# Brussels Daily Brief — 26 August 2026

![cover](https://manneken.brussels/news/covers/2026/08/2026-08-26-cover.png)

# Brussels Daily Press Review — 2026-08-26
*Overcast, 27°C, and Brussels still has more hot air in politics than in the sky. Pisse bien couvert.*

## TL;DR
Main Brussels stories today:
- **Saint-Gilles may seek federal police as Brussels shootings intensify.** After Kalashnikov fire in Saint-Gilles, mayor Jean Spinette is considering requisitioning the federal police.
- **Brussels education talks put pressure back on government.** Education negotiations in Brussels remain unresolved, with the message that the ball is now in the government's court.
- Brussels plans to completely redesign the Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains in 2027.
- Brussels' former MIMA museum is set to reopen as a new music hub.

## 🌤️ Weather
☁️ Overcast in Brussels today — between 15°C and 27°C (now 16°C).

## Saint-Gilles may seek federal police as Brussels shootings intensify
After Kalashnikov fire in Saint-Gilles, mayor Jean Spinette is considering requisitioning the federal police. Mayors in the Midi police zone are calling for national action, while Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden described the shooting wave as a sign that the fight must continue. Two possible suspects have been arrested, and Brussels politicians are demanding more staff, resources and concrete answers as drug-related violence escalates.

#### Sources:

- [Un rassemblement s’organise dimanche à Saint-Gilles contre le crime organisé - BX1](https://bx1.be/communes/saint-gilles/un-rassemblement-sorganise-dimanche-a-saint-gilles-contre-le-crime-organise/)
- [Ridouane Chahid \(PS\) sur les fusillades à Bruxelles : “Les citoyens attendent des r... - BX1](https://bx1.be/categories/news/ridouane-chahid-ps-sur-les-fusillades-a-bruxelles-les-citoyens-attendent-des-reponses-concretes/)
- [“La violence est uniquement le symptôme”: Ine Van Wymersch, commissaire nationale aux... - BX1](https://bx1.be/violences-dans-le-milieu-de-la-drogue/la-violence-est-uniquement-le-symptome-ine-van-wymersch-commissaire-nationale-aux-drogues-appelle-a-sattaquer-au-trafic-dans-son-ensemble/)

## Brussels education talks put pressure back on government
Education negotiations in Brussels remain unresolved, with the message that the ball is now in the government's court. The item points to a political decision phase rather than a school-level dispute.

#### Source:

- [Enseignement : “La balle est dans le camp du gouvernement” - BX1](https://bx1.be/categories/news/enseignement-la-balle-est-dans-le-camp-du-gouvernement/)

## Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains set for full redesign in 2027
Brussels plans to completely redesign the Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains in 2027. The central public-space project concerns one of the city's urban squares and is scheduled for the coming year.

#### Source:

- [Brussels plans to completely redesign the Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains in 2027 - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/2286564/brussels-plans-to-completely-redesign-the-new-grain-market-in-2027/)

## Former MIMA museum to reopen as a new music hub
Brussels' former MIMA museum is set to reopen as a new music hub. The change gives the former museum site a new cultural role focused on music.

#### Source:

- [Brussels' former MIMA museum to reopen as new music hub - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/2286728/brussels-former-mima-museum-to-reopen-as-new-music-hub/)

## Evere council wants to name a square after Driss Atounane
The Evere municipal council chair has tabled a motion to name a square after the late Driss Atounane. Ridouane Chahid, former mayor and current council chair, confirmed the proposal.

#### Source:

- [Gemeentebestuur van Evere wil plein vernoemen naar overleden Driss Atounane - BRUZZ](https://www.bruzz.be/actua/samenleving/gemeentebestuur-van-evere-wil-plein-vernoemen-naar-overleden-driss-atounane-2026-08-26)

## Brussels orientation festival targets young people
A Festival de l'Orientation is being held in Brussels for young people. The event focuses on guidance and orientation for youth.

#### Source:

- [Bruxelles : Festival de l'Orientation pour les jeunes - RTBF](https://www.rtbf.be/article/bruxelles-festival-de-l-orientation-pour-les-jeunes-11774920)

## European Sleeper eyes two more Brussels routes in 2028
European Sleeper aims to connect Brussels with two additional destinations in 2028. The plan would expand the city's international night-train links.

#### Source:

- [European Sleeper aims to connect Brussels with two more destinations in 2028 - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/2286537/european-sleeper-aims-to-connect-brussels-with-copenhagen-and-malmo-in-2028/)

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*Read the full briefing (EN/FR/NL) online: [manneken.brussels](https://manneken.brussels/news/en/2026-08-26-press-review/).*

*Compiled from [BX1](https://bx1.be), [BRUZZ](https://www.bruzz.be), [RTBF](https://www.rtbf.be), and [Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com). Brussels, 2026-08-26.*