--- title: "Brussels Daily Press Review — 2026-08-26" date: 2026-08-26 lang: en summary: "Saint-Gilles may seek federal police as Brussels shootings intensify — and more Brussels news of the day." tags: ["news","brussels","press-review"] image: "/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/) - [Fusillades: Françoise De Smedt \(PTB\) plaide en faveur d’un renforcement des effecti... - BX1](https://bx1.be/categories/news/fusillades-francoise-de-smedt-ptb-plaide-en-faveur-dun-renforcement-des-effectifs-et-des-moyens/) - [Après les tirs à la kalachnikov, le bourgmestre de Saint-Gilles Jean Spinette envisag... - RTBF](https://www.rtbf.be/article/saint-gilles-apres-les-tirs-a-la-kalachnikov-jean-spinette-envisage-de-requerir-la-police-federale-11774903) - [La revue de presse : Bruxelles, "50.000 euros par jour pour un point de deal" - RTBF](https://www.rtbf.be/article/la-revue-de-presse-bruxelles-50-000-jour-pour-un-point-de-deal-11774902) - [Two possible suspects arrested in shootings Brussels - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/2286870/two-possible-suspects-arrested-in-shootings-brussels/) - [Brussels mayors inside Midi police zone call for national action against shootings - Brussels Times](https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/2286726/mayors-of-the-police-zone-brussels-south-call-for-national-action-against-shootings/) ## 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/)