Bonjour, goeiemiddag!
Today it's me, Maïthé Chini, again, giving you your regular afternoon update on the news on the front page of The Brussels Times.
As many of you may know, today is the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Unfortunately, the war is not in the past: what started on 24 February 2022 is still happening to this day.
With that in mind, I really want to highlight a harrowing column, written by our reporter Eva Hilinski, about how she and her family escaped from their homes in the Ukrainian capital.
Eva describes the wail of the first air raid sirens piercing the skies and how she went outside to hide in the cellar of a nearby car garage. Two days later, she, her mother, her 10-year-old brother and their dog boarded a train out of the country.
Four years later, Russia has only escalated its attacks, both at the frontlines and against Ukrainian cities, while at the same time stalling peace negotiations. You can read Eva's chilling story here.
In other news, dual British nationals will be subjected to new border control rules when entering the United Kingdom starting this week – as part of the rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. Our reporter Rita Alves tells you everything you need to know.
Meanwhile, the majority of Brussels residents want the new Regional Government to start simplifying its rules on short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs or other tourist accommodation platforms.
The current rules, according to a new opinion from the Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the EU, are "disproportionate" and "lacking transparency." Find out what all the fuss is about here.
See you later!
Maïthé Chini
Belgium in Brief is a free daily roundup of the top stories to get you through your coffee break conversations. To receive it straight to your inbox every day, sign up below:
1. Brussels residents ask new government to fix ‘broken’ home-sharing rules
"When local families struggle with complex procedures that lack clear deadlines and legal safeguards, it is a sign that the system is not working as intended." Read more.
2. US ambassador rows back on Rousseau travel ban threat
US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White met with Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot on Tuesday to discuss the matter. Read more.
3. Life in Kyiv in the hours and days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
On the four-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukrainian journalist Eva Hilinski looks back at the day her country changed forever. Read more.
4. Child sexual abuse images found in prison cell of paedophile Marc Dutroux
Hundreds of photographs of sexual abuse of minors were reportedly found during a search of Dutroux’s cell. Read more.
5. New UK entry rules for dual nationals are coming into force – but there’s a workaround
Dual British citizens travelling to the UK will have to prove they are British or potentially be denied entry under new rules coming into force this week.
6. Warning issued to residents amid increase in Asian hornets in Brussels
Asian Hornets drive high bee mortality and threaten biodiversity and public health. Read more.
7. Demo-crazy: Why Brussels should be the capital of democracy (especially now)
"Now that Washington seems to be on an autocratic slope, it is up to Brussels to fully play its role as the capital of the free world." Read more.
