Belgian news in brief, 18 September 2006

Bel20 reaches record heights

On the Euronext Brussels index, the Bel20 rose above 4,000 points some 15 minutes after the opening of trading on Monday. Rising above the 4,000 ceiling represents a crowning achievement for the Bel20. It peaked at 3,681.92 points on 6 January 1999 and four years of economic malaise followed as the Bel20, fell 61 percent to 1,426.59 points.

Cheaper car insurance for youth

Young motorists who don’t cause an accident are much better off in terms of insurance than whet they were a several years ago, a study from the Economic Affairs Ministry has found. Insurance premiums for youth have sharply declined. The average premium for a youth who has not had accident is now EUR 830, compared with EUR 1,200 three years ago. The decline is due to a sector agreement.

Battery hen cages ‘too small’

The egg industry is keeping its chickens in inhumane conditions, animal rights group GAIA said on Monday. The organisation made an undercover video which it says reveals how the industry breaches regulations. GAIA demanded that small battery hen cages be banned.

Brussels car-free day a success

Brussels Transport Minister Pascal Smet said the city’s 5th car-free Sunday was a success and passed off without incident. Cars were re-allowed on Brussels streets at 7pm on Sunday. Between 9am and 7pm, every street inside the Brussels ring road was car-free. Only taxis and people with special passes were allowed to drive their cars. Streets were thus filled with cyclists, walkers and skaters on Sunday.

Subject: Belgian news