Yellow heat alert: up to 35 degrees this Friday
Belgium is preparing for a heatwave weekend with a yellow alert triggered across almost the entire territory. At the same time, the European Parliament has approved new rules on genetic techniques in agriculture, while major works are strengthening the national electricity grid.
The Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) has placed almost the entire country under a yellow heat alert until midnight on Sunday. Temperatures could climb as high as 35 degrees this Friday. High humidity will accentuate the feeling of heat, requiring increased vigilance, particularly for vulnerable people.
The European Parliament has voted in favor of using "new genomic techniques" (NGTs). These tools allow for the modification of plants' genetic code in a very precise manner, for example, to create wheat with lower gluten content or potatoes that are more resistant to diseases. While supporters see this as progress for agriculture, some Green MEPs are concerned about the relaxation of risk assessments for health and the environment.
The electricity grid operator Elia is currently carrying out major work on a 103-kilometer line connecting Huy (in the province of Liège) to Maaseik (in Flanders). Workers are operating at heights of over 70 meters to reinforce this infrastructure, which is essential for the stability of the country's energy supply.
In Mouscron, a 25-year-old man was taken into custody after a cannabis plantation was discovered at his home. Police services seized 332 plants during the operation, which followed local investigations by the Investigation and Research department.
Sunbeds, those artificial tanning machines, are seeing a drop in attendance in Belgium. This decline is explained by a shift in perspective regarding health and the risks associated with UV rays, which could lead to the gradual disappearance of these devices in the country.
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