Dylan Carter

Journalist and Ukraine expert. Focus on economics, energy, European enlargement, and defence. Email: d.carter@brusselstimes.com

Belgium records ‘excellent’ air safety figures

Belgium reported no severe incidents and only one major incident: one of the “best results in its history.”

Russian cyberwarfare targets both Ukraine and the West

“The war in cyberspace began almost a month and a half before the kinetic war.”

STIB buses roll in tropical Havana

The distinctive vehicles are a regular sight around the Caribbean island, some still bearing adverts from Brussels. Yet the buses have not been without issue...

US and Germany agree to send battle tanks to Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, following fierce criticism, is expected to announce that Germany will send at least 14 Leopard 2 tanks.

Belgium records largest budget deficit in eurozone

Third quarter budgetary statistics suggest that Belgium is racing towards a 6.1% budget deficit within the next two years.

Only 8.5% of Western companies have left Russia

New research challenges the narrative that there had been a “vast exodus of Western firms leaving the Russian market.”

Flemish MP applauded for getting angry at crying child in parliament

“I find it particularly bizarre that you take your children with you to parliament,” the politician complained.

Fire in office building in Brussels injures two firefighters

In the attempts to tackle the fire on Rue d’Arlon, which burned for over four hours, two firefighters were injured.

Unethical outsourcing: ChatGPT uses Kenyan workers for traumatic moderation

ChatAI has found the need to take a proactive stance on moderation. Ironically, it chose the least moral way to do so paying workers less than $2 per hour.

EU considers classifying Russian diamonds as ‘blood diamonds’

Russia rakes in around $4 billion each year in revenue from the export of rough diamonds, much of which ends up in the coffers of the Russian army.

Suspected Brabant killer arrested in Thailand

Beijer’s name had repeatedly come up during the investigation into the Brabant killings, but he denies any involvement in the series of robberies and murders.

Belgian travellers fined €1,600 for eating hedgehogs

“It’s part of our tradition, like it or not,” one of the suspects reportedly told investigators.

‘Flight ticket prices could increase by 10% this year,’ says Ryanair CEO

Rising fuel prices, an influx of American tourists, and a lower supply of flights for most European airlines will make plane tickets 5-10% more expensive this year.

Ukrainian freighter runs aground in Bosphorus Strait

Around 48,000 ships pass through the strait annually, carrying 55 million tonnes of oil and large quantities of Ukrainian and Russian grain.

Tram derails in Brussels after striking truck

Two tram passengers were lightly injured and transferred to hospital.

Belgian political parties spent €5 million on Facebook advertising in 2022

The biggest spender was the N-VA, who spent €1,715,490 last year, accounting for roughly 34% of all Belgian political advertising on social media.

Russian budget hit hard by drop in energy exports

While Russia may have weathered the storm last year, experts predict that Russia will feel the brunt of sanctions and declining energy revenues in 2023.

Europe continues to import large amounts of Russian LNG

Despite significantly reducing the import of pipeline natural gas and oil, the EU is still importing large amounts of Russian liquid natural gas.

European car manufacturers risk being 'crushed' by Chinese competition

Europe could be forced to massively reduce its production capacity if competition with China becomes too fierce.

Belgian passport ranked third most powerful in the world

Belgium has the joint third most powerful passport in the world, allowing visa free-access to 119 countries across the world.

Copyright © 2021 The Brussels Times. All Rights Reserved.