The Brussels Times

Excess mortality in EU and Belgium fell to 6% in June

While Covid-19 is still not over, the EU seems to be past the worst of it – something that is seemingly reflected by this year's excess mortality figures.

Meal vouchers increasingly popular extra-legal benefit

An increasing number of workers are receiving meal vouchers with a value of up to €8 a day, which can help balance the costs of groceries.

OpenWay: The Belgian company that saved Russia's financial system

OpenWay did not leave the Russian market entirely – a move which would have paralysed Russia’s payment system.

A storm from space? Dark plasma hits earth today

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

Far-right politician calls for "Flemish only" event

Despite Van Langenhove's controversial comments, the party hasn't publicly criticised him.

Business registrations down and bankruptcies rise across EU

Belgium has witnessed the sharpest increase in bankruptcies in Europe over the last year with more than 10 times the EU average.

Why Solvay was Belgium’s titan of industry and ideas

Ernest Solvay was laid to rest 100 years ago in the nearby Ixelles cemetery after a prodigious career, much of which is not widely known today.

PromotedRead about two of the major highlights this year at WIELS

Belgian jihadism: A thing of the past?

Belgium's threat alert is at two (out of four) but the existing terrorist groups may still attract radicalised individuals, says an Arabic studies researcher.

Tax ruling to cost Belgian taxpayer over €100 million

The Belgian treasury, and thereby the taxpayer, will foot the bill of over €100 million.

Belgium in Brief: The limits of free speech

It's reassuring to know that a bit of media consternation and public outcry can still bring lawmakers to their senses.

Belgian diplomacy: Still a man's game

Traditional gender roles no longer explain the lack of diversity in Belgium's diplomatic corps.

Tchaikovsky Music School cuts ties with Russia and changes name

"I saw culture, education and politics as independent of each other... Now I realise how wrong I was.”

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.