Do you have plans for the long Ascension weekend? Were you maybe thinking about trading in Belgium for France or Germany on Thursday and only coming back Monday?
If your idea was to take public transport back home after your extended weekend, it might be best to rethink that plan, as you will likely end up in the middle of a national strike.
This week, public transport companies warned travellers of "severe disruptions" on Monday 22 May, as national trade unions will be taking to the streets for a demonstration in Brussels against assaults on workers' right to strike and social dumping.
Especially in Brussels, travellers counting on the metro, tram or bus would be better off looking for a different way to get to their destination as the action will cause heavy disruptions throughout the day.
And while Belgian railway company SNCB is not expecting any demonstration-related train disruptions (so far), Flemish company De Lijn also warned that its bus and tram services will not run as usual. However, how large the impact on services will be on Monday, and where it will be felt the most, is not yet known.
Might be worth it to get back on Sunday evening instead? Let @Maajtee know.
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1. National strike: 'Severe' public transport disruptions expected on Monday
Public transport in Belgium will be severely disrupted on 22 May – the Monday after the extended Ascension weekend – as the national trade unions will be taking to the streets for a demonstration in Brussels. Read more.
2. Europe's largest 'sports entertainment' park opens its doors in Belgium
Formula 1 simulation racing, practising your baseball skills or even free-falling from an artificial cliff, the newly opened Sparkx 'sports entertainment' theme park is offering visitors a chance to try their hand at more than 50 different sports. Read more.
3. Erdoğan popularity in Belgium triggers N-VA call to abolish dual nationalities
Following the news that 72% of Turkish Belgians voted for incumbent Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Zuhal Demir of the Flemish nationalist N-VA party wants to strip the dual nationality of Turkish people in Belgium. Read more.
4. Belgian reading comprehension drastically declining
Reading comprehension in Belgian schools has deteriorated, according to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). Read more.
5. Seaside flat prices drop after cooling of coastal property market
The rush on properties located on the Belgian coast seems to have passed its peak, which is already lowering the sky-high prices of seaside flats, especially those situated on promenades. Read more.
6. Bridging droughts: Groundwater levels remain high, but Flanders 'must stay alert'
This year's cold and wet spring has improved groundwater levels in Flanders since last year's extremely dry summer, but the region remains alert for drought. Read more.
7. Hidden Belgium: L’Epicerie Nomad
This discreet Brussels bistro was once a corner grocery store. It still has the old name written on the window. For many years it was a modest Thai restaurant run by the friendly Mongkhon Tangton. Read more.
