Belgium’s day was marked by major funding cuts in culture and public transport, school closures and a bomb threat, alongside debate over euthanasia and remarks about women’s football. Internationally, tensions involving Iran and strategic fuel reserves also drew attention.
Additional funding for De Lijn will be cut by more than half over the next three years. At the same time, Bozar will lose all Flemish subsidies. The decisions affect both public transport funding and support for a Brussels cultural institution. As a result, Flemish government support for both institutions will change significantly in the years ahead.
Secondary schools in Liège’s free and municipal education networks will remain closed on Friday for safety reasons. The situation got out of hand on Thursday during protests against cuts to education. There was property damage and physical violence, after which the schools concerned decided to suspend classes for one day.
Vooruit and CD&V disagree on euthanasia for people with dementia. MP Jan Bertels says that, for Vooruit, the person’s own wishes are the first criterion, alongside clearly defined conditions set out in advance. CD&V parliamentary leader Nawal Farih stresses that euthanasia cannot proceed if the patient resists that day.
A clip from the podcast ‘Ongefilterd’ has sparked outrage after people mocked OH Leuven Women and women’s football. Several well-known figures have voiced their disapproval. Red Flame Hannah Eurlings also expressed her displeasure. Analyst and goalkeeper Riet Maes said the laughter was particularly regrettable; the controversy continues on social media.
The United States is demanding that France and Germany tap their strategic diesel reserves to help lower global fuel prices. The pressure comes from President Donald Trump, who wants to push European countries into intervening in the energy market. If they refuse, the US government threatens to ban US diesel exports.
About 300 students and staff at KTA in Niel were evacuated on Thursday afternoon. The secondary school had received a bomb threat, after which everyone was brought to safety. It is not yet clear whether the threat is serious. The warning was received by the school and led to the evacuation of the building.
Donald Trump warned that Iran would be "hit very hard" if its involvement were confirmed in the attack involving a Flydubai pilot during a flight. The incident involved a flight operated by the Emirati airline. The US president tied any retaliation to first establishing Iran’s responsibility in the matter.
British counterterrorism police arrested a man holding British and Iranian citizenships on Thursday. The arrest is part of an investigation into an incident on Sunday near Fairford military base in southwest England. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he warned London of an attack plot.
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