The Brussels Times

How Brussels’ famous Rue Neuve lost its charm for shopping

What used to be the bustling and beating heart of the city has over time turned into an empty and unattractive street, making a lousy impression on unexpecting visitors.

Brussels Airport looks to move away from short-haul flights

Other transport methods, specifically high-speed trains, play a pivotal role in stepping away from relying on airplanes for transfer connections.

Almost half of Belgians don’t know where their electricity comes from

Belgians tend to think their energy is coming from local, renewable sources like wind and solar - but this isn't the case.

More women in politics: Jette municipality swears in new mayor

In Belgium's last local elections in 2018, only 39% of those elected were women, a slight uptake from local elections in 2012 when 36% of those elected were women.

Russian soldier jailed for life in Ukraine’s first war crime trial

Carrying out a "criminal order" by a soldier of higher rank, Shishimarin shot a 62-year-old civilian in the head with an automatic weapon.

Trans boy and family attacked in Brussels following Pride parade, three arrested

"A herd of 20 men formed around us and they threatened us, because, once again, apparently there is no place for LGBT people here," the boy's sister said.

YouTube generates 2,600 full-time jobs in Belgium, says study

At the moment, there are 550 Belgian YouTube channels that have more than 100,000 subscribers, 38 channels hit the milestone of one million.

PromotedPrivate Sale exclusively for Brussels Times readers ends this weekend

Highest wages in Belgium? Brussels for white collar workers, Limburg for blue

The highest earners in Belgium tend to live in Brussels and Flemish and Walloon Brabant, but there are differences between white and blue collar workers.

Surge in sales of electric vehicles complicated by raw materials shortages

Across the world, sales of electric cars have doubled. But while 10% of new registered cars are now electric powered, the trend is threatened by shortages in critical raw materials.

Belgian cartoonist joins fight against plastic production

'Humour is more convincing to the public than nagging. We want to make them laugh, then think about what they've read,' said the artist.

Padel: Local residents battle against the noise

The increasingly popular sport is a headache for locals in both Flanders and Wallonia who want the construction of padel courts to be better regulated.

In Belgium, six of the ten most popular "destinations" on Street View are located in the Brussels-Capital Region.

EU Tracker

On the agenda

Today - Agri powwow
EU agricultural ministers meet 24 May to discuss how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is squeezing food markets, supply chains and all the uncertainty it has created. Full agenda here.
Tomorrow - 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.
Tomorrow - 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.