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Katie Westwood

@katiewestwood.bsky.social
1.3K followers 1.3K following 35 posts

Journalist | Ex @liverpoolecho.co.uk, @brusselstimes.com

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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 21/07/2026
The Francisation of Brussels is known as the "oil slick effect" in Flanders, but how did French really take root in the Belgian capital?
brusselstimes.com
How Brussels became a French-speaking city
How Brussels became a French-speaking city
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 19/07/2026
Being Belgian isn't about your passport. It's about knowing dozens of unwritten rules that nobody has ever explained to you – until now.
brusselstimes.com
Three unwritten rules: How to become a true Belgian
Three unwritten rules: How to become a true Belgian
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 19/07/2026
Brusseleir is much more than a mixture of French and Dutch. For those who still speak it, it embodies the city's humour, self-deprecation and famously surreal spirit
brusselstimes.com
More than a dialect: Why Brusseleir remains the soul of Brussels
More than a dialect: Why Brusseleir remains the soul of Brussels
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 12/07/2026
After attending my best friend's wedding, I decided enough was enough. It was time to up the ante to avoid sinking into Bridget Jones-style spinsterhood. A date marathon was in order.
brusselstimes.com
I went on eight dates in Brussels in one weekend – here’s how it went
I went on eight dates in Brussels in one weekend – here's how it went
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 02/07/2026
Celebrations kicked off just before 01:00 am in Brussels and around the country after Belgium eliminated Senegal in the last few minutes of extra-time.
brusselstimes.com
Late-night joy in Brussels for Belgium’s dramatic World Cup win (photos)
Late-night joy in Brussels for Belgium's dramatic World Cup win (photos)
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 25/06/2026
The stifling heat in Brussels is expected to finally break on Sunday, just in time for the US Embassy’s fourth of July shindig in Cinquantenaire Park.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: White heat
Belgium in Brief: White heat
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 24/06/2026
Reinhard from Ghent is taking Instagram by storm.
brusselstimes.com
Now and then: Meet the Belgian art teacher bringing Old Brussels back to life on Instagram
Now and then: Meet the Belgian art teacher bringing Old Brussels back to life on Instagram
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
Chris Powers @powers.eurosky.social · 23/06/2026
Today it's ten-years since the UK held the Brexit referendum. Thankfully I don't need to say much about it because @katiewestwood.bsky.social did so better than I ever could over at @brusselstimes.com us8.campaign-archive.com?e=349ef79e27...
us8.campaign-archive.com
Belgium in Brief: Confessions of a Brexit bore
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 19/06/2026
Much like Penn Station in New York or the old Euston Station in London, Brussels-Midi was the victim of philistine post-war urban planning
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: Midi station blues
Belgium in Brief: Midi station blues
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 11/06/2026
We look forward to Statbel releases in the same way that normal people anticipate the release of a new Taylor Swift album.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: People watching
Belgium in Brief: People watching
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
So many zingers in such a short obituary for Sir Alex Younger. 🧵 Let’s start with when he finally tells his mum he is a spy…
He evaded telling his mother he had become a spy until forced to do so by his wife, Sarah.
"Yes, darling, so was I," she replied. "It was one of the best moments really of my life," Younger said, "because of the look on my wife's face... What was she getting involved in?"
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 05/06/2026
After free-wheeling France, Belgium has the second-largest budget deficit in the Eurozone.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: Champagne tastes on a beer budget
Belgium in Brief: Champagne tastes on a beer budget
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 28/05/2026
Around this time last year, the news cycle in Brussels was dominated by the sad story of Fabian, a little boy who died after being knocked off his scooter during a police chase.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: More haste, less speed
Belgium in Brief: More haste, less speed
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 24/05/2026
A day in the life of a Brussels private detective is anything but ordinary. One PI told us what it takes to succeed in the business.
brusselstimes.com
‘I’ll follow you for days and you won’t know it’: Meet Brussels’ answer to Sherlock Holmes
‘I’ll follow you for days and you won’t know it’: Meet Brussels' answer to Sherlock Holmes
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 22/05/2026
Big, visionary, construction projects are always controversial. From concerns about ballooning costs and environmental damage, to plain old NIMBYism, there are always reasons not to build.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: The eighth wonder of the world in Brussels?
Belgium in Brief: The eighth wonder of the world in Brussels?
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 08/05/2026
Today, we look at a topic particularly close to my heart: growing up multilingual. I sometimes wonder what could have been if my dad had taught me his native tongue from birth.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: Speaking fünf langues in België
Belgium in Brief: Speaking fünf langues in België
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 08/05/2026
The Brussels Times - News and analysis on politics, Brussels, EU Affairs, business, world, national news, and more.
brusselstimes.com
Brussels’ bilingual babies: How easy is it to raise multilingual children?
The Brussels Times
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 05/05/2026
For now, a legal grey area in Belgium drives parents to seek other options, in countries that make surrogacy attractive to foreigners.
brusselstimes.com
Medical miracle or wombs for rent? The two worlds of Belgian surrogacy
Medical miracle or wombs for rent? The two worlds of Belgian surrogacy
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
This was such a terrible case of an avoidable death. The parents have done remarkably to turn their grief into a practical scaleable intervention, which depemds for its effectiveness on being known about
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 29/04/2026
We all know the cost of living has skyrocketed since Covid-19. Rents are much higher than they used to be, while salaries have stagnated.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: Ain’t nothing going on but the rent
Belgium in Brief: Ain’t nothing going on but the rent
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 28/04/2026
Following a Brussels Times report, one passenger told us she spent €225 on a train ticket after her flights were cancelled when she was incorrectly labelled a "no-show".
brusselstimes.com
‘Fighting Goliath’: Another Brussels Airlines customer claims to be victim of faulty ‘no show’ policy
‘Fighting Goliath’: Another Brussels Airlines customer claims to be victim of faulty 'no show' policy
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 27/04/2026
Boris Dilliès, the subject of our lead story today, seems like the kind of jovial character who is happy come rain or shine. We sat down with him.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: Boris the bon vivant
Belgium in Brief: Boris the bon vivant
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 26/04/2026
You've done your favourite Brussels parks. You've made a special outing to see bluebells in the woods. Why not set yourself a bigger challenge?
brusselstimes.com
Walking from Brussels to Luxembourg is easier than you think – here’s how I did it
Walking from Brussels to Luxembourg is easier than you think – here's how I did it
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 22/04/2026
Today’s big question is: how prepared are you to deal with a crisis?
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: Keep calm and carry on
Belgium in Brief: Keep calm and carry on
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
Ugo A Realfonzo @ugorealfonzo.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
From Brad Pitt to bombs. "Last week, we had Brad Pitt filming in the municipality, now we have a problem with bombings and shootings between dealers." – Mayor of Saint-Gilles Jean Spinette told @brusselstimes.com yesterday, after five serious incidents of violence, including several bombings.
brusselstimes.com
Turf wars in Brussels: Rival gangs feud again in violent week of explosions and shootings
From Brad Pitt to bombings, Saint-Gilles has been gripped by five violent incidents in five days – which the mayor is calling "a war between rival drug families."
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 17/04/2026
“Fries and Belgium are synonymous. So if something goes wrong with the potato, I think it gets a lot of attention," the farm's owners told The Brussels Times.
brusselstimes.com
The Flemish farm that caused an international media sensation
“Fries and Belgium are synonymous. So if something goes wrong with the potato, I think it gets a lot of attention," the farm's owners told The Brussels Times.
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 16/04/2026
Piret Mårtensson claims she had to pay €355 for a new ticket when her return flights were cancelled after being incorrectly marked as a 'no-show’ on a flight to Brussels.
brusselstimes.com
‘I felt invisible’: Woman forced to pay for a new return flight after Brussels Airlines labels her a ‘no-show’
'I felt invisible': Woman forced to pay for a new return flight after Brussels Airlines labels her a 'no-show'
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 13/04/2026
Street furniture doesn’t have to be ugly, and residents are understandably fed up with seeing these grey concrete monstrosities everywhere.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: Bye bye blockers
Belgium in Brief: Bye bye blockers
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 07/04/2026
Every day, analysts identify new ways in which the conflict will impact the lives of ordinary people around the world – including, of course, here in Belgium.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: Fresh hell
Belgium in Brief: Fresh hell
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 04/04/2026
Flemish prepper Jimmy Linssen invited The Brussels Times for a trip to his base of operations in Buggenhout to show us how he is preparing for the apocalypse.
brusselstimes.com
Meet the Belgian ‘prepper’ who is ready for any emergency or war – even if it hits tomorrow
Meet the Belgian 'prepper' who is ready for any emergency or war – even if it hits tomorrow
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 02/04/2026
Sick and tired of stumbling over stray rubbish on the streets of Brussels, representatives of Brussel (Pou)belle have decided enough is enough.
brusselstimes.com
‘If a city cannot even keep its streets clean, how can you trust it with anything else?’
'If a city cannot even keep its streets clean, how can you trust it with anything else?'
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 01/04/2026
Having a vast, chaotic car park in the heart of Sablon is redolent of how the city’s crown jewel, the Grand Place, was once treated as a glorified parking lot .
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: Saving Sablon
Belgium in Brief: Saving Sablon
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 30/03/2026
What can be done to restore people’s pride in the city? These are some of the ideas put forward by our readers via email and social media.
brusselstimes.com
‘It’s not rocket science’: Brussels Times readers share their ideas on how to clean up the city
'It's not rocket science': Brussels Times readers share their ideas on how to clean up the city
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
Liam Thorp @liamthorp.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Tricky times for the content creators, life coaches and right wing journalists who left Britain shrieking claims that it was becoming an authoritarian state
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 29/03/2026
How a story about 19th-century poverty in Antwerp gripped the national consciousness of Japan, and why no one in Belgium has heard of it.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium’s unknown story that became a Japanese cult hit
Belgium's unknown story that became a Japanese cult hit
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 27/03/2026
As a Flemish person who has often had to explain to her international friends that not everyone in Flanders is right-wing, I want to set the record straight on these simplistic stereotypes.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: Two worlds, one nation?
Belgium in Brief: Two worlds, one nation?
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 27/03/2026
From award-winning cocktails to €1 beers, Brussels' bar scene has it all. Cheers to that!
brusselstimes.com
A tipple for every taste: Our pick of Brussels’ best bars
A tipple for every taste: Our pick of Brussels' best bars
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 26/03/2026
To avoid issuing excessive fines to people over the stricter Low Emission Zone, the government is looking for alternative solutions. But that's easier said than done.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: From one LEZ to another
Belgium in Brief: From one LEZ to another
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 24/03/2026
We know Brussels is not a Geneva or a Singapore, where the streets are so clean you could safely eat your dinner off the pavement. But still.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: Dirty old town
Belgium in Brief: Dirty old town
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
Frédéric Moreau @goodclimate.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Brussels 100 years ago, a revolutionary 5-minute city-within-the city emerged on a seemingly-worthless site. Huge luxury apartments above a private high street with shops, restaurants, hairdressers, carsharing, a bank. The story of Résidence Palace. www.brusselstimes.com/2021048/a-ci...
brusselstimes.com
A city within a city: The secret life of Brussels' Résidence Palace
The iconic Résidence Palace marks its centenary this year – a Jazz Age experiment in luxury living that helped reshape Brussels long before the EU arrived.
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
Kim Leadbeater MBE MP @kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
32 lives lost and many more changed forever. Thinking of everyone affected by the horrendous act of terror on the beautiful city of #Brussels on this day in 2016🇧🇪
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 22/03/2026
The 32 people who died on Tuesday 22 March 2016 are more than a number; each of them had their own story. Ten years on, The Brussels Times remembers them.
brusselstimes.com
Ten years on: Remembering the 32 people killed in the Brussels terrorist attacks
Ten years on: Remembering the 32 people killed in the Brussels terrorist attacks
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 20/03/2026
With war raging in the Middle East, Belgium is frantically rowing back on previous efforts to dismantle its nuclear energy programme.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium in Brief: Nuclear attraction
Belgium in Brief: Nuclear attraction
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 15/03/2026
Have you ever been ghosted, or done the ghosting yourself? This article's for you.
brusselstimes.com
Do you like ghost stories? Try dating in Brussels
Do you like ghost stories? Try dating in Brussels
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 08/03/2026
“Few people would associate the Brontës with Brussels, and they wouldn't think of Charlotte and Emily Brontë eating waffles in Grand Place – but they probably did."
brusselstimes.com
How Brussels shaped the Brontë sisters – and inspired Charlotte’s ‘expat novel’
How Brussels shaped the Brontë sisters – and inspired Charlotte's 'expat novel'
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 07/03/2026
"The best experiences are dates that are very boring and nothing bad or weird happens."
brusselstimes.com
‘I’m scared of dating in Brussels’
'I'm scared of dating in Brussels'
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 06/03/2026
Questions about gender equality often extend beyond the workplace and into everyday life – including the division of chores at home.
brusselstimes.com
Household chores: Are couples finally starting to share the load in Belgium?
Household chores: Are couples finally starting to share the load in Belgium?
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 04/03/2026
Traffic will be closed off and replaced by two stages for a unique electronic music party in the Belgian capital.
brusselstimes.com
Brussels to shut down its tunnels for 9-hour underground rave
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 27/02/2026
If France could lead the world with Minitel in the 1980s, surely Europe can free itself from Silicon Valley’s shackles now? | Alexander Hurst
theguardian.com
If France could lead the world with Minitel in the 1980s, surely Europe can free itself from Silicon Valley’s shackles now? | Alexander Hurst
Back then, France punched above its weight when it came to tech. The EU needs it to rediscover its taste for the cutting edge, says Paris-based writer Alexander Hurst
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Reposted by Katie Westwood
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 28/02/2026
For a generation born in Western Europe but raised with Polish roots, moving east is no longer an act of sacrifice – it is increasingly a deliberate choice.
brusselstimes.com
A better life? Why Belgians of Polish descent are choosing to pack up and move east
A better life? Why Belgians of Polish descent are choosing to pack up and move east
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