Belgian news in brief, 13 February 2006

New aid plan for Congo unveiled

The UN and the European Commission launched an ambitious humanitarian aid plan for the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday. The UN wants to raise up to EUR 570 million for the former Belgian colony and finance 330 projects in 2006. Belgium will donate EUR 10 million in addition to its annual EUR 80 million in aid. It is also urging for a donor conference to be held aimed at rebuilding the country.

Centenarians doubled in 10 years

The number of 100-year-olds in Belgium has doubled in the past decade. In 1995 there were 633 people aged 100 or older compared with 1,247 in 2005, the National Institute of Statistics said. Women are still living longer than men. In 1990, 80 percent of 100-year-olds were women compared with 88.5 percent in 2005. In 2005, there 1,104 women aged 100 or older and just 143 men.

Record number of mobile phones sold

A record number of mobile phones were sold in Belgium last year. Sales rose by 17 percent to 3.86 million, market research bureau Gfk said. The previous record dates back to 2004, when 3.28 million mobile phones were sold.

Subject: Belgian news