An explosion during works on a high-tension electrical station in Machelen, just outside of Brussels, around 11.00 yesterday morning led to widespread disruption across the country, including power outages and massive delays on the rail network. According to a spokesperson for electricity provider...

So, almost two months after hurtling over the handlebars of my bike, I’m about to dip my toe in the waters of this historical retreat. Thermes de Spa is a modern wellness centre perched high above the pretty stone town, built in 2004 to exploit the springs and breath-taking view over the valley...

A heated debate over the exact nature of Zwarte Piet, the helper of St Nicholas, or Sinterklaas in Dutch, has been exaggerated, according to Jozef De Witte, director of the Centre for Equal Opportunities and the Fight Against Racism. He called for a “serene” debate on the question of old folk...

The timeless tradition of Trappist beer brewing could soon shift away from the European continent for the first time ever, with a new Trappist beer being prepared in Massachusetts in the US. According to industry reports, the monks of the Saint Joseph abbey in Spencer, Mass., about 55 miles (88km)...

A match between Anderlecht and Paris-St-Germain in Brussels yesterday went off without the much-anticipated clashes between the two groups of fans, thanks to a reinforced police presence. Police patrolled the streets surrounding the Parc Astrid stadium on foot, while a traffic detail accompanied...

The government’s plans for the extension of the port of Antwerp are hanging in the balance after yesterday’s recommendation by the Auditor of the Council of State that the entire plan should be scrapped. The auditor was giving his opinion in a case brought by the activist group Doel2020. His advice...

The musicians of the Leuven Alumni Orchestra no longer need to turn the pages of their music scores during concerts thanks to an innovative tablet computer programme. When the conductor points to a spot on his digital music score, which is displayed on a large console that looks like a huge tablet...

A newly-named street in the Brussels district of Haren will today (Wed) be named after Joe Van Holsbeek, the 17-year-old teenager stabbed to death in broad daylight in Brussels' Central Station in April 2006 when he refused to give up his MP3 player. The killers were caught on surveillance cameras...

A Belgian economic delegation led by Princess Astrid ( pictured ) flew to Angola last Sunday with an aim to boost local exports to Angola and help companies develop trading links with the emerging African country. Trade between Belgium and Africa is already following an upward trend, with exports...

Flemish transport minister Hilde Crevits officially opened the new visitors centre for the port of Ghent yesterday. The centre is located on the Rigakaai north of the city centre. The new facility is intended to form a single meeting place for the 15,000 visits to the port every year by companies,...