The fire service in the Kempen area of Antwerp province was overwhelmed last week with emergency calls to deal with wasps' nests due to the warm weather. The majority of calls normally come in late August or early September when the fruit is ripest, but last week Geel fire department received 50 calls, Mol 40 and Turnhout 30. Meanwhile, a 45-year-old man in Gingelom died last week after being stung by a wasp.

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A Bruges man has asked a court to order his ex-wife to pay €5,000 in damages for the use of a camera and a PlayStation she took when she left him in 2003. The articles themselves were returned to the man by the court, but he is now claiming "a symbolic amount for the damage she caused me," the man said. A ruling is expected next week.

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A man in Sint-Niklaas last week treated an entire school of 300 children to an ice cream to mark his daughter's departure after nine years at the Sint-Lutgart school. Wim Uyttendaele owns an ice cream business. "It all started with a bet when my daughter was playing for the school in the final of the East Flanders netball championship," he explained. "After the first set, I promised to treat them if they won. When they took the cup, I decided to give the whole school an ice cream."

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The government's Roads and Traffic Agency (AWV) this week started work on the N211 Luchthavenlaan bridge over the E19 near Brussels Airport, with a warning that the works could lead to lengthy delays in the weeks up to 15 August. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in both directions.

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Dirk Lelièvre from Lubbeek last week became the first drunk driver to be ordered to use an alcohol lock. Under a law passed last month, breathalysers and locks can be installed that will prevent drivers from starting their cars unless they pass the breath test. Lelièvre was caught driving while under the influence twice last year. The installation of the alcohol lock is a condition in the suspension of a three-month prison sentence, a five-month driving ban and a fine of €2,200. The lock, however, will cost him €2,500.

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The work of Pieter Aspe, Flanders' most popular crime writer, was last week launched in Italy for the first time, with a campaign of bus advertising promoting the first of his books to be published there, Het vierkant van de wraak (The Square of Revenge). Aspe is already published in France, and a TV series based on his books has been acquired by German TV station ZDF.

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Traditional oven-baked ham and pyramid-shaped "cuberdons" are the two latest foods to be awarded recognition as regional specialities by the Flemish Centre for Agricultural and Fisheries Marketing (VLAM). The ham is produced by Antonio of Gavere near Ghent. The cuberdons, also known as "noses", are made by Confiserie 2000 of Kluizen, also near Ghent. In all, 93 products have been awarded the VLAM seal of approval.
www.streekproducten.be

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Three quarters of Flemish workers find humour a common occurrence in the workplace, according to a survey by Jobat and the psychology department of Leuven University. The study asked 3,000 skilled Flemish employees their views on laughter and fun at work, identified as "essential" by 90% of respondents. Six out of ten (and slightly more among the over-45s) thought there was room for more jollity in the office.

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Reserves of Belgian mussels will last about another week, according to mussel farmers Reynaert-Versluys, one of only two producers off the Belgian coast. The Belgica mussels grow hanging from posts, unlike the more common Zeeland mussel which grows on the sea-bottom. They are reported to have up to 10% more flesh than their Zeeland counterparts. The grower hopes to double production next year.