Brussels Daily Press Review — 2026-07-01

Brussels is melting, but the news refuses to chill.

TL;DR

Main Brussels stories today:

• LEZ fines, public transport, unemployment and other changes take effect on 1 July.
• A Brussels resident is attempting a solo crossing of the Atlantic.
• A debate asks whether the World Cup is dominated by business, despite sport’s political dimension.
• Buying a train ticket on board ends from Wednesday 1 July.

🌤️ Weather

Brussels: ☀️ +14°C

Politics

A Brussels resident is taking on the challenge of crossing the Atlantic alone.

Source:

• Un Bruxellois se lance le défi de traverser l’Atlantique en solitaire - BX1

Transport

LEZ fines, public transport rules, unemployment and other measures change from 1 July.

Source:

• Amendes LEZ, transports en commun, chômage,… : ce qui change ce 1er juillet - BX1

A discussion argues that sport is political and asks whether the World Cup is dominated by business interests.

Source:

• “Evidemment que le sport est politique. Il n’y a que la FIFA qui ne le reconnaît pas… - BX1

Buying a train ticket on board is no longer possible from Wednesday 1 July.

Source:

• Acheter son ticket à bord du train, c’est fini dès ce mercredi 1er juillet - BX1

Construction work is disrupting buses and trams in Saint-Gilles, creating summer transport problems.

Source:

• Summer transport chaos in Saint-Gilles as construction work disrupts buses and trams - Brussels Times

Society

Children became ill in Jette after playing in water jets.

Source:

• Des enfants tombent malades à Jette après avoir joué dans les jets d’eau - BX1

Marie Cruysmans is leaving her role as rapporteur at Foyer anderlechtois and denounces the situation there.

Source:

• Foyer anderlechtois : Marie Cruysmans quitte sa fonction de rapporteure et dénonce de… - BX1

The visit.brussels tourist information point on Grand-Place is closing permanently.

Source:

• visit.brussels: le point d’information touristique de la Grand-Place ferme définitive… - BX1

Former alderman Michel De Herde has been referred to criminal court, the public prosecutor confirms.

Source:

• L’ex-échevin Michel De Herde renvoyé devant le tribunal correctionnel, confirme le pa… - BX1

The Flemish Association of Journalists wants clarification after journalists were removed from an American celebration in Cinquantenaire Park, where Donald Trump addressed the event by video message.

Source:

• VVJ wil opheldering over verwijderen van journalisten bij Amerikaans feest in Jubelpark - BRUZZ

After the heatwave, the Brussels fire brigade says its flexibility has limits as extreme weather, local budget cuts and an ongoing recruitment freeze put emergency services under pressure.

Source:

• Brandweer Brussel na de hittegolf: ‘Onze flexibiliteit kent grenzen’ - BRUZZ