Brussels Daily Press Review — 2026-08-18
Brussels Daily Press Review — 2026-08-18
Rain on the canal, taxes in the mail, schoolbags for free: Brussels is leaking civic drama again.
TL;DR
Main Brussels stories today:
- City of Brussels to compensate owner-occupiers for higher property tax. The City of Brussels will compensate owner-occupiers affected by a higher property tax.
- Brussels Canal hit by green algae, pollution and dead fish. The Brussels Canal is in poor condition, with a greenish tint, pollution and dead fish observed in the water.
- Police City Team issues over 750 citations and seizes €420,000. The City Team, a PolBru police unit, has issued more than 750 citations.
- Woman hit by police vehicle near Porte de Flandre. A woman was struck by a police vehicle near Porte de Flandre.
🌤️ Weather
🌧️ Patchy rain nearby in Brussels today — between 17°C and 22°C (now 18°C).
City of Brussels to compensate owner-occupiers for higher property tax
The City of Brussels will compensate owner-occupiers affected by a higher property tax. The measure concerns residents who own and live in their home in the City of Brussels.
Source:
Brussels Canal hit by green algae, pollution and dead fish
The Brussels Canal is in poor condition, with a greenish tint, pollution and dead fish observed in the water. The situation is being linked to green algae and wider pollution in the canal.
Sources:
- Teinte verdâtre, poissons morts : le canal de Bruxelles dans un piteux état - BX1
- Brussels Canal battles with green algae, pollution - Brussels Times
- Brussels canal in a poor state with pollution, green algae and dead fish - Brussels Times
Police City Team issues over 750 citations and seizes €420,000
The City Team, a PolBru police unit, has issued more than 750 citations. The same operation also led to €420,000 in seizures.
Sources:
- Plus de 750 PV et 420.000 euros de saisies pour le City Team, une unité de PolBru - BX1
- Police team issues over 750 citations, seizes €420,000 - Brussels Times
Woman hit by police vehicle near Porte de Flandre
A woman was struck by a police vehicle near Porte de Flandre. The incident happened at the level of the Brussels landmark on the canal-side edge of the city centre.
Source:
Brussels groups distribute free school supplies before term starts
Several Brussels organisations are collecting and giving away schoolbags and other school supplies before the new school year. Sonia Lhoest of the Donnerie scolaire de Bruxelles said the initiative aims to support families while encouraging reuse.
Source:
Aircraft noise concerns reach courts and Federal Government
Families from Flemish Brabant are going to court over an air route linked to Brussels Airport. Separately, a Brussels doctor has written to the Federal Government about the long-term impact of aircraft noise.
Sources:
- Des familles du Brabant flamand en justice contre une route aérienne de Brussels Airport - RTBF
- Brussels doctor writes to Federal Government about ‘long-term impact’ of aircraft noise - Brussels Times
Flemish community publishes guide to Dutch-speaking schools in Brussels
The Flemish community has published a guide to Dutch-speaking schools in Brussels. The guide is aimed at families navigating school options in the capital.
Source: