Belgian news in brief, 5 July 2006

FM calls for North Korean sanctions

Foreign Minister, Karel De Gucht has joined worldwide condemnation of North Korea for its missile tests in the Sea of Japan on Wednesday. De Gucht said Pyongyang’s actions were a “dangerous provocation” that will only increase tension in the region. He said the tests pose a serious threat to peace and called on the UN Security Council to discuss the issue. De Gucht also called for economic and political sanctions against North Korea.

Fare dodgers not paying fines

In 2005, some 199,000 train travellers were caught without a ticket, 3 percent more than in 2004. But a large number of fare dodgers fail to pay their fine. Of the EUR 9.4 million in fines issued, just 15 percent of that figure was paid, Public Enterprises State Secretary Bruno Tuybens said. The problem is blamed on cumbersome procedures involved in recovering fines.

‘Intelligent’ European search engine

A new search engine www.accoona.eu has been launched for people living and working in the European Union. Broadcaster EuroNews announced on Tuesday that it is partnering the innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based search engine, which performs searches in seven languages (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch). “Accoona.eu is a celebration of a new union — a true union of internet users and information seekers,” Accoona chief Eckhard Pfeiffer said.

2007 Tour de France in Flanders

The Tour de France will pass through Belgium, more specifically Flanders, in 2007.
Starting in the UK, the 2007 Tour will then cross the English Channel to Dunkirk. The second stage then takes cyclists from Dunkirk to Flanders, with a finish in Ghent. The third stage will start from Waregem. The announcement was made when the fourth stage of this year’s race started from the Wallonian city of Huy on Wednesday.

Subject: Belgian news