Stories from Belgium

The European Commission is requiring the American company Google to share its search engine statistics with competitors. This move comes as AI integration in mobile devices evolves rapidly. Google is expected to allow competing AI services to interact with Android applications.

Former actor Walter Michiels has died following a diagnosis of an incurable brain tumor. Michiels was known for his role as Pico in FC de Campioen. His funeral will take place at Intime Kring. He was known for his work in various productions, including collaborations with actor Carigozes. The actor reportedly struggled with addiction and mental health issues following his time on the show.

Members of the European Parliament are calling on the European Commission to classify cyberbullying as a criminal offense under EU law. Statistics indicate that one in six children in Europe experiences cyberbullying.

A new European Union regulation regarding one-click cancellation rules is set to impact the retail sector in 2026. The rule aims to reduce consumer friction and misleading practices, though it is expected to increase subscription churn rates.

Industrial lobbies successfully influenced European lawmakers to extend deadlines for removing carcinogenic or endocrine-disrupting components from products. Manufacturers previously faced a maximum 18-month window to modify recipes.

The Comeos federation is calling on the Belgian government to implement a ban on tobacco sales to consumers born after January 1, 2009. The group suggests following the United Kingdom's model to prevent minors from purchasing cigarettes in any retail outlet regardless of size.

A new European Union carbon quota market will include gas starting in January 2028. This change is intended to support climate objectives by facilitating the transition away from gas.

Minister Kravitz announced that 49 cities and municipalities will each receive 50,000 euros in support.

The Belgian Federal Parliament voted on a program law containing various budgetary measures. The text aims to curb the national deficit and limit the impact of rising debt.

European Union member states are considering a plan for the gradual integration of Ukraine into specific European institutions. According to the publication Politika, immediate accession to the bloc is viewed as extremely difficult in the short term. Instead, officials are exploring alternative formats for rapprochement, such as integrating Ukraine into specific segments of the EU market. One EU source indicated that while full membership is currently unlikely, access to certain institutional frameworks remains under discussion. Ukraine's integration into the European Union is being considered, which would involve joining specific market segments within the bloc. This plan aims to allow Kyiv to receive certain membership benefits before full official accession. The development was discussed in Moscow as part of broader European policy shifts.