The Brussels Times
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Local and global news from the capital of Europe
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‘Brussels is facing a nightlife crisis’ as club closures rock capital
'Brussels is facing a nightlife crisis' as club closures rock capital
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Several major Brussels clubs have closed in recent months, citing a "brutal and political economic climate" – so what is happening?
Nationally, Rhode-Saint-Genèse, a Flemish municipality near Brussels, records the highest response time, at 17 minutes.
How long do emergency services typically take to reach a road accident?
How long do emergency services typically take to reach a road accident?
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December 16, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Nationally, Rhode-Saint-Genèse, a Flemish municipality near Brussels, records the highest response time, at 17 minutes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he held “not easy, but productive” talks in Berlin with US envoys regarding a possible resolution to the conflict with Russia.
President Zelenskyy reports ‘productive’ talks with US envoys
President Zelenskyy reports 'productive' talks with US envoys
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December 16, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he held “not easy, but productive” talks in Berlin with US envoys regarding a possible resolution to the conflict with Russia.
A verdict is expected by Friday in the trial in France of anesthesist Frédéric Péchier, accused of poisoning 30 patients, 12 of whom died.
“I’m not a poisoner”, says Frédéric Péchier, on trial for twelve murders
"I'm not a poisoner", says Frédéric Péchier, on trial for twelve murders
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December 15, 2025 at 11:41 PM
A verdict is expected by Friday in the trial in France of anesthesist Frédéric Péchier, accused of poisoning 30 patients, 12 of whom died.
Up to 4,000 glaciers per year could vanish due to climate change, Swiss researchers warn in a study.
At least half of all glaciers will disappear by 2100
At least half of all glaciers will disappear by 2100
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December 15, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Up to 4,000 glaciers per year could vanish due to climate change, Swiss researchers warn in a study.
The number of non-EU students enrolled in higher education in Wallonia-Brussels Federation has risen by 37% this year, despite a significant increase in tuition fees.
More non-EU students choose FWB universities despite increased tuition fees
More non-EU students choose FWB universities despite increased tuition fees
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December 15, 2025 at 10:54 PM
The number of non-EU students enrolled in higher education in Wallonia-Brussels Federation has risen by 37% this year, despite a significant increase in tuition fees.
At the end of the 2022-2023 academic year, 4,408 university students were declared non-fundable based on their academic results. Two years later, this figure rose to 6,141, a 39% increase.
Higher education: the number of non-financible students is rising, as are the number of exemptions
Higher education: the number of non-financible students is rising, as are the number of exemptions
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December 15, 2025 at 10:47 PM
At the end of the 2022-2023 academic year, 4,408 university students were declared non-fundable based on their academic results. Two years later, this figure rose to 6,141, a 39% increase.
Saudi Arabia has executed 340 people so far this year, surpassing the record of 338 executions set in 2024.
Saudi Arabia has executed a record 340 persons this year
Saudi Arabia has executed a record 340 persons this year
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December 15, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Saudi Arabia has executed 340 people so far this year, surpassing the record of 338 executions set in 2024.
Strengthened border controls allow Germany to record over 5,500 illegal entries since 16 September 2024, including 331 from Belgium.
Germany records over 5,500 border jumpers in just over a year
Germany records over 5,500 border jumpers in just over a year
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December 15, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Strengthened border controls allow Germany to record over 5,500 illegal entries since 16 September 2024, including 331 from Belgium.
The museum's management said it was counting the number of non-striking staff so that it could consider opening the museum on Monday.
France: Louvre Museum closed amid strike call
France: Louvre Museum closed amid strike call
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December 15, 2025 at 10:06 PM
The museum's management said it was counting the number of non-striking staff so that it could consider opening the museum on Monday.
Activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) staged a protest outside the offices of the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe.
Climate activists take action in Brussels against ReArm Europe
Climate activists take action in Brussels against ReArm Europe
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December 15, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) staged a protest outside the offices of the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe.
A new UNESCO report reveals a 10% drop in the global freedom of expression index since 2012, as measured by the V-Dem Institute.
Global decline in freedom of expression has UNESCO worried
Global decline in freedom of expression has UNESCO worried
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December 15, 2025 at 9:34 PM
A new UNESCO report reveals a 10% drop in the global freedom of expression index since 2012, as measured by the V-Dem Institute.
The new agreement is intended to strengthen collaboration in key sectors including digitalisation, artificial intelligence, energy, environmental protection, and security.
EU and UAE start talks on Strategic Partnership Agreement
EU and UAE start talks on Strategic Partnership Agreement
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December 15, 2025 at 9:17 PM
The new agreement is intended to strengthen collaboration in key sectors including digitalisation, artificial intelligence, energy, environmental protection, and security.
The measure aims to tackle the rising reports of disturbances in several public areas by the Belgian coast.
Belgian coastal city introduces alcohol ban to curb nuisance
Belgian coastal city introduces alcohol ban to curb nuisance
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December 15, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The measure aims to tackle the rising reports of disturbances in several public areas by the Belgian coast.
Nearly €5 billion in EU funding is set for climate projects under their €14 billion plan for industrial innovation.
EU unveils €14b research programme with major focus on climate, clean industry
EU unveils €14b research programme with major focus on climate, clean industry
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December 15, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Nearly €5 billion in EU funding is set for climate projects under their €14 billion plan for industrial innovation.
The only explicitly political work by René Magritte, a poster titled 'Le vrai visage de Rex,' has joined the collections of the Magritte Museum in Brussels.
Royal Museums of Fine Arts now houses sole political poster by Magritte
Royal Museums of Fine Arts now houses sole political poster by Magritte
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December 15, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The only explicitly political work by René Magritte, a poster titled 'Le vrai visage de Rex,' has joined the collections of the Magritte Museum in Brussels.
The case was brought to court by environmental groups which argued that the region made errors when integrating the EU directives into its domestic laws.
Flanders did not fully incorporate European pesticide use obligations, court finds
Flanders did not fully incorporate European pesticide use rules, court finds
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December 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The case was brought to court by environmental groups which argued that the region made errors when integrating the EU directives into its domestic laws.
“Without Belgium, it won’t be easy. They hold the majority of the funds, and it’s important they’re on board.”
Russian Frozen Assets: Belgium must be on board, says EU Foreign policy chief
Russian frozen assets: Belgium must be on board, says EU foreign policy chief
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December 15, 2025 at 7:41 PM
“Without Belgium, it won’t be easy. They hold the majority of the funds, and it’s important they’re on board.”
The family of 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, is worried about her health since she was hospitalised twice following her arrest in Iran on Friday.
Detained Nobel laureate reported to be suffering in Iran
Detained Nobel laureate reported to be suffering in Iran
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December 15, 2025 at 7:25 PM
The family of 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, is worried about her health since she was hospitalised twice following her arrest in Iran on Friday.
"Today marks a victory of the law over politics," said the Association of Accidental Americans. "We have been waiting for this moment for eight years."
Top EU court to decide if Belgium can share ‘Accidental Americans’ tax data with US
Top EU court to decide if Belgium can share 'Accidental Americans' tax data with US
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December 15, 2025 at 7:07 PM
"Today marks a victory of the law over politics," said the Association of Accidental Americans. "We have been waiting for this moment for eight years."
The demonstration took place just days before the federation of the French-speaking community votes on the final 2026 budget.
Thousands demonstrated in Brussels against planned austerity measures
Thousands demonstrated in Brussels against planned austerity measures
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December 15, 2025 at 6:47 PM
The demonstration took place just days before the federation of the French-speaking community votes on the final 2026 budget.
Malta, Estonia, Croatia, Portugal, and Romania saw the largest increases in the employment rate in 2025. Belgium faces the sharpest drop.
EU employment rate steady at 76.2%
EU employment rate steady at 76.2%
www.brusselstimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Malta, Estonia, Croatia, Portugal, and Romania saw the largest increases in the employment rate in 2025. Belgium faces the sharpest drop.
The cyberattack was claimed by a pro-Russian hacking group.
Cyberattack disrupts websites of Belgian energy suppliers
Belgian energy companies targeted in cyberattack
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December 15, 2025 at 5:54 PM
The cyberattack was claimed by a pro-Russian hacking group.
The initiative seeks to guide drug users towards care and reduce public drug use.
New safe drug consumption space opens doors in Brussels
New safe drug consumption space opens doors in Brussels
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December 15, 2025 at 5:28 PM
The initiative seeks to guide drug users towards care and reduce public drug use.
The student claimed she was unaware of the nine packets of cocaine found in her suitcase by Belgian customs officers.
British nursing student sentenced by Brussels court for cocaine trafficking
British nursing student sentenced in Brussels for cocaine trafficking
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December 15, 2025 at 4:49 PM
The student claimed she was unaware of the nine packets of cocaine found in her suitcase by Belgian customs officers.
According to a senior source among the negotiators, the US reportedly continues to demand that Ukraine relinquish the eastern Donbas region.
Ukraine peace talks with US resume in Berlin
Ukraine peace talks with US resume in Berlin
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December 15, 2025 at 4:33 PM
According to a senior source among the negotiators, the US reportedly continues to demand that Ukraine relinquish the eastern Donbas region.