The Brussels Times
@brusselstimes.com
Local and global news from the capital of Europe
Pinned
US Ambassador to Belgium: ‘Most of the stories in Europe about President Trump are negative – and I don’t like it’
US Ambassador to Belgium: 'Most of the stories in Europe about President Trump are negative - and I don’t like it'
www.brusselstimes.com
In an exclusive interview with The Brussels Times, US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White shared his thoughts on Belgian culture, tackling crime and what makes his friend Donald Trump tick.
Cannabis and cocaine are the most common combination, accounting for 54% of cases.
Rise in cases of drivers under the influence of multiple drugs, report shows
Rise in cases of drivers under the influence of multiple drugs
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Cannabis and cocaine are the most common combination, accounting for 54% of cases.
The strike notice was filled to protest against excessive workload and prison overcrowding.
New Year’s Eve prison strike notice withdrawn in Brussels
New Year's Eve prison strike notice withdrawn in Brussels
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The strike notice was filled to protest against excessive workload and prison overcrowding.
The 21-year-old is approximately 1.90 metres tall, slim, with brown hair.
Search continues for missing 21-year-old in Namur
Search continues for missing 21-year-old in Namur
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:15 AM
The 21-year-old is approximately 1.90 metres tall, slim, with brown hair.
"With temperatures staying high well into December, shoppers delayed buying winter items like coats and jumpers."
Independent clothing shops see Christmas sales fall despite busy city centres
Independent clothing shops see Christmas sales fall despite busy city centres
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 10:38 AM
"With temperatures staying high well into December, shoppers delayed buying winter items like coats and jumpers."
Instead of confronting Putin in Europe, President Trump today seems to appease him at every step. But as FDR said: “There can be no appeasement with ruthlessness.”
Can America rediscover the spirit of President Roosevelt?
Unfortunately, instead of confronting Putin in Europe, President Trump today seems to appease him at every step. But as FDR said: “There can be no appeasement with ruthlessness.”
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Instead of confronting Putin in Europe, President Trump today seems to appease him at every step. But as FDR said: “There can be no appeasement with ruthlessness.”
"Our residents are suffering from sleepless nights; this situation has become untenable."
Brussels mayors denounce increase in air traffic over northern Brussels
Brussels mayors denounce increase in air traffic over northern Brussels
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM
"Our residents are suffering from sleepless nights; this situation has become untenable."
These incidents reportedly occur in parks, public squares, and on public transport.
Average of three indecent exposure reports filed every day
Average of three indecent exposure reports filed every day
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 9:06 AM
These incidents reportedly occur in parks, public squares, and on public transport.
The family expressed gratitude to Belgian authorities, especially Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot, for their assistance.
Belgian woman released after arrest over failed coup in Benin, family says
Belgian woman released after arrest over failed coup in Benin, family says
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:46 AM
The family expressed gratitude to Belgian authorities, especially Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot, for their assistance.
Brussels Prosecutor Julien Moinil, who took office earlier this year, had vowed to address all forms of crime more rigorously.
Number of judicial investigations in Brussels almost doubled in one year
Number of judicial investigations in Brussels almost doubled in one year
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Brussels Prosecutor Julien Moinil, who took office earlier this year, had vowed to address all forms of crime more rigorously.
The announcement follows a meeting on Sunday between Zelenskyy and Trump at the US President’s residence in Florida.
French President announces Coalition of the Willing meeting in January
French President announces Coalition of the Willing meeting in January
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:17 AM
The announcement follows a meeting on Sunday between Zelenskyy and Trump at the US President’s residence in Florida.
Virgin plastic production is projected to rise reaching 431 million tonnes per year globally.
EU looking to boost its recycled plastics industry
EU looking to boost its recycled plastics industry
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Virgin plastic production is projected to rise reaching 431 million tonnes per year globally.
Still looking for plans to celebrate the start of 2026? The Brussels Times put together a list of suggestions to begin the new year with a bang.
From fireworks to operas: Where to celebrate New Year’s (Eve) in Brussels?
From fireworks to operas: Where to celebrate New Year's (Eve) in Brussels?
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Still looking for plans to celebrate the start of 2026? The Brussels Times put together a list of suggestions to begin the new year with a bang.
"I have only had a few injuries over these past seven or eight years, which is extraordinary because I push it to the limit…My body is really made for this.”
Born to run: Meet Belgium’s most extreme athletes
Born to run: Meet Belgium's most extreme athletes
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:06 AM
"I have only had a few injuries over these past seven or eight years, which is extraordinary because I push it to the limit…My body is really made for this.”
Transport services on the STIB/MIVB network will be reinforced to accommodate to the New Year's Eve celebrations across the capital.
Free public transport across Brussels for New Year’s Eve celebrations
Free public transport across Brussels for New Year's Eve celebrations
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Transport services on the STIB/MIVB network will be reinforced to accommodate to the New Year's Eve celebrations across the capital.
It's easy to think Belgian comic art begins and ends with the usual passport stamps: Tintin, the Smurfs, Lucky Luke. But step into a new retrospective on Buck Danny, the fictional US fighter pilot, and you’re suddenly in a different tradition.
Buck Danny – a reminder that there is more than Tintin to Belgian comics
Buck Danny – a reminder that there is more than Tintin to Belgian comics
www.brusselstimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:52 AM
It's easy to think Belgian comic art begins and ends with the usual passport stamps: Tintin, the Smurfs, Lucky Luke. But step into a new retrospective on Buck Danny, the fictional US fighter pilot, and you’re suddenly in a different tradition.
The newborns were handed over to mothers who were not their biological parents.
Spanish woman gets almost a million, 23 years after baby swap
Spanish woman gets almost a million, 23 years after baby swap
www.brusselstimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 11:30 PM
The newborns were handed over to mothers who were not their biological parents.
Hastedon Plateau residents in Namur have been without water since Saturday, but supplier expects the issue fixed by Sunday evening.
Residents of Namur neighbourhood left without water since Saturday morning
Residents of Namur neighbourhood left without water since Saturday morning
www.brusselstimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Hastedon Plateau residents in Namur have been without water since Saturday, but supplier expects the issue fixed by Sunday evening.
Antwerp hosts fireworks over the Scheldt at midnight on 31 December, but personal fireworks are strictly banned.
City of Antwerp will launch fireworks over river Scheldt
City of Antwerp will launch fireworks over river Scheldt
www.brusselstimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Antwerp hosts fireworks over the Scheldt at midnight on 31 December, but personal fireworks are strictly banned.
Two-thirds of Dutch voters back a planned fireworks ban, but the government's collapse makes the 2026 start date uncertain.
Two in three Dutch want full fireworks ban, Belgium may eye the decision
Two in three Dutch want full fireworks ban, Belgium may eye the decision
www.brusselstimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Two-thirds of Dutch voters back a planned fireworks ban, but the government's collapse makes the 2026 start date uncertain.
All four Moscow airports closed and over 300 flights were disrupted following a Ukrainian drone retaliation attack overnight.
All four Moscow airports closed because of Ukrainian drones
All four Moscow airports closed because of Ukrainian drones
www.brusselstimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 5:33 PM
All four Moscow airports closed and over 300 flights were disrupted following a Ukrainian drone retaliation attack overnight.
Trains between Ghent and Bruges are suspended due to an incident in Aalter but should resume by 17:00.
Train traffic disrupted between Ghent and Bruges
Train traffic disrupted between Ghent and Bruges
www.brusselstimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Trains between Ghent and Bruges are suspended due to an incident in Aalter but should resume by 17:00.
An inmate set fire to a cell in Antwerp's Begijnenstraat prison on Sunday, causing an evacuation and at least one injury.
Inmate sets fire in Antwerp Begijnenstraat prison
Inmate sets fire in Antwerp Begijnenstraat prison
www.brusselstimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 4:22 PM
An inmate set fire to a cell in Antwerp's Begijnenstraat prison on Sunday, causing an evacuation and at least one injury.
A Flemish restaurant grows all its own food, challenging conventional dining and encouraging Belgians to think local first.
What Belgian farm-to-fork dining looks like in practice
What Belgian farm-to-fork dining looks like in practice
www.brusselstimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 4:05 PM
A Flemish restaurant grows all its own food, challenging conventional dining and encouraging Belgians to think local first.
Italian Mount Etna erupted on Saturday, triggering a red aviation warning, though nearest airport remains operational.
Europe’s largest volcano spews fire again, endangering air travel in Italy
Europe's largest volcano spews fire again, endangering air travel in Italy
www.brusselstimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Italian Mount Etna erupted on Saturday, triggering a red aviation warning, though nearest airport remains operational.
Cold morning fog will clear for sunshine in the south and centre, but clouds could persist elsewhere.
Fog quickly replaced by sunshine on Sunday
Fog quickly replaced by sunshine on Sunday
www.brusselstimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Cold morning fog will clear for sunshine in the south and centre, but clouds could persist elsewhere.