Alan Hope

Tomato producers investigated for unauthorised virus research

The four are suspected of breaking the rules on plant experimentation by releasing a virus without authorisation or protection.

Prominent Belgian columnist Hugo Camps dies at 79

"He was someone who could penetrate so deeply into matters with few words. I think that is the most striking."

WWI shell found during works at Ghent railway station

A few days before Armistice day, a shell was discovered about 300m from the platforms on the Brussels-bound side of the station.

Serious gum infection caused death of killer whale stranded near Belgian coast

The orca's teeth were loose and rotting, and there was a lot of inflammation in the jaws and the teeth themselves, which likely made it painful to eat.

Investigation into alleged 'fake suicide' of 60-year-old woman in Brussels

The prosecutor’s office has appointed an examining magistrate to oversee the investigation into possible foul play.

KU Leuven named Belgium’s top university

The Belgian leader of the table, KUL has moved up the ranking since its first appearance in 2011, from 119 to 49 in 2017; since then it has remained in the 40s.

Brussels Region could save €60 million by centralising services

"We have to save money... we ask that every minister makes an effort on personnel and operational costs in order to collect tens of millions of euros."

Russian spies still operating out of Brussels embassy

The embassy is a “very closed community”, surrounded by 900m of electric fencing and with all manner of facilities provided within the embassy.

Three in four washing machines that are dumped still work

The average household contains 95 electric devices, from washing machines to clock radios. Many prefer to simply buy new products rather than repair faulty ones.

Flemish film wins top prize in prestigious US film festival

'Close' will be Belgium’s entry for the international section of next year’s Oscars. It could be seen as a companion piece to 'Girl'.

Federal Government ordered to review latest pensions reform

“The pension bonus means that people who work longer than is strictly required receive a small lump-sum increase on their pension. That is only fair."

Killer whale dies after washing up on beach for the second time

"It is really exceptional that such a rare species can be seen in the North Sea." The body will be examined by the university of Utrecht.

Russians protest against Ukraine invasion outside Russian embassy

"We demand the immediate withdrawal of the troops. We want an end to the killing of Ukrainian and Russian people."

Second most expensive villa in Knokke sold to pay off fines

Pierre Salik was accused in 2020 of tax evasion and giving bribes to police officers in Monaco. The €14 million raised by the sale will go entirely to paying off the damages.

Flemish and Dutch researchers examine anti-inflammatories' effect on depression

"We are focussing on a specific subtype of depression: people with elevated levels of inflammation in the blood."

3M pays Flanders €100 million in damages for pollution

The money will go towards the clean-up of contaminated soil in the area around the plant.

Financial watchdog tightens rules on cryptocurrency ads in Belgium

“There are at present no rules for the commercialisation of cryptocurrencies.”

Rik Torfs, Flanders’ best-known professor, retires from KU Leuven

"I don't feel quite at home in the university as it is now. In the long run it has become a large company, in which the financing of scientific research has become the main driving force."

Franco Dragone, force behind Cirque du Soleil, dies at 69

Dragone was best known for his work with Cirque du Soleil, whose flamboyant shows he directed, turning them into a global success.

Missing whale found dead on Dutch beach

After having been seen floating off Belgium's coast, it was reported that the whale had beached in the Netherlands.

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