Orlando Whitehead

Belgium in Brief: Trading morals for bling

Despite assertions of purity and efforts to resist limits on the business, Belgium's diamond dealings bear a moral stain that is growing harder to ignore.

Belgium in Brief: A budget-busting banquet

If an expanding waistline has historically failed to restrain our temptation to overindulge, might we finally be forced to moderation by constricted budgets?

Belgium in Brief: Belgium's biggest trial

As the country's judicial machine kicks into a gear never before seen, the scale of the procedure has sparked interest in the legal system itself.

Belgium in Brief: A cry for confederalism

Belgium's political structure is notoriously complex and keeping track of who's who is a challenge. But could more division simplify the whole arrangement?

Belgium in Brief: More than just football

The localised riots after Belgium's loss to Morocco weren't really about football; the unrest shines a light on the bigger issue of not-so-silent xenophobia in some political corners.

Belgium in Brief: Brussels a world-leading capital?

Efforts by local administrators to put Brussels on the international stage overlook the street-level charm of the city. Now it has a world-winning attraction.

Belgium in Brief: Brussels becomes a walking city

Brussels is making a big effort to transform the town we know into a pedestrian haven. Despite violent criticism, footfall is rising in the city centre.

Belgium in Brief: The EP at 70 – is democracy growing old?

De Croo stressed the Parliament's imperfection but dismissed the notion that it is an expensive and ineffective "talking shop".

Belgium in Brief: Supermarkets fail shoppers on sustainable options

Supermarkets play a major role in helping consumers make the right choice but could do far more to help us in the right direction.

Belgium in Brief: A strike on energy bills?

Can't pay or won't pay? Whatever the case, exorbitant bills may see many households refuse to cough up.

Belgium in Brief: Is Democracy failing?

A survey of Belgian citizens now reveals that many would prefer concentrating power in the hands of a single leader or party. Would this be an improvement?

Belgium in Brief: Breaking the bad news

Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister didn't hold back in his dire warning of mass job losses. But do politicians only tell the truth when it's bad news?

Belgium in Brief: Brussels in 1918

Brussels in 1918 was a fascinating amphitheatre of military decadence, civilian fortitude, and revolt.

Belgium in Brief: De Croo takes a pop at climate activists

Belgium's Prime Minister took to the COP stage to call for unity and write off climate activists as a distraction. His words didn't go down well.

Belgium in Brief: Planes, principles and the planet

As world leaders meet in Egypt to talk about saving the world, how far would you be willing to go to lower your environmental impact?

Belgium in Brief: Just one big COP out?

The international UN climate summit started on Sunday but are leaders of the world's wealthy nations ready to put their money where their mouth is?

Belgium in Brief: Pushing language to its limits

The hyperinflation of vocabulary has us searching for the most extreme qualifiers to elevate already exaggerated expressions. Ergo: 'permacrisis'.

Belgium in Brief: To shop or not to shop, that is the question

Each year Black Friday comes around like a test of consumer restraint. Can we resist?

Belgium in Brief: Waiting for winter

Most homes have held off switching on the heating, but the government is implementing a significant support package for when temperatures finally fall.

Belgium in Brief: Energy forecasts for your wallet and the climate

With winter upon us, the Netherlands has unveiled an energy forecast so that households can use energy more sustainably and affordably.

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