Eurozone Government in the making?
News - Belgian Pensions Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne has called for the European Commission to be turned into a real European Government that takes its power from a majority in the European Parliament. The prominent Flemish liberal cabinet minister's clear pro-European strategy puts him on a collision course with Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo.
Flanders in Davos at the World Economic Forum
Flanders in Davos at the World Economic Forum
"Strike is an atom bomb without effect"
"Strike is an atom bomb without effect"
News - Flemish socialist leader Bruno Tobback has attacked the general strike called by Belgium's three main unions for Monday. Speaking with the daily Le Soir the former cabinet minister added that he understands the concern that people have with regard to government decisions.
Terrorists to be added to DNA databank
Terrorists to be added to DNA databank
News - The DNA of convicted terrorists and burglars will soon be collected in the databank operated by Belgium's Justice Ministry. As a result of the new measure the number of profiles in the databank will more than double every year.
Kim Clijsters crashes out of Aussie Open
Kim Clijsters crashes out of Aussie Open
Sports - Belgium's Kim Clijsters has been eliminated from the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne. The reigning champion lost the semi-final against Viktoria Azarenka of Belarus in three sets, 4-6, 6-1 and 3-6.
General strike: union launches #30J
General strike: union launches #30J
This Week's Video News - The socialist trades union, the ABVV, has been eager to start a discussion about the rights and wrong of Monday’s general strike and launched the 30J hash tag on Twitter.
Union offers students sleeping places to beat strike disruption
Union offers students sleeping places to beat strike disruption
News - In university city Ghent the Christian trade union ACV is offering students 'a bed for the night' or at least a place where they can sleep on the eve of Monday's general strike. The strike has been widely condemned in student quarters because it is expected to paralyse public transport at a time when many students need to be able to turn up for their exam.
Oscar nominated ‘Bullhead’ released early in US
Oscar nominated ‘Bullhead’ released early in US
News - The Flemish movie 'Bullhead' that has secured a nomination for the Oscars in the category 'Best Foreign Language Film’ is being released in the United States earlier than planned. The film that tackles the issue of the illegal use of growth hormones in Belgian meat production hits US box offices on 10 February.
Flemings have less sex than thought
Flemings have less sex than thought
This Week's Video News - The average Flemish man is believed to have sex 1.4 times a week. For women the figure is only 1.3, but the good news is the vast majority of the Flemish are extremely satisfied with quality of what they get.
"Major disruption on rail, buses, trams and metro"
"Major disruption on rail, buses, trams and metro"
News - Belgium's three local public transport companies and the railways are warning of major disruption across their networks in all three of Belgium's regions on Monday when the country will be in the grip of a general strike affecting both the public and the private sector.
Average house price stands at 220,000 euros
Average house price stands at 220,000 euros
This Week's Video News - More homes were up for sale last year but demand kept step and prices rose further except at the top end of the market. However, the higher the price the more difficult it becomes.
“3.3% of drivers were drunk”
“3.3% of drivers were drunk”
This Week's Video News - The number of checks on drink-driving has doubled in only five years. The increased threat of being stopped is working. During the Christmas holidays fewer drivers were found to be drunk at the wheel.


