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Local and global news from the capital of Europe
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White smoke: Brussels finally has a new government
White smoke: Brussels finally has a new government
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After over 600 days of twists, turns and (mostly) standstill, Brussels finally has a new Regional Government.
There were several contentious topics on the table as UEFA’s annual congress took place in Brussels last week.
World Cup will ‘unite the world in peace and happiness’ says FIFA boss amid calls for boycott
World Cup will 'unite the world in peace and happiness' says FIFA boss amid calls for boycott
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February 14, 2026 at 5:24 AM
There were several contentious topics on the table as UEFA’s annual congress took place in Brussels last week.
In the latest "Carrie Bradshaw Index" Brussels was ranked the 4th most affordable European city for solo renters. However, some think much more can be done to help single people in the city.
Do single people in Brussels get a raw deal?
Do single people in Brussels get a raw deal?
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February 14, 2026 at 4:53 AM
In the latest "Carrie Bradshaw Index" Brussels was ranked the 4th most affordable European city for solo renters. However, some think much more can be done to help single people in the city.
Snow seasons in Europe are growing shorter, while volcanic activity and sinking coastlines reveal landscapes in flux, according to new Copernicus-based data snapshots.
Europe’s snow cover shrinks as climate change reshapes landscapes
Europe’s snow cover shrinks as climate change reshapes landscapes
www.brusselstimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Snow seasons in Europe are growing shorter, while volcanic activity and sinking coastlines reveal landscapes in flux, according to new Copernicus-based data snapshots.
"Pig slaughterhouses are unlikely to switch to more humane alternatives as long as EU law allows them to continue to use high concentrations of CO2."
European Commission in no hurry to update outdated animal welfare legislation
European Commission in no hurry to update outdated animal welfare legislation
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February 13, 2026 at 11:02 PM
"Pig slaughterhouses are unlikely to switch to more humane alternatives as long as EU law allows them to continue to use high concentrations of CO2."
Universal’s merger with Downtown survives EU scrutiny after agreeing to sell Curve, avoiding potential harm to competition in royalty accounting services.
EU clears UMG and Downtown’s $775m merger but demands Curve divestment
EU clears UMG and Downtown's $775m merger but demands Curve divestment
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Universal’s merger with Downtown survives EU scrutiny after agreeing to sell Curve, avoiding potential harm to competition in royalty accounting services.
Denmark plans to pay landowners €1.04 billion to stop farming or timber production as part of a bold climate strategy. EU state aid rules pave the way for this transformative scheme.
EU backs €1b Danish scheme to retire farmland for climate and biodiversity
EU backs €1b Danish scheme to retire farmland for climate and biodiversity
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February 13, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Denmark plans to pay landowners €1.04 billion to stop farming or timber production as part of a bold climate strategy. EU state aid rules pave the way for this transformative scheme.
EIB funding to transform Czech transport and energy networks: €400 million targets renewables, while €680 million revitalises rail for cross-border travel.
Czech transport, energy revitalised as EIB delivers €1.93 billion boost
Czech transport, energy revitalised as EIB delivers €1.93 billion boost
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:16 PM
EIB funding to transform Czech transport and energy networks: €400 million targets renewables, while €680 million revitalises rail for cross-border travel.
The EU is calling for a WTO panel, accusing China of unfair court powers setting global licensing terms for patents, including non-Chinese ones. A critical test for international intellectual property rules.
EU challenges Chinese patent court powers in pivotal WTO dispute
EU challenges Chinese patent court powers in pivotal WTO dispute
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February 13, 2026 at 9:57 PM
The EU is calling for a WTO panel, accusing China of unfair court powers setting global licensing terms for patents, including non-Chinese ones. A critical test for international intellectual property rules.
Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket successfully debuted its four-booster variant, delivering 32 satellites into orbit. Its powerful payload capacity and zero-debris deorbiting mark major advancements.
Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket launches 32 satellites in powerful configuration debut
Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket launches 32 satellites in powerful configuration debut
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket successfully debuted its four-booster variant, delivering 32 satellites into orbit. Its powerful payload capacity and zero-debris deorbiting mark major advancements.
More than a million in Ukraine are without power and water after energy infrastructure attacks. EU officials visited Kyiv to reaffirm support and oversee emergency aid deliveries, including over 11,200 generators.
EU pledges more aid for Ukraine as Russian attacks take civilian toll
EU pledges more aid for Ukraine as Russian attacks take civilian toll
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:07 PM
More than a million in Ukraine are without power and water after energy infrastructure attacks. EU officials visited Kyiv to reaffirm support and oversee emergency aid deliveries, including over 11,200 generators.
New ECB figures show a 0.95% rise in EU banking sector assets, totalling €33.44 trillion. Despite growth, bad loans creep higher to 1.97%.
EU banking assets climb to €33.44 trillion, but bad loan ratio rises
EU banking assets climb to €33.44 trillion, but bad loan ratio rises
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:45 PM
New ECB figures show a 0.95% rise in EU banking sector assets, totalling €33.44 trillion. Despite growth, bad loans creep higher to 1.97%.
From cycling goals to freight policy: EU tackles urban mobility struggles with new rules and cooperation models.
EU pushes cycling, freight reforms to rethink city transport systems
EU pushes cycling, freight reforms to rethink city transport systems
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:22 PM
From cycling goals to freight policy: EU tackles urban mobility struggles with new rules and cooperation models.
Fragmentation and uneven investment threaten EU research goals, respondents warn as consultation closes. The bloc’s future hinges on reforms enabling cross-border collaboration.
EU’s research plan faces calls to dismantle borders, boost funding
EU’s research plan faces calls to dismantle borders, boost funding
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February 13, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Fragmentation and uneven investment threaten EU research goals, respondents warn as consultation closes. The bloc’s future hinges on reforms enabling cross-border collaboration.
Valine imports from China, worth €80m, hit by EU tariffs of up to 53.8% after investigation into harmful dumping practices.
EU imposes major anti-dumping duties on Chinese valine imports
EU imposes major anti-dumping duties on Chinese valine imports
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Valine imports from China, worth €80m, hit by EU tariffs of up to 53.8% after investigation into harmful dumping practices.
Italy’s median age rose by 3.9 years to 49.1, the highest in the EU, while Ireland remains the youngest at 39.6 years. Demographic contrasts across the bloc reveal stark changes.
Ageing EU population’s median age reaches 44.9 years
Ageing EU population's median age reaches 44.9 years
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Italy’s median age rose by 3.9 years to 49.1, the highest in the EU, while Ireland remains the youngest at 39.6 years. Demographic contrasts across the bloc reveal stark changes.
ABS imports from Korea and Taiwan now face steep anti-dumping duties, as EU moves to protect €1.4 billion plastic market affected by falling industry share. Duties set as high as 21.7%.
EU slaps anti-dumping duties on ABS plastic imports from Korea, Taiwan
EU slaps anti-dumping duties on ABS plastic imports from Korea, Taiwan
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:46 PM
ABS imports from Korea and Taiwan now face steep anti-dumping duties, as EU moves to protect €1.4 billion plastic market affected by falling industry share. Duties set as high as 21.7%.
Greenhouse gas emissions rose across 17 EU countries in Q3 2025 — but 10 nations managed reductions, often without sacrificing GDP growth, the report shows.
EU greenhouse gas emissions rise 1.1% as households lead the increase
EU greenhouse gas emissions rise 1.1% as households lead the increase
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Greenhouse gas emissions rose across 17 EU countries in Q3 2025 — but 10 nations managed reductions, often without sacrificing GDP growth, the report shows.
A 63-year-old man has confessed and is facing seven years prison sentence.
Man on trial for sexual abuse against his step-granddaughter
Man on trial for sexual abuse against his step-granddaughter
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:13 PM
A 63-year-old man has confessed and is facing seven years prison sentence.
The former roller-skating rink on Chaussée de Waterloo was constructed in the 1910s.
Brusselization 2.0: An iconic Ixelles building might be next on the chopping block
Brusselization 2.0: An iconic Ixelles building might be next on the chopping block
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:46 PM
The former roller-skating rink on Chaussée de Waterloo was constructed in the 1910s.
Approximately 20,000 people in Flanders are homeless, with over a quarter of them being minors.
Flanders launches an action plan against homelessness
Flanders launches an action plan against homelessness
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February 13, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Approximately 20,000 people in Flanders are homeless, with over a quarter of them being minors.
Many unemployed informal carers were also at risk of losing their benefits, due to reforms.
Government rolls out solution for informal carers set to lose benefits
Government rolls out solution for informal carers set to lose benefits
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Many unemployed informal carers were also at risk of losing their benefits, due to reforms.
We at The Brussels Times have had 20 long months of trying to find new ways to say "nope, still no agreement," but now that is finally over.
Belgium in Brief: A Brussels Government, at last!
Belgium in Brief: A Brussels Government, at last!
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:30 PM
We at The Brussels Times have had 20 long months of trying to find new ways to say "nope, still no agreement," but now that is finally over.
"Brussels had to wait a year and a half for a 25-page coalition agreement. And even that contains nothing concrete," Flemish nationalists said.
‘Shameful’: N-VA laments at new Brussels Government
'Shameful': N-VA laments new Brussels Government
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February 13, 2026 at 2:21 PM
"Brussels had to wait a year and a half for a 25-page coalition agreement. And even that contains nothing concrete," Flemish nationalists said.
At the Munich Security Conference, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Europe is "rising," as allies upped their defence investments amid the US's pressure.
NATO chief praises ‘staggering’ shift in European defence mindset
NATO chief praises ‘staggering’ shift in European defence mindset
www.brusselstimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:50 PM
At the Munich Security Conference, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Europe is "rising," as allies upped their defence investments amid the US's pressure.
The Brussels Times - News and analysis on politics, Brussels, EU Affairs, business, world, national news, and more.
Urban movement slams continued Metro 3 works in Brussels as ‘nonsense’
The Brussels Times
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February 13, 2026 at 1:20 PM
The Brussels Times - News and analysis on politics, Brussels, EU Affairs, business, world, national news, and more.