Evyatar David is finally released by Hamas after video showed him being forced to dig his own grave. All living hostages in Gaza were released by Hamas Monday — with all 20 reportedly walking to Red Cross trucks under their own power following a historic cease-fire deal introduced by President Trump. The first seven hostages…
Day: October 13, 2025
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Signify in Turnhout, formerly Philips Lighting, announced the layoff of 73 employees, with an additional 50 layoffs anticipated. This decision is attributed to the declining demand for traditional lighting as the industry shifts towards LED technology, reports 24brussels.
The restructuring primarily impacts the company’s 3D printing department, which will be entirely closed and its operations relocated to Poland. Signify indicated that the financial performance of this division did not meet expectations.
Peggy Schuermans from the ACV-CSC Metea union expressed surprise at the rapid pace of the decision, stating, “We knew the figures were poor, but no one expected a decision this quickly.” Trade unions have criticized the layoffs, demanding fair compensation and support for affected workers. Signify maintains that these changes are essential for maintaining competitiveness in a transforming lighting sector.
What will happen to Signify’s Turnhout factory after 73 layoffs?
Union representative Schuermans warned that further declines in production are expected, predicting more job losses in the future. She highlighted that stricter European regulations on conventional lighting and the global transition to LED products contribute significantly to the ongoing reduction in workforce.
“We know that our production will only continue to decline in the future, which will lead to the loss of even more jobs.”
This latest round of layoffs reflects a protracted trend at the Turnhout site, with job cuts occurring for over a decade. Currently, only 201 employees remain, but the workforce is expected to dwindle to around 80 by the end of next year. The factory retains a small unit focused on projector lamp production, one of the few remaining operational segments. The sustainability of this division is uncertain and might depend on market conditions.
“That market is declining less rapidly than the rest of the traditional lighting market; it will be the last division to survive,”
Schuermans commented, adding that while the Turnhout facility has a storied history in the lighting industry since the 1950s, the site has experienced significant challenges following a shift in focus after the 2010 European Union regulations phasing out traditional bulbs.
In 2016, Philips divested its lighting segment, which became Signify in 2018, emphasizing LED and smart lighting technology. Despite efforts to modernize with initiatives such as the establishment of a 3D printing unit in 2020, the plant has continued to face significant job losses amid diminishing demand for incandescent and fluorescent lighting products.
WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee session begins in Colombo with focus on equity, resilience, health for all
The 78th session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Committee commenced on October 13, 2025, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where health leaders from the region reaffirmed their commitment to creating a healthier, more equitable, and resilient environment amidst ongoing global health challenges, reports 24brussels.
This three-day session, hosting decision-makers from various member states, serves as the governing body meeting of the WHO in the region. The event was inaugurated by Sri Lanka’s Parliament Speaker, Jagath Wickramaratne, with notable addresses from WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health and Mass Media, Nalinda Jayatissa.
Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge of WHO South-East Asia, emphasized the need for enhancing global health security and collaborative efforts among member states. During her address, she highlighted the importance of WHO’s revised International Health Regulations and the historic Pandemic Agreement, stating that the organization is restructuring to be “leaner, more agile and responsive” to the changing health needs of its member countries.
“In a world of complex crises, shifting global health dynamics, and tightening fiscal space, WHO is aiming at being more focused, effective, and accountable to the people we serve… We will harness innovation, strengthen leadership, and deliver measurable outcomes — guided by one principle: health for all, by all,” Dr. Boehme declared.
A ministerial round table on healthy ageing is a key feature of the session, as projections estimate that by 2050, one in five individuals in the region will be over 60 years old. Dr. Boehme referred to this demographic shift as both “a triumph of development and a challenge”, calling for a reimagining of health systems, particularly within primary care.
The Committee will also tackle the increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases, focusing on measures to combat tobacco use, which remains the leading cause of preventable death in the region. With over 280 million smokeless tobacco users and approximately 11 million adolescent tobacco users, discussions will address regulatory measures pertaining to smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and areca nuts.
Another significant agenda item is the expansion of the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF), which has provided support for 49 emergencies across 10 member states since its inception in 2008. The Fund’s mandate has now been extended to include emergency preparedness.
Antimicrobial resistance will also be a focal point, with member states expected to align regional policy actions with global strategies to combat this growing threat. “Our systems must be ready—not just to treat illness, but to accompany people through life—with prevention, with continuity, and with care that starts in the community,” Dr. Boehme remarked, thanking member states for their ongoing commitment to health promotion, provision, and protection throughout the region.
The WHO South-East Asia Region consists of 10 countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.
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