The Brussels Times

Going to the office can save up to €85 per week on electricity

Both petrol and diesel have decreased in price this summer, but will this continue and will we ever see the same prices as before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?

Some 1,700 Covid-19 infections per day, fewer than 90 hospitalisations

The number of new Covid-19 infections dropped to the lowest level since the start of June this year, dropping to 1,706 per day.

Belgium could tighten water-saving measures from September

The Drought Committee continues to reiterate its advice to sectors, governments and citizens to “maximally reduce” their water consumption.

Belgians produced 68 million tonnes of waste in 2020

The largest producer of waste last year was the industrial sector, which produced 37 million tonnes.

Belgians make hundreds of complaints about new cars

Complaints mainly concern delivery delays, driven by the global shortage of microchips, which has resulted in vehicles being delivered much later than expected.

PromotedTongeren - the guide to Belgium’s oldest city

A storm from space? Dark plasma hits earth today

Auroras will be visible this week in much of the northern hemisphere.

US warned of Russian invasion for months but EU dithered

A reconstruction of the runup to Russia's invasion of Ukraine shows that the US had been convinced of a military offensive, but EU leaders were in denial.

China and Russia to conduct joint military exercises

“The aim is to deepen practical and friendly cooperation with the armies of participating countries," the Chinese Defence Ministry has stated.

Estonia wards off Russian cyberattacks after Soviet statue removal

Riots broke out after the Estonian Government removed a Soviet-era statue as tensions are running high between Russia and Estonia.

150 refugees camp outside closed gates of Brussels Petit Château

Chaotic scenes unfolded in front of the refugee reception centre after control barriers were removed, making it impossible for staff to enter.

EU Tracker

On the agenda

August 26 - NATO milestone
Finland, Sweden, Turkey officials meet for counter-terrorism discussion, organised under terms of the two NATO-aspiring nations’ deal with Ankara. It is an important step to secure Turkey’s ratification of their NATO bid.
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.