim here is to create a simple local bar where everyone feels welcome.  Read More .