The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) has added the horseback shrimp fishers of Oostduinkerke on the Flemish coast to the world list of intangible cultural heritage at its annual meeting in Azerbaijan yesterday. The shrimp fishers ride their Brabant draft...

Local authorities at the coast were last night making preparations for storm weather expected today that could lead to the highest water levels in 30 years. Breakwaters were reinforced, while fire brigades checked their stocks of sandbags. Boat owners were advised to bring their boats into marinas...

Belgium stands at number 15 on the list of the world's least corrupt countries, drawn up annually by Transparency International. TI's list covers politicians, police, the justice system and public services in 177 countries. In 70% of cases corruption is considered to be a “serious” problem. None of...

The royal palace has confirmed the delivery of an anonymous letter to the newsroom of the Dernière Heure newspaper in which the author threatens to kidnap Princess Elisabeth. The newspaper immediately contacted the palace and police, a spokesman said. The royal couple, meanwhile, went ahead with a...

A massive pile-up yesterday morning involving more than 130 vehicles closed the A19 motorway at Zonnebeke, West Flanders, for the entire day and evening. One person was killed and 13 were critically injured. The fire service installed emergency lighting as dusk fell to allow clearing-up work to...

Proba-V, a European microsatellite, has successfully completed its six-month test phase. The Proba-V ( pictured ) will now monitor the status of global vegetation until 2015, providing information on, among other situations, crop yields, droughts and desertification. The Proba-V satellite – which...

Some 250 professionals active in European affairs will gather in Brussels’ De Munt/La Monnaie tomorrow night for a speed-dating event that will see them strike up conversations with Dutch speakers working in other sectors. “We are bringing together 250 Flemings, all active in the European sphere,”...

Brussels’ Czech Centre and world music promoter Muziekpublique host a special midweek concert by globetrotting fusion trio Eviya n. The group’s frontwoman, Moravian violinist and vocalist Iva Bittova, is no stranger to the capital, having performed here several times as a solo artist. But Eviyan is...

The famed Tomorrowland music festival is looking to extend to two weekends next year following an application submitted by organisers. So far, the province is considering allowing the expansion, but needs more time to arrive at a decision. To mark the 10th anniversary of the internationally...

King Philippe has apologised to the families of road traffic victims after it was revealed that he had granted a royal pardon to several offenders convicted of traffic violations, leading to reduced fines. The TV programme Royalty reported last week that the king had used his royal power to pardon...