The Brussels Times

OpenWay: The Belgian company that saved Russia's financial system

“We suspect that a gang of thieves have found a flaw in this model of car. They are doing it by electronic cracking, by playing with remote key fobs."

Meal vouchers increasingly popular extra-legal benefit

An increasing number of workers are receiving meal vouchers with a value of up to €8 a day, which can help balance the costs of groceries.

Why Solvay was Belgium’s titan of industry and ideas

Ernest Solvay was laid to rest 100 years ago in the nearby Ixelles cemetery after a prodigious career, much of which is not widely known today.

Second Waterbus between Brussels and Vilvoorde on the way

Due to the success of the Waterbus between Brussels and Vilvoorde this summer, operators are hoping to soon add a second boat.

Water for pools or jacuzzis should cost 'significantly more', Antwerp governor says

"The basic human need for water must remain affordable and democratic. But the luxury use of water should be charged at a different rate."

Belgian jihadism: A thing of the past?

Belgium's threat alert is at two (out of four) but the existing terrorist groups may still attract radicalised individuals, says an Arabic studies researcher.

PromotedEurope’s flavour ban epidemic must end

Summer loving: Does it really happen faster?

The science on whether warmer weather increases attraction is inconclusive, with little evidence linking love to temperatures.

Solar energy: Multiple records broken during summer heatwaves

After breaking the previous two-year record in May this year, the production of solar energy broke another record in July; August is looking exceptionally good.

Ice cream vendors in Belgian cities increases tenfold

“In ten years, the number of points of sale in cities has multiplied by ten. We are also seeing a doubling in smaller municipalities."

Belgian farmer with 800 tonnes of grain stuck in Ukraine

"The biggest problem now is getting all that grain out of the country. I cannot find a single driver who wants to drive to Poland."

Hunger crisis disproportionately impacts girls

70% of the world’s hungry are female. When food is scarce, girls are often among the first and worst affected.

EU Tracker

On the agenda

August 26 - NATO milestone
Finland, Sweden, Turkey officials meet for counter-terrorism discussion, organised under terms of the two NATO-aspiring nations’ deal with Ankara. It is an important step to secure Turkey’s ratification of their NATO bid.
September 1 - Green Deal D-Day
EU lawmakers and governments have now brokered their negotiating positions on a lot of the main Green Deal updates. That means that talks between them and the Commission can now start. The bulk of this work will start in September.
September 9 - Finance ministers meet
Finance ministers meeting, agenda here.
October 3 - Eurogroup meeting
Eurogroup meeting agenda here.
October 6 - EU Presidency summit.
Czech EU presidency Council summit.
October 11 - Energy chiefs meet
Energy ministers meet for an informal summit. Preparing for the winter heating season will likely be the main item on the agenda.
October 18 - Commission to-do list
EU Commission publishes its work programme for 2023.
October 18 - Agri meet
EU farm ministers meet for a two-day agricultural summit. Details here.
October 20 - EUCO comes back
Full EUCO summit. Meeting page here.
October 26 - Zero pollution
Commission publishes its zero pollution package of rules and regulations.
November 30 - Recycle, reuse, recycle again
European Commission publishes its updated circular economy package.
December 1 - EU-US TTC
The next round of the EU-US trade and technology council is scheduled for December.
December 31 - Czech out time
Czechia hands over the reins of the EU presidency to Sweden.