The Brussels Times

Brussels cyclists call for an end to ‘invisible’ bike lanes

Many of the markings for cycling paths in Brussels have faded or disappeared completely, creating an unsafe situation for people navigating the city by bike.

Nazi flags shock travellers in Antwerp station during film shoot

Many travellers responded with shock to the casual placement of the flags and were indignant at the lack of explanation from the station.

Fast direct train between Paris and Berlin from end of 2023

"Some people are willing to sit on a train for five, six, seven hours."

Far-right leader asked to give guest lecture at KU Leuven

"And yes: Vlaams Belang is and remains a party that stands for racism and discrimination. And we will never normalise that at KU Leuven."

Alexander De Croo attends a ‘crisis-ridden’ Davos

Global inequalities and the climate crisis remain key issues at the WEF, despite the fact that participants travel to the annual extravaganza by private jet.

Monkeypox: Six confirmed and one suspected case in Belgium

Since the count stood at four cases on Sunday, two more cases and one probable case have been detected. The epidemiological situation is being closely monitored.

Sidewalk slalom: 7 ways Brussels fails its pedestrians

"A special place in hell is reserved for drivers who park completely across pavements."

PromotedBrussels Jazz Weekend – something for everyone

Employees in Belgium pay highest income taxes in 38 OECD countries

Single workers in Belgium saw 52.6% of their gross income go to social security contributions and personal income tax.

EU ships 33 million tonnes of waste abroad in 2021

2.4 million tonnes of waste is shipped halfway across the world to India. The country is the largest recipient of Europe’s paper waste.

Coprosain recalls smoked Filet d’Anvers

The fillet contained traces of Listeria and was sold from 30 April to 20 May.

‘Network of support’: Alternative study locations for students ahead of exams

"Studying together provides a network of support in a stressful period that can be emotionally draining."

Alfers 2022: winners of the Namur province’s economic prizes revealed

On Tuesday evening, the winners of the 35th edition of the Alfers, the economic prizes that highlight Namur’s most innovative companies, were rewarded in the Walloon capital.

EU Tracker

On the agenda

Today - Sanction crimes
The European Commission will publish on 25 May its proposal to add the evasion or violation of sanctions to the list of crimes laid out in the EU treaties. Well timed, given that some governments still are not sure if paying for Russian gas in rubles is illegal.
Today - Euromertà
The Commission will unveil its plan for beefed-up powers to combat organised crime, which will simplify how criminal assets can be confiscated. Confiscation rates of criminal proceeds currently barely break above 1%.
June 21 - Golden gateway
The EU’s development days will this year focus on Brussels’ plan to up investments in energy, digital and transport in partner countries, in a bid to compete with China’s mammoth Belt and Road initiative.
June 22 - Rescheduled mother nature
The European Commission’s postponed nature protection package — which includes targets for reducing pesticide use — has been tentatively rescheduled for 22 June.
June 23 - EU growth spurt?
EU leaders are on course to be given an update on the membership applications of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine at a European Council meeting. The Commission is expected to issue its opinions on whether talks should be opened.
July 1 - Czech in
Czech Republic takes over the rotating EU presidency from France.
July 5 - Right to repair
The European Commission will publish its plan for new design requirements and consumer rights for electronics. This will likely include a definition on the ‘right to repair’, potentially unlocking longer-lasting electronics and reshaping how consumers purchase smartphones and other devices.
December 1 - EU-US TTC
The next round of the EU-US trade and technology council is scheduled for December.