The Brussels Times

Violent threats see major rise in Belgian politicians under police protection

Seated on a small horse, John the Fearless led his troops and ordered them to annihilate the ‘insane’ and ‘vicious’ Liège rebels and to show them no quarter.

Belgium Unlocked

Becoming Belgian: Who is eligible for citizenship, and how to apply

Have you been living in Belgium for several years and want to become a Belgian, but does the application process scare you? Here's what y...

An introduction to 'rallyes', Belgium's most selective soirées

Belgium's old aristocracy and wealthy bourgeoisie throw parties for their children to create networks and meet romantic partners from the...

Liège start-up develops tool to measure muscle fatigue

This breakthrough offers a new dimension to physical trainers.

Disparities hinder widespread use of domestic batteries across Belgium

"For a household in Flanders, the investment will pay for itself after seven to ten years, but in Brussels it will be between ten and 12, and in Wallonia, it will depend on the price of batteries in the coming years."

Fox makes a visit to police station in Wallonia

"He stood there, in front of the reception. He was visibly hungry and was neither aggressive nor afraid.”

Hidden Belgium: The Brussels lane that no one knows

It’s just off the Sablon square in Brussels. But almost no one ever walks down the narrow cobbled lane called Rue des Six Jeunes Hommes, The Street of the Six Young Boys.

PromotedWhy long term affordable 12 step rehab in South Africa?

Hidden Belgium

The Brussels lane that no one knows

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

Librebook

Head to Librebook in Brussels’ Matonge district to discover the exceptional richness of European fiction, art and political thought.

Elzenwalle

It might be the strangest castle in Belgium.

The Modest Home of a Communist Composer

First sung in a Lille café in 1888, the song was called L’internationale. De Geyter’s composition was eventually adopted as the official hymn of the international working class.

Sam Morgan

Behind the Scenes: Back on track?

Train travel could enjoy a vintage year, if governments get their acts together.

Le Chou

Has the Russo-Ukrainian war killed the doux commerce thesis?

Experts label electric scooters a 'major health risk'

With the expansion of electric scooter companies and rentals, accidents and injuries related to their use have become major health problems.

NASA's future crewed mission to Mars depends on developing Nuclear Thermal Propulsion

NASA's only hope for putting humans on Mars in the near future is by developing nuclear propulsion.

Drinking instant coffee is better for the environment, study claims

Single-use, aluminium coffee capsules are among the worst offenders when it comes to sustainability but filter coffee actually has more impact on the planet.

Food 'tattoos' helping in the fight against plastic waste

You may have already noticed that some fruits and vegetables sold in supermarkets are label-free.

Access to nature is linked to improved mental health, study says

The real importance of the study was in "showing how large these effects were relative to other things we also know are important to mental health such as income, family relationships, and long-standing illness."

EU Tracker

On the agenda

1 February - Hungary's NATO vote
The Hungarian parliament is supposed to vote in February on Finland and Sweden’s bids to join NATO. Hungary is the only European country that has not yet given its seal of approval.
3 February - Ukraine summit
The annual EU-Ukraine summit will take place in Kyiv on 3 February.
5 February - Cyprus ballot
Cypriots will go to the polls to elect a new president.
7 February - Clean energy talks
EU negotiators meet for another round of talks on the renewable energy directive update.
9 February - Special EUCO
A special European Council summit is on the cards for 9 and 10 February. Details here.
9 February - Buildings vote
Energy committee MEPs are due to vote on a compromise energy performance of buildings directive.
14 February - Trucks reform
The European Commission will propose a reform of heavy vehicle CO2 standards (TBC).
1 March - Look before you cross
The Commission will publish a new road safety package (TBC).
5 March - Estonia votes
Estonians will vote on the makeup of a new national parliament.
8 March - Critical materials
The European Commission will reportedly publish its anticipated Critical Raw Materials Act on 8 March (TBC).
10 March - Anglo-French summit
French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will meet for a France-UK summit on a number of political and policy issues.
14 March - Pill proposal
The Commission’s pharmaceutical strategy is due to be published.
16 March - Environment summit
An environment council is scheduled for 16 March. Details here.
23 March - EUCO I
The first regularly scheduled EUCO summit of the year kicks off on 23 March.
1 April - Greeks vote
Greece will hold its first national ballot under a new system in the spring, date to be confirmed.
2 April - Finns vote
Finland organises its general election to vote for a new parliament.
2 April - Bulgaria votes (again)
Bulgarians will go to the polls for yet another election after political parties failed to put together a working government.
1 May - Latvians vote
Latvia will vote in May for a new president.
13 May - Eurovision time
The Eurovision song contest final from Liverpool will be held.
14 May - Turkish elections
Turks will vote for a new parliament and president.
1 June - EPC meeting II
The European Political Community’s second-ever meeting will take place in Moldova on 1 June.
21 June - Space and defence
The Commission’s space and defence package, which will include an EU space strategy, is due to launch on 21 June (TBC).
1 July - Viva Espana
Sweden will hand over the reins of the EU presidency to Spain.
30 September - Slovakians vote
Slovakia’s general election will be held (TBC).
31 December - It's coming home
Spain will hand over the EU presidency to Belgium.