BELGIUM: People agree on few things in linguistically divided Belgium, but an effort to get Belgian potato fries recognised as cultural heritage, putting them on a par with Peking opera and the Argentinian tango may get unequivocal support.

The opening ceremony of the World Athletics Championships was followed by the men’s marathon which was won by Gezahenge Abera of Ethiopia in a time of two hours, 12 minutes and 42 seconds.