Innovations

Instagram remains most popular social media as TikTok continues to grow

The number of TikTok users in Belgium continues to grow, according to the sixth edition of the SMI Barometer, an annual survey of social media use by under-40s conducted by Artevelde University

1 day ago

Innovations

OECD questions effectiveness of smartphone and social media bans for young people

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has expressed doubts about the effectiveness of banning smartphones or restricting access to social media as a way to protect children. In a report

1 week ago

Innovations

EU court annuls Commission’s decision to withhold texts between Von der Leyen and Pfizer

The European Union’s top court has overturned the European Commission’s decision to deny the New York Times access to text messages exchanged between Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO

1 week ago

Innovations·World

Howest Brugge and defence launch first Cyber Defence Factory in Flanders

On Tuesday, Howest University College in Bruges inaugurated the first Cyber Defence Factory in Flanders, marking a new collaboration between the institution and the Belgian Defence’s Cyber Command. The partnership will focus

1 week ago

Innovations

Belgian architecture project ‘Periscope House’ showcased at Venice Architecture Biennale

The innovative Periscope House by Belgium’s Metamorphic Art Studio, based in West Flanders, will be captivating audiences at the Venice Architecture Biennale with sustainability and technical ingenuity. The Belgian Metamorphic Art Studio

2 weeks ago

Innovations

US funding cut threatens HIV research at Ghent University Hospital

HIV research at the University Hospital Ghent (UZ Gent) is at risk after the abrupt suspension of 1.5 million dollars (1.3 million euros) in US funding. The funding cut, part of a

2 weeks ago

Innovations

Experts call for social media ban for under-16s

A group of Belgian experts and psychiatrists have issued an open letter to the Flemish and federal governments, calling for a clearer and stricter policy on smartphone use among children and adolescents.

2 weeks ago

Innovations

New AI hub ‘The Brain’ to open in Ghent in 2027

The construction of “The Brain – AI Tech Hub Ghent” has started on Monday. The AI hub, set up at Ghent University’s Ardoyen campus in Zwijnaarde, should help to make Flanders a

2 weeks ago

Innovations

Belgian Solar Team eyes another world title with new solar car

The Innoptus Solar Team, the team of KU Leuven engineering students who compete in solar car races, has on Monday unveiled their latest solar car in Antwerp in the presence of federal

2 weeks ago

Innovations

Almost half of Flemish companies suffered cyber attack last year

Last year, 45.8 per cent of Flemish companies were victims of a cyber attack, according to the annual cyber security report commissioned by the Flemish government. “This underlines the urgent need for

3 weeks ago

Innovations

Noise Brussels Airport ‘seriously disturbs’ sleep of over 100,000 residents

The sleep of more than 100,000 people living in the wide vicinity of Brussels Airport is “seriously disturbed” by aircraft taking off and landing. The disturbance is greatest in the city of

3 weeks ago

Innovations

Construction begins on Belgium’s offshore energy island

Construction has officially begun on Princess Elisabeth Island, Belgium’s artificial energy island located 45 kilometres off the coast. High-voltage grid operator Elia announced Wednesday that the first two of 23 massive concrete

3 weeks ago

Earth & Climate·Innovations

EU’s microchip strategy “needs urgent reality check”, says Court of Auditors

The EU “urgently needs a reality check” on its microchip strategy, according to the European Court of Auditors. Its target of controlling 20 per cent of the world’s production of advanced microchips

3 weeks ago

Innovations

IBAN name check to help prevent bank fraud starting in October

Starting this October, anyone transferring money online will be able to see whether the recipient’s name matches the account number provided. The new system, announced by minister of consumer protection Rob Beenders

4 weeks ago

Innovations

Expo 2025 Osaka: Belgian pavilion showcases leadership in medical innovation

The World Expo opens this Sunday in Osaka, Japan, where Belgium will be showcasing its cutting-edge expertise in medical innovation rather than its traditional culinary staples. The Belgian pavilion, themed “Human Regeneration”,

1 month ago

Innovations

DEME acquires Norwegian wind turbine installer

Belgian marine contractor DEME has reached an agreement to acquire Havfram, a Norwegian company that provides transport and installation services for offshore wind farms. The deal is worth around 900 million euros,

1 month ago

Earth & Climate·Innovations

Spotify paid out 34m euros in Belgian music royalties last year

Spotify has paid out over 34 million euros in music royalties to Belgian rights holders in 2024, an increase of 11 per cent compared to 2023. It’s the first time the streaming

1 month ago

Business·Innovations

Italian rail operator plans to compete with Eurostar on London-Paris route

Italian state rail group Ferrovie dello Stato has announced plans to launch a high-speed rail service between Paris and London via the Channel Tunnel by 2029. The company said on Tuesday it

1 month ago

Innovations

Belgian scientists develop genetic technology to protect bananas

A research team at KU Leuven has developed a new genetic technique to make bananas more resistant to disease. As the method does not involve adding DNA to the plant’s genetic code,

2 months ago

Innovations

Belgium introduces mandatory ‘cyber licence’ for internet users

From April 2026, internet users in Belgium will need to pass a mandatory cybersecurity test to access online services, as part of the government’s strategy to make the country one of the

2 months ago

Innovations

European company to invest up to 250m euros in new chip production at BelGaN site

The curators of bankrupt chip manufacturer BelGaN in Oudenaarde, East Flanders, have reached an agreement with a European investor who plans to invest between 200 and 250 million euros. Chip production would

2 months ago

Innovations

Imec to set up chip research centre for automotive sector in Germany

Leuven-based research centre imec and the German state government of Baden-Württemberg will jointly establish a new chip research centre for the automotive sector. The project was launched on Monday at a press

2 months ago

Innovations

Beringen expands tourism with 60K stays and mining projects

Beringen (60,000+ overnight stays/year) aims to attract more business travelers with conference spaces and mining-themed retreats. Alderman Ornella Schreurs highlights projects like a B&B (opening May 1), Mineset museum, be-NATURE, and Kolenspoor

2 months ago

Innovations

Belgian government wants to earmark part of defence budget for space industry

The Belgian government wants to devote part of the country’s defence budget to the space sector. Science minister Vanessa Matz said this on Thursday during a visit to Liège-based aerospace company Safran

2 months ago

Innovations

Flemish government agrees to reform renovation subsidy

The Flemish government has reached an agreement on the reform of the renovation subsidy, announced Energy and Housing minister Melissa Depraetere. From 1 July, financial support will only be available for energy-saving

2 months ago

Innovations

French entrepreneur wants to relaunch Tupperware in Europe

A French entrepreneur has bought Tupperware France and plans to relaunch the brand in several European countries, including Belgium and Germany.  Tupperware, the maker of the iconic plastic food containers, filed for

2 months ago

Innovations

Belgian companies and researchers file record number of European patent applications

Belgian companies, universities and research institutions have filed a record 2,615 patent applications to the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2024. 66 per cent of these applications came from Flanders, which ranks

2 months ago

Innovations

Ex Tinkoff executives has founded new bank in Mexico that is taking the market

Oleg Tinkov, who has sold his business for pennies in Russia, has built a billiard fintech in Mexico. The company is called Plata and it brought $150 million from the American and

2 months ago

Innovations

Belgoprocess nuclear site gets world’s largest solar farm with micro-inverters

The world’s largest micro-inverter solar farm is being built at the NIRAS-Belgoprocess nuclear site in Dessel, Flanders. The first phase of the project is currently underway, with almost 4,000 solar panels being

2 months ago

Innovations

India approves Chandrayaan-5 moon mission

India is planning to launch a fifth lunar probe carrying a 25-kilogram rover, in association with Japan, after becoming the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the moon. The Indian government has

2 months ago

Innovations

SpaceX delays mission to return stranded astronauts

NASA has allayed fears over the safety of two astronauts stuck on board the International Space Station. A hydraulics issue prompted the postponement. A ground system issue forced SpaceX to postpone a flight to

2 months ago

Innovations

Elon Musk claims X hit by ‘massive cyberattack’

Elon Musk’s X suffered multiple outages on Monday. The tech magnate said there had been a “cyberattack” on his service and claimed that it may have originated in Ukraine. Elon Musk, the

2 months ago

Innovations

SpaceX Starship explodes minutes after launch

Less than ten minutes after it took off, the spacecraft lost contact with control teams and exploded in the sky. A series of failures for the company has hampered progress. For the

3 months ago

Innovations

Women still majority at German colleges, study shows

A new study has shown a continued increase in women’s enrollment in secondary education, making women still the majority of college students in Germany. During the 2023/2024 winter semester, women made up

3 months ago

Innovations

SpaceX abandons Starship test flight at last minute

The Starship rocket, which is taller than the Statue of Liberty, was held back mere seconds before it was set to take off. SpaceX is likely to try again in a day

3 months ago

Innovations

South Korea temporarily removes DeepSeek from app stores

South Korean authorities said the DeepSeek AI app will be removed from app stores temporarily, pending a review. Many countries have raised concerns over the app’s collection and usage of sensitive data.

3 months ago

Innovations

TikTok returns to US app stores weeks after Trump delays ban

TikTok has reappeared on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in the US. It comes after President Donald Trump hinted optimism about the future of the Chinese-owned app. The TikTok app returned

3 months ago

Innovations

How sabotage on undersea cables affects our digital world

Most of the world’s data travels via ocean cables, which are at risk of frequent sabotage. DW explains where they lie and how they are protected. A spate of sabotage attacks on underwater

4 months ago

Innovations

German TikTokers more approving of China, Russia – survey

A poll suggests that Germans who get their news from TikTok, rather than traditional media, are less critical of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It comes amid a debate over shutting down the

4 months ago

Innovations

TikTok restores US service after Trump remarks on ban

Donald Trump has called for companies to “not let TikTok go dark.” The platform had cut access to the app in the United States ahead of the ban but then began restoring

4 months ago

Innovations

Meta to lay off 5% of employees in efficiency drive

US media reports said tech giant Meta plans to lay off 3,500 employees. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said underperformers will be fired to make space for new hires. Tech giant Meta announced plans

4 months ago

Innovations

Brazil says social media sites must respect domestic laws

The country’s communication minister said Meta’s recent decision to scrap its fact-checking program is “bad for democracy,” while a Supreme Court judge said social networks “will not be a lawless land” in

4 months ago

Innovations

Vanuatu rocked by major earthquake

Witnesses reported seeing bodies among the destruction in Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila. A tsunami warning was lifted two hours after the quake, while Red Cross teams are on standby to assist affected

5 months ago

Innovations

Syria updates: Assad in Russia, granted asylum

Rebel groups faced no resistance entering Damascus on Sunday after taking the city of Homs. Russian media report, citing unnamed Kremlin sources, that Assad is now in Moscow having gained asylum.  Russian

5 months ago

Innovations

Iran launches its heaviest-ever payload into space

Iran says it sent into space its heaviest-ever payload using a domestically developed rocket. Tehran’s advancing aerospace capabilities have raised concerns in the West. Iran said it had successfully sent its heaviest-ever payload

6 months ago

Innovations

European Vega-C rocket launches after two-year gap

Europe’s Vega-C rocket has successfully returned to space after failing on its first commercial mission two years ago. Europe’s new Vega-C rocket was successfully launched from French Guiana on Thursday. It was

6 months ago

Innovations

ICC chief criticizes US and Russia over threats

Speaking at an annual conference of the court’s 124 members, Judge Tomoko Akane did not name Russia or the United States but referred to them as permanent members of the UN Security

6 months ago

Innovations

TikTok, Meta slam Australia’s social media ban for under-16s

The landmark Social Media Minimum Age bill sets Australia up as a test case for a growing number of governments. But opponents warn that young people may be driven to unsafe parts

6 months ago

Innovations

Japan’s space agency aborts Epsilon S rocket test after fire

The cause of the large fire is being investigated. The incident is the latest in a string of setbacks for Japan’s space program. Japan’s space agency, JAXA, aborted an engine test for the

6 months ago

Innovations

Pakistan: Thousands of Khan supporters reportedly arrested

Police have reportedly arrested thousands of supporters of Imran Khan ahead of a rally in the capital Islamabad. Authorities blocked main routes leading to the capital in a bid to stop supporters

6 months ago

Innovations

Australia launches bill banning social media for under 16s

The bill proposes a fine of up to AU$50 million on social media platforms if they fail to uphold the ban. It also does not allow for an exemption for parents to

6 months ago

Innovations

Germany: Bavarian pterosaur fossil gives evolutionary clues

Paleontologists have discovered a well-preserved and unusually large pterosaur fossil in southern Germany. They say it offers important information as to how the now-extinct flying reptiles evolved. Paleontologists say they have discovered

6 months ago

Innovations

Kurdistan Workers’ Party claims deadly Ankara attack

The PKK has claimed responsibility for this week’s attack on Turkish defense firm TUSAS that killed five people in Ankara, the militant group said in a statement. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) on

7 months ago

Innovations

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza: Israel

Yahya Sinwar was killed during Israeli military operations in Gaza, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said. The mastermind of the October 7 terror attacks spent decades in Israeli prisons before leading Hamas.

7 months ago

Innovations

South Korea says North Korean soldiers headed to Ukraine

South Korea’s spy agency believes as many as 12,000 troops are being sent to Russia to help it fight its war in Ukraine. South Korea believes the North has sent troops to Russia to support its

7 months ago

Innovations

Google wants nuclear reactors to power its AI data centers

Google is the latest tech company to seek nuclear energy to cope with the high demand of electricity propelled by its development of AI. US technology giant Google said on Monday that

7 months ago

Innovations

Brazil says Musk’s X could resume services in country

The Supreme Court lifted a ban after Musk’s platform started complying with court rulings. X was blocked in one of its biggest markets, over a row between Brazilian authorities and Musk over

8 months ago

Innovations

US: Court orders Google to open Android to rival app stores

The company suffered yet another blow after a different judge had previously ruled its search engine is an illegal monopoly. Google’s operating system is installed on some 70% of the world’s smartphones.

8 months ago

Innovations

Chinese workers killed in Karachi blast

Two people were killed and several others injured in the explosion outside Pakistan’s largest airport, local media reported. Beijing says a “terrorist attack” killed Chinese nationals. Two people were killed and several

8 months ago

Innovations

EU Parliament recognizes Maduro rival as Venezuela president

The European Parliament has passed a resolution recognizing Venezuelan opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia’s claim to have won Venezuela’s July election. The European Parliament on Thursday passed a resolution recognizing opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez

8 months ago

Innovations

FBI disrupts major Chinese hacking group, director says

A hacker group known as Flax Typhoon was able to infect hundreds of thousands of devices around the world, authorities said. China has denied any involvement in the malicious botnet. The FBI

8 months ago

Innovations

China’s technology drive leaves young people jobless

China is investing billions to become a global tech power. But AI, robotics and quantum computing are not labor-intensive sectors, so what to do about the millions of young Chinese who can’t

8 months ago

Innovations

Google’s AI model faces probe over data use in EU

The inquiry is “of crucial importance in ensuring that the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals are adequately protected,” the Irish regulator helping to police European Union data privacy said. Irish regulator

8 months ago

Innovations

EU top court rules against Apple, Google

The tech giants have been ordered to repay taxes and fines they had long fought against. The multibillion-euro cases against the iPhone maker and Google are part of Europe’s battle to rein

8 months ago

Innovations

Apple unveils new AI-boosted iPhone 16

The new iPhone 16, unveiled on Monday, is the first Apple product to be built with artificial intelligence in mind. But the company faces challenges in the form of Huawei in China

8 months ago

Innovations

South Korea: Telegram apologizes for deepfake porn

The messaging platform said there had been a “miscommunication” about the issue. Seoul has vowed to clamp down on a rising tide of online sex crimes. South Korean media reported on Wednesday

9 months ago

Innovations

Netherlands: Nationwide ban on phones in schools underway

Cell phones, smart watches, and tablets are now banned for pupils at Dutch primary and secondary schools. The Dutch government called them a “distraction” that reduces academic performance and social interaction. As

9 months ago

Innovations

E-car trailblazer, biologist win German environment prize

An electric car battery engineer who developed a system to slash charging times was announced as a winner of the German environmental prize. A moor and peatland researcher shares the 2024 accolade.

9 months ago

Innovations

Malaysia charges ex-PM Muhyiddin over alleged royal insult

Muhyiddin Yassin, an opposition leader and former prime minister, has been accused of insulting Malaysia’s former king. The rotating monarchy in the country is held in deep respect. Malaysia has brought sedition charges

9 months ago

Innovations

US court rules Google is monopoly in antitrust case

The historic ruling found that the giant search engine has been illegally exploiting its dominance to quell competition. The US has increasingly been working to reign in Big Tech companies over antitrust

10 months ago

Innovations

Germany summons Chinese envoy over 2021 cyberattack

Germany’s Foreign Ministry stressed the dangers posed by Chinese espionage in a press briefing. It is the first time China’s ambassador to Berlin has been summoned since 1989. Germany’s Foreign Ministry has

10 months ago

Innovations

Google scraps plan to remove third-party cookies from Chrome

After years of deliberation, Google’s “Privacy Sandbox” initiative announced it will not be phasing out third-party cookies from its Chrome browser. The cookies allow advertisers to collect user information. After years of

10 months ago

Innovations

Bangladesh student group halts protests for 48 hours

Bangladesh protest organizers are giving authorities a two-day “ultimatum” to restore internet service and end curfew, after clashes between students, pro-government supporters and armed police killed dozens last week. A student group

10 months ago

Innovations

Dock at Antwerp’s MAS Museum opens as pop-up swimming pool

This summer, people will be able to swim in a zone of the Bonaparte Dock at the MAS Museum in Antwerp for the first time. From 28 July, visitors can enter the

10 months ago

Innovations

US bans Kaspersky antivirus software over Russia ties

The Russian software company will no longer be able to sell or even update its products in the United States. The move comes amid fears of Russian cyberattacks. The White House said

11 months ago

Innovations

EU ministers approve contested Nature Restoration Law

Ministers of 20 EU member states voted in favor of the Nature Restoration law giving it their final approval. The Austrian minister who backed the vote faces legal action from her own

11 months ago

Innovations

Meta delays launch of AI software in Europe after complaints

US social media giant Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is delaying the launch of its new artificial intelligence (AI) programme in the EU. The company made the announcement in

11 months ago

Innovations

Microsoft reveals PCs with AI capabilities

The American multinational corporation has unveiled a new category of personal computers with artificial intelligence capabilities. The tech giant said that the AI features will take place on the device itself. Microsoft

1 year ago

Innovations

South Africa: Top court bars Zuma from election run

South Africa is set to hold a general election next week in which the ruling African National Congress (ANC) could lose its majority for the first time since 1994. Jacob Zuma’s MK

1 year ago

Innovations

Reddit, OpenAI strike deal to use forums to feed ChatGPT

Publicly listed Reddit is looking to diversify its revenue beyond advertising. Earlier this year, the social network also struck a deal allowing Google’s parent company to use its data to train AI

1 year ago

Innovations

New Caledonia state of emergency comes into effect

New Caledonia saw a third night of riots over an electoral reform imposed by France. Pacific nations such as Australia, New Zealand and Vanuatu have called for peace. A state of emergency came into

1 year ago

Innovations

French campaign urges men: ‘Drive like a woman!’

There is a perception in society that men are safer drivers than women, according to the Victims and Citizens association. But French road accident statistics suggest otherwise. A new campaign aimed at

1 year ago

Innovations

Germany: Cybercrime by foreign actors rose by 28% in 2023

A new report found that cybercrimes by foreign actors increased by 28% as compared to the previous year. In 2022, the increase was 8% on the previous year. German authorities reported a 28%

1 year ago

Innovations

Pauline van der Rest qualifies for Queen Elisabeth Competition semi-finals

Pauline van der Rest has reached the semi-finals of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. The 19-year-old from Brussels is the only Belgian candidate in this year’s prestigious violin competition. In total, 24 of

1 year ago

Innovations

Cultural Compass: Greek tragedies, fashion photography, violin competition and more

Exhibitions, music, architecture, books, festivals… this is Belga English’s pick of cultural activities in Flanders and Brussels, published every Sunday. Performers from NTGent paraded through the streets on 1 May to commence

1 year ago

Innovations

Squash sisters lead Belgium to first European title

The Belgian women’s team has been crowned European squash champions for the first time in history. Belgium beat England 2-1 in the final of the European Team Championships in Zurich, Switzerland. The

1 year ago

Innovations

China launches uncrewed probe to far side of the moon

The two-month mission aims to collect samples from the far side of the moon. The mission is part of a Chinese program aiming to send a crew to the moon by 2030.

1 year ago

Innovations

EU probes Facebook, Instagram over election disinformation

The European Union has launched an investigation into Facebook and Instagram amid concerns they are failing to curb online disinformation. The probe relates to the handling of political advertising ahead of EU

1 year ago

Innovations

China’s ByteDance denies plans to sell TikTok in US

Earlier reports had suggested ByteDance planned to sell the app, without its powerful algorithm. US President Biden recently signed a law that would effectively ban TikTok in the US if it is

1 year ago

Innovations

TikTok meets EU deadline over reward-to-watch feature

The European Commission is investigating the impact of TikTok Lite’s rewards program on users’ mental health. TikTok on Tuesday submitted a risk assessment report on its TikTok Lite rewards programme, meeting a 24-hour deadline

1 year ago

Innovations

Chinese subsidies endanger world economy, says US’ Yellen

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said that China’s subsidy-fueled “overcapacity” could overload the global market. Beijing has dismissed such concerns in the past. US Treasury chief Janet Yellen on Friday warned that China’s

1 year ago

Innovations

Los Angeles police investigate $30 million Easter heist

The cash was stolen out of a facility in the northern Los Angeles suburb of Sylmar over the weekend. It was unclear how the thieves managed to bypass the building’s alarm system.

1 year ago

Innovations

Iran: 5 border guards killed in clashes with gunmen

At least five Iranian security force members were killed during clashes with gunmen who opened fire on two sites linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to state media. At least five Iranian

1 year ago

Innovations

Peru: PM wins confidence vote amid Rolexgate scandal

Congress has backed new Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen after he asked for a vote of confidence over a scandal involving the president’s Rolex collection. Peru lawmakers gave their support to the Cabinet of new

1 year ago

Innovations

US Republicans introduce bill to name airport after Trump

US Republican Representative Guy Reschenthaler has filed legislation to rename the Dulles International Airport in Virginia as “Donald J. Trump International Airport.” Congressional Democrats have mocked the idea. Republicans in the US

1 year ago

Innovations

Russia extends detention of US-Russian journalist Kurmasheva

Alsu Kurmasheva worked as a journalist for the US-funded outlet Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Her employer said the charges against her were politically motivated. A Russian court extended the pre-trial detention of US-Russian

1 year ago

Innovations

Israeli PM Netanyahu undergoes ‘successful’ hernia surgery

Benjamin Netanyahu’s hernia operation has passed by without issue, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s office. Ahead of the procedure, the 74-year-old expressed confidence in a swift return to work. Benjamin Netanyahu has

1 year ago

Innovations

NATO’s Romania finds possible Russian drone fragments

NATO member Romania says it has discovered possible fragments of a Russian drone near the border with Ukraine. The Romanian Defense Ministry on Friday said it had found possible drone fragments on an island

1 year ago

Innovations

Canada: Educators sue social sites for disrupting learning

Four Canadian school boards have filed lawsuits against TikTok, Meta and SnapChat. They accuse the social media platforms of interfering with student learning. Four school boards in Canada said Thursday they have filed separate

1 year ago

Innovations

Germany’s postal service ceases domestic mail flights

Deutsche Post will no longer use aircraft to carry letters within Germany after more than six decades of doing so. The move aims to cut costs and reduce CO2 emissions — but

1 year ago

Innovations