WORLD WORLDWIDE EUROPE BELGIUM BRUSSELS - The Brussels Times - BELGIUM IN BRIEF - Wednesday 12 february 2025

 

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BELGIUM IN BRIEF Today's edition is presented by BESIX RED. A new chapter in urban living is being written in Evere. Discover Matisse 16 Living: Matisse 16 Living | Sustainable flats in Evere, Brussels. The (lack of) coherent response to the rising drug-related violence in Brussels took on a new level of surrealism during a press conference. The media was invited for a press briefing after the Regional Security Council (RSC) on Tuesday, a week after the first shooting. But they did not announce any new measures. Men with Kalashnikovs are running around the city's metro, but according to the Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region, we will apparently "just have to live with it." The RSC brings together the mayors of the 19 Brussels municipalities, the chiefs of police of the six police zones, the director-coordinator and judicial director of the federal police, and Brussels' new Public Prosecutor Julien Moinil. On Tuesday, Belgium's brand-new Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) and the National Drug Commissioner also took part in the meeting. However, neither of them turned up for the press conference, nor did the new prosecutor. Only the outgoing Minister-President of Brussels Rudi Vervoort (PS), Anderlecht mayor Fabrice Cumps (PS) and General Director of safe.brussels Sophie Lavaux showed face, but they were not able to provide any clear answers. In addition to stressing that the regional hotspot strategy was working, Vervoort added that drug trafficking, violence and organised crime were not only issues in Brussels, but in every big city. "You'll just have to live with it," he said. As someone living close to the Clémenceau metro station where the Kalashnikov-carrying gunmen started shooting right before the morning rush, I certainly hope I will indeed live – and not die – with it. Belgium in Brief  is a free daily roundup of the top stories to get you through your coffee break conversations. Want to sign up?  Click here . 1. Drug violence: ‘You’ll just have to live with it’, says Brussels leader Despite what some might call compelling evidence to the contrary, Vervoort stressed that Brussels' strategy to tackle drug violence was working.  Read More . 2. National strike, NATO and Bright: What disruptions to expect in Belgium on Thursday From major traffic disruption in Brussels to cancelled trams, metros and buses and closed schools, here's what to expect on Thursday.  Read More . 3. Man with firearm escapes police near Clémenceau metro The man is thought to have been carrying an automatic rifle.  Read More .   4. Belgium drops to lowest score ever in international corruption index Belgium records its worst score (69/100) in Transparency International's global Corruption Perceptions Index since the index was created in 1995.  Read More . 5. Visa restrictions will put a strain on universities’ finances, student union warns Francophone student union expresses concern about proposed student visa restrictions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.  Read More . 6. ‘Disproportionate’: Flemish public transport fares to increase by 20% Some people will not be affected by the price increase.  Read More . 7. Brussels rave for Ukraine to fundraise for queer community All-night fundraiser for Ukraine's LGTBQ+ community returns to Brussels following the success of last year’s edition which raised €10,000.  Read More .