Strike action planned for Monday is likely to cause widespread travel chaos across the country and bring Brussels to a standstill. The strike is part of an on-going programme of trade union actions in protest at the federal government’s austerity policies, particularly changes to pensions and the...

Ryanair wants to connect Brussels with 12 to 14 cities in the United States, reports brusselnieuws.be today. The Irish low-cost airline would fly to the new destinations by 2018 or 2019 at the earliest, as it is still waiting on the delivery of long-haul aircraft. Ryanair already flies from...

A recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that Belgium is the most female-friendly country in the world, with a strong legal framework in place to protect them and a political system wherein women are increasingly represented, reports De Morgen . The...

The Dutch fashion chain Mexx has declared bankruptcy. The group had been struggling financially for some time. Its 315 stores, including some 70 in Belgium, will remain open for the time being in order to sell off some of their remaining merchandise. Mexx shops, found in most Belgian shopping areas...

Mechelen animal park Planckendael could be welcoming the arrival of a new baby elephant as early as this weekend, the park’s management has announced. Females Phyo Phyo ( shown here with baby Kai Mook in 2009 ) and her daughter May Tagu were both reported to be pregnant back in October, when May...

Marrying in Belgium can be a fairly straightforward affair – and probably one of the nicer reasons to spend time at your local city hall. For the most part, it’s about getting the paperwork in order and showing up in front of the magistrate on the right day. But for international couples, the...

Rail authority NMBS should make it easier for passengers to request compensation for late or cancelled trains resulting from strike action, according to a new campaign by consumer organisation Test-Aankoop and public transport users’ groups TreinTramBus and Navetteurs.be. The groups launched the...

Antwerp city council has announced plans to take action against the growth of night shops because of their negative impact on the image of the city and its commerce. Starting next month, anyone who wants to open a night shop in the city will have to pay a one-time fee of €6,000, followed by an...

For the first time since 2010, the legendary Irish rock band U2 will return to Belgium. As part of their iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE Tour, the band have announced two concert dates at Antwerp’s Sportpaleis on October 13 and 14. It will be U2’s 25th appearance in Belgium, exactly 35 years since the first...

Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Theo Francken (N-VA) ( pictured ) wants foreigners to pay €225 up-front to cover the costs of the administrative processing of their residence application. The new measure would mainly apply to those coming to Belgium in the context of family...