Weather. It's a fact of life the world around and generally not something I feel the need to write about. It just happens and in Belgium, it's soon to rain if it isn't already.
And so when weather makes the headlines, it normally means one of two things: either it's a very quiet day in newsland and editors are scraping the barrel; or there's a storm coming and you'd better batten down the hatches.
A quick check indicates that there are indeed other things happening – not least a major loosening of months-long restrictions that will please the hospitality and events sector in particular, as well as everyone who enjoys them. And the long-winded Covid campaign of course rumbles on. We even have World Whale Day fast approaching, though the great leviathans of the sea find themselves in increasingly troubled waters.
So for wind and squalls of wet stuff to grab top spot on numerous news sites presumably means that it's a bit beyond the ordinary. In this case, this much is true with schools closing and flights grounded as Belgium prepares for the storm.
This one even has a name so you know it means business. Except that it is Eunice, a name that brings to mind bumbling octogenarians rather than tempests raging at 150 km/h. According to Belgium's Royal Meteorological Society, Eunice could even break records as it blasts the northern coastline sweeping eastwards.
So take it easy and if you can hold off just one more day before reacquainting yourself with the thrill of Belgium's nightlife, a cosy evening at home might be the sensible choice.
Have your Friday plans gone with the wind? Let @Orlando_tbt know.
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1. Code orange: these measures enter into force today
A series of measures are being relaxed from today, as the Consultative Committee decided to move Belgium into ‘code orange’ on the country’s coronavirus barometer. Read more.
2. Trains disrupted and schools closed: Country braces for storm Eunice
As Belgium prepares for what could be the worst storm in 30 years, a code orange warning has been put out for East and West Flanders and Antwerp where gusts of 150 km/h are expected. Read more.
3. Europe colours fully ‘dark red’ for third week in a row on travel map
For the third week in a row, all of Europe is still coloured ‘dark red’ on the latest update of the coronavirus map of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Read more.
4. Decolonisation of Brussels focusses on monuments, sites and buildings
Brussels’ working group on the decolonising of public spaces in the region on Thursday presented its plan for systematic interventions which will start by the end of 2022. Read more.
5. Rail, air and sea travel disrupted due to storm Eunice
National railway company SNCB has warned that train traffic will be suspended between 14:00 and 18:00 in large parts of Flanders and that no alternative transport methods will be organised. Read more.
6. ‘Mockery’: doctors unhappy about vaccinations by pharmacists
The association of general practitioners, Domus Medica, made it clear that it regrets the Federal Government’s decision to allow pharmacists to administer coronavirus vaccines as well. Read more.
7. Hidden Belgium: The forgotten Antwerp art collection
The almost unknown Mayer van den Bergh Museum occupies a sombre neo-renaissance house in Antwerp. Overcome your caution and you will discover one of the finest private art collections in Europe. Read more.
