Brussels Press Review — Monday 9 March 2026
⚠️ AIR QUALITY ALERT — IRCEL-CELINE has activated the particulate matter information phase. PM10 concentrations exceed 50 µg/m³ across the region. If you have respiratory conditions, limit prolonged outdoor exertion today. (IRCEL-CELINE)
🌡️ Weather: Foggy start, clearing to sunshine later. 6°C this morning, up to 12°C this afternoon.
🔴 What You Need to Know This Monday
🚆 Rail strike hits Monday & Tuesday
Only 7 out of 10 IC trains running. Major disruptions from Sunday evening through Tuesday. Plan alternatives — STIB/metro unaffected. (BX1 · BRUZZ)
✈️ 195 Belgians repatriated from the Middle East
Emotional scenes at Brussels Airport as the first repatriation flight landed Saturday after Friday’s attempt was cancelled. (BX1 · BRUZZ)
🎬 “On vous croit” dominates René du Cinéma
The film swept eight prizes at Belgium’s cinema ceremony. Brussels filmmakers took home the biggest awards. (BX1 · BRUZZ)
🏛️ Politics
Dilliès government greenlights budget
The new regional government released its policy declaration covering mobility and the economy. (BX1 · BRUZZ)
Regional Security Council convened
Boris Dilliès called a security council to evaluate the current terror threat level. He also became minister in the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles. (BX1 · BX1)
MR strips DéFI of cadres
Ex-MPs, a cabinet chief, and a secretary have all switched sides. (BRUZZ)
Khattabi warns of “another crisis”
Green politician Zakia Khattabi says the Dilliès government risks plunging Brussels into a new institutional crisis. (BX1)
Benjamin Dalle officially VGC council president
(BRUZZ)
Cocof opposition sceptical
The opposition remains sceptical of the new majority’s commitments. (BX1)
🚗 Transport
Sinkhole in Anderlecht
Venizeloslaan closed after a sinkhole appeared. (BRUZZ)
North-South Junction construction
Major weekend testing on the massive construction site. (BX1)
Two serious bus accidents same day
An NGO demands investigation into driver training. (BX1)
Pilots abort takeoff at 235 km/h
After ending up on a taxiway. (BRUZZ)
Bolt launches 100% female driver service
(BX1)
More workers cycling to Brussels Airport
(BX1)
🌿 Environment
Aircraft noise: ombudsman accuses Brussels Airport of illegal runway expansion
(BRUZZ)
Jean-Luc Crucke on overflights
“It’s a regional competence, my priority is safety.” (BX1)
200+ km of sewers need urgent Vivaqua intervention
After road collapses across the region. (BX1)
Sewer works causing odour nuisance in Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe
(BRUZZ)
Fireball spotted over Brussels 🌠
Saturday night. (BRUZZ)
⚽ Sport
Union Saint-Gilloise beats Genk
Retakes 4-point lead at the top of the league. (BX1)
Anderlecht draws 2-2 with Club Bruges
RWDM sanctioned by licensing commission
Financial troubles cloud the club’s future. (BX1)
Hockey stadium project in Uccle abandoned
Due to budget overrun. (BX1)
Schaerbeek’s Mohamed Ouahbi named new Morocco coach
(RTBF)
Alpine skier Seeger stumbles in first Paralympic appearance
(BRUZZ)
👩 International Women’s Day
Thousands march in Brussels
For the World Women’s March. (BRUZZ)
Halles de Schaerbeek: feminism meets creativity
(BX1)
Debates, a march, and a protest song at Parliament
(BRUZZ)
🎭 Culture
Maison des Arts in Schaerbeek celebrates 200 years
On the theme of “inhabiting.” (BX1)
Brussels couple may own a unique Michelangelo
Experts investigating whether it’s a “missing link” in his work. (BRUZZ · RTBF)
Geese plays Botanique
How rock took flight again. (BRUZZ)
🔐 Safety
Person arrested after fight at Manneken Pis
At my fountain. Show some respect. (BRUZZ)
Police searching for missing patient
39-year-old man left Sint-Pieter Hospital while still needing medical care. (BRUZZ)
🏗️ Urban Development
Future of Basilix shopping centre questioned
(BX1)
🧑🤝🧑 Society
7-year-old Enzo, hit by bus, wakes from coma
(BRUZZ)
Mobile recycling parks return to 14 communes
(BRUZZ)
Sources: BX1, BRUZZ, RTBF, IRCEL-CELINE · Monday 9 March 2026