• HISTORY
    Flanders and the rest of Belgium will this weekend mark the 80th anniversary of its liberation in the Second World War with several events, including in Ypres, the town forever associated with conflict.

    By Martin Banks Ieper, also known as Ypres in West Flanders, is an area that saw intense fighting throughout the First World War. Known to the British troops based there during the war as ‘Wipers’, the town is intrinsically linked with the war. However, celebrations to mark this week’s WW2 anniversary will also take place […]

  • CULTURE
    Culinary festival set to go down a treat in Brussels

    By Martin Banks Brussels’ annual Eat Festival will take place later this month (September 26 to 29) at the city’s Gare Maritime de Tour & Taxis. For the much-awaited 2024 edition, Eat Festival has reinvented its concept by offering an “accessible and hassle-free gastronomic experience”, in the form of 3 or 5 course menus. Every […]

  • EUROPE
    Future of farming comes under the spotlight

    By Martin Banks A major new report voices optimism about the future of the troubled agricultural sector in Europe. This is despite concerns voiced by farmers in the recent past that the industry attracted insufficient support at national and EU level. The report, by the 29 members of the EU’s “Strategic Dialogue”, says that a […]

  • EUROPE
    EU moves to help staff shortages in nursing

    By Martin Banks Fresh efforts are being made by the EU to help tackle a crisis in nursing. The EU Commission said it had moved to support Member States in retaining nurses in their health systems and “make the profession more attractive to nurses.” The EC said the signing of a “contribution agreement” with the […]

  • EUROPE
    EU auditors critical of disbursement of pandemic funds

    By Martin Banks The first three years of the EU’s €724 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) have seen delays in funds being disbursed and projects being implemented. That is according to a worrying report published on Tuesday by the EU watchdog. The delays, they say, “put at risk the achievement of goals for helping […]

  • EUROPE
    Head of Brewers of Europe sets out her policy aims

    By Martin Banks Julia Leferman has officially assumed her role as the new Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe, the body that represents the huge brewing sector in Europe. She describes it as a “bold vision to position beer at the centre of European Union policy.” Leferman’s leadership, she said, will focus on driving […]

  • WORLD
    First outbreak of polio in Gaza for 25 years

    By Martin Banks The EU has called for an “immediate humanitarian pause” to enable the vaccination of all children in Gaza against the poliovirus. The demand comes as it emerged that the Gaza Strip has been hit by its first outbreak of polio in over two decades. The area had been polio-free for the last […]

  • CULTURE
    Comic strip fans set to converge on Brussels for big annual jamboree

    By Martin Banks Calling all comic fans: the hugely popular BD Comic Strip Festival is coming to the Gare Maritime at Tour & Taxis in Brussels from 6 to 8 September. This new edition’s programme includes exhibitions, meetings, book signings, and activities for everyone including the manga space and the giant balloons. This major Brussels […]

  • WORLD
    Closer ties between EU and Japan welcomed by senior MEP

    By Martin Banks A senior MEP has welcomed the prospect of closer cooperation between the EU and Japan. Reinhard Bütikofer, the European Parliament’s Rapporteur on EU-Japan relations, was speaking after the “Hydrogen High-Level Business Forum” in the Japanese capital, Tokyo. Japan is the EU’s second-biggest trading partner in Asia after China. At the same time, […]

  • CULTURE
    Seventeen candidates for best croquette comp

    By Martin Banks Establishments wishing to participate in the 2024 edition of the Best Shrimp Croquette in Brussels competition have been submitting their applications since 25 July. Registration are now closed, which means we know the 17 candidates who will be competing for the coveted prize. This year, the organisers have decided to appoint the […]

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