The Brussels Times

Hazard or helpful? Why Brussels' e-scooter plan will take time to deliver

Over 1,000 fines have been issued this year for people who endanger pedestrians while on e-scooters, but the vehicles still get scattered across the city.

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.

UK inflation exceeds 10% for first time in 40 years

This is the highest level of consumer price inflation recorded in the UK since 1982, stoking fears that the UK is already in a recession.

Nearly 9.3 million hectares of forest destroyed by wildfires in 2021

In 2021, forest fires destroyed 9.26 million hectares of land globally in 2021, including 928 hectares in Belgium, up from 2.52 million 20 years earlier.

‘Much to be done’: 35.8 tonnes of cocaine seized in port of Antwerp

A large number of drugs being seized at the port and the uptick in drug-related violence have resulted in an increase in investments in the port's capacities.

Growing concern for Swiss and Austrian ski resorts this winter

From reducing how much snow is made via cannons to increasing cable car prices, the effects of the energy crisis are expected to hit winter tourists.

French-speaking lawyer alleges abuse at hands of Flemish police

"One of the officers stepped on my foot, saying ‘I’m going to kick your little lawyer ass,’" the alleged victim said.

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.

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.

Belgian heatwave officially ends after eight days

This heatwave started on Tuesday 9 August, when the maximum temperature of 27.6°C was measured, and ends today.

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.

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.