International news agency
International News Services archives articles supplied to clients one year or more after initial publication. These articles are protected by a password and not made available to readers without permission from clients. They are used as a background resource by agency journalists. Upon client requests, International News Services will remove such articles from the archive or not upload them in the first place. They are included to demonstrate the breadth of topics undertaken by the agency and also to help promote clients’ coverage.

Search Results for: Belgium

10 results out of 1089 results found for 'Belgium'.

UK-GERMANY NEUCONNECT INTERCONNECTOR COULD PROVIDE MODEL FOR CHEAP CLEAN ENERGY DISTRIBUTION

In late-July, the European Investment Bank (EIB) agreed on the financing structure of NeuConnect, the first ever energy link connecting Germany and the United Kingdom, two of the largest electricity markets in Europe.

The investment to build the interconnector will amount to EUR2.8 billion, with the EIB set to contribute up to EUR400 million for the financing construction of the section within the European Union (EU).  Other financiers include the UK Infrastructure Bank, which will focus on the stretch within UK maritime and land territory, and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

Read more

NORTHER EUROPEAN RULE ON LIVESTOCK STUNNING TIGHTEN, CHALLENGING HALAL SECTOR DEVELOPMENT



A disconnect is growing between some European jurisdictions and halal certification systems over the stunning of livestock, which has the potential to stymie the growth of halal meat production.

Since last December (2020), European Union member states have had a freer hand to impose stunning requirements, even on proponents of religious slaughter, including kosher as well as halal production, because of a European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision.…

Read more

SPAIN BOOSTS HALAL TOURISM AND FOOD SALES – LOOKING FOR GROWTH IN THE POST-COVID-19 WORLD



Spain has been expanding its halal tourism and food sales, as it leverages its geographical proximity to Muslim countries in north Africa to provide travel and accommodation services.

In the CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2021, by CrescentRating & Mastercard, Spain climbed six positions to the 16th in the top non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations (https://www.crescentrating.com/reports/global-muslim-travel-index-2021.html).…

Read more

GREECE COURT CASE UPSETS MUSLIM COMMUNITY BY BANNING NO-STUN SLAUGHTER



A recent verdict (judgement 1751/2021) by Greece’s top court, the Council of State, regarding the ritual slaughter of animals has raised significant concerns to the Muslim and the Jewish communities of Greece, potentially impeding growth in Greek halal exports. The ruling effectively withdraws a permit that has allowed the slaughter of animals without stunning them first, as (usually) required to produce halal and kosher meat.…

Read more

TEXTILE COATINGS - DEEP DIVE ARTICLE



INTRODUCTION

 

Think of finishing and some consumers may conclude that integrating chemicals with or within fibres will always be the most effective way to create a performance or protective textile. But the reality is that applying coatings to textiles and yarns is anything but superficial as a finishing technique.…

Read more

LIBERALISATION OF CANNABIS IS EASING CONTROLS ON HEMP FIBRE PRODUCTION



The increasing decriminalisation and legalisation of cannabis as a recreational and medicinal substance has encouraged the liberalisation of hemp as a fibre crop, whose use in some jurisdictions had been restricted because of laws against the plant’s chemically-active ingredients.

This is starting to change, most notably in the USA, which used to have severe anti-marijuana laws, but which now has 18 states that have legalised recreational cannabis use.…

Read more

WHY DO WE FAIL WHILE OTHERS SUCCEED?



One of the world-changing impacts of the Second World War was an understanding that unfettered competition between nation states was not just undesirable, but – if taken to its logical conclusion – would lead to war. Amidst the ruins of Europe, as an exhausted continent stumbled out of conflict, new thinking emerged, that economic links between neighboring countries be deliberately forged to create interdependence that would encourage cooperation to achieve wealth.…

Read more

DEEP DIVE – BODY MAPPING TECHNOLOGY



INTRODUCTION

 

The concept of bespoke tailoring and couture has long been regarded as the apex of clothing and textile making, given that it matches a garment closely to its wearer and intended use. Until now, such personal apparel has inevitably been expensive, given runs are individualised – indeed, bespoke has been the antithesis of mass-produced fast fashion.…

Read more

GOVERNMENTS TIGHTEN UP TOBACCO AGE LIMIT LAWS, ALTHOUGH IMPLEMENTATION IS OFTEN A PROBLEM



 

WHILE the imposition of age limits on the consumption of tobacco and other nicotine products remains very much a national, and in some cases sub-national jurisdiction decision, there is no doubt that the general trend worldwide is for tighter restrictions on younger consumers, even if they are often tough to enforce.…

Read more

CLOTHING AND TEXTILE SUPPLY CHAIN DIGITISATION – DEEP DIVE



INTRODUCTION

 

Without doubt, the world’s clothing and textile sector is undertaking a technical upgrade that is unprecedented in decades, with new digital systems offering automation and efficient internal controls. As these are worked into the businesses of brands, manufacturers and their suppliers, a new potential emerges, and that is linking these digital systems in a way that could revolutionise efficiencies within the supply chain.…

Read more