Belgian news in brief, 30 January 2006

Belgian killed in Poland roof collapse

One Belgian national was among 67 people killed when the roof of trade hall collapsed in Katowice, Poland, over the weekend. The roof collapsed during an international pigeon show. Rescue workers pulled 150 injured victims from the rubble. The government said the roof might have collapsed under the weight of snow, but a lawyer for the company that runs the hall said the snow had been cleared.

Youths protest playground ban

Some 8,000 youths demonstrated in Lauwe on Sunday afternoon in protest against a recent Kortrijk Court decision banning playground activities at a local youth centre. The youths gathered at 2pm at the Hoeve Delaere youth centre, playing music and giving performances. A minute’s silence was also held prior to the start of the march at 2.30pm. A spokesman for Flemish Youth Minister Bert Anciaux has promised to assist the city council’s appeal against the court ruling and possible amendments to noise pollution laws are being studied.

Laptop sales top desktop sales

Laptop sales in Belgium have eclipsed desktop sales for the first time, market research bureau GfK Benelux Marketing Services said. The trend was recorded in the last three months of 2005 and is continuing in January. There were 940,000 computers sold in Belgium last year, a 1 percent increase compared with 2004. Laptop sales rose by 16 percent, while desktop sales fell 10 percent.

Nine sheep die in fall through ice

Nine sheep died after falling through ice along the Rotselaarsebaan in Holsbeek over the weekend. The sheep were driven onto the frozen pond by an aggressive dog from a neighbouring property. The dog was put down after the incident.

Subject: Belgian news