Brussels Daily Press Review — 2026-10-08

Rain, NO2 and budget gloom: Brussels gives me plenty to sprinkle on today.

TL;DR

Main Brussels stories today:

• A mother of two was found dead in Saint-Gilles after her children were left waiting at school.
• Air pollution remains too high at every Brussels school. A study by Les chercheurs d’air found that nitrogen dioxide pollution remains above World Health Organization recommendations at all Brussels schools.
• The number of treatments for crack addiction has doubled over the past decade.
• Unions to march again in Brussels on Friday against Arizona policy. Trade unions are returning to the streets of Brussels on Friday.

🌤️ Weather

🌧️ Patchy rain nearby in Brussels today — between 10°C and 15°C (now 12°C).

Mother of two found dead in Saint-Gilles after children waited at school

A mother of two was found dead in Saint-Gilles after her children were left waiting at school. The death was described as a killing in Saint-Gilles.

Sources:

• Une mère de deux enfants tuée à Saint-Gilles - RTBF
• Mother in Saint-Gilles found dead after children left waiting at school - Brussels Times

Air pollution remains too high at every Brussels school

A study by Les chercheurs d’air found that nitrogen dioxide pollution remains above World Health Organization recommendations at all Brussels schools. Fewer schools are now exposed to high NO2 levels, but more than a quarter are still overexposed. The pollution is linked in part to car traffic.

Sources:

• Luchtvervuiling blijkt in élke Brusselse school problematisch, maar de pieken toppen af - BRUZZ
• More than a quarter of schools in Brussels overexposed to NO₂ - Brussels Times

Crack addiction treatments have doubled in ten years

The number of treatments for crack addiction has doubled over the past decade. Drug addiction problems are visible around places including Rue des Plantes in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, near Brussels-North station.

Source:

• Aantal behandelingen voor crackverslaving in tien jaar tijd verdubbeld - BRUZZ

Unions to march again in Brussels on Friday against Arizona policy

Trade unions are returning to the streets of Brussels on Friday. The mobilisation is aimed against the policy of the Arizona coalition.

Source:

• Les syndicats à nouveau dans la rue vendredi à Bruxelles, contre la politique de l’Ar… - BX1

Good Move traffic changes still advancing in Saint-Gilles

Good Move is still alive in several Brussels locations, including the Barrière de Saint-Gilles. From the end of 2027, a new traffic layout there is planned to make the chaotic square less car-dominated, with the tram running straight across the square.

Source:

• Op deze plekken is Good Move nog niet dood en begraven - BRUZZ

Ixelles grants free parking permits when roadworks block garages

Ixelles is introducing free parking permits for residents whose garages are blocked by roadworks. The measure is tied to local construction disruptions in the commune.

Source:

• Ixelles commune introduces free parking permits for garages blocked by roadworks - Brussels Times

Brussels population stagnates after three decades of growth

Brussels’ population has stagnated after 30 years of growth. The shift marks a break from a long period in which the capital region kept expanding demographically.

Source:

• Brussels population stagnates after 30 years of growth - Brussels Times

Emergency number activated as Belgium braces for heavy rain and winds

Belgium activated an emergency number as the country prepared for heavy rain and strong winds. The forecast included rain, thunderstorms and gusts of up to 80 km/h after a sunny start to the day.

Sources:

• Belgium activates emergency number as it braces for heavy rain and strong winds - Brussels Times
• A sunny start to the day before rain, thunderstorms and 80 km/h gusts - Brussels Times