ArcelorMittal Workers Clash With Police In Belgium.

ArcelorMittal (MT) workers in Belgium clashed with police during a protest against the closure of another part of the company’s steel plant in Liege.
Ten policemen were injured after confronting about 1,500 protesters demonstrating in front of regional government offices in the Namur, the capital of the Wallonian province where Liege is located, a spokesman for the Namur police told Dow Jones Newswires on a call.

Protesters threw stones and other items at the police who retaliated by using water canons, the spokesman said. No tear gas was fired, he added.

The demonstrators were calling on the Wallonian government to prevent the partial closure of the plant which has put 1,300 jobs at risk. One policeman was injured and taken to hospital but has since been released, the police spokesman said. The other policemen were only slightly injured, he added. He wasn’t able to say whether any protesters were injured but noted that the protest has ended after the workers decided to return to Liege.
Last week ArcelorMittal announced plans to shut a coke plant and six finishing lines at Liege due to continued weak demand for its steel products. This follows an October 2011 announcement in which the company said it would permanently close Liege’s two blast furnaces. ArcelorMittal will still operate five finishing lines at the plant that are deemed to be strategically important for the company.The company blamed a collapse in steel demand for the need for further closures at the plant.

“ArcelorMittal regrets any injuries that have been sustained in today’s demonstration,” a company spokesman said. “We recognize that our recent announcement concerning Liege is difficult for many of our stakeholders but we cannot support violence. We are committed to working with our employees to find a socially acceptable solution for all those affected,” he added.
The Wallonian government, the Belgian Federal government and representatives from ArcelorMittal’s workforce said last week that they were opposed to the closure and would seek to find a buyer that would keep some of the plant operational.

Taipei book fair stars of Belgium ready to experience Taiwan.
Visiting Belgian writers and illustrators who will help showcase their country at the 2013 Taipei International Book Exhibition said Tuesday that they were ready to immerse themselves in Taiwan and its culture.
Belgian children’s book illustrator and writer Kitty Crowther said she was very excited about the show, which opens Wednesday, and looked forward to interacting with local readers and visitors.

“It’s like throwing a stone in the water, and you don’t know how it expands,” said Crowther, who won the 2010 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award from the Swedish Arts Council — the biggest prize in children’s literature — and is visiting Taiwan for the first time.
Planning to tell stories to her audiences, Crowther told CNA that she loves meeting other cultures and finding out how people of different cultures think and work.
“People here really love to smile. It’s really amazing and so great. I like it,” she said.Writer Carl Norac, who is also a first-time visitor to the country, told CNA that he will write a book about Taipei during his eight-day stay.

“I have an idea now, but I can’t tell you at the moment,” he said laughing, adding that he always writes a book when he travels.All 90 of his books were written when he was on a trip, Norac said, noting that one of his best-known works, “Asha,” was inspired by a visit to India.

As the theme country of this year’s fair, Belgium will present four major exhibitions: comic books and illustrations; architecture designs by Victor Horta; the origin of saxophones; and poems and original manuscripts by Maurice Careme.
Belgium’s most famous comics franchises — the Smurfs and the Adventures of Tintin — will also be highlighted along with the works of 22 Belgian publishing companies, Wang Jung-wen, chairman of the Taipei Book Fair Foundation, said at a pre-event press briefing.
Culture Minister Lung Ying-tai said at the press briefing that the event will be a rare opportunity to see so many publishers and publications from the European country in Taiwan.”Belgium is a country that you don’t know enough … This is the best chance to know more about Belgium,” she said.

Caroline Vermeulen, director of the Belgium Office in Taipei, echoed Lung’s view, saying that visitors to the Belgian pavilion will be able to gain a better understanding of Belgium.”Belgium is much more than beer and chocolate,” she said.A delegation of 37 Belgian writers, illustrators, publishers, musicians and artists has arrived in Taiwan to attend the fair, Vermeulen said.

In addition to Belgium, other countries such as France, Australia, Turkey, Mexico, Peru, South Korea, Japan and the United States will participate in the annual event.

The six-day show, now in its 21st year, will include a variety of seminars and workshops on topics such as international publishing, digital reading and the development of digital content applications to improve exchanges in the global publishing sector.This year’s fair has received over 800 registrations by publishers, and 500 writers from home and abroad are expected to attend. It attracted a record 600,000 visitors last year.

New Belgium to release 2013 La Folie, Transatlantique Kriek.

Known for raising the bar for sour beers with the likes of La Folie, New Belgium Brewing Co. is hosting its first annual Lost in the Woods sour soiree Friday.

The event includes food, music and the release of La Folie 2013. The party also will include the brand new release of Transatlantique Kriek, the brewery’s third collaboration with Frank Boon.

Frank Boon owns and runs Boon Brewery in Lembeek, Belgium. Boon is one of the pioneers of the authentic lambic and gueuze revival, according to the brewery’s website.In addition to the limited-edition beer releases, the brewery will offer a blending symposium with brewmaster Peter Bouckaert and wood beer specialists Lauren Salazar and Eric Salazar, according to Bryan Simpson, New Belgium spokesman.

Tickets are $25 online or are available at the brewery for the release party from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday at the brewery, 500 Linden St.In other beer-related news, New Belgium Brewing co-founder and CEO Kim Jordan has been tapped as the keynote speaker for the Brewers Association’s 2013 Craft Brewers Conference, or CBC, according to the Brewer’s Association.

The CBC, held in Washington D.C., is the industry’s largest gathering bringing together some 6,000 brewing professionals Mar. 26-29.Jordan previously presented the CBC keynote in 2003 in New Orleans, where she set the bar for the craft beer industry to reach 10 percent of the market in the U.S.

“The beer industry has changed significantly over the course of the last several years. Relationships among small brewers, large brewers, distributors, retailers and beer drinkers continue to evolve,” said Paul Gatza, director of the Brewers Association in a prepared statement. “Kim is a visionary and true leader in the beer community. Her insight, enthusiasm and vigor will be a welcomed inspiration as small and independent brewers gather together for a discussion on how to navigate the ever-evolving and thriving industry. We are pleased to have her back to the CBC stage.”

S&P Keeps Negative Outlook on Belgium With Deficit Goal at Risk.

Standard & Poor’s maintained its negative outlook on Belgium’s credit rating as a shrinking economy may put the government’s 2013 deficit target at risk.

The negative outlook on Belgium’s AA rating reflects risks to the country’s budgetary and economic performance, S&P said yesterday in a statement. The ratings company projected that the Belgian economy will contract 0.1 percent on a per capita basis this year, putting the government’s goal of a budget deficit of 2.15 percent of gross domestic product at risk.

“Weakening domestic demand, increased unemployment and ongoing budgetary consolidation presents downside risk to our current growth projection,” said Marko Mrsnik, a credit analyst at S&P in Madrid. “Conversely, we could revise the outlook to stable during 2013 if the government continues to comply with its budgetary strategy and if risks related to the economic growth outlook and the materialization of contingent liabilities subside.”

Belgian government guarantees on Dexia SA (DEXB)’s borrowings, equal to more than 11 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, also continue to present a risk, S&P said. Belgium would face a long-term credit rating cut should those contingent liabilities push its net debt to more than 100 percent of GDP from an estimated 94.5 percent this year, according to yesterday’s statement. Still, S&P expects that Belgium’s public debt will peak this year, echoing comments that led Fitch Ratings last week to revise its outlook on Belgium’s rating to stable from negative.

Investors often ignore rating actions, evidenced by the rally in Treasuries after the U.S. lost its top grade at S&P in 2011.

Belgium: Colruyt reports 9 month solid performance.
Belgian discounter Colruyt has announced its results for the first nine months of its fiscal year, with a rise in sales recorded. The retailer saw a sales increase of 6.1 per cent to €6.26 billion for the period, with underlying growth of 6.4 per cent.

The group’s retail division saw a boost of 5.1 per cent to €4.75 billion, with its Colryt banner driving the performance. A strong Christmas trading period and successful low-price campaigns underpinned the division’s performance.

Revenue from the group’s wholesale and food service activities grew by 7 per cent to €1.03 billion, which the retailer attributed to Spar Wholesale and its French Food service activity.

Commenting on its French retail activities, the group said it recorded strong revenue growth driven by store expansion and volume growth.

At the end of 2012, Colruyt’s food retail segment consisted of 227 Colruyt, 86 OKay and 8 Bio-Planet stores in Belgium and 61 Colruyt wholly-owned stores in France.

Belgium’s Vanackere Says Euro Area Hits Turning Point in Crisis.

Belgian Finance Minister Steven Vanackere said the euro area has begun to emerge from the three- year-long debt crisis, crediting political plans for more financial integration and the European Central Bank’s pledge to limit government borrowing costs.

Vanackere said European leaders’ decision last June to seek a banking union and ECB President Mario Draghi’s announcement in September of a bond-buying program for euro nations willing to sign up to budget-austerity conditions marked a “turning point.” He said “in-depth structural” changes by European countries to bolster the economy have further improved the outlook.

“I am convinced that the signs of a turnaround are unmistakably there,” Vanackere told a conference of the European People’s Party this evening in Brussels. “There are good hopes.”

Vanackere is part of a growing chorus of European politicians who allege that the 17-nation euro area has deterred the threat of a breakup triggered by Greece in late 2009 through a combination of rescue packages, budget tightening, more centralized oversight of national budgets and banks and the possibility of unlimited ECB intervention in the sovereign-bond market. Vanackere said the part played by the ECB alone had made a “tremendous change.”

Draghi’s announcement five months ago of a bond-buying program followed 486 billion euros ($654 billion) in international commitments for Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain’s banking system since 2010 to soothe markets and has left governments with the task of agreeing on any rescue terms as well as on centralized bank supervision led by the ECB.

Vanackere warned against complacency, signaling that the fight against unemployment should be the euro area’s priority.

“Let’s not pretend that the crisis is over,” he said. “The crisis still is dramatically real. And it’s about longer- than-ever queues of job seekers.”

In Belgium, Moshe Friedman loses this round on coed classes.

The Belgian judge who forced a girls’ school to admit two sons of Moshe Friedman refused a separate petition to enroll the haredi Orthodox pariah’s daughters at a boys’ yeshiva.

According to the Belgian Jewish publication Joods Actueel, the judge on Monday cited procedural issues in rejecting the motion by Friedman, a father of eight who filed a request for an injunction against the Yavne Yeshiva, a boys’ religious seminary.

Last month the judge issued an injunction ordering a girls’ school, Benoth Jerusalem, to admit two of Friedman’s sons. They started studying there on Jan. 7.

Friedman, 40, is an anti-Zionist campaigner who has been excommunicated by the institutions and many members of Antwerp’s haredi community, including the Jewish school that refused to enroll his children. In 2006 he attended a conference of Holocaust deniers in Tehran and hugged Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad.

In rejecting Friedman’s petition against the Yavne Yeshiva, the judge said she could not issue a temporary injunction in summary proceedings on a “permanent issue.”

Benoth Jerusalem is appealing the injunction forcing it to enroll the two boys, Joods Actueel reported.

French lesbians head to Belgium to dodge ART ban at home.

French lesbian couples are heading to Belgium to sidestep their country’s domestic ban on assisted reproductive technology.
Since July 2007, Belgian law has made ART open to all, regardless of sexual orientation.More than 2,000 French babies are conceived in such a way each year.

Euronews met one couple who hail from a Parisian suburb. They were in Brussels for their first appointment at the renowned Erasmus clinic.“We’ve been talking about it for more than a year and we found this hospital on the internet,” said one of the women, who asked not to be identified. “We first called in June – you’re only allowed to call twice a year – and we booked this first appointment in December.”This fertility clinic has become a victim of its own success. Its top doctor, Professor Anne Delbaere, said it limits the number of foreign patients seeking ART treatment there.

“It’s been nearly 10 years since we started limiting the number of patients who want to travel from France due to the amount of sperm donations,” said Delbaere.“We work with our own sperm bank and we are limited by the number of donors. It is unique to this clinic.”

The first step on the long road to this couple’s dream of parenthood is a meeting with a psychologist. The aim of the interview is to find out whether they are really ready to raise a child.

Psychologist Chantal Laurelle meets the two women, who are both in their 30s. “The goal is not to find flaws in the people who come to me,” she explained. “But rather to reflect together on specific issues that will inevitably arise in one context or another during the child’s life.”As they leave the meeting, the Parisian couple euronews met are acutely aware of the huge responsibility ahead of them.

“I’m relieved; I think the interview was not too bad. We tried to be honest and I think the psychologist gave us some tips if we manage to have a child,” said the woman who plans to undergo the treatment.

Her partner said: “If the law in France is passed, I will be allowed to adopt the child and become a legal co-parent so I can be there for him or her. I will raise this child with lots of love.”

Belgium on the brink of recession as Q4 output falls.

Belgium’s economy contracted in the fourth quarter, preliminary data from the central bank showed on Wednesday, leaving the country close to a technical recession.

Belgium’s fourth-quarter GDP fell 0.1 percent against the previous quarter, and by 0.4 percent year-on-year, the central bank said in a preliminary estimate released on Wednesday.For 2012 as a whole, the preliminary estimates showed that output fell 0.2 percent.

While Belgium hasn’t had two consecutive quarters of shrinkage — the technical definition of recession — it’s had two negative quarters separated by 0 percent growth in the third quarter.It’s only had one quarter of growth in the last six quarters.

The numbers bode badly for the euro zone overall, as Belgium is the first of the core countries to report output figures for the end of the year, with the major countries scheduled to report in the middle of next month.

Spain, which sits on Europe’s periphery and had an unemployment rate of almost a quarter at the end of last year, reported a worse-than-expected 1.8 percent fall in fourth quarter output earlier on Wednesday.
The Belgian number is slightly better than the 0.2 percent quarter-on-quarter fall forecast on average by six economists polled by Reuters.

Belgian Jockey Club to probe controversial ride.

The Belgian Jockey Club’s disciplinary committee will on Friday hear what has rapidly become one of the most talked about riding performances in recent years.

Sacha Stappaerts finished a close third aboard Eastern Warrior, whom she both owns and trains, in a race over a mile at Mons on January 21.

Stappaerts seemed repeatedly to stand up in her irons and take a pull, despite Eastern Warrior appearing to travel better than his rivals, eventually losing out by a head and a neck.

After hearing her explanation that she had suffered trouble with her stirrups, stewards suspended both Stappaerts and the seven-year-old from all racing activity pending the hearing.

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All new visitors to Brussels should begin at the Grand Place (1), the historic central square, a magnificent coronet of guildhouses and joyously decorative civic buildings.

Pop into the Museum of the City of Brussels in the neo-Gothic Maison du Roi (10am – 5pm, closed Mondays; €4/ £3.30) for some historical background, and to see the collection of costumes made for the Manneken Pis. In a quirky, self-effacing gesture characteristic of Brussels, this small bronze statue of a boy doing what the name suggests has become a cherished the icon of the city. See it by walking along the Rue de l’Étuve (2).

Pioneers of Online Instant Games Make a Grand Entrance in Belgium.

AspireGlobal, operators of the largest number of international online sites dedicated to scratch cards and instant win games, announced today the launch of its officially certified Belgian gaming brand GrandGames.be.

As one of the few online gaming providers whose products have been approved for use in Belgium, the new site is part of the company’s strategy to extend its reach and expertise across Europe – and to fill a need in Belgium for a “soft-gaming” brand.

According to Adrian Bailey, managing director at AspireGlobal, “there are limited offerings in the market for players, but GrandGames is bringing something fresh to the table with its fun, innovative and easy-to-play instant win games.”

Debuting with more than 20 titles and new releases planned for the near future, AspireGlobal predicts Belgians will come to associate GrandGames with “hours of exciting entertainment, great cash prizes and exceptional customer service.”

But players are not the only ones who stand to gain from a safe and legal site that offers a wide variety of innovative games.

“This is a chance for growth and opportunity for everyone involved,” continued Bailey. “By providing a brand regulated by the Belgian Gaming Commission, as well as localized, targeted marketing material, our affiliates have the legal comfort they need when planning their marketing campaigns.  This means more players and better conversions for our partners, and increased revenue for the local economy.”

The details of the specific outlets to be used during the campaign have not yet been revealed, but it was reported that advertising efforts would involve multiple media channels including television, web and print.

About AspireGlobal:

AspireGlobal, the marketing arm of the NeoGames Group, has been aiming since 2005 to provide fun, entertaining and innovative gaming products in a safe and secure environment.

By combining technological know-how and extensive industry experience, AspireGlobal continues to provide the largest number of instant win gaming brands, translated in over 14 languages – making AspireGlobal the number one provider of online soft games in the industry.

Net Exports of Polished Diamonds in Belgium Drops.

Imports of polished diamonds by Belgium leaped in February, though only by value, IDEX Online reported. The volume of imports has declined compared to February 2011, as have net exports.

According to IDEX Online, gross polished diamond exports increased modestly in February, up 4.3% to $1.37 billion. The report, which cited data released by the AWDC, also said that the volume of exports has declined 15.4% to 0.66 million carats.

The average value of gross exports increased accordingly to $2,095.15 per carat, IDEX Online reported.

Imports leaped 41.2% to $1.25 billion, while the volume declined 3.9% to 0.6 million carats, according to IDEX Online. The average value of imports stood at $2,070.20 per carat in February.

Net exports amounted to 52,400 carats worth $124.8 million averaging $2,382.17 per carat. Compared to February of last year, this is a 64.4% decline in volume and 71.2% decline in value.

Genetec’s Omnicast secures the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

Genetec, a pioneer in the security industry and a provider of world-class unified IP security solutions, is proud to announce that the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique (MRBAB) (the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium) has chosen Omnicast to protect their prestigious collection of art work as well as that of the Magritte Museum. The Omnicast system currently manages over 270 Axis Communications IP cameras, for a total surface area of 45,000 m².

Renovations at the MRBAB and in the restaurant section, as well as the 2009 opening of the Magritte Museum, led to a rethinking of the facilities’ security and surveillance systems, and a desire to take advantage of recent IP developments in this field. The MRBAB security team contacted G4S, a certified Genetec reseller in Belgium, with whom they had previously worked on numerous occasions. G4S was happy to recommend the Omnicast system, whose wide-ranging serviceability perfectly met the needs of the MRBAB.

The choice had to meet serviceability and performance criteria — a cutting-edge IP video surveillance system, compatible with the existing equipment, and open to other systems, such as the fire and intrusion detection system. Also, because it is an evolving system that wasn’t prohibitively expensive, Omnicast was selected.

Digitising the existing analogue cameras and updating the available equipment was achieved quickly, which allowed the MRBAB to adopt an intelligent IP video system without needing to change all of the equipment at the same time. The system now has 270 cameras connected to the global system. One of Omnicast’s key advantages is its easy integration with the specific components of external equipment, such as the Axis cameras. Regular software upgrades helps to ensure optimal compatibility between devices.

“Involvement by museum management at all stages of the project and G4S’s know-how were key to the successful implementation of the solution. During the pre-selection period and visit to the pilot site, museum representatives were very explicit about their needs, and asked very clear questions, resulting in a system that meets their demands. G4S demonstrated its experience in system migration and its ability to minimise the need to replace all existing equipment,” explained Jean-Philippe Deby, Genetec Director of Sales – Europe.

All cameras can be viewed from several stations, and an integrated alarm system warns the security teams of any irregular situations. Surveillance is conducted both outside the buildings, to prevent any risk of vandalism, and inside, to detect possible incidents.

Thanks to the high-tech, multi-purpose Omnicast system, the staff is perfectly equipped to provide surveillance and security. The simple, intuitive user interface helps cut down on staff learning time and on training costs. The interface offers the added advantage of allowing the security staff to make all necessary changes themselves, without needing to contact G4S.

Finally, Genetec’s top-of-the-line technology will allow the MRBAB to project the image of a modern museum that uses the latest technologies to ensure optimal surveillance and security conditions for its visitors, and for the institutions and collectors loaning their masterpieces.

New Belgium Brewing’s Can Expansion Allows for New 16-ounce Tallboys.

New Belgium Brewing today announced that its 16,000 square foot canning line is complete and in full production. The system increases New Belgium’s canning volume capacity six-fold and has the capability to package both 12-ounce and 16-ounce cans.

“People are loving craft beer in a can so we decided to increase production to keep up with demand,” said Bryan Simpson, New Belgium spokesperson. “We first rolled out cans in 2008 as an outdoor-friendly, light for transport and readily recyclable vessel. Our fans enjoy that cans can travel to places where glass is not an option and now tallboys can come along, too.”

The new canning system, manufactured by KHS, features a 40-head filler capable of filling 360 cans per minute; the previous canning line filled 60 cans per minute.

Fat Tire and Ranger IPA are now available in 16-ounce can four-packs. New Belgium’s latest beer, Shift Pale Lager, debuts April 2 and will only be available in 16-ounce cans.

The canning line resides just east of New Belgium’s bottling facility on the brewery’s fifty-acre campus in Fort Collins, CO. New Belgium contracted Neenan Company of Fort Collins for construction. The canning line and facility cost nearly $8 million to build.

About New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, the third largest craft brewer in the U.S., New Belgium produces nine year-round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Ranger IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Belgo IPA, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases. In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs such as employee ownership, open book management and a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Belgium Revises 4Q GDP To -0.1% From -0.2% On Quarterly Basis

BRUSSELS -(Dow Jones)- Belgium’s economy contracted slightly less than initially expected in the fourth quarter of 2011, the country’s central bank said Wednesday.

On a quarterly basis, the economy fell 0.1% in the fourth quarter, the bank said in a statement. The number was revised up from a -0.2% initial estimate released in February. On the year, the economy rose 1% in the fourth quarter, final numbers showed.

The deterioration in the economic situation has been rapid in Belgium, whose authorities in June indicated a GDP growth of up to 3% in 2011, fuelled in part by reviving German export demand.

Armenia, Belgium interested in expanding and deepening relations.

Within the framework of the working visit to Brussels Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met with the President of the Belgian Senate Sabine de Bethune and members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

At the meeting, Serzh Sargsyan underscored that Armenia is interested in expanding and deepening relations with Belgium, which, according to the President, with its developed economy can become a good example for Armenia in its process of reformation. According to President Sargsyan, Armenia and Belgium are similar in their size and in Armenia Belgium is constantly viewed as an exemplary model.

The President of Armenia and President of the Belgian Senate stressed the importance of cooperation and consistent dialogue between the legislatures of the two countries.

The parties spoke also about the necessity to invigorate activities of the friendship groups formed in the beginning of 2000 in the parliaments of Armenia and Belgium, which in their opinion will be excellent for the deepening of the Armenian-Belgian friendship and the utmost rapprochement between Armenia and the family of European nations.

President Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude to the Belgian parliamentarians and stressed once again that recognition by the Senate of Belgium of the Armenian Genocide was a great contribution to the process of its international recognition. The President underlined that Armenia hails Belgium’s efforts in that direction.

Hovdey: ‘Stella’ joins mint juleps on Kentucky Derby drink menu.

Churchill Downs Racetrack today announced a multi-year partnership, naming the world’s best-selling Belgian beer Stella Artois as “The Official Beer Sponsor of Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Oaks, and the Kentucky Derby.”

There is no reason on earth why the Kentucky Derby, one of America’s greatest sporting events, should not have its very own official beer, even if it is brewed in Belgium. Belgium is known for its horse racing about as much as Kentucky is famous for its beer.

(Sidebar: Belgium – 30,528 square miles, population 10.3 million, capital Brussels, home of the European Union, official languages Dutch and French, racetracks Hippodrome Wellington and Hippodrome Waregem, movies you have seen set in Belgium, “In Bruges.”)

No question, the Derby’s got to have a beer – Belgian, Brazilian, Botswanan, doesn’t matter. You can’t be drinking sticky, head-pounding mint juleps all day long without a little carbonated relief. Besides, every major sports league or sporting event worth its suds has a cold brew firmly attached. Even the Breeders’ Cup has done its part through its association with Dos Equis.

Coors Light is the official beer of Nascar. Michelob Ultra has the PGA. Bud Light, the big daddy, is the official beer of the NFL, the NBA, and Major League Baseball, while Corona is the brewed beverage of choice for ATP Men’s Tennis. Miller Lite does the Dallas Cowboys.

The Derby was probably a great sponsorship “get” for Stella Artois, since the 2012 London Olympics (Heineken), the 2014 FIFA World Cup (Budweiser) and Major League Fishing (Busch) already were taken. So was the NHL – which chose MolsonCoors over Labatt’s – and surfing’s World Championship Tour, whose official beer is, what else, Foster’s.

By now the reader is either dizzy, parched, or toasting up a plate of nachos. The Kentucky Derby, in its yearning to be part of the wider sports world, is doing nothing more than tapping into the magical prescription that horse racing should be more like Nascar, the same Nascar that wears its many sponsors on its sleeve, fenders, hood, door panels, and any other surface that will harbor a gaudy logo.

Nascar has an official truck (Ford), an official passenger car (Toyota), an official credit card (Visa), an official cookie (Nabisco), an official shaving product (Gillette), and an official deodorant, antiperspirant, and body wash (Old Spice) and even, though unofficially, an official babe (Danica Patrick). So why shouldn’t the Kentucky Derby have an official beer?

Only thing is, Stella Artois (Belgian, remember) seems a little upscale. True enough, the Derby tries to appeal to the hoi polloi, despite the slippery demographic of the A-list (Rappers? Starlets? Reality show hosts?). But there is a powerful element of the man in the street to the Derby customer base which does not exactly line up with the Stella Artois image, at least as described by a U.S. representative of the brand.

“Just like horse racing, Stella Artois has a rich heritage with longstanding traditions, dating back more than 600 years,” said Andy Goeler, vice president of import, craft, and specialties at Anheuser-Busch. “From its specially-designed Chalice to the 9-Step Pouring Ritual, it’s about creating a sophisticated beer drinking experience, which is a perfect fit for the Derby’s first-class events.”

You heard right, a nine-step ritual. Each one has a name, like “The Sacrifice” or the “Beheading” or finally “The Bestowal.” One of the steps actually requires the beer to be poured into a clean glass, and another demands said glass be wiped on sides and bottom before serving. The “right amount of foam” is usually two fingers (not in the beer, dummy). While drawing from the tap, the glass must be held at a 45 degree angle. There is nothing mentioned of how the barkeep should be pure of heart, but it’s probably a given.

I’m guessing the Stella ritual will be saved for the high-end Kentucky Derby events, when such an elaborate serving ceremony can be offered in a more appreciative atmosphere. In fact, the typical Kentucky Derby customer has only two demands when it comes to getting a beer. They want it cold and they want it now – “now” being a function of the length of the line, and there are some whoppers on Derby Day.

But the Stella Artois people know what they’re doing. Their ads can be savored for the sheer entertainment value. And I’m sorry, but when I traveled Europe with a friend in my relative youth, bereft of much local language, it was a gas to wander into any bar on the continent and say “Stella,” like some down-market Stanley Kowalski, and in an instant be gladly served. We did not count the steps.

It would be a shame, though, for the vast majority of Kentucky Derby patrons to go without their Stella Artois just because a nine-step pouring ritual is impractical in a crowd of 125,000. Here, then, is a scaled back version that could suit Derby Day to a tee:

Step 1 – “The Scrum,” in which the customer uses what leverage he can to maintain his position in the line near the paddock while handicapping the next race.

Step 2 – “The Order,” in which multiple Stellas are requested so as not to require many more Step 1s.

Step 3 – “The Offering,” in which the customer realizes hotel prices are not the only Louisville gouge during Derby Week.

Step 4 – “The Beer,” in which the plastic cups are presented with ceremonial flair, their white suds sloshing gloriously down the front of the counter.

Step 5 – “The Escape,” in which four beers are carried away by one person in the classic three-beer cradle and the fourth gripped in the teeth.

As the man says, stay thirsty.

Why is life here so expensive, moan Belgians.

Belgians have been seeking to solve a mystery – why do they pay more than their neighbours in shops and for utilities when the European Union is meant to be a single market delivering homogeneous pricing?

The central bank and international economic institutes have warned for years about prices in Belgium, albeit more the price of labour than of goods, although the two are linked.

Now, after oil and commodity shocks in the first halves of 2008 and 2011 and widening austerity measures, Belgians have woken up to the problem of high prices.

“Yes, prices are an issue, but we live here. What can we do?” said David, a student shopping in Brussels.

A government study released three weeks ago showed identical groceries cost about 10 percent more in Belgian supermarkets than in the Netherlands and in Germany and 7.5 percent more than in France.

Belgians pay about 45 euros per month for home Internet and a fixed telecom line, some 50 percent more than their neighbours.

And electricity also costs about 50 percent more than in France – even though the same two French utilities supply the bulk of consumers in both markets.

“Belgian energy users bled dry,” was one newspaper headline.

Belgians typically also pay more for durable and consumer goods, from televisions to toys, chisels to children’s shoes.

Belgian inflation tends to outpace that of the euro zone, partly because it is more vulnerable to oil price shocks.

Belgians consume more energy than euro zone peers by driving to work more and by heating often high-ceilinged homes. Low taxation on heating oil also means its price is more volatile.

In July 2008, Belgian inflation hit 5.9 percent, the second highest level in the euro single currency area. In July 2011, at the peak of another oil and commodity spike, it was again second highest, lagging only new euro zone entrant Estonia.

“Since 2008, we’ve had prices higher than the euro zone average. It seems we have a problem. With a very strong energy price shock that problem has become apparent,” said ING economist Philippe Ledent.

Belgium has typically had a current account surplus, but imported more than it exported since 2008.

The country seems stuck in a vicious circle: Belgians want their wages to keep pace with prices, which undermines Belgium’s competitive position and in turn pushes prices ever higher.

The European Commission warned Belgium last month that deteriorating cost competitiveness was a cause for concern.

A chief culprit is Belgium’s system of linking pay to inflation, which has come under fire from the European Commission, the executive arm of the 27-member bloc.

Wages in Belgium have risen 2 percent on 14 occasions since the euro’s launch in 1999 – an overall rise of 32 percent.

But wage costs are not the only piece in the price puzzle.

SINGLE MARKET FOR PRODUCERS, NOT CONSUMERS

The supermarket study found factors such as wages and sales tax, along with rules against selling at a loss, explained up to 6 percent of the difference between Belgian prices and those next door in the Netherlands – though not the full 10 percent.

Economy Minister Johan Vande Lanotte said the report showed the European Union worked as a single market for producers, but not for consumers, with suppliers restricting where retailers could sell their products. Prices in small countries, such as Belgium, were artificially high, he concluded.

Limited competition in some sectors may also be to blame.

“It is easier to have second-round effects in Belgium and increases of selling prices,” said ING’s Ledent.

But experts say Belgians are often not bargain-hunters. They typically view food with more passion than their Dutch and German counterparts and will pay more for fresh produce.

“Food is a luxury here. There’s far less price elasticity,” said Dirk Vanderveken, a director at marketing research company GfK. “That’s something the discounters found too, that Belgians won’t go for the cheapest.”

The price differences are harder to explain for durable goods, such as consumer electronics, where anyone in Belgium could save themselves 20 to 40 percent by shopping online.

“Belgian consumers are more like Italians. Independent shops are more prevalent and they don’t go in for price cutting,” said Filip Van Dyck, a retail and technology specialist at GfK.

According to Euromonitor International, per capita spending on e-shopping was almost 20 percent lower than in Germany and the Netherlands last year and 40 percent behind France.

But Belgians are starting to become more cost conscious.

In a first strike, the government decided last week to freeze electricity and gas prices from April until the end of the year, which it hopes could also dampen inflation.

Belgians are also gradually switching on to the Internet, where their online spending has risen 160 percent in the past five years, a faster pace than in Germany and the Netherlands.

“Prices will no doubt become more harmonised. The winner will be the consumer,” said GfK’s Van Dijk.

Meersman claims Paris-Nice fourth stage.

Belgium’s Gianni Meersman of the Lotto team claimed victory in the fourth stage of Paris-Nice on Wednesday, with Britain’s Bradley Wiggins (Sky) holding on to the leader’s yellow jersey.

Meersman crossed the finish line in Rodez ahead of Slovenia’s Grega Bole, who had launched the final sprint, and Dutchman Lieuwe Westra.

Spain’s Xavier Florencio pipped Frenchman Jonathan Hivert on the line to claim fourth place.

Wiggins kept main rival Alejandro Valverde in his sights in the final climb.

The Spaniard finished in eighth position, two places ahead of Wiggins, but the 20sec time difference between the two men remained unchanged.

“Our objective today was to let a breakaway get away until the end,” said Wiggins. “But Rabobank went for it, because the gap was three minutes.

“It was perfect for us. We stayed on their wheels and we were able to rest the guys in the team for the next stages.

“The final was crazy — there were roundabouts, it was really dangerous, but I was OK and I stayed in the top five the whole time.”

Having finished third in the previous stage, 26-year-old Meersman registered his second success of the season after winning a stage in the Tour of the Algarve in Portugal earlier this year.

“First place is what counts,” said Meersman, who was plagued by injuries between 2007 and 2009.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), everyone said it was good when I finished third, but what matters is being able to lift your arms.

“You don’t make sacrifices to finish second or third. This winter I’ve trained a lot for the sprints. I have to thank the team, who worked really hard.”

Thursday’s fifth stage takes the peloton on a spectacular 178.5km ride to Mende, which culminates in a 3km climb.

The delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov meets with President of the Senate of Belgium Sabine de Bethune.

At the a meeting, Deputy Prime Minister S. Bethune was informed about the Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which resulted occupation 20% territories of the country and the victims of the conflict began about 1 million refugees and IDP’s.

Attending the meeting the head of the Belgian-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary working group, member of parliament of Belgium Philippe Blanchard noted that Azerbaijan is a tolerant country, in which a person peacefully coexist with different religious and national identity.

He wished success to Azerbaijan for the development of democracy. F. Blanchard noted that the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have not been successful, and this issue needs the active involvement of the international community.

He expressed the hope that the discussions on Nagorno-conflict passed in the parliament of Belgium, will promote global awareness on the issue.

Belgium Enters Recession as Car Sales, Weather Soften Blow

Belgium’s economy contracted less than initially estimated in the fourth quarter as consumers brought forward car purchases before incentives expired and milder-than-usual weather boosted construction.

Gross domestic product in Belgium, the sixth-largest economy in the euro area, shrank 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter from the previous three-month period, the National Bank of Belgium said today in a statement from Brussels. That compares with a Feb. 1 preliminary estimate of a 0.2 percent contraction. The economy expanded 1 percent from the year- earlier period and grew 1.9 percent in the year.

A recovery in consumer spending and construction in the final months of 2011 may have been temporary as Belgium entered a recession for the second time in three years. Registrations of new cars plunged 17 percent in the first two months of this year and the longest cold spell in 70 years in February probably affected construction output, which benefited from milder-than- usual weather in December.

“Interior demand will continue to be weak in the first half because of fiscal tightening,” Steven Vanneste, an economist at Fortis Bank NV who forecasts a 0.3 percent contraction this quarter, said by telephone from Brussels. “We expect to see some export-led growth in the second half again, which should trickle through into interior demand fairly soon.” Vanneste forecasts the Belgian economy will stagnate this year.

Exports Shrink

Even as construction output increased 0.7 percent in the quarter, the services industry contracted for the first time in more than 2 1/2 years and manufacturing output stagnated following a 0.3 percent contraction in the preceding three-month period. Exports shrank for a third consecutive quarter and corporate investments fell 0.7 percent, the biggest contraction in seven quarters.

While Belgian business confidence has improved for three straight months because of rising demand prospects, consumer sentiment dropped to the lowest level in almost three years in February on the outlook for employment and the economy.

National employment fell for the first time in more than two years in the fourth quarter, with about 4.63 million people working, the National Bank said today.

The nation’s economy will contract 0.1 percent this year, the central bank forecast on Feb. 15, and the government is seeking an additional 2 billion euros of spending cuts or tax increases to meet its target for a budget deficit of 2.8 percent of gross domestic product this year.

One of the cultural heritage of the Belgian city of Namur is the home of butchers. This is an authentic building was constructed in 1588-1590 years, according to the drawings of Hermann van Vagemakera, which is known to be involved in the construction of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Antwerp. The architect believed that any building, regardless of its purpose, has the right to be beautiful.
This abattoir is built of red brick and white stone. The stones become dull over time and dust, but the building has not lost its beauty. Vagermaker did everything to make this building in front of us appeared in the form of strict routine Gothic. The interior of the building is fully consistent with its purpose. The lower floor is a large room with raised windows and stone floors. Rib vaults subtly interwoven that overshadowed the zone section of carcasses.

In the Belgian city walks a lot of rumors regarding this building. If you believe any of them, the building was built on the waterfront to the rivers of blood flowed in the butchering of street directly into a river. Because of this blood roadway was dark red and the color is not changed for centuries.

But the purpose of this building is not limited to the sale of meat. The upper floors of the building were reserved for various celebrations and business advice. Today this area is the Museum of History, Archaeology and Applied Arts.

The house was built around the butchers area parades. The left wing of the Exchange, located on the square tower of St. James is located. Here is the only tower in the city.

Antwerp – Flanders Pearl

Antwerp, which lies on the banks of the River Scheldt, is the second largest after Rotterdam seaport in Europe. Also, this city today is the largest in Europe today the center of the diamond trade.

City history rooted in the distant Middle Ages. The exact date of construction of Antwerp is not known, but presumably Castle Walls and the city around it has appeared here yet about the 7th century! In the 16th century this city was one of the richest in Europe, refers to that period a large number of outstanding architectural monuments. And although the 18th century the economic importance of cities has fallen considerably, it still remained a major artistic and cultural center, where worked Rubens and Van Dyck, which attracted many prominent artists of the past!

Modern Antwerp is famous for many outstanding and attractive museums. Among them are world-famous art collections, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Museum Jewelry, Museum Plantin-Moretusa, Rubens House Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Maritime Museum, the sculpture museum “Housing virgins”, Folklore Museum and the famous museum Diamond and others. Stunningly beautiful and striking power of the grandeur of the castle wall, erected in its present form in the early 16th century. It is now housed within its walls an outstanding maritime museum.

Attract tourists and pedestrian street Hoogstraat, built up with colorful houses, which housed the curious to visit the shops where you can find colorful souvenirs, original jewelry and candy. But technology and protection against eavesdropping is sold in large shopping centers located closer to the outskirts of the city. Very popular among the fashionistas among affluent travelers Pelikanstrat street where there are a variety of elegant jewelry stores that sell diamond jewelry for every taste!

Antwerp is famous for shopping and vibrant nightlife: no other city in Flanders, and the whole of Belgium, perhaps, to find a number of pubs, bars, discos, nightclubs and restaurants! Also, there are also a variety of hotels and business centers, where the recording and registering of telephone conversations, online conference, protection against eavesdropping quite common – in fact the diamond business requires very serious approach!

Summer trip to Belgium – it’s a great opportunity not only to have a rest, but to become a member of folk festivals in honor of loved ones all the Belgians holidays. June 24 in Belgium celebrated the Christian holiday of St. John. Despite the fact that we live in an age of new technologies, and devices such as cellular jammer, protection from bugs became a fixture of our lives, the ancient traditions of the many festivals and have survived to this day. Feast of St. John is no exception. This is the summer solstice.

All the vegetation in this period reaches its peak, absorbing all the earth dry. Ritual actions that day are just in an effort to get as much life-giving miracle powers of the earth.

In many parts of Belgium posted June 24 wreaths, fragrant smell of flowers and greenery. If you live in the house of a man named John, then the composition of plants is essential ornament of his home that day. Wreaths are placed at the front door or the ceiling. Most often, the main components of the wreath are the elder, chamomile, lime leaves. Today, as in ancient times, the Belgians do not emit faded wreath, and put it in the barn and use it as a “protective force” in the struggle with the elements of nature – a hail and lightning.

Mandatory requirement of the summer solstice celebration in Belgium – is fanning the fires. In the power of fire – to save people from any ailments, to help maintain health and to give strength. Particularly strong effect of fire on this day of old, consider the Belgians. All tourists are happy to participate in the ceremonial jump over bonfires. Couples who commit this act, together, are considered the natural elements plighted lovers, and no “damage” and “evil eye” so in love are not afraid. Fire will take care of their feelings as reliably as the alarm gsm protect any movable and immovable property.

That is why in Belgium a few days before the celebration of St. John, the children with songs walk the streets and villages, collecting firewood and begging for fireplaces. Collected firewood laid out June 23 on the eve of the holiday. Church officials fought unsuccessfully with the pagan tradition of kindling fires on the day of St. John. Today is a national holiday and everyone’s favorite.

The rhythm of life seems to Belgian-medieval unhurried: whether the case in the old houses and castles, or that the majority of the population of all modes of transport preferred bike, if present, the cause of all Belgian beers …

The capital of this small country the headquarters of EU and NATO, but the symbol of Brussels were not any major institutions or imposing cathedrals and tiny, just a 60 cm height, bronze boy – Manneken Pis, which in 1619 occupied its prime and important.

But to see these sights of Belgium, it is worth the time to leave Brussels and go to the province. An hour by train to the west – and you have welcomed the famous Ghent, one of the most beautiful cities not only Belgium but perhaps all of Europe.

A little further west and we’ll find ourselves in a completely “puppet” the city of Bruges. Climbing up the tower (you have to overcome the 366 steps, but worth it!), You can survey the surroundings from bird’s eye view. And shoot well in a carriage through the ancient streets of …

Another iconic landmark Belgium – Antwerp.

To the south of the capital – we are waiting very very quiet Bouillon. But it’s far away. But about 20 minutes to the east – and you’re in a small cozy town of Leuven, the birthplace of the legendary beer Stella Artois. Transparent and sparkling drink (as opposed to traditional, unfiltered), which is cooked for Christmas Artois brewery in 1926, describing it as Stella – in honor of the Christmas star.

By the way, beer is considered one of the main attractions of Belgium. His is about 600 (!) Varieties, and the traditions of brewing and bottling even Belgian beer – almost a thousand years. The same brewery and Leuven, which produces “Stella”, “Leff,” and “Hoegaarden” exists on the site since 1366! Every year there is carried out worldwide competition “Beer” bartenders, and the University of Leuven is even brewing academy.

Of course, entitled to the beer-button lint. What about mussels (they are served in a huge pot – one does not eat) or a rabbit in beer? And for dessert – delicious waffles with jam or traditional Belgian chocolate … In general, we lose weight at home – Belgian cuisine to this task obviously does not help!

You have already enacted imagination? Then we offer you to plunge into this unique atmosphere of medieval romance and travel to a virtual tour of Belgium with the help of our site, created with great admiration and love for this tiny island in European history and culture.

Welcome to Belgium!

BELGIUM (KINGDOM OF BELGIUM)

Brussels, Royal Palace of Belgium – a country in Western Europe. The area of ​​30.5 thousand square meters. km. The population over 10 million people (Flemings, Walloons, etc.). Capital – Brussels. in the north-west by the North Sea. Believers are predominantly Catholic (90%). Belgium – a constitutional monarchy. The head of state – King, who exercises the legislative power with a bicameral parliament (Senate and House of Representatives). Since 1993, Belgium – a federation of regional communities of Wallonia and Flanders and Brussels metropolitan area.