Belgium

Dr Morepen forays into wellness segment with weight management initiative

Dr Morepen on Tuesday forayed into the growing wellness segment with the launch of a weight management initiative. The company, a fully-owned subsidiary of Morepen Laboratories, is looking to establish itself in the segment which is currently valued at around Rs 12,000 crore and growing at an annual rate of 16 per cent. The company has launched its wellness product -- LightLife -- designed to tackle India's growing obesity crisis. India's obesity rate is increasing and this segment is expected to touch USD 52.3 billion by 2032, "reflecting the urgency to address weight management with solutions that are both safe and effective," Dr Morepen CEO Varun Suri said. With LightLife the company is looking to address the obesity issue without crash diets or harmful fads, he stated. According to the World Obesity Atlas 2024, over 25 per cent of Indian adults are projected to face obesity by 2035. Suri said the company's initiative is about promoting a healthy balanced lifestyle through ...

New Belgium law gives sex workers contracts, benefits, safety protection

Starting Sunday, sex workers in Belgium will be able to sign formal employment contracts and gain labour rights on par with those in other professions in a legal breakthrough some call a revolution". The new law also establishes fundamental rights for sex workers including the right to refuse clients, choose their practices, and stop an act at any moment. The move follows the country's 2022 decision to decriminalise sex work. Under the new regulations, sex workers will have access to health insurance, paid leave, maternity benefits, unemployment support and pensions. The legislation also establishes rules on working hours, pay and safety measures, addressing a long-standing gap in legal protections for those in the industry. This is an incredible step forward, said Isabelle Jaramillo, coordinator of Espace P, an advocacy group involved in drafting the legislation. It means their profession can finally be recognised as legitimate by the Belgian state. From the employer's perspective

Targeting India revenue of 1 bn euros in 3 yrs: Aliaxis' Thierry Vanlancker

India is the real growth market for the Belgium-based fluid management solutions company, Vanlancker said, adding its Indian company, AshirvadPipes, is now an APAC innovation hub

UEFA Nations League Highlights: France beat Belgium, Germany win at home

The win took the Italians straight to the top of the table with 10 points in Group 2. They are followed by France and Belgium with 9 and 4 points respectively.

Dutch firm builds world's strongest crane to handle massive energy infra

The crane, built by heavy lifting firm Mammoet for tens of millions of dollars, is among the latest bets that rising energy consumption will require huge new equipment for years to come

Belgium's UCB to sell its Chinese neurology, allergy business for $680 mn

UCB said in a statement there would be no impact on its forecast for 2024

Belgium bows out, Switzerland shuffles: Triathlon trouble at the Olympics

Bacteria levels in the Seine have caused issues throughout the Olympics, leading to several triathletes falling ill ahead of the mixed relay scheduled for Monday

Euro 2024: Masked Mbappe leads France in high-stakes duel with Belgium

France and Belgium meet in the pre-quarterfinals at the European Championship on Monday. The neighbours are the top two European nations in the FIFA rankings France is at No. 2 and Belgium at No. 3 but they haven't been playing like it so far. Kick-off is at 6 pm local (1600 GMT, 9.30 pm) in Duesseldorf. Here's what to know about the match: Match facts The drama surrounding Kylian Mbapp's broken nose has died down somewhat, though he will still need to wear a protective mask for the match. The France captain's only goal in his two appearances so far came from the penalty spot against Poland so the striker has some work to do to reach the tournament-high eight goals he got at the last World Cup in Qatar. There has been some criticism in France of the team's style of play, in particular its lack of efficiency upfront. France coach Didier Deschamps doesn't appear too concerned at this stage, even telling disgruntled armchair critics: If they don't like it, they can change the ...

Euro 2024: De Bruyne's Belgium plays Ukraine in Group E; too close to call

Belgium plays Ukraine on Wednesday with all to play for in Group E at the European Championship. With all teams in the group on three points after two games, only goal difference separates top to bottom. Kick-off is at 9 pm local (1900 GMT, 9.30 pm) in Stuttgart. Here's what to know about the match: Match facts Belgium got its campaign up and running with a 2-0 win against Romania after being shocked by Slovakia in its opening game. The No. 3-ranked team in the world is second in the group on goal difference going into the last round of fixtures. Ukraine suffered a 3-0 defeat to Romania in its opening game but responded by beating Slovakia 2-1. Both teams know a win will be enough to guarantee their place in the pre-quarterfinals. Team news Axel Witsel has missed both of Belgium's games so far and didn't even travel with the team for the game against Romania. By the numbers This is the first time Belgium and Ukraine have met in international soccer. Romelu Lukaku is Belgium'

Landmark EU nature restoration plan gets nod as bloc gives green light

European Union countries on Monday gave final approval to a major and long-awaited plan to better protect nature in the 27-nation bloc. After surviving a razor-thin vote by lawmakers last summer, the so-called Nature Restoration Plan faced opposition from several member states for months amid relentless farmers' protests that contributed to leave the bill in a deadlock. The law, which aims at restoring ecosystems, species and habitats in the EU, was finally adopted at a meeting of environment ministers at Luxembourg after rallying the required support from a qualified majority representing 15 of the 27 member states and 65 per cent of the EU population. This is the final step before this law can enter into force, said the Belgian presidency of the EU Council. The Nature Restoration plan is a part of the EU's European Green Deal that seeks to establish the world's most ambitious climate and biodiversity targets, and make the bloc the global point of reference on all climate ...

EU leaders to discuss top jobs, policies goals at Brussels meeting

The leaders are to discuss who should be the next presidents of the European Commission and European Council, and the foreign policy chief, but their minds seem already made up

Euro Cup 2024: De Bruyne to lead Belgium at with unretired Witsel

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will lead a rejuvenated Belgium side including a once-retired Alex Witsel at the European Championship next month. De Bruyne and Witsel were on the 25-man list unveiled by coach Domenico Tedesco on Tuesday. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, preparing for the Champions League final, was not. Full back Maxim De Cuyper, who won the Belgian league with Club Brugge last weekend, was the only newcomer. De Bruyne and Witsel are remaining members of the so-called golden generation of Belgian players. While De Bruyne's presence was expected, Witsel's was a surprise after Tedesco dropped him from his first squad last year. Witsel soon after announced his retirement from international soccer and did not play in qualifying. But Tedesco said Witsel's recent showings with Atletico Madrid convinced him the 35-year-old midfielder was the right choice. I have the best feelings with Axel, Tedesco said. Tedesco said Courtois was not ready for Euro 2

EAM discusses semiconductors, green growth with Belgium's top diplomat

EAM Jaishankar received the Secretary General of Belgium Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier today

PM Modi calls Belgian counterpart; discusses West Asia, Ukraine peace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke with his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo and agreed to enhance cooperation and support for early restoration of peace and security in West Asia and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. During the telephone call, Modi also congratulated De Croo on the successful hosting of the First Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels last week. After the conversation, Modi tweeted, "Spoke to Belgium PM @alexanderdecroo. Congratulated him on the success of the First Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels. Exchanged views on strengthening bilateral ties; advancing India-EU Partnership under Belgian Presidency; and cooperation on regional and global issues." De Croo also put out a tweet saying, "Called prime minister @narendramodi to discuss the conflicts in #Ukraine & #Gaza and protecting shipping lanes in the Red Sea. We also talked about our growing commercial relations #semiconductors #pharmaceuticals #greenhydrogen and the upcoming royal trade mission to ...

Indian coffee exports could surge 10%, thanks to global price rally

Coffee exports in 2024 could jump to 298,000 metric tons from last year's 271,420 tons, said a Bengaluru-based dealer with a global trade house

Israel calls Spanish, Belgian ambassadors post criticism during Rafah visit

The Israeli government said Friday it would summon the Belgian and Spanish ambassadors following remarks by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Snchez and his Belgian counterpart Alexander de Croo on the war between Israel and Hamas. The announcement came after the two leaders criticised Israel for the suffering of Palestinian civilians under Israeli military operations in Gaza. Snchez also called for European Union recognition of a Palestinian state, saying Spain might do so on its own. Speaking at a joint press conference at the Rafah border crossing in Gaza on Friday, Snchez said the time had come for the international community and the European Union to once and for all recognise a Palestinian state. He said it would be better if the EU did it together, but if this is not the case... Spain will take their own decisions. Snchez was speaking at the end of a two-day visit to Israel, the Palestinian territories and Egypt with de Croo. Spain currently holds the EU's rotational presidency an

Two killed in Brussels shooting; police shoot dead suspected extremist

Two people were killed in a shooting late Monday in central Brussels, Belgian police said. Media reports aired amateur videos showing a man shooting several times near a station using a large weapon, and Belgian broadcasters said the two victims were Swedes. The Swedish national team was scheduled to play Belgium at Heysel Stadium later in the evening, some 3 miles (5 kilometers) away. Police spokeswoman Ilse Vande Keere said officers arrived soon at the scene, and sealed off the immediate neighborhood. She declined to elaborate on the circumstances of the shooting. The shooting came at a time of increased vigilance linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war that has heightened tension in several European nations.

Birla Carbon acquires Belgium based Nanocyl for undisclosed amount

Aditya Birla group firm Birla Carbon on Wednesday announced the acquisition of Belgium-based Nanocyl SA for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition will help the Aditya Birla group firm to drive Growth in battery materials for lithium-ion batteries, said a joint statement from Birla Carbon and Nanocyl. Birla Carbon is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality carbon solutions. "The acquisition expands Birla Carbon's presence in the Energy Systems market, creating a leadership position in material critical to Lithium Ion battery performance, along with other conductive applications," the statement said. The inclusion of Nanocyl's advanced multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) provides Birla Carbon with a remarkable range of solutions for conductive applications, it added. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. "Birla Carbon has been nurturing a number of innovation opportunities in its effort to realise its multi-prong sustainability agenda. The acquisition of .

Belgium sells record $23.7 billion retail bond to investors: Report

More than 600,000 people poured into one-year note, according to a statement from the Belgian Debt Agency

ICA to hold international cooperative conference in India in June 2024

In a first, Belgium-based International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) will organise a global cooperative conference and its general assembly meeting in India in June 2024. A decision in this regard was taken following a proposal presented by IFFCO's Managing Director U S Awasthi during an ongoing ICA Board meet in Brussels, Belgium. "The ICA Board unanimously approved the same," IFFCO said in a statement, and added, this is a historic move for Indian cooperatives. The board has "unanimously" decided to hold ICA Global Board, General Assembly, and an International Conference for the first time in the 128-year history of ICA at New Delhi in June 2024, the statement said. ICA represents more than 310 cooperative organisations from 107 countries across the world as its members. "It is a proud moment for IFFCO and cooperative businesses in India.... It will open up new opportunities in the cooperative sector where Indian cooperatives can associate and participate in global businesses," ..