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Brussels toughens fight against illegal drugs

Brussels police have beefed up the fight against illegal drugs this spring and summer, with targeted raids and arrests in the Marolles neighbourhood and the Boulevard du Midi. The move comes in response to a call from Brussels-City mayor Yves Mayeur, who called drug dealing a “serious nuisance” to...

Massive fish death first in Roeselare, now in Ypres

The fire service in Ypres was called out on Monday to deal with more than 1,000 dead fish floating in the Ieperlee canal to the north of the city. The fish were found over a distance of five kilometres along the course of the canal near Boezinge. Fire service personnel from Houthulst and Lo-Reninge...

One in three seniors buy new De Lijn pass

One in three seniors has purchased the €50 annual pass for public transport authority De Lijn, as free travel for the over-65s ends at the end of this month. So far the offer has been taken up by 271,289 of those eligible. “That is better than expected,” said De Lijn CEO Roger Kesteloot. “Our goal...

A guide to alternative education in Belgium

Choosing a school in Belgium is an important step in setting up a life here for your family, whether it’s for one year or for twenty. But it is especially important for children and adolescents who require extra support or alternative approaches than the conventional school system. There are...

Jambon sets up task force to fight human trafficking

Federal home affairs minister Jan Jambon has set up a task force to address human trafficking, in an effort to avoid the creation of “a Belgian Calais,” he announced at the weekend. “Crime will always take the line of least resistance,” he said on VTM News. “If the authorities in Calais become...

Extra temporary housing for asylum seekers in Belgium

Starting this week, Belgium will offer extra temporary housing for asylum seekers to handle the growing number of applicants, particularly from the war-torn Middle East. The plan, approved on Friday, calls for mobile housing units to be set up on sites operated by the Federal Agency for the...

Father of victim sues Dutroux’s children for damages

Jean Lambrecks, whose daughter was kidnapped 20 years ago in Ostend and later found murdered by serial killer Marc Dutroux, has filed suit against the children of Dutroux and his ex-wife and accomplice Michelle Martin. Lambrecks is demanding a share of their grandmother’s estate as part of the...

Local medicines shortage affects 1,200 patients annually

A survey by the Association of Belgian Pharmacists has found that 1,200 patients a year are at risk because of the lack of availability of certain medicines, reported La Dernière Heure . In 35% of cases, the shortage can have a serious effect on the patient’s health. “Every year, it is worse and...

Belgians shine at Worldskills contest in São Paulo

Six Belgians received Medaillons of Excellence at the WorldSkills Competition held in São Paulo, Brazil, where 1,189 contestants from 62 countries battledit out in 50 vocational and technical skills categories. The competition, held every two years, is the world’s largest vocational education and...

Culture beat: 14 August

Brussels residents are proving hard core fans of spicy curries as literally thousands are descending on the Indian Food Festival this weekend at Cinquantenaire Park. On the menu is a feast of regional street food, curries, savoury, vegetarian and sweet snacks, accompanied by a diverse programme of...

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