The week in brief: 23 June

The federal public health ministry has warned of a new stricter enforcement of the smoking ban in bars. Owners who persist in ignoring the ban will now face fines of up to €6,000 – more than three times the previous amount. In addition, repeat offenders could find themselves facing a six-month closure order. The increased fines are mainly meant to deal with repeat offenders who have repeatedly ignored warnings and fines.

The C Ladybug, a car transport ship that has been marooned in the port of Antwerp since April of last year, could be freed soon, after bids came in from unidentified buyers. The car transport ship owned by Taiwan Maritime Transportation (TMT) was impounded last year, after TMT was unable to pay its creditors. Members of the Chinese crew on board went unpaid and were unable to leave. They were finally the subject of a food collection action by a seamen’s organisation, after provisions on the ship ran out. In the end, the crew was paid and were repatriated. A decision on any sale is expected by 3 July.

Fifteen more magistrates will be assigned to prosecute fraud and financial crimes in Brussels, new prosecutor-general Johan Delmulle has announced. The reinforcements come after decades of complaints that a severely stretched justice system was unable to compete against the extensive legal forces large companies deploy, leading to several major cases being dropped because the prosecution ran out of time. The new team will handle each case from first instance all the way through to appeal, avoiding the delays common when a higher level of magistrate has to come up to speed on what are often extremely complex cases.

The residents of Antwerp have chosen cycle-friendly streets, elderly people living at home longer and better footpaths as their main priorities for spending in the coming year. The residents of Antwerp City were given the chance to choose how the council would spend €1.1 million, one-tenth of the annual budget. Money will also be spent on more green spaces, residents’ groups and art in public places.

Motorists have been warned of severe traffic disruptions this summer as a result of major roadworks in Brussels. The two approaches to the Reyers viaduct in Schaarbeek will close on 30 June with works lasting until the end of September; motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible. Close by, tram lines will be replaced on Meiserplein and Rogierlaan , closing Rogierlaan until end September. The Jubelpark tunnel direction Montgomery will also close on 30 June, with works lasting until 29 August. Tramlines will also be replaced in Koningstraat between Brialmontstraat and the Sint-Maria church from 27 June to 31 August. Finally, tramlines will be replaced in Stallestraat in Ukkel and Alfred Madouxlaan in Sint-Pieters-Woluwe.

Beaches at the Flemish coast are facing a plague of jellyfish as a result of the warm winter, according to Tom Cocle, head of the coast’s lifeguards. And because of winds coming off the land in recent weeks, the jellyfish are being driven from deeper waters towards the beaches. The species of jellyfish concerned are not normally strong enough to sting human beings, Cocle said. The more dangerous sorts are expected later in July and August.

The city of Ghent is in talks with the restaurant trade to launch a “leftover box” – a doggy bag by another name – which would allow diners to take leftover food home. “We want to convince people to use the leftovers and to encourage restaurants to offer the service,” said environment alderwoman Tine Heyse. The city also aims to encourage the use of local, seasonal, organic and fair trade ingredients.

A 33-year-old Serbian man has been arrested in Germany in connection with the theft of a safe in Torhout, West Flanders, last year, which made world headlines after the fleeing thieves threw the safe out of their car, sending more than one million in euro notes scattering over the streets in nearby Zedelgem. A number of locals helped themselves, and much of the money has never been recovered. The number of the getaway car has been traced to the Serbian, who once lived in Charleroi.

The government of Flanders has issued a seizure notice on the home of a man from Herentals in connection with a breach of building permit rules for another building he constructed 35 years ago. Leo Mertens built a youth centre without the necessary permits, but nothing happened until two weeks ago, when he was told the government would place a lien on his home, preventing its sale or bequest, until the offending building was demolished. The municipality is helping to seek a solution. Some 2,000 people in Flanders are thought to be in a similar position regarding permit offences committed between 10 and 35 years ago. 

Business confidence among Flemish entrepreneurs has reached a three-year high, according to the latest “barometer” issued by Unizo, the organisation that represents the self-employed. Calculated according to a poll of 925 business owners, the level of confidence is now at 99.2 – figures over 100 are positive, and under 100 negative. The number is the highest it has been since 2011. “This is the third quarter in a row where the trend has been upward,” director-general Karel Van Eetvelt said. “Better times are on the way; optimism is growing.” 

Photo courtesy Visit Flanders