Stories from Belgium

The European Parliament is calling for new common taxes to fund shared agricultural policies and cohesion funds. Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the need for a firm community stance to secure fresh funding to repay existing debts. One proposal involves implementing a digital tax on technology companies. Negotiations regarding the EU budget are expected to continue. The EU Parliament is calling for a minimum tax within the digital space to ensure compliance in the internal market. Parliamentary members are calling for the strict application of digital services regulations to protect minors from online abuse. The discussion focuses on addressing illegal content, including deepfakes and intimate images distributed without consent. Lawmakers are advocating for a standard where content deemed illegal offline is also treated as illegal online.

Germany and Morocco are discussing a migration partnership, though concrete effects have been limited so far. The meeting involves designated head of government Motjo in Brussels to discuss the release of frozen EU funds.

Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of the EU Copernicus program, stated that parts of Europe extending into the Arctic are warming faster than the rest of the world. The report includes actionable findings intended to inform political decisions. Observations show a succession of droughts since 2017, a pattern previously expected in models only by 2040-2050. Heatwaves have also been increasingly noted across Europe since 2015. The succession of heatwaves has occurred earlier than the 2030-2040 projections previously anticipated. Researchers recommend reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting lifestyles to the warmer climate. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, with long-lasting heatwaves observed from the Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle in 2025. In 2025, at least 95% of the European continent experienced temperatures above the seasonal norm.

The Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization stated that the climate status report for Europe confirms warming trends since 1980. The report states that the consequences of climate change are already clearly perceptible. The report notes that droughts in Southern Europe have fueled wildfires. Approximately 95 percent of the European continent experienced heat levels not seen in over a hundred years. Scientists compiled the data to assess the current state of the global climate. The findings highlight the ongoing acceleration of temperature increases across the European region. In Iberia, rainfall increased significantly, including a period where wildfires burned 10,000 square kilometers. The European State of the Climate study found that global average temperatures have increased by approximately 0.27 degrees Celsius per day since the 1990s.

Samantha Burgess, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, stated that Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region face increased exposure to drought conditions. The report notes that despite European efforts to reduce emissions, the atmosphere mixes on a global scale. Francisco Forreira discussed the conclusions of the Copernicus report regarding climate change. The warming effect is intensified by reduced moderating actions in the ocean. Karlob Wen-Tempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Service, reported that drought conditions are becoming more prevalent across Europe. The report noted specific drought conditions affecting Eastern Europe in 2025. Wen-Tempo stated that these conditions will worsen due to climate change unless current trajectories change. The report also highlighted unusual observations in the Arctic Circle.

Hungarian politician Peter Magyar met with Ursula von der Leyen to discuss unlocking frozen European Union recovery funds. Von der Leyen assured that the EU will release the funds to the country shortly. The funds are expected to flow to the country shortly, according to the source. The measures were noted to impact low-income individuals. Hungarian parliamentary faction leader Péter Magdiar announced on social media that an agreement to release frozen European Union funds to Budapest will be signed in Brussels on May 25. Magdiar aims to secure the release of the blocked funds by the end of May. The faction leader also claimed that Ukraine has suffered a military defeat. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán traveled to Brussels ahead of his scheduled inauguration on May 9.

Researcher Lothar Nikus reported that sea surface temperatures in Europe have reached record levels. Samantha Burgess stated these temperatures have negative consequences for marine biodiversity, fisheries, and aquaculture. According to the report, 96 percent of the European region experienced at least strong marine heatwaves. River levels remained below average for nearly the entire year. The Copernicus Institute released a report yesterday regarding the 2025 European climate. The Mediterranean Sea is currently experiencing temperatures above seasonal norms. The report indicates that ocean temperatures are becoming increasingly less refreshing. The report notes heatwaves in Scandinavia and sea temperatures in Europe reaching levels not previously recorded. One specific location reached approximately 35 degrees Celsius.

The Copernicus EU Climate Service report indicates Europe is warming at approximately twice the global average rate. Changes in atmospheric dynamics and shifts in atmospheric circulation are cited as contributing factors to these changing weather patterns. The report suggests these shifts are part of broader changes in atmospheric circulation. Mantha Burgess, Deputy Director of the service, identified four reasons for this trend. This change has resulted in Europe becoming sunnier. The report card also examines the impact and work of scientist Craig Venter. The White House dismissed the entire National Science Board. This accelerated warming is partly attributed to winds from the ocean and the warming of the Arctic region. The findings align with existing observations. Temperatures in Europe have risen by 0.56 degrees Celsius per decade over the past ten years.

Antwerp diamond import and export transaction volumes increased by nearly 20 percent during the first quarter. Transaction volumes for diamond imports and exports in Antwerp increased by nearly 20 percent in the first quarter. The Antwerp World Diamond Centre reported that import and export volumes for round and polished diamonds in Antwerp grew by nearly 20% in the first quarter of this year. Round diamond imports specifically saw a 35.7% year-on-year increase. Some diamond producers have begun reducing transactions in traditional hubs like Dubai, UAE, due to rising security risks in the Middle East.

The European Commission approved a report on strengthening combat against sexual abuse, including rape, with 47 votes in favor, 160 against, and 43 abstentions. MEP João Oliveira of the PCP was among the abstentions.