The Brussels Times

Face masks, travel rules: See what measures are being lifted today

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.

Record number of trucks on Belgian roads

Last year, the government raised more than €822 million from the passage of trucks and lorries through the country, a 25% increase compared to 2016.

Legal firearm registrations on the up in Belgium

With extremely strict licensing and registration laws, Belgium has one of the lowest homicides by firearms rate in Europe.

Brussels Heatwave Plan: How to get help when it’s too hot

People who register for Brussels' Heat Wave Plan will be checked on during times of high temperatures, and provided with water.

Police search for man who threatened teacher with weapon at Brussels school

Earlier in the afternoon, several news outlets reported that it concerned a hostage-taking, but these appear to be incorrect.

PromotedPrivate Sale at Maasmechelen Village open to Brussels Times readers

Belgium in Brief: No more rules (for now?)

After over two years of Covid-19 restrictions in place in Belgium, the last of them have been lifted today. Here's Belgium in Brief.

Belgium’s Stéphanie Huang selected for Queen Elisabeth Competition finals

“I’m a bit shocked and very happy that I'll be able to play again at Bozar. I don't have any words for it.”

Government facing mounting costs of social tariffs due to rising energy prices

The Federal Government had estimated the cost of the support measure at €176 million in 2021, but the real cost exceeded this by almost €90 million.

Michelin Guide 2022: 16 restaurants get their first star

The updated version lists three restaurants with three Michelin stars (all in Belgium), 23 with two stars and 115 restaurants with one star.

Belgian research blames neoliberalism for failed pandemic management of the West

Privatisation – a cornerstone of neoliberalism – is harmful to the health sector, promoting understaffing in the search to cut costs and increase owner profits.

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.