The Brussels Times

Belgium will return murdered Congolese leader Lumumba’s remains to his family

Lumumba's remains – several teeth and finger bones – were kept in the possession of a former Belgian police chief, who assisted in Lumumba's killing, and dissolved his body in sulfuric acid.

Belgium tops EU countries for highest level of toxic pesticides in fruit and vegetables

The EU says the use of harmful pesticides has decreased in the region, however, a recent report refutes this claim, arguing that consumers are in increasing danger.

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."

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.

PromotedCentral Asia in the “Green” Agenda of the Energy Relations

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.

More Belgian stores open now than ever, despite pandemic

More than 6,700 have been opened in Belgium in the past two years, though two-thirds of these have been online shops.

20th anniversary of the Euro celebrations in Namur today

Today, the Euro is used by more than 340 million people in 19 countries. 27.6 billion euro banknotes are currently circulating around the European Union.

Belgium in Brief: A moment of ’emblematic significance’

Over 60 years after the assassination of the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Patrice Lumumba, Belgium will return his remains to his family.

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.

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.