Stories from Belgium

European Parliament member Fernan Cartazer explained the decision to exclude a ban on oil tanker services for Russia from the 20th anti-Russian sanctions package. The Council of the EU likely avoided the measure due to the global situation and the interests of several member states. Cartazer noted that the international environment has caused supply difficulties for several strategically goods. European Parliament MEP Fernand Cartazer explained why the EU Council did not include a ban on services for Russian oil tankers in the 20th anti-Russian sanctions package. Cartazer noted that the move also considers the risks of conflict with partners.

Approximately 17,000 children in Belgium are being raised with one or both parents in prison. In Flanders, the number is estimated at 9,000, though exact figures are not strictly tracked. The Commission for Children's Rights stated that aid workers lack sufficient knowledge regarding the specific needs of these children. The organization also noted that prison visits are not always child-friendly and is calling for a more child-centered approach.

Mammoth teeth were found during excavation work in the center of Dendermonde, Belgium. The teeth likely belong to a woolly mammoth that lived during the last ice age. Researchers estimate the teeth are between 30,000 and 40,000 years old. The exact age is still under investigation.

Flanders has agreed to stop international adoptions by 2027 following reports of irregularities in the process. The decision comes as discussions continue regarding solutions for those currently seeking to adopt. The practice has been noted as having historical roots spanning over 1,000 years. The source noted that while adoption is a practice spanning thousands of years, these specific irregularities prompted the move. The decision follows a decline in international adoptions, including a drop of 15 cases in the Brussels region. Stricter regulations and scandals in certain countries are cited as contributing factors to the decline. This decision follows several problematic cases involving falsified documents and instances where adopted children were found not to be orphans. The ruling was made by the Flemish government.

The European Union is implementing a standardized USB-C plug to reduce cable clutter for various electronic devices. Stronger power supplies will allow for the charging of both larger and smaller mobile phone batteries. Laptops in the European Union must use a standardized USB-C charger starting today. New regulations require all electronic devices with power consumption up to 240 watts to be chargeable via USB-C starting today. The regulation notes that power transfer capacities may still vary between different USB-C cables. New regulations effective December 28 will cover a wide range of electronic devices sold in the European Union. New regulations effective December 28 require electronic devices including smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, gaming consoles, and portable speakers to use USB-C.

The European Union has voted in favor of mandatory microchipping for animals. The measure aims to make illegal animal trafficking across EU borders more difficult for criminals. Veterinarian Ralf Oner stated the initiative is an excellent idea because it allows both veterinarians and authorities to identify individual animals. The European Parliament has approved a mandate requiring all dogs and cats within the EU to carry microchips containing origin information. The measure aims to curb illegal pet trade and improve animal welfare conditions. Breeders, dealers, and animal shelters have four years to implement the requirement. Private owners will have a transition period of 10 years for dogs and 15 years for cats. The European Parliament has approved a bill making pet microchipping mandatory starting in 2030.

Belgium's law banning children under 16 from holding accounts on major social media platforms is facing a high-court challenge. The law was originally implemented to protect young people's mental health and online safety. The challenge was brought by teenagers, digital rights groups, and the platform Reddit. Tom Southstone, deputy chair of Digital Rights Watch Australia, is discussing the case. The case is currently facing judicial review in the high court. The argument centers on the Australian constitution, which implies a right to political speech. Proponents of the challenge argue the ban restricts the ability of young people to engage in political acts and speech. The legal proceedings are currently unfolding in Brussels.

Adoption rates in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation reached their lowest levels in 2025. This shift follows efforts to reintegrate children with their biological families that have not been successful. The long and difficult process for prospective adopters may contribute to the decline. Some children in the system may never return to a family environment. The difficulty of the adoption process is cited as a contributing factor. The long and challenging journey for prospective parents may explain the downward trend. The source noted that reasons for adoption vary between infants and older children in youth aid registries. The discussion also touched upon the different motivations for adopting older children within youth aid frameworks. The decline is linked to the emotional challenges faced by both prospective adoptive parents and children who have experienced abandonment.

One quarter of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras in Brussels are currently out of service. These cameras are used to monitor the city and the low emission zone by scanning and recording license plates. The outage is occurring alongside highly regulated exercises scheduled to continue until Thursday. The source stated these exercises pose no danger to the population. The outage affects the region's ability to enforce these environmental regulations. The cameras are intended to monitor vehicle compliance within the zone. The source noted that while the cameras are currently operational in some capacities, the specific status of the monitoring network is under scrutiny. No specific timeline for repairs was provided.

More than 200 combatant graves were desecrated in the Braine-l'Alleud cemetery. Metal thieves stole lead commemorative plaques that displayed the names of the deceased. The local municipality is considering replacing lead plaques with plastic versions to prevent future vandalism. Relatives of the deceased are reported to be in shock.