Belgium is considering a temporary prohibition on the use of Novo Nordisk’s diabetes medication Ozempic as a weight loss treatment due to a shortage of the drug, announced the Belgian health minister on Monday. Belgian Federal Health Minister Franck Vandenbroucke conveyed, “We have advised physicians to reserve this medication for their patients with type 2 diabetes, but it appears this strategy is not effective.” He added, “I am aware that this medication can also be beneficial for individuals struggling with morbid obesity, so it is a matter we need to…
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Belgian Coalition Promotes Healthier Food Choices
Belgium’s federation of the food industry and Comeos, the federation for trade and services, are committed to encouraging healthier eating habits through the “Nutri-Pact: a Coalition for Better Food.” Building on past successes in the dairy and soft drink sectors, this initiative addresses the challenge of obesity and unhealthy diets in the country. Enhancing Nutritional Quality: This involves aligning food products with the Food Based Dietary Guidelines. This includes incorporating more whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. They also aim to reduce sugar and salt content while increasing…
Read MoreTesla Model X price start €100,000 from now
While Tesla is reducing prices for the Model 3 and Model Y in the United States, the company is taking a different approach in the Netherlands by raising the price of the Model X. The starting price for Tesla’s largest SUV in the Netherlands has now surpassed €100,000. In its home country, Tesla is offering discounts of up to $1,250 to $2,250 on the Model 3 and Model Y. However, in the Netherlands, Tesla is implementing a slight price increase, but interestingly, it’s not affecting the Model 3 or Model…
Read MoreAgeing Facebook is still most popular social network in Belgium
According to data provided by the Media Information Center (CIM), Facebook continues to maintain its dominant position as the largest social network in Belgium. In particular, the year-on-year increase in the number of Facebook users confirms the importance of Facebook in the Belgian social media landscape. However, it is worth noting that Facebook’s user base differs from that of its competitors. Figures from the CIM survey show that 68.9% of respondents are active Facebook users. What makes Facebook stand out even more is that the average age of its active…
Read MoreNew Audi Q4 e-tron to be assembled in Vorst
The Audi Q4 is getting a facelift. While the whole world is focusing on the car’s technical specifications, we Belgians are particularly proud of where the Q4 will be assembled. Because the Q4 e-tron will roll off the production line at the Audi plant in Vorst! In other words, the Q8 e-tron will have a new companion on the Vorst production line. The model features considerable additional technology compared to the pre-makeover version. New shock absorbers and a tuned steering system aim to provide an even sportier feel. Standard equipment…
Read MoreGreen plans take a toll: Henegouwen station is not in line with ‘neutrality’
The plan to build a new gas power plant in Henegouwen is no longer in line with Eneco’s ambition to provide only CO2-neutral electricity to its customers by 2035. Only Tessenderlo still feels compelled to invest in gas power plants. Eneco is no longer a candidate to invest in a large gas-fired power plant in Manage, near La Louvière. Although the permitting process is still ongoing, the company intends to focus on renewable energy or flexible solutions with green hydrogen or battery parks at the site, says Bert Clinckers, the…
Read MoreHongqi E-HS9 is already there and it impresses in every way
Ursula von der Leyen won’t like to hear it, but a new week brings a new Chinese car brand aiming to make it big in Belgium. Starting in October, Hedin Automotive will begin selling the Hongqi E-HS9, a massive and luxurious SUV with a starting price of just €69,995. The E-HS9 is currently the flagship of Hongqi, a brand that is 65 years old and used to convert Russian limousines exclusively for high-ranking officials in China. Times have changed, however, and now even you and I can park a Hongqi…
Read MoreBelgium GDP growth is close to zero, Germany will likely enter recession
The economic growth in the eurozone is expected to be slower this year than previously forecasted, according to the European Commission. The culprit is the German economy, which is at risk of entering a recession this year. For our country, the National Bank predicts a growth of 0.2 percent in the third quarter. Belgian near-zero growth In the new outlook, the Commission focuses only on the five largest economies in the eurozone (Germany, Spain, France, Italy, and the Netherlands) and Poland. Therefore, it has not delved deeper into the Belgian…
Read MoreSUV is the most popular car type in Europe: Dataforce
SUVs accounted for more than half of the registrations in the first half of 2023: 51 percent. In H1 of the previous year, it was 48 percent, as reported by Auto News Europe based on Dataforce figures. The sales of SUVs grew by 23 percent in the first six months, reaching 3.37 million units. This growth rate is higher than that of the overall automotive market (17 percent), resulting in an increased market share for SUVs. The most registered SUV in the EU is the Tesla Model Y (with 138…
Read MoreHydrogen generation is growing, but the future is less obvious
Gasunie has made the investment decision for the first part of the national hydrogen network. This national hydrogen network, which will cost approximately 1.5 billion euros, will connect, starting from 2030, the major industrial regions in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. The investment for the first part amounts to 100 million euros and will be developed by Gasunie’s subsidiary, Hynetwork Services. The work will commence after the summer in Rotterdam. The network will also have connections to import terminals in the seaports, domestic hydrogen production, and large-scale hydrogen storage facilities….
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