It seems the idea that the majority of Europeans have the ability to speak multiple languages is a myth. Perhaps still more than in other parts of the world, a new study reveals that among the 28 EU member states one in four Europeans say they never bothered to learn a second language. Three out of...

Belgium needs to experience more severe winter weather than it has so far to escape the danger of the Asian tiger mosquito, the Institute for Tropical Medicine (ITG) in Antwerp announced yesterday. The insects ( Aedes albopictus ) surfaced in Flanders last July at a tyre importer in the port of...

The number of counterfeit banknotes in circulation rose last year to 39,167, up from 22,433 in 2012, and a rise of 75%, the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) reported. The total value of the false notes is estimated at just over €3 million. The majority of the fakes come from Italy, manufactured by...

The Syrian conflict is attracting scores of Belgian Islamists to leave home and join the fight. According to Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, roughly 200 mostly young men have left for Syria in the past few months, with 20 losing their lives. Official reports show that the majority of the fighters...

There are small signs of improvement for the world’s worst traffic city. The latest figures show that the number of cars on Brussels’ roads is falling, but that good news hasn’t translated into improved mobility. In the ten years between 2003 and 2013 road traffic has decreased 7%, a significant...

The influential rating agency Standard & Poor’s has maintained Brussels-Capital Region’s AA rating, while adding a warning that the outlook is negative. “We consider the Region of Brussels Capital to be benefitting from a sound financial management and a wealthy economy,” the agency said...

A religious community near the Italian city of Florence has refused to welcome Michelle Martin, the ex-wife of Belgian pedophile and child killer Marc Dutroux. Despite being paroled and given permission by Belgian Authorities to travel to Italy, Martin will have to seek shelter elsewhere. Since...

The government of Flanders plans to make “regular, large-scale checks” of drivers whose cars are equipped with foreign number plates, in an effort to detect those who are avoiding local registration and road taxes, finance minister Philippe Muyters told the Flemish parliament. An initial inspection...

To the passersby’ eye, house numbers 453 and 347 along avenue Louise don’t stand out from the rest. But a dark history exists beyond the doors and below surface, a history worth remembering. During the Second World War occupation of Brussels the building’s cellars were used by the German secret...