Shopping centres and public transport were the most likely targets of terrorists planning attacks on Brussels, Belgium’s prime minister Charles Michel said as he announced the city’s lockdown would remain in force today.

BELGIUM could be in for a long summer of negotiations before its new government is formed, following a potentially divisive election in which two parties of the right and left received the most votes.

NO-FRILLS airline Ryanair has shrugged off the recent European Commission decision that threatened its routes to and from Charleroi airport near Brussels, by striking a new deal with the regional authority that owns the airport.

IRELAND’S Commissioner David Byrne will defend Ryanair’s deal with regional airports, including Charleroi, when it comes before the European Commission this morning.

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has called on the Government to use its influence while holding the EU Presidency to ensure that any decision by the EU Commission on the Ryanair Charleroi issue does not have any negative impact on low-fares air access to Ireland.