Thursday, August 11, 2022
The Brussels Times Magazine
After two years of pandemic, Belgians no longer postponing holiday plans

After two years of pandemic, Belgians no longer postponing holiday plans

"July is the most popular holiday month, so the figures at the end of that month already give us a good idea of how employees are dealing with their vacation days this year."

Low Rhine levels risk leaving German waterways unnavigable

Water levels in the Rhine are set to reach critical levels, large sections of the river may soon be completely unnavigable by ships.

Shooting stars expected above Belgium this evening

The sky will light up with meteors, with as many as 110 being visible per hour.

Flemish Government steps up fight against Asian hornet

The wasp is a threat to the honey bee that is native in Flanders, meaning the hornet also threatens agriculture and horticulture.

Landfills identified as ‘super emitters’ of greenhouse gases

One landfill site in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires contributes as much to climate change as 1.5 million cars.

'Not necessarily a good evolution': Number of redundancies at lowest point in decade

"Employers are now keeping people on board out of necessity when, in other circumstances, they would have normally fired them." 

What makes Belgium's 'oud bruin' beer so special

The craft beer revolution has driven a fascination with the oud bruin’s unique flavour profile. At the same time, Belgium’s new wave of younger producers has sought to re-engage with their regional beer heritage.

Hidden Belgium

Vrijdagmarkt

Vrijdagmarkt

Derek Blyth

Bestselling author Derek Blyth picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets of Belgium every day

Richard Harris

How garden cities became the green idylls of Brussels

Garden cities were not suburbs, nor rural retreats, but a more integrated foundation for an effective urban life.

How garden cities became the green idylls of Brussels
Where to go open-water swimming in Flanders this summer

Where to go open-water swimming in Flanders this summer

The region is increasingly looking to make swimming in open water safe as the quality of water in Flanders is improving.

Huge forest fire reignited in France, Belgium fires also increasing

Belgium is now battling flames that are plaguing its southern neighbor again.

'Too litte, too late': Brussels hospital receives 100 monkeypox vaccines

People can get preventive vaccinations in Brussels at the UZ Brussel, the Erasmus Hospital, Saint Pierre Hospital and UZ Saint-Luc.

Belgium in Brief: Desalinating seawater?

Will we all be drinking seawater soon? This is Belgium in Brief.

Around 20 'serious' terrorism threats last year, right-wing extremism continues to rise

"The increased activity of right-wing extremists impacts the potential danger emanating from extremist right-wing narratives in Belgium as well."

EU Tracker

On the agenda
  • 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.

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The Brussels Times Magazine
Current Issue: Summer 2022
What makes Belgium's 'oud bruin' beer so special

Belgium’s oud bruin beer is a sweet and sour brew of mixed fermentation with notes of caramel, a pronounced red fruit character and a r...

How garden cities became the green idylls of Brussels

The garden city movement, nurtured at the beginning of the 20th century, brought a tranquil, rustic character to Brussels communes. The r...

One man’s junk is another’s treasure at the flea market extraordinaire

You can find anything there from a grandfather clock to silver cutlery, from a plastic doll to an African face mask.  “The market s...

Brussels Food & Drink

What are the most delicious foods, refreshing drinks, coolest cafés and swankiest restaurants in Brussels at the moment? Here are some ...

How the inventor of English died in Flanders

William Tyndale brought the scriptures to the masses when he translated the Bible into English. Yet for his troubles, he was hounded into...

Tomorrowland is another day

One of the world’s largest music festivals takes place in sonic Boom, a Belgian town aptly named to host the summer electronica spectac...

Belgium’s football queen

How well do you know your Belgian football? Here’s a quick quiz question to test your knowledge: can you name the top three all-time hi...

Why Petra De Sutter is more than the world’s highest-profile transgender politician

As the world’s highest-profile transgender politician, Petra De Sutter is used to being in the spotlight. But as Belgium’s Deputy Pri...

Fines of €350 for walking around shirtless in Belgian coastal town
Shooting stars expected above Belgium this evening
Over 60% of EU impacted by drought as extremely dry conditions continue
Mario Kart circuit appears in central Brussels

Education

Accomodation crunch forces some Dutch universities to ask foreign students to look elsewhere
Belgian primary school test results slump in 2022
What to expect from Belgium's French-speaking schools' reform

World

Eighty Belgian soldiers depart for NATO mission in Lithuania
Estonia and Finland want EU ban on Russian tourists
Over 115,000 British postal workers to strike for pay rise

Health

'Too litte, too late': Brussels hospital receives 100 monkeypox vaccines
Sixteen youth campers back in Belgium after food poisoning in Italy
First female monkeypox patient diagnosed in Belgium

Politics

'Like we are in Congo': Liberal leader of MR called out for trivialising racism
Conner Rousseau: 'If Vlaams Belang and PTB get even bigger, the end of Belgium will come closer'
Belgium's Foreign Minister gives 'message of hope and determination' for denuclearisation at the UN

EU Affairs

Record-high number of employment permits issued by EU countries in 2021
Iran Deal: 'This is the final text,' says EU Representative following Vienna compromise
UPDATE: Russian forces threaten to blow up Europe’s largest nuclear reactor

Belgium News

Fines of €350 for walking around shirtless in Belgian coastal town
After two years of pandemic, Belgians no longer postponing holiday plans
Heat plan, extra breaks: How Belgium is tackling its latest heatwave

Business

Low Rhine levels risk leaving German waterways unnavigable
Deliveroo to exit Dutch market, expands in Belgium despite drop in demand
Chinese retailer Ochama to come to Belgium

Sports

Champions League: Union Saint-Gilloise eliminated after 3-0 loss to Glasgow Rangers
Champions League: Union Saint-Gilloise travel to Glasgow to secure ticket for next round
Champions League: Rangers unphased by deficit against Union Saint-Gilloise

Art & Culture

Aya Nakamura and her partner arrested on 'reciprocal' domestic violence charges
Hidden Belgium: Vrijdagmarkt
New design for Anthisnes Celtic music festival

Brussels

'Like we are in Congo': Liberal leader of MR called out for trivialising racism
Young people often attacked around Jeux d'Hiver nightclub in Bois de la Cambre
Elephant statue in front of Africa Museum to be renovated next year

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