On Brussels' Place Sainte-Catherine on Sunday, between 100 and 200 people gathered for a picnic protest against the new terraces there, reports brusselnieuws.be. The picnic was an initiative of the Free 54 movement, which aims to protect the public character of the square. The modest turnout was...

The Belgian music market grew considerably in the first six months of this year, by 5.8% to nearly €50 million, reports Het Laatste Nieuws based on a press release from the Belgian Entertainment Association (BEA Music). The industry attributes the growth to the popularity of online music streaming...

As of 1 January this year, the Brussels-Capital Region counted 1,175,173 inhabitants, according to the most recent population census by the Brussels Institute for Statistics and Analysis (Bisa). The region welcomed about 11,700 new residents in 2014, an increase of 1% on the previous year. The City...

Coalition party CD&V have joined with federal opposition parties in rejecting a proposal by Antwerp mayor Bart De Wever to create a special social status for refugees. At present, a refugee granted asylum is entitled to income support, priority social housing and child allowance. “That’s hard...

Belgian actor Johan Heldenbergh of Broken Circle Breakdown fame has been cast as one of the leads in The Zookeeper’s Wife , a new Hollywood film about the Polish couple who saved 300 Jews from the gas chambers during the Second World War. The film is based on the 2007 book by American writer Diane...

Seven new wall murals are to brighten up the neighbourhood in Rue de Namur in Brussels. The murals are part of a street art-walk launched by culture minister Karine Lalieux, reports brusselnieuws.be. The seven participating artists, according to La Libre Belgique , are Spear, Eyes B, Parole,...

In an upbeat video launched last February by Stib and Brussels' transport ministry, an idyllic world of tiny, plastic people go about their city lives drinking coffees and riding skateboards to the sound of cheerful whistling. A soothing voice tells us, “For a people-sized Ixelles… For more comfort...

The former Belgian royal couple King Albert and Queen Paola have called off all planned activities for an undefined period. The Queen needs her rest following a medical examination this week, reports the Royal Palace of Belgium. More specifics on the state of Paola's health were not given. The pair...

For the second time in a week, the Office for Foreigners in Brussels has had to ask asylum applicants to come back the next day because of the overwhelming demand. On Wednesday, 93 individuals or families were registered then sent away with a letter telling them to come back the next day for an...

The new pedestrian zone in the centre of Brussels is about to be put to the test, as schools and normal work schedules resume next week. The City and the Region are therefore calling on everyone to avoid using the car. At the same time, Brussels police are warning that they will carry out more...