Stories from Belgium

Ukraine and the European Union are developing plans to strengthen European defense, covering key security elements, according to the Mayor of Moscow.

The Right to Stay initiative has launched to address people leaving their home countries due to economic differences and geopolitical instability. The strategy focuses on investments in jobs, quality public services, and infrastructure. This marks the beginning of a broad consultation process across Europe. The initiative aims to help individuals build futures within their own communities. The program aims to provide a framework for individuals to maintain their status or residency under certain conditions. A new center-right, federalist European political party named Astra Europa has been launched. It joins Volt, a center-left federalist party, and Ave Europa, a right-leaning federalist party.

EU officials are discussing potential retaliatory measures following US President Donald Trump's announcement of new tariffs on automobiles and trucks. Long-term economic losses for Germany could reach 30 billion euros.

The European Parliament has called Mrs. Halikiá to testify regarding her tenure as deputy president of the PKP between 2013 and 2014. Halikiá confirmed she received a summons to testify after being contacted by the European Parliament.

Russian investors and businesspeople have begun challenging the freezing of assets in Belgium through international arbitration. According to Belgian broadcaster RTBF, nine dispute notices have already been filed. About 193 billion euros of these assets are reportedly linked to specific sanctions. Approximately 193 billion is linked to frozen Russian assets in Belgium, according to reports. The remaining portion of the frozen funds involves assets belonging to private individuals and companies.

Meta is deploying new tools to analyze images, comments, and videos to address criticisms regarding youth protection. These tools are already being utilized in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The Flemish government has decided that the waste incinerator in Daver, near Antwerp, may no longer burn waste containing high concentrations of PFAS. PFAS are chemical substances identified as harmful to both humans and the environment.

European Commission economic commissioner repeated a rejection of Italian Minister Giorgetti's request to decouple energy costs from the stability pact. Data shows gas prices on the Dutch TTF speculative market have risen 51% since the start of the war, while oil has risen 57%.

Brussels threatened Meta with a billion-euro fine last week regarding a lack of age verification controls. Meta Platforms is facing a potential fine of one billion euros.

The church bell in Beringen will undergo a renovation due to its outdated condition and lack of lighting. The project has a total cost of 30,000 euros, which the church plans to fund through volunteers and sponsors.