The Brussels Times

Ahead of today's decisive World Cup matches, Brussels authorities are activating the regional crisis centre to avoid a repeat of Sunday's football riots.

Less than 50% of people in Flanders take autumn Covid booster

This accounts for just 42% of the Flemish population and 52% of those over 18, despite government recommendations to take the additional booster.

Keep your wits about you

Hoegaarden’s commercial success prompted almost every brewery in Belgium to brew their own witbier, and as a result, there’s a whole host of great Belgian Witbiers to try. Here are five to get you started.

Belgium Unlocked

What changes in Belgium on 1 December?

From changes to higher interest rates, Sodexo vouchers, support for people with a disability and Long Covid, here’s what's new today in...

Holidays in 2023: How many you get and how best to use them

Curious as to how many days off your are legally entitled to? Find out how you can plan these strategically to have longer periods away f...

Brussels loses its only Dutch comic store as local legend Erik Deneyer dies

Erik Deneyer was the owner of the only Dutch-language comic shop in Brussels for 27 years. Last Friday, after suffering from cancer for years, he passed away.

'Like Russian roulette': Almost one person per day crosses Brussels Metro tracks

"It is an illusion to think you have time to see the metro arrive and return to the platform. It is like playing Russian roulette," public transport operator STIB warned.

Traders call for Belgians to spend their small change

Banks and traders are reporting a general shortage of small coins in Belgium.

Belgium in Brief: A budget-busting banquet

If an expanding waistline has historically failed to restrain our temptation to overindulge, might we finally be forced to moderation by constricted budgets?

PromotedWinter: our favourite sauna season

A joyful guide to 2022 Brussels Christmas Market

The Brussels Christmas Market (Winter Fun or Plaisirs d’Hiver) will open on 25 November. We have complied the must-sees to make the most of your time there.

World's most expensive cities: Brussels ranked 64th

New York and Singapore have the unenviable honour of topping the list of the most expensive cities in the world, knocking Tel Aviv out of the top spot.

Colonial human skulls will not be auctioned in Brussels after protests

"It is inconceivable that the trade in human remains is legal in Belgium today."

'Gaslighting' Is Merriam-Webster's 2022 word of the year

Gaslighting causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion.

Good riddance to rubbish: EU proposes new rules to reduce packaging waste

"Our proposals today reduce packaging waste, promote reuse and refill, increase the use of recycled plastics, and make it easier to recycle packaging."

EU Tracker

On the agenda

Today - Chips are down
Industry ministers come together on 1 December for a council meeting. Topping the agenda are talks about an EU plan to boost semiconductor production under the so-called Chips Act.
Today - EU-US TTC
The next round of the EU-US trade and technology council is scheduled for December.
5 December - Networking
Transport ministers meet 5 December and will aim to agree on updated rules for the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The aim is to have a completely seamless network in place by 2050.
6 December - WB6 summit
The EU’s latest Western Balkans summit will be held in Tirana, Albania.
6 December - e-Robot
Telecoms ministers will meet on 6 December and hope to agree on new rules for artificial intelligence and electronic identification documents. The AI act and eID regulation are both crucial elements of the EU’s broader digital agenda.
7 December - Passenger rights fight
A European Commission consultation on amending passenger rights rules closes on 7 December. Details here.
7 December - EUgalité
The European Commission will publish a package of new equality rules on 7 December, including provisions that will recognise parenthood between member states. Ursula von der Leyen pledged in 2020 to address this issue.
7 December - Capital ideas
The EU executive is also supposed to publish its capital markets package and a proposal on VAT in the digital age. A review of the tobacco taxation directive is also due on 7 December.
9 December - Schengen push
The Commission recommended (again) that Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania be admitted to the Schengen zone. Ministers meet 9 December where a vote is likely to be held, meaning the next couple of weeks will be time for one last diplomatic push.
21 December - Disaster relief
The Commission will publish its plans for the EU’s disaster resilience goals.
31 December - Czech out time
Czechia hands over the reins of the EU presidency to Sweden.