brussels bureau ‘I was very moved’: MEP on applause after racism debate speech MEPs applauded Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana after her address on Wednesday in which she claimed police had humiliated her during an incident in Brussels. 18/06/2020
brussels bureau Belgium lockdown lifted for sex workers but COVID-19 concerns flourish "I don't go back to work with a smile on my face but I have no choice," one sex worker told Euronews. 15/06/2020
no comment A statue of former Belgian King Baudouin defaced with red paint The statue was daubed with red paint to protest the ex-king's role in the colonisation of what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. 12/06/2020
View Assita Kanko: Leopold II is part of the uncomfortable truth of who we are. We can’t erase him ǀ View As calls to remove statues of Belgium's controversial monarch, Leopold II, grow louder, Assita Kanko warns of the dangers of having a curated and sanitised version of history. 11/06/2020
World Watch: Statues under attack as Europe confronts colonial past 'The ghost of the past, the colonial past, is still haunting these spaces,' said one historian, speaking of the controversial statues under attack in parts of Europe. 10/06/2020
brussels bureau 'Quick decision needed over whether to remove Leopold II statues' A very rapid decision is needed over whether to remove statues of Belgium's colonial-era king, Leopold II, Brussels' heritage minister has told Euronews. 09/06/2020
brussels bureau Brussels restaurants and bars count the cost of a long lockdown After three months of enforced closure, economic losses and social security checks have stacked up for restaurants and bars in Brussels 08/06/2020
Belgium Who was King Leopold II and why do some want his statues removed? Activists want statues of King Leopold II removed from Belgian cities. Here's why. 08/06/2020
brussels bureau Belgian petition to remove statues of colonial king gathers pace The movement is gaining traction as Europe grapples with its own race issues alongside the Black Lives Matter protests in the USA. 05/06/2020
brussels bureau Pop-up study centre as empty Belgian attraction aids cramming students A tourist hot spot in Belgium, empty amid the COVID-19 restrictions, has become a pop-up study centre, helping students cramming for exams and with nowhere quiet to revise. 04/06/2020
brussels bureau COVID-19: Freelance EU interpreters out of work and demanding support Since the pandemic, freelance interpreters working for the institutions say they have been left 'without work from one day to the next' and are calling on the EU to 'practise what they preach' and offer emergency financial support. 04/06/2020
brussels bureau Be my guest: Belgian town among first to allow weddings with invitees Yolanda Nauwelaers and Timothy Dekeyser are thought to be one of the first couples in Europe to wed in the presence of invitees since lockdown was imposed in March. 03/06/2020
brussels bureau Belgian Jews fear the scaling back of counter-terror patrols Belgium is considering winding down soldiers' counter-terror patrols. At the height of the terror threat, thousands of soldiers paced the streets. Authorities are weighing up the cost of such security measures against the concerns over future threats. 29/05/2020
World UK lorry deaths investigation makes 26 arrests in Belgium and France The suspected smugglers were arrested in simultaneous early morning raids carried out in France and Belgium. They face up to 15 years in jail and a fine of up to €150,000 per victim. 28/05/2020
Belgium Health care workers turn their backs on Belgian prime minister Belgium's Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes was given a frosty reception by some health care workers as she visited a hospital in the capital Brussels. 17/05/2020
brussels bureau Belgians allowed to socialise again - but only with same four people Small social gatherings are allowed again in Belgium after an easing of the country's COVID-19 lockdown rules. But there is a caveat - it has to be with the same four people for the time being. 12/05/2020
brussels bureau Chefs lay down their whites to kick up a fuss over lockdown impact They were highlighting the plight of eateries, cafes and other parts of the hospitality industry hit during the COVID-19 lockdown. 07/05/2020
brussels bureau COVID-19: Belgium's overcrowded prisons a 'powder keg' for infections "Since 23 April, I wash myself with water. I had to wash my cell by myself with just water. I picked up the dirt of the prisoner before. What more can I say? The situation here is very bad." 30/04/2020
brussels bureau Belgium to hire 2,000 call centre staff to track COVID-19 cases The investigators will work the phones and connect the dots of who could be spreading coronavirus. 30/04/2020
Belgium Belgians to receive free masks as part of lockdown exit strategy The Belgian government has laid out its #Covid-19 lockdown exit strategy, which includes compulsory mask on public transport and ban of mass gatherings until September. 25/04/2020
brussels bureau Belgium's Muslim community prepares for Ramadan under lockdown With lockdown measures in place until at least 3 May, day-long Ramadan fasts will be broken in isolation. 23/04/2020
Belgium Analysis: Can we trust Belgium's COVID-19 death statistics? Belgium is facing an unusual problem, our political editor Darren McCaffrey writes. It's being accused of being “too honest” and overestimating the country’s death toll. 22/04/2020
brussels bureau Balkan Trafik Festival: Brussels music extravaganza to go ahead online The cult festival has moved online after the coronavirus lockdown caused the physical event to be postponed. 22/04/2020
brussels bureau EU steps up pressure on online sellers over coronavirus scams EU institutions want to keep people safe online as well as off, when it comes to low-quality products, high prices and scams. 17/04/2020
brussels bureau Belgian potato chief appeals for government to chip in amid crisis Most Belgian potatoes are exported but with travel bans and restaurants closed, the industry is facing huge losses. 15/04/2020
brussels bureau Brussels bear hunt as parents bid to amuse children during lockdown If you go down into Brussels today, you're in for a big surprise... 08/04/2020
