Belgians clipped a record 153 million coupons last year as the economic crisis made people more price conscious, according to figures from HighCo Data, the company that registers coupon use. Households used coupons to save themselves a total of €123.8 million, an increase of 22% over the previous year. The biggest group were for fresh food (31%) followed by dry food (10%) and hot drinks (9%).

King Albert II gave a royal grace to 100 applicants in 2009, down from 173 in 2008. The law allows the sovereign to grant a reduction or removal of the sentence of anyone found guilty by a court – without overturning the conviction itself. Most cases concern relatively minor offences dealt with by police courts and involving fines and suspended licences.

The new archbishop of Mechelen and Brussels, André Léonard, has changed his name again to mark his new appointment. In 1981, when he was made bishop of Namur, he added the name Mutien to his forename, in honour of a canonised Walloon monk. Last week, he announced he was changing his name to André-Joseph, taking on the name of the national patron saint.

The royal family has a responsibility to ensure important Flemish artworks remain in the country, according to N-VA deputy Ben Weyts. The statement follows controversy over four works by the Flemish Baroque painter Jan Breughel II (1601-1678), grandson of Pieter Bruegel, each depicting one of the four elements. The paintings, valued at around €2 million, go on sale at Christie’s in New York next month. The royal family considers the matter a private one, as the paintings come from the collection of King Leopold III and his wife, Princess Lilian.

One of the skinheads sentenced earlier this month in Bruges for an attack on a Togolese man committed suicide immediately after receiving notice of his two-year jail term. The 29-year-old man continued to maintain he had played no part in the attack on Raphaël Mensah in May of 2006. His lawyer claimed he had broken his ties with his former skinhead friends and planned to train as a teacher – something a jail sentence would make impossible.

US President Barack Obama could visit Belgium in 2011, according to the US ambassador, speaking last week on the VRT programme Phara. Howard Gutman said that he had spoken with Obama’s top advisor and but was told it could not be scheduled this year. However, the situation in Iraq could force him to visit a Nato summit at some point.

The federal government last week approved the extension of the mission of Belgium’s B-Fast team in Haiti until 4 February. The team has been involved in searching for survivors under the rubble, as well as setting up a field hospital to offer emergency medical treatment. Six military personnel are to be sent to Port-au-Prince to ensure the safety and security of the Belgian medical facilities. At the same time, the Flemish government has pledged an extra €300,000 for the Haiti aid mission.