Izzy Vivian
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izzyvivs.bsky.social
Izzy Vivian
@izzyvivs.bsky.social
Editor for @brusselstimes.com and @energy.contexte.com
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
The city awarded the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture 2030 is just 20 minutes from Brussels. Here's how to spend a day there.
How to spend a day out in Europe’s future Capital of Culture
How to spend a day out in Europe's future Capital of Culture
www.brusselstimes.com
September 28, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
Funny and fascinating article here by @izzyvivs.bsky.social on a somewhat unusual Belgian tradition 🇧🇪

www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1780...
The Belgian town that still hangs people in 2025
You might think public executions are a thing of the past. Not in Belgium.
www.brusselstimes.com
October 7, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
Belgium raises cost of obtaining citizenship to €1,000
Belgium raises cost of obtaining citizenship to €1,000
www.brusselstimes.com
April 17, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
Not a single woman has been screened for breast cancer in Brussels this year
Not a single woman has been screened for breast cancer in Brussels this year
www.brusselstimes.com
April 10, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
From handguns to Kalashnikovs: How illegal weapons flooded the streets of Brussels
From handguns to Kalashnikovs: How illegal weapons flooded the streets of Brussels
www.brusselstimes.com
March 11, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
Grass not always greener: Brussels is the happiest region in Belgium
Grass not always greener: Brussels is the happiest region in Belgium
www.brusselstimes.com
March 11, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
'Europe needs a real foreign policy' - Jeffrey Sachs slates EU reliance on US
'Europe needs a real foreign policy' - Jeffrey Sachs slates EU reliance on US
Move NATO somewhere else. As Trump and Putin negotiate Ukraine's future and the transatlantic relationship sours, a leading US economist says now is the time for European autonomy.
www.brusselstimes.com
February 20, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
Yesterday, a Cureghem resident, Jonas, showed me around his neighbourhood, which in recent weeks has been rocked by a series of shootings.

We spoke about how the escalating drug violence is impacting locals, and is even driving them away.
'It's like the wild west. For the first time, I'm considering moving away' - Cureghem residents despair at drug violence
Following a series of shootings and what has been seen as a "laughable" response from authorities, locals living near Clemenceau are considering abandoning their home.
www.brusselstimes.com
February 18, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
Internationalisation in Brussels has pushed English to the forefront, making it the second most widely-spoken language. This rising use has driven debates about weaving it into Brussels' administrative fabric, and even making it the third official language.
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels-2/1...
Will English ever become an official language in Brussels - and should it?
Brussels' residents are increasingly turning to English as it is the second most widely-spoken language. But should it become the region's third official language?
www.brusselstimes.com
January 23, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
Learning to drive in Belgium can be daunting.

The Brussels Times has created a guide to ensure a smooth ride.
How to get a driving licence in Brussels as an English speaker
Learning to drive in Belgium can be daunting. The Brussels Times has created a guide to ensure a smooth ride.
www.brusselstimes.com
January 23, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
"If young people cause trouble in Uccle, we call it a crisis of adolescence. But if young people cause trouble in Marolles, we call it delinquency."

www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/139...
The working class youths who defied stereotypes on New Year's Eve
"If young people cause trouble in Uccle, we call it a crisis of adolescence. But if young people cause trouble in Marolles, we call it delinquency."
www.brusselstimes.com
January 15, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
How to celebrate Christmas like a Belgian
What do Belgians eat at Christmas and how do they spend New Year's? Find out how the country celebrates here.
How to celebrate Christmas like a Belgian
What do Belgians eat at Christmas and how do they spend New Year's? Find out how the country celebrates here.
www.brusselstimes.com
December 23, 2024 at 12:09 PM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
As the security situation in Europe is changing and the threat of war with Russia is looming, the National Crisis Centre is advising the population to prepare an 'emergency kit' at home in case of a crisis in Belgium.
Wartime mindset? Belgium advises population to prepare 'emergency kit'
The changing geopolitical climate has sparked a growing interest in how to prepare properly for a crisis among the Belgian population.
www.brusselstimes.com
December 18, 2024 at 10:52 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
Both British and EU citizens are in favour of strengthening EU-UK ties due to a changing international security context, a new survey shows.

www.brusselstimes.com/eu-affairs/1...
Public opinion in favour of EU-UK rapprochement, survey finds
"The Brexit era divisions have faded and both European and British citizens realise that they need each other to get safer."
www.brusselstimes.com
December 12, 2024 at 11:56 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article.... “The fact they broadly represent a microcosm of French society means they have been dubbed Monsieur-Tout-Le-Monde (Mr Everyman).
Next week they are due to be sentenced…If found guilty, collectively they face more than 600 years in jail.” #GiselePelicot trial.
The 50 men accused in mass rape of Gisèle Pelicot
The men accused of raping Gisèle Pelicot have been dubbed Monsieur-Tout-Le-Monde as they broadly represent a microcosm of French society.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 11, 2024 at 10:55 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
New milestone for Belgium: Six months without a government.

Negotiators called for intensive talks lasting "seven days out of seven, from dusk till dawn," to meet the new Christmas deadline.

www.brusselstimes.com/1349412/new-...
New milestone for Belgium: Six months without a government
Negotiators called for tough negotiations to meet their self-imposed Christmas deadline: "seven days inseven, from dusk till dawn."
www.brusselstimes.com
December 11, 2024 at 8:27 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
To mark the end of the year, Google revealed what people in Belgium searched for the most in 2024.

www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1348...
'Why were cornflakes invented?' - Google reveals Belgium's top trends in 2024
To mark the end of the year, Google revealed in its 'Year in searches' what people in Belgium searched for the most in 2024.
www.brusselstimes.com
December 11, 2024 at 8:15 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
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December 10, 2024 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
How does a city manage an exploding homelessness crisis without resorting to brutal tactics?

The Brussels Times went on patrol with Team Herscham, a pioneering police unit treating the homeless as human beings rather than eyesores to be moved along.

www.brusselstimes.com/magazine/134...
Who are the Brussels police helping the homeless?
"The police are seen as a symbol of authority and oppression. We try to be the other side of that."
www.brusselstimes.com
December 11, 2024 at 8:31 AM
Reposted by Izzy Vivian
Opening date for new Ixelles swimming pool unveiled

www.brusselstimes.com/1347261/open...
Opening date for new Ixelles swimming pool unveiled
Swimming will be free all weekend as Ixelles celebrates the reopening of the oldest public pool in Brussels.
www.brusselstimes.com
December 11, 2024 at 9:09 AM