The Belgian Taxi Federation (Febet) is planning a demonstration in Brussels on Monday 4 March to protest against new taxes and requirements for the sector. From 1 January 2025, taxi drivers will be required to use electric cars. Febet said that charges and taxes from Brussels Mobility will “double...

Three of Pairi Daiza’s five giant pandas will return to China soon in accordance with the agreement struck with the country. China loans pandas to zoos around the world to help with the species’ conservation efforts, generally under the condition that the pandas return to China once they are four...

A new immersive experience into the ill-fated ocean liner that sank on its maiden voyage in 1912 opens at Tour & Taxis in Brussels on 15 March. Offering a fresh look at the tragedy of the sinking, Titanic The Artifact Exhibition evokes the stories of the passengers and crew on board via more...

Two telephone operators will be used when people dial to reach emergency centres, Belgium’s federal telecommunications minister Petra De Sutter has announced. Currently calls only go through the Proximus network. The changes come following several Proximus network outages, notably in July and...

It is the end of an era. Teletext – a technology dating from the 1970s – has been phased out from Belgian radio and television operator RTBF’s main channels. From this week, only the sub-titling service will remain accessible for those who need it. Flemish public broadcaster VRT scrapped its...

Brussels mayors are demanding stronger measures to combat drug violence in the Belgian capital. Ixelles mayor Christos Doulkeridis (Ecolo) told Le Soir that a government body with strong expertise in drugs, similar to the country’s anti-terrorism unit Ocam, is desperately needed following a spate...

Farmers are planning another protest next Monday (26 February), aiming to mobilise in Brussels at the Schuman roundabout from 11.00. The protest will take place on the sidelines of a meeting of European agriculture ministers and tractors will be present. Farmers are unhappy with the recent...

Animation film extravaganza Anima boasts a fantastic line-up for its 43rd edition. A focus on sci-fi films features Science Fiction Scavengers ( pictured ) gathering some remarkable contemporary shorts, and Fantastic Planet , a classic film restored for its 50th anniversary. The festival’s rich...

Belgian shops, cafes and restaurants can not refuse cash payments, even if, for a few years, some restaurants, food trucks and thrift shops including Episode have only accepted cards. The federal government has approved a bill to that effect proposed in April 2023 by Socialist economy minister...