Monday, August 8, 2022
The Brussels Times Magazine
Russian forces threaten to blow up Europe’s largest nuclear reactor

Russian forces threaten to blow up Europe’s largest nuclear reactor

“There will either be Russian land, or a scorched desert,” Major General Valery Vasiliev is reported to have told his troops.

European Union to begin gas saving plan on Tuesday

From tomorrow, in a bid to save gas for the winter months, the European Union will reduce its gas consumption by 15%.

Belgium starts hottest week of 2022, first real heatwave expected

Temperatures are expected to climb to around 30°C by mid-week, and by the end of this week, the mercury may reach or even exceed 35°C locally.

How garden cities became the green idylls of Brussels

Garden cities were not suburbs, nor rural retreats, but a more integrated foundation for an effective urban life.

Amnesty International regrets report on war in Ukraine but sticks to its findings

"Amnesty International’s priority in this and in any conflict is ensuring that civilians are protected."

Volkswagen unveils 'flying car' prototype

Urban air mobility is tipped to become a key sector in the Chinese market, offering a “new premium mobility concept aimed initially at high-net worth tech-savvy Chinese customers.”

Five tips to cool your home after days of extreme hot weather

Sleeping in a hot and sticky house is never fun, but there are steps you can take to keep your living spaces cool all day long.

Hidden Belgium

An industrial canteen in Ghent’s old docklands

An industrial canteen in Ghent’s old docklands

Derek Blyth

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

Le Chou

Le Chou's week in review

Hungary-Taiwan Swap | Great Scottish Wall | Giant Russian Mouse Havoc

Le Chou's week in review
Diabetes drug out of stock in Belgium as non-patients use it to lose weight

Diabetes drug out of stock in Belgium as non-patients use it to lose weight

Ozempic is used by patients with type 2 diabetes to help regulate their blood sugar levels – but many people use it to help them lose weight.

No extra measures against drought for now, but 'situation is serious'

The precautions are paying off, but the situation remains serious and "we need to use the water that we have sparingly."

Belgians flock to Ardennes for summer holidays

In the past two weeks, 57% of holiday home reservations made by Belgians were for accommodation within Belgium.

Belgium in Brief: Leaving people to die at sea

As the EU neglects rescue operations in sea migration routes, hundreds of people will be left to die at sea. This is Belgium in Brief.

European Union to begin gas saving plan on Tuesday

From tomorrow, in a bid to save gas for the winter months, the European Union will reduce its gas consumption by 15%.

EU Tracker

On the agenda
  • 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.

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The Brussels Times Magazine
Current Issue: Summer 2022
How garden cities became the green idylls of Brussels

The garden city movement, nurtured at the beginning of the 20th century, brought a tranquil, rustic character to Brussels communes. The r...

One man’s junk is another’s treasure at the flea market extraordinaire

You can find anything there from a grandfather clock to silver cutlery, from a plastic doll to an African face mask.  “The market s...

Brussels Food & Drink

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

How the inventor of English died in Flanders

William Tyndale brought the scriptures to the masses when he translated the Bible into English. Yet for his troubles, he was hounded into...

Tomorrowland is another day

One of the world’s largest music festivals takes place in sonic Boom, a Belgian town aptly named to host the summer electronica spectac...

Belgium’s football queen

How well do you know your Belgian football? Here’s a quick quiz question to test your knowledge: can you name the top three all-time hi...

Why Petra De Sutter is more than the world’s highest-profile transgender politician

As the world’s highest-profile transgender politician, Petra De Sutter is used to being in the spotlight. But as Belgium’s Deputy Pri...

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...

Car inspection in Flanders possible without appointment every day from next week
Abused children left behind by Brussels youth justice system
'Unnecessary scaremongering': Continued control of asian hornets guaranteed
Forest fires in Belgium becoming more frequent

Education

Accomodation crunch forces some Dutch universities to ask foreign students to look elsewhere
Belgian primary school test results slump in 2022
What to expect from Belgium's French-speaking schools' reform

World

Amnesty International regrets report on war in Ukraine but sticks to its findings
Close the education gap: Students who read paperbacks score better in reading tests
Rising concerns after shelling of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

Health

Diabetes drug out of stock in Belgium as non-patients use it to lose weight
Code orange: Government activates warning phase of ozone and heat plan
Do you dream of your former partners? It may be a sign of anxiety

Politics

Conner Rousseau: 'If Vlaams Belang and PTB get even bigger, the end of Belgium will come closer'
Belgium's Foreign Minister gives 'message of hope and determination' for denuclearisation at the UN
UN says humanity is 'one misunderstanding away from nuclear annihilation'

EU Affairs

Russian forces threaten to blow up Europe’s largest nuclear reactor
European Union to begin gas saving plan on Tuesday
1,000 Ukrainian patients have been transferred to hospitals in EU countries

Belgium News

Four Brussels hospitals will soon offer vaccination against monkeypox
One in eight Covid-19 patients get 'Long Covid,' finds Dutch study
Number of lost children on Belgian Coast has doubled in 2022

Business

Volkswagen unveils 'flying car' prototype
Production resumes at Barry Callebaut factory after salmonella outbreak
Belgian bank Belfius to stop football sponsorships

Sports

Jupiler Pro League: Anderlecht win against Seraing, Union fall at Mechelen
Paracycling: Louis Clincke wins World Cup Gold
Belgian bank Belfius to stop football sponsorships

Art & Culture

Tenth edition of Ronquières Festival deemed 'historic'
Hidden Belgium: An industrial canteen in Ghent’s old docklands
Hidden Belgium: Adventurous hikes on the Semois river

Brussels

Feeling unsafe or threatened on a night out? Ask for Angela
International tourists finally find their way back to Brussels
Brussels to get its first gender clinic in 2023

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