Miss Belgium was elected through an ingenious text messaging scam, according to Flemish newspapers. The telephone shop chain Essec allegedly sent 28,000 texts for Virginie Claes, 23, who they were sponsoring. The elaborate operation on the night of the election was purportedly co-ordinated from four computers and cost EUR 15,000.

Copper maker Cumerio mulls new Bulgarian plant

Belgian copper maker Cumerio is due to decide by February whether to build a new production facility in the town of Pirdop, western Bulgaria. Cumerio, which employs some 1,550 people, is one of Europe's leading independent copper companies with operations in copper smelting, refining and recycling.

Malisse reaches Adelaide semi-finals

Xavier Malisse dismissed Italy's Andrea Seppi 6-0, 6-1 in just 48 minutes on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the Adelaide International tennis tournament. Malisse won 21 of 23 points on the Italian's second serve. Meanwhile, Kim Clijsters has been made top seed for next week's Sydney International tennis tournament, while Justine Henin-Hardenne was named third. And at the ATP Chennai Open, India, fellow Belgian Kristof Vliegen beat Rainer Schuettler of Germany 6-2, 6-4, in the second round.

[Copyright Expatica News 2006]