The Brussels Newsbrief
Wednesday, 1 July 2026
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.
Brussels: ☀️ +14°C
Politics
A Brussels resident is taking on the challenge of crossing the Atlantic alone.
Transport
LEZ fines, public transport rules, unemployment and other measures change from 1 July.
A discussion argues that sport is political and asks whether the World Cup is dominated by business interests.
Buying a train ticket on board is no longer possible from Wednesday 1 July.
Construction work is disrupting buses and trams in Saint-Gilles, creating summer transport problems.
Society
Children became ill in Jette after playing in water jets.
Marie Cruysmans is leaving her role as rapporteur at Foyer anderlechtois and denounces the situation there.
The visit.brussels tourist information point on Grand-Place is closing permanently.
Former alderman Michel De Herde has been referred to criminal court, the public prosecutor confirms.
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.
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.