Local elections held on 13 October saw lukewarm participation and delivered results that partially deceived predictions, with far- and centre-right less successful than expected; experts commented that the so-called 'blue wave' found a 'red wall'

Shops in Belgium will soon be allowed to remain open until 21:00, and seven days a week; the measure is expected to be validated to relax businesses' opening hours and meet modern needs

1 in 4 young foreign workers in Belgium feels overqualified for their job, says recent analysis by Statbel, especially at entry-level, and 1 in 5 Belgian youth have jobs below their skill level, while the country has the second highest job vacancy in EU

A veterinary care group is calling on pet owners to add their animals to the blood donation register to cope with the severe shortage of animal blood donors; according to AniCura transfusions help surgery recovery and increase effectiveness of medication

Bankruptcies in Belgium increased by 7,13% year on year in May, according to the latest monthly report from commercial information bureau GraydonCreditsafe, the highest figure since 2013; in Flanders alone, bankruptcies reached a record high of 570