Tadej Pogačar: Not only the best, but also the richest
Since his first overall victory in the Tour de France in 2020, Tadej Pogačar has become the best cyclist in the world—and that hasn’t done him any harm.
Putin suddenly grants Belgian car designer Russian citizenship
Vladimir Putin has unexpectedly granted Russian citizenship to Belgian car designer Pierre Leclercq. This is evident from an official decree published on the Kremlin’s website. This was reported by the Russian news site Meduza, among others. It's not yet clear exactly why the Belgian top designer is receiving a Russian passport.
Infantino hints at a World Cup with 64 teams
FIFA President Gianni Infantino secretly dreams of a World Cup with 64 participating nations in 2030. According to him, the possibility will be explored after the 2026 World Cup, but a decision has not yet been made.
Driving through Belgium will be subject to a fee starting in 2027
Starting May 1, 2027, Belgium will introduce a digital road vignette for passenger cars weighing up to 3.5 metric tons. Both Belgian and foreign drivers will need this vignette to drive on highways and regional roads. According to EU regulations, a system that applies only to foreigners is not permitted.
Trump's son squanders $600 million of family fortune on a bad bet
The crypto companies associated with the Trump family are taking another hard hit. American Bitcoin Corp., the publicly traded mining company co-founded by Eric Trump, has fallen into a deep slump as the bitcoin market cools and investors increasingly focus on AI infrastructure. According to calculations by Bloomberg, the value of Eric Trump’s stake has fallen by more than $600 million in ten months.
Plans for a road vignette on Belgian roads are taking shape
According to reports in the Flemish media, the vignette for using Belgian roads has moved one step closer to becoming a reality: the road vignette is set to take effect in May 2027.
Van der Valk Hotel to become asylum seeker center: Restaurant will remain open as usual
The well-known Van der Valk hotel along the E17 in Nazareth-De Pinte, Flanders, will soon be repurposed: the building will become a European return center for asylum seekers. Interestingly, the restaurant will remain open as usual. “Brunch, lunch, and dinner: we’ll keep serving those,” says manager Thomas Torrekens in a statement to the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.
Amazon launches 400 satellites in bold push to expand its space ambitions
Amazon is ramping up its satellite internet project this summer. Following a recent launch, the Leo constellation now comprises 394 satellites in orbit around Earth, and the company says it plans to launch its first service later this year.
UNESCO holds off on adding Great Barrier Reef to list of endangered heritage sites
The Great Barrier Reef will not be added to the UNESCO list of endangered World Heritage sites for the time being. In a draft decision, the World Heritage Committee commends Australia’s efforts to protect the reef, but at the same time warns that coral bleaching is placing increasing pressure on the ecosystem’s resilience.
No more physical PlayStation games starting in 2028
Starting in January 2028, Sony will discontinue the production of physical discs for new PlayStation games. From then on, new titles will only be available for purchase digitally, via the PlayStation Store or at select retailers. PlayStation announced this in a blog post.