Rita Alves
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r-2-d-a.bsky.social
Rita Alves
@r-2-d-a.bsky.social
Journalist @brusselstimes.com | Got a story?✉️: r.alves@brusselstimes.com | Views are my own | Bylines: https://linktr.ee/rita_alves_journalist
Pinned
“They want to live their life just like we do. It's not because they have a diagnosis that life stops.”

📰Read more: www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1759...
'It’s not just a lost face': How a Belgian city became dementia-friendly
A movement that started over a decade ago has been shaping a city in the North-west of Belgium, all in the name of inclusivity.
www.brusselstimes.com
Reposted by Rita Alves
Avian influenza has so far been detected at eight Belgian poultry farms this autumn. But the virus isn't just affecting chickens.
Bird flu outbreak in Belgium – should you be worried?
Bird flu outbreak in Belgium - should you be worried?
www.brusselstimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Olena Yahupova had hoped she would one day be free from Russian captivity, but she never quite believed it.

📰Read more: www.brusselstimes.com/politics/182...
‘In prison they teach you not to cry - you cannot afford to cry there'
Ukrainian civilian Olena Yahupova was detained by Russian forces in October 2022. She shared the story of her time in captivity with The Brussels Times.
www.brusselstimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:24 PM
“You stand for telling what you believe to be the truth about the situation you're covering. That is your basic position. It's the only guideline that you need. Are you telling the truth?”

📰Read more: www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/182...
'He was a working journalist until the day he died': Memoir of BBC correspondent presented in Brussels
Brussels was one of the many locations from which Charles Wheeler reported during his time as BBC's longest-serving correspondent.
www.brusselstimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Just a minute away from the crowds of Brussels’ Grand Place is a bar with a wooden exterior and a window displaying well-accessorised skeletons lying inside a coffin.
📰Read more:
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/181...
The Exorcist-inspired bar that’s been serving up a fright in Brussels for almost 50 years
Le Cercueil is known for its selection of beers served in skull cups, and its cocktails with vividly on-brand names, including ‘Satan’s spawn’ and ‘Corpse Juice’.
www.brusselstimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Reposted by Rita Alves
Tech companies spend more on lobbying in Brussels, according to a new report. Spending increased to €151 million, compared to €113 million in 2023.
Big tech lobby spending hits new record in Brussels, claims report
Big tech lobby spending hits new record in Brussels, claims report
www.brusselstimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Reposted by Rita Alves
“Society is changing, and everybody should be able to feel like themselves," said Valéry Paquay, the Eurostar manager at Brussels-Midi station.
Eurostar’s new gender-neutral uniform includes a subtle nod to Belgian culture
Eurostar's new gender-neutral uniform includes a subtle nod to Belgian culture
www.brusselstimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:43 AM
“They want to live their life just like we do. It's not because they have a diagnosis that life stops.”

📰Read more: www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1759...
'It’s not just a lost face': How a Belgian city became dementia-friendly
A movement that started over a decade ago has been shaping a city in the North-west of Belgium, all in the name of inclusivity.
www.brusselstimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Reposted by Rita Alves
The world's first all-electric motorsport was officially launched over a decade ago but it has yet to spark the interest of Belgians.
The racing sport struggling to pick up speed in Belgium
The racing sport struggling to pick up speed in Belgium
www.brusselstimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Reposted by Rita Alves
Looking for your next read? The Brussels Times stopped by Waterstones in Brussels to get the inside scoop on this season's bestsellers.
A Brussels bookseller’s tips on the books you should be reading this autumn
A Brussels bookseller's tips on the books you should be reading this autumn
www.brusselstimes.com
September 27, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Reposted by Rita Alves
A movement that started over a decade ago has been shaping a city in the North-west of Belgium, all in the name of inclusivity.
‘It’s not just a lost face’: How a Belgian city became dementia-friendly
'It’s not just a lost face': How a Belgian city became dementia-friendly
www.brusselstimes.com
September 28, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Reposted by Rita Alves
Do you know the symptoms of the life-threatening condition that affects over 40,000 people in Belgium every year?
‘I was told it was the flu’: Late sepsis diagnosis put lives at risk
‘I was told it was the flu’: Late sepsis diagnosis put lives at risk
www.brusselstimes.com
September 13, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Reposted by Rita Alves
"The offenders are exploiting the vulnerabilities and the weaknesses of the platforms. So in that sense, they have an enormous responsibility.”
European Commission investigates alleged child abuse network on X
European Commission investigates alleged child abuse network on X
www.brusselstimes.com
August 19, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Reposted by Rita Alves
If the issue is not resolved, several flights could be impacted this summer.
Passengers at risk as pilots blinded by Belgian solar panels near airport
Passengers at risk as pilots blinded by Belgian solar panels near airport
www.brusselstimes.com
August 1, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Reposted by Rita Alves
The hospital in the Belgian capital is "writing surgical history" with the global milestone.
Brussels hospital first with 100 robot assisted bypass surgeries
Brussels hospital first with 100 robot assisted bypass surgeries
www.brusselstimes.com
August 4, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Reposted by Rita Alves
Tintin, Smurfs, and Lucky Luke, to name a few, are examples of successful Belgian comics. But what is it about Belgium that helped cartoonists thrive?
Why did Belgian comics take over the world?
Why did Belgian comics take over the world?
www.brusselstimes.com
July 21, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Reposted by Rita Alves
Belgium's water 'roulette': Extreme weather complicates water resilience
Belgium's water 'roulette': Extreme weather complicates water resilience
"Water has been taken for granted for very long in Europe."
www.brusselstimes.com
May 26, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Reposted by Rita Alves
Will the new UK-EU deal shorten queues?
Will the new UK-EU deal shorten queues?
After passengers at Brussels Airport spent hours waiting at passport control, the UK-EU deal offers a glimmer of hope for those avoiding long queues.
www.brusselstimes.com
May 20, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Reposted by Rita Alves
'Sculptura' festival declared bankrupt - artists left unpaid
‘Sculptura’ festival declared bankrupt – artists left unpaid
www.brusselstimes.com
May 14, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Reposted by Rita Alves
'They see Brussels as an oil stain': Changing a neglected capital
‘They see Brussels as an oil stain’: Changing a neglected capital
www.brusselstimes.com
May 13, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Reposted by Rita Alves
Belgium in Brief: Transparency? What transparency?
Belgium in Brief: Transparency? What transparency?
www.brusselstimes.com
May 14, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Reposted by Rita Alves
Children as young as eight posting sexual content online in Belgium
Children as young as eight posting sexual content online in Belgium
www.brusselstimes.com
March 4, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Reposted by Rita Alves
Smartphone ban embraced by European and international schools of Brussels
Smartphone ban embraced by European and international schools of Brussels
www.brusselstimes.com
February 25, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Reposted by Rita Alves
'Murdoch on speed': Why is Elon Musk meddling in European politics?
'Murdoch on speed': Why is Elon Musk meddling in European politics?
From weighing in on Nigel Farage's ability to lead Reform UK to reports of communication service deals with Italy, Musk is making headlines with his takes on European politics.
www.brusselstimes.com
January 9, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Several artists were left empty handed months after the event despite sponsorships from public Belgian and EU institutions.
'Sculptura' festival: National Lottery withholds funds amid complaints
Several artists were left empty handed months after the event despite sponsorships from public Belgian and EU institutions.
www.brusselstimes.com
December 11, 2024 at 10:14 AM