Expatica news

Belgian news in brief, 27 October 2005

Academics to combat bird flu

A team of Belgian scientists has been called in to help government officials prevent and combat bird flu. The team will include academics from Belgian universities. The academics have been instructed to assess the threat bird flu poses to humans and animals and draw up a list of definitive measures.

Oil spill clean-up continues

Spill oil was still being pumped away from the Total industrial site in Kallo, East Flanders, on Thursday. The clean-up operation after the 40,000 cubic metre oil spill on Wednbesday is expected to be completed later on Thursday, but the stench is still causing problems. The mayor of Beveren evacuated a school as a precautionary measure on Thursday and residents were advised to keep doors and windows shut.  

New look for Brussels trams, buses

The yellow buses and trams of public transport authority MIVB in Brussels are to be painted metallic grey by the end of 2008. Some 500 buses and 290 trams will be painted in the planned revamp, while 68 new-style trams will start operating in the spring of 2006.

Caribbean weather in Belgium

Temperatures will climb in the next few days in the centre of the country to above 20 degrees Celsius. However, the temperature will fall back to 15 degrees for All Saints Day on Tuesday. “The present good weather is very exceptional for the time of year, but has nothing to do with climate warming,” VTM meteorologist Eddy de Mey said. He said the enormous hurricane activity in the Caribbean was creating low pressure areas above the Atlantic Ocean, which in turn create high pressure areas across central Europe. Winds are also bringing warm weather into Europe from the Canary Islands.

[Copyright Expatica News 2005]

Subject: Belgian news