Journal De Bruxelles - News from Brussels, Belgium, Europe and the world

The EU parliament awarded the bloc's Sakharov human rights prize on Wednesday to jailed Georgian journalist and editor Mzia Amaghlobeli and Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut, calling them symbols of the "struggle for freedom".

Eurostar said Wednesday it will run double-decker trains through the Channel Tunnel for the first time, as it faces potential competition on its routes between London and mainland Europe.

US Vice President JD Vance warned Wednesday of the tough task ahead in disarming Hamas and building a peaceful future for Gaza, as Washington sought to reassure its ally Israel over the next steps in its ambitious ceasefire deal.

Senuran Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada hit fighting half-centuries as South Africa took a crucial 71-run lead over Pakistan on day three of the second Test in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

King Charles III leaves for a state visit to the Vatican Wednesday, where he will meet Pope Leo XIV and make history as the first head of the Church of England to pray publicly with the pontiff since the schism between the churches 500 years ago.

Newcastle attacker Anthony Gordon said being lauded by Benfica boss Jose Mourinho after the Magpies' Champions League win at home to the Portuguese side on Tuesday was a "big compliment".

Italy's second largest bank, UniCredit, beat analyst expectations on Wednesday with record third-quarter profits as higher commissions and cost cutting measures outweighed lower interest income.

The spouse of Japan's first woman Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hopes to support her by being a "stealth husband", cooking meals but staying out of the spotlight.

A Russian overnight barrage on Ukraine killed six people in and around the capital Kyiv and triggered power cuts across the country, Ukrainian authorities said Wednesday.

After Sanae Takaichi took office as Japan's first woman prime minister, AFP spoke to some of her younger counterparts who called it a symbolic victory.

Gold and silver sank for a second day Wednesday, bringing a rally in the precious metals to a juddering halt, while stocks were mixed after US President Donald Trump remarked that a meeting with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping might not take place.

Sales by French luxury group Hermes, known for its silk scarves and leather handbags, defied US tariffs and a weak dollar to rise in the third quarter.

Veteran Pakistan spinner Asif Afridi took five wickets on debut before South Africa battled to 285-8 at lunch on the third day of the second Test in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

A huge inflatable Kermit the frog will be the star of the Art Basel Paris contemporary art fair this week in the French capital, unnerved by a daring heist at the Louvre.

Above the pine forests and dunes that stretch along the nearly deserted beaches of southwestern Portugal, cranes rise from building sites soon to be luxury hotels -- a sign of the region's contentious transformation into a playground for the wealthy.

Incumbent Alassane Ouattara is the overwhelming favourite to secure a fourth term as Ivory Coast holds presidential polls Saturday, a task facilitated by the absence of several key opposition figures.

Jailed journalists in Belarus and Georgia, students in Serbia and aid workers and reporters in Gaza are vying for the top EU rights prize to be awarded by the European Parliament Wednesday.

Veteran Angelo Que said Wednesday that the high quality of the field for this week's Asian Tour event made it "like a major" for him and his fellow Filipino golfers.

The Golden State Warriors emphatically signalled their intentions for the new NBA season on Tuesday, romping past Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers 119-109 in a clash of Western Conference rivals.

Dutch brewer Heineken Wednesday reported a steep drop in beer sales in the third quarter, driven by a sharp decline in the United States and Europe and a "challenging" economy.

The top United Nations court will rule Wednesday on Israel's obligations towards agencies providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza, as aid groups scramble to scale up assistance following a ceasefire.

Peru's interim president Jose Jeri announced a state of emergency in Lima and the neighboring port of Callao on Tuesday, after weeks of anti-government protests over corruption and organized crime.

Nottingham Forest will be hoping it is third time lucky as new manager Sean Dyche takes over the reins of the two-time European Champions for the visit of Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder launched the defense of their NBA crown with a thrilling season-opening 125-124 triple-overtime victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.

Gold and silver tumbled for a second day Wednesday, bringing a rally in the precious metals to a juddering halt, while equities also sank after US President Donald Trump remarked that a meeting with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping might not take place.

In Pakistan, where gender affirmation surgery was recently legalised, Bunty is one of the few trans women who could afford to get it done safely.

North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles on Wednesday, its first such launch in months and just a week before world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, descend on South Korea for a summit.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday brushed off criticism over the demolition of part of the White House to build a new ballroom, saying the sound of the construction work was "music to my ears."

Industry giants, including AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, General Mills, and Kraft Heinz, to present real-world case studies in Miami

Reform Metrics and Global Outlook Underpin London Gathering

Donald Trump's decision to freeze millions in aid to Colombia and brand its president a drug trafficker has smashed long-standing ties and could yet shake up the country's 2026 presidential race.

Argentina's central bank said Tuesday it had sold $45.5 million dollars on the foreign exchange market to try and halt a run on the peso days ahead of midterm elections that have put pressure on the currency despite substantial US financial aid.