Yesterday brought a mix of local disruption and national concern, from evacuations in Antwerp after shells were found to job losses at Mediahuis and a prison sentence for a dentist convicted of sexual assault. Ghent also prepared for an Editors concert and opened Belgium’s first burial forest without memorial plaques.
The British rock band Editors will give an exclusive acoustic showcase tonight at Ringo Music Bar in Klein Turkije, Ghent. The café can accommodate about 120 fans. Although the doors do not open until 7 p.m., fans are already queuing outside. The performance puts the band in an intimate setting close to the audience.
Israelis are voting today amid heightened geopolitical tensions. The country's economy presents a mixed picture: some sectors continue to grow, while others are facing difficulties that could worsen. These sectoral trends are fueling questions about the economic situation surrounding the election and the record of Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
The Antwerp criminal court sentenced Carl S., a 72-year-old dentist, to seven years in prison. The court found him responsible for sexual violence against dozens of female patients. The sentence concerns acts attributed to the practitioner in the course of his professional activities in Antwerp.
News organizations are calling on the National Rally to uphold press freedom after its congress, where reporters from Mediapart and Politis were roughed up. The party is suing Le Monde for defamation over an article claiming that National Rally leaflets were found in the car of the suspect in the Trappes attack. It considers the claim false.
Ghent has opened the first burial forest where the ashes of the deceased are absorbed into the soil, without memorial or name plaques. The city says this meets the wishes of residents who want to become fully part of nature after death. The forest remains freely accessible as a green space; Ghent already has a natural cemetery for biodegradable coffins and urns.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Belgium is recalling certain 12-packs of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar in consultation with the Belgian food safety agency. The affected PET bottles have black caps and may have been incorrectly labeled as Coca-Cola Original Taste, even though they are sugar-free. The company is urging people with diabetes in particular to check the labels carefully before drinking.
Evacuations took place in Antwerp after two shells were found. The ordnance was discovered on Tuesday afternoon during earthmoving work. Their presence led people to be moved away from the affected area. The operation is part of the ongoing construction project in the city.
Mediahuis announced on Tuesday a restructuring putting up to 35 of its 853 jobs at risk. The Belgian media group publishes Het Nieuwsblad and De Standaard, among others. The company, headquartered in Antwerp, will need to clarify the plan’s details and its impact on affected workers. This represents about 4% of its workforce.
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