Belgian news in brief, 12 January 2006

September-November new industrial orders up 0.7 percent

Belgian new industrial orders were up 0.7 percent in the period September to November from the previous three months, Statistics Belgium said. In construction, orders fell 2.5 percent, the statistical agency said.

Love affair crosses Parliament’s divide

The relationship between Flemish Liberal (VLD) Rik Daems and Wallonian Socialist (PS) Sophie Pécriaux in the Belgian Parliament has caused an uproar in Flanders. Daems, a former minister, had earlier admitted to the weekly ‘Dag Allemaal’ that he his marriage was under pressure, but he did not mention Pécriaux. The two parliamentarians are expecting a baby.

Antwerp receives new United youngsters

Royal Antwerp is to receive two more of Manchester United youngsters on loan for the remainder of the campaign, Daniel Simpson and promising striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake – who scored in the Carling Cup win over Barnet in October. They join other United players who are part of the feeder relationship with the Premiership club: Lee Martin, Adam Eckersley, Ritchie Jones and Chinese starlet Dong Fangzhou at Antwerp, who have been struggling badly so far this season.

Belgians firm helps Cancun clean-up

Belgian dredging company Jan De Nul will join the clean-up and reconstruction effort in the Mexican beach resort of Cancun on Monday. Cancun, on the Yucatan peninsula, was severely damaged due to hurricane Wilma last year. Some 2.8 million cubic metres of sand will be deposited in the coastal area where hotels are located in Cancun.