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

The EU on Wednesday laid out a plan to use frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine with 90 billion euros over the next two years, despite outspoken opposition from key player Belgium.

The US members-only warehouse retailer Costco has sued President Donald Trump's administration, demanding a refund for tariffs it has paid on imported goods, according to a lawsuit reviewed by AFP.

The 2027 Rugby World Cup draw was held on Wednesday in Sydney with the hosts Australia drawn in the same pool as arch-rivals New Zealand.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has revealed he ignores social media to protect himself from abuse, even if it means losing out on lucrative sponsorship contracts.

The Kremlin said Wednesday that its army's recent battlefield successes in Ukraine had bolstered its position in talks to end the fighting, as both Moscow and Kyiv prepared for more negotiations with the US.

Iran said Wednesday it would now send representatives to the World Cup finals draw in Washington in a complete reversal of an earlier decision to boycott the event over visa issues.

Light from the half a million satellites that humanity is planning to launch into Earth's orbit in the coming years could contaminate almost all the images taken by space telescopes, NASA astronomers warned Wednesday.

European football's governing body UEFA on Wednesday announced that Germany will host the women's 2029 European Championships, where England will be the two-time defending champions.

The Greek government on Wednesday warned farmers against escalating a roadblock protest to demand funds delayed by the investigation into an EU subsidies scandal.

A leading International Ski Federation (FIS) official says the body is "concerned" about delays at the site for the snowboarding and freestyle skiing events at next year's Winter Olympics in Italy.

The EU on Wednesday presented a multi-billion-euro plan to help curb the 27-nation bloc's dependence on China for rare earths, as Beijing's stranglehold on the critical materials threatens key industries.

More than 200 celebrities, including actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Josh O’Connor, called on Israel on Wednesday to release imprisoned Palestinian politician Marwan Barghouti, who is seen by supporters as a key unifying figure.

Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first direct talks in decades on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said, under a year-old ceasefire monitoring mechanism in the war with Hezbollah.

Star players such as Mohamed Salah, Bryan Mbeumo and Achraf Hakimi will be able to play for their clubs for an extra week until December 15 before joining their national teams at the Africa Cup of Nations, FIFA said on Wednesday.

Wall Street's main stock indices dipped on Wednesday after data showed US businesses unexpectedly shed jobs last month.

European Union lawmakers and member states reached a deal Wednesday to ban all imports of Russian gas before the end of 2027, as the bloc seeks to choke off key funds feeding Moscow's war chest.

Former King Juan Carlos's memoirs went on sale in Spain on Wednesday, with the publication's warm words for the late dictator Franco stirring debate over the former monarch's legacy.

The death toll from Hong Kong's worst fire in decades rose to 159 after all affected housing blocks were searched, police said Wednesday, cautioning that the figure may not be final.

A Libyan prison boss accused of overseeing murder, rape, and torture at a notorious detention centre appeared at the International Criminal Court Wednesday to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The couples walked hand in hand, the brides in traditional embroidered Palestinian white and red dresses adorned with red ribbons, the grooms walked beside them in black suits and ties.

Australia's Vulcan Energy said Wednesday it will soon start building a German lithium production project that will provide enough of the metal for half a million electric car batteries a year.

Russia and Ukraine said Wednesday they were ready for more talks with the United States to end almost four years of war, after US envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner left the Kremlin with no breakthrough on a peace deal.

Virat Kohli struck his second successive century and along with Ruturaj Gaikwad helped power India to 358-5 against South Africa in the second one-day international on Wednesday.

Indonesian farmer Merliana Siregar is all out of hope, seeing what is left of her flood-ravaged home as she returned on Wednesday.

Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first direct talks Wednesday in decades, part of a year-old ceasefire monitoring mechanism in the war with militant group Hezbollah, a source close to the talks told AFP.

European and Asian stock markets mostly rose Wednesday following a resumption of Wall Street's rally, but gains were muted as investors await the last tranche of US data before next week's Federal Reserve meeting.

New Delhi recorded more than 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illnesses at six state-run hospitals between 2022 and 2024, government numbers showed, highlighting the adverse effects of toxic air on health.

South Korean prosecutors demanded Wednesday a 15-year prison term for former first lady Kim Keon Hee for alleged stock fraud and corruption crimes.

Hong Kong coach Logan Asplin called it "a dream come true" after the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw pitted the Asian debutants with New Zealand and hosts Australia on Wednesday.

Thailand on Wednesday relaxed decades-old alcohol sales restrictions, allowing consumers to buy wine, beer and spirits during previously prohibited afternoon hours in a six-month trial.

Norway on Wednesday postponed the first licences to permit deep-sea mining in its Arctic waters for four years, a delay environmentalists hope signals the "nail in the coffin" of the plans.

Survivors of Cyclone Ditwah that has ravaged Sri Lanka in recent days began returning to their devastated homes on Wednesday, faced with a massive clean-up as they start rebuilding their lives.