World news: diplomacy, justice, and sports
Several European countries, including Belgium, France, and Germany, are proposing today to tighten the rules for new members joining the European Union. They want respect for the Union's fundamental values to be a stricter condition for future candidates. In another diplomatic matter, Belgium has officially rejected a request from the United States. Washington wanted European countries to close their borders to nationals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its neighbors due to fears of the Ebola virus, but Brussels has chosen to keep its access open.
In the Middle East, Israeli politics is seeing a new turning point with the emergence of Gadi Eisenkot. The former army chief of staff has become a central figure in the opposition. He has clearly expressed his intention to replace Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister, asserting with determination that he does not wish to be anyone's subordinate in a future government.
In Central America, Honduras is taking radical measures to protect women. Faced with a worrying increase in murders of women, Parliament has voted for a major reform of the Penal Code. From now on, those found guilty of femicide face very heavy prison sentences, which can reach up to 60 years of imprisonment.
The world of football is already preparing for the 2026 World Cup with contrasting news. Somali referee Omar Artan, who has become a symbol in his country, was unfortunately turned away from the United States where he was supposed to officiate. Meanwhile, coach Hugo Broos is preparing for a historic moment: he will return to Mexico for the competition, forty years after playing a memorable opening match there with the Belgian Red Devils.
On the economic front, the Brussels Stock Exchange is showing surprising health. Despite international tensions and inflation weighing on other European markets, the Bel20 index rose thanks to the excellent results of Lotus Bakeries and Solvay. At the same time, the CEO of Renault spoke out to call for better organization in the face of the arrival of Chinese electric cars in Europe, suggesting that European manufacturers must draw inspiration from the speed of development of their Asian competitors.
Finally, the audiovisual sector is celebrating significant new creations. The Polish series "Proud," which follows the difficult journey of a young gay model becoming a father, received the Grand Prix at the prestigious Séries Mania festival. In a different style, actress Emilia Clarke makes her return in "Ponies," an espionage series set during the Cold War, where she plays a novice spy in a world of secrets and pretenses.