Belgian news in brief, 7 June 2006

New international criminal data base

A new international database of criminal records has been set up allowing the electronic exchange of information between European states. Belgian, Spanish, French and German criminal registers are now linked with each other. This makes the exchange of information both faster and easier. The scheme was announced by Belgian Justice Minister Laurette Onkelinx during a meeting with European colleagues in Bonn on Tuesday. Luxembourg and the Czech Republic may also join the scheme.

34 homes raided in child porn inquiries

Police raided 34 homes in the Brussel-Halle-Vilvoorde area from about 5am on Wednesday in a large-scale operation against child pornography. The investigation started in the US in August 2003. Authorities were able locate payments for child pornography sites via a company in Florida. That company hired services from a firm in Minsk, Belarus. The studio where the pornography was made was also located in Minsk. Some 34 suspected pornography clients were traced back to Brussels.

Belgian life expectancy 6 months higher

In 2004, the average Belgian man lived 76.47 and woman lived 82.36 years. That’s about six months longer, for both sexes, compared with 2003. Belgium is ranked 6th for male life expectancy and 9th for women in Europe. Foreign residents in Belgium tend to live longer than native Belgians. These are mostly southern Europeans who tend to drink less alcohol, start smoking later in life and eat a healthier, Mediterranean diet. Spain leads the life expectancy rates in Europe, followed by France, Sweden, Italy and Finland.

Subject: Belgian news