Wednesday, July 6, 2022
The Brussels Times Magazine
Vote postponed on Belgium-Iran prisoners transfer deal following criticism

Vote postponed on Belgium-Iran prisoners transfer deal following criticism

Belgian politicians are divided on the issue. Some call it 'hostage diplomacy', others emphasise that it concerns saving human lives.

Europe’s top 10 growing professions revealed by Eurostat

Only one industry category saw a decrease in the rate of employment growth: the agricultural, forestry, and fishery sector.

Brussels centre makes comeback with 1.5 million visitors per month

Although not yet at pre-pandemic levels, the number of visitors has more than doubled from five months ago.

Second booster shots could be available for everyone from September

Belgium's various health ministers will meet on Wednesday to discuss the rollout of a second booster vaccine based on advice given by various bodies.

Record number of electronic transactions during summer sales

This year, some 74% of Belgians paid with their contactless card at least once, compared to just 47% before the pandemic.

European Parliament adopts landmark legislation against big tech

"The digital world has developed into a Wild West...But there is a new sheriff in town - the DSA."

Croatia closer to euro currency switch, but support has waned

Only 37% of Croatians think that the country is ready to adopt the new currency.

Hidden Belgium

The Man in the Hat

The Man in the Hat

A bronze sculpture of a sitting man wearing a hat is placed on a breakwater at Knokke beach. As the tide comes in, this sad, solitary ...

Derek Blyth

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

Philippe Van Parijs

Why is the far right so much stronger in Flanders than in Wallonia?

When entering Wallonia, you are met by a board proclaiming “Wallonie terre d’accueil”, whereas an even bigger board may warn you, as you leave Brussels, that you are entering a commune “Where Flemings are at home”.

Why is the far right so much stronger in Flanders than in Wallonia?
Understanding Belgium’s rampant inflation and what’s in store

Understanding Belgium’s rampant inflation and what’s in store

The inflation rate in Belgium is nearing 10%, but what does this mean for households, and is it set to decrease again?

Rebuilding Ukraine will cost $750 billion

Belgium would lead the reconstruction of Ukraine’s southern Mykolaiv region, which borders occupied areas in Kherson.

‘A step in the wrong direction’: Iranians in Brussels protest prisoner transfer treaty

"If we do this, we encourage the Iranian regime to take even more people hostage. It's like rolling out a red carpet for terrorists in Belgium."

Finland and Sweden in final stages of NATO accession

In the past, joining the bloc has taken years, but NATO has vowed to fast-track the process.

Southern Europe experiencing extreme droughts and forest fires

Extreme hot weather and winds are devastating southern Europe.

EU Tracker

On the agenda
  • Today - Taking stock

    The plenary session will review the conclusions of the latest European Council summit, where EU leaders agreed to grant Moldova and Ukraine candidate status. The Parliament had already voted in favour of that plan.

  • Today - Plenary day 3

    European Parliament plenary session day 3. Agenda here.

  • Today - Expansion talks

    Committee of the Regions delegates will discuss EU enlargement policy on 6 and 7 July. Members from EU-hopefuls Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine will attend the event for the very first time. Full agenda here.

  • Tomorrow - Plenary final day

    European Parliament plenary final day. Agenda here.

  • December 1 - EU-US TTC

    The next round of the EU-US trade and technology council is scheduled for December.

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The Brussels Times Magazine
Current Issue: Apr/May 2022
The growing pains of Belgium’s armed forces

One of the perks of being a Belgian academic dealing with defence is that I am regularly invited to change-of-command ceremonies of units ...

Belgian solutions. Or how people deal with stuff

If Rome is the open-air museum of ancient times, Paris the open-air museum of the 19th century and New York the open-air museum of the 20th ...

Giving a voice to the ‘international Brusselers’

Brussels is famously full of foreigners, yet the city still denies this big chunk of its population a say in how it is run. A group of ...

“My story is a miracle”

Simon Gronowski was just 11 years old in April 1943 when his mother pushed him out of a cattle car that was headed for the Auschwitz death ...

Art and events in Brussels

The Brussels Times selects some of the best exhibitions currently on show in museums and galleries. (UN)COMMON VALUES Discover the ...

Why we can’t quit Brel

Any list of the greatest Belgians should include singer-songwriter Jacques Brel, the romantic post-war chanteur whose phenomenal passions ...

Making movies to save Kinshasa’s street kids

Brussels-born filmmaker Marc-Henri Wajnberg has just completed, I am Chance, his third documentary movie about children living on the ...

Brussels Food & Drink

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

Stricter charter for student activities after string of scandals
Solution for Place De Brouckère renovation helped ‘avoid creating urban cancer’
Belgian Red Cross opens 27th reception centre for asylum seekers
King Baudouin Foundation raises €1.5 million for flood relief

Belgium News

Stricter charter for student activities after string of scandals
Rundown on Rock Werchter 2022: Belgian talent shines
David Goffin reaches Wimbledon quarter-finals

Health

Second booster shots could be available for everyone from September
Flanders offers financial support to GPs to tackle chronic shortage
Covid-19 infections continue to rise, surpassing 5,500 per day

Brussels

Brussels centre makes comeback with 1.5 million visitors per month
Solution for Place De Brouckère renovation helped ‘avoid creating urban cancer’
More than 100 professions in short supply in Brussels

EU Affairs

European Parliament adopts landmark legislation against big tech
Croatia closer to euro currency switch, but support has waned
Europe’s top 10 growing professions revealed by Eurostat

Business

Record number of electronic transactions during summer sales
European Parliament adopts landmark legislation against big tech
Hundreds of tonnes of chocolate destroyed following salmonella outbreak

World

‘A step in the wrong direction’: Iranians in Brussels protest prisoner transfer treaty
Southern Europe experiencing extreme droughts and forest fires
Iran-Belgium exchange deal aimed at freeing innocent Belgian NGO employee

Art & Culture

Medieval Festival in Citadel of Namur attracted some 10,000 spectators
Two Belgian restaurants included in European top 50
Gentse Feesten: Drive to increase sustainability and reduce waste

Politics

Vote postponed on Belgium-Iran prisoners transfer deal following criticism
De Croo invites ministers to barbecue for calmer discussion on pension reform
Biden announces $800 million in new military aid package for Ukraine

Sports

David Goffin reaches Wimbledon quarter-finals
Jacques Borlée to stop coaching after Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Team Belgium announces 75 athletes for the World Games

Education

Belgian primary school test results slump in 2022
What to expect from Belgium’s French-speaking schools’ reform
‘Belgium’s little Einstein’: The 11 year old boy who is the world’s youngest science graduate

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