The state intelligence services were aware of the existence of a cell of Islamist extremists in Molenbeek as early as the beginning of 2012 and communicated their suspicions to the federal prosecutor’s office, according to a memo uncovered by Het Laatste Nieuws. The cell of about 30 people would...

The town council of Lebbeke, in East Flanders, has asked its local library to remove a series of portraits that make up an art exhibition titled Belgium's Got Talent. The illustrations include portraits of infamous Belgian serial killers and rapists such as Marc Dutroux, Ronald Janssen and Kim De...

A team of Belgian researchers, co-ordinated by Antwerp University (UAntwerp), has developed a game to battle cyberbullying among students. Friendly ATTAC was tested in Antwerp by 27 teams of students and school staff during a cyberbullying study day last Friday. The game is meant for students in...

Belgium's public health minister Maggie De Block has approved the sale of electronic, or e-cigarettes containing nicotine, writes De Standaard . It was until now only possible to purchase nicotine-free e-cigarettes in Belgium. De Block's decision comes in spite of the negative advice of the Health...

In 2015, 92 trains on the Belgian rail network ran a red light, a sharp increase compared to 2014, writes Knack. The number is not only higher than last year, when 66 trains ran red lights, but it is also the worst result in five years, according to Belgian railway infrastructure manager Infrabel...

Personalised number plates are a huge success in Belgium, says mobility secretary Jacqueline Galant in De Zondag . Since the option was introduced five years ago, Belgium's transport ministry has sold €21.6 million in personalised plates. Until December last year, car owners paid €1,000 to put...

Brussels opposition parties N-VA and MR have called for a parliamentary commission to investigate the city’s tunnels, following news that the Stephanie tunnel under Place Louise must be closed for repairs for up to a year. According to N-VA and MR – both parties form part of the federal government...

More than 555,000 people attended this year's European Motor Show in Brussels Expo, about 4% less than in 2014, according to a first estimate by automobile federation Febiac, which organised the 94 th edition of the event. Febiac is pleased with the turnout, especially considering the event got off...

Brussels Airport should scan the faces of all passengers travelling to or from a country outside the Schengen zone, including the US, according to home affairs minister Jan Jambon. At present, systematic checks are only carried out on non-EU citizens. Jambon’s proposal, which he is due to present...

Belgium's prime minister Charles Michel last week became a father for the second time, to a baby girl named Jeanne, the prime minister announced via Facebook. Michel's partner Amélie Derbaudenghien and the newborn are doing well, report various media. Michel is the first Belgian prime minister to...