Garment workers in Bangladesh continued wage protests on 4 November. They sought a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka rather than 12,500. A new wage board proposed a revised pay structure without specifying an increase. Factory closures and clashes with police affected production in several areas. Global clothing retailers buy products made in the country.

Australian department store chain David Jones entered administration on 5 November. The retailer has operated for 188 years. About 6,000 employees face uncertainty while its 38 stores remain under review. Management and administrators are considering restructuring or a sale. Online shopping, costs and weak sales have challenged the company.

Hackers changed refrigeration control settings at sites linked to France’s blood service. The affected systems were operated through an external supplier. Security alarms detected the problem before blood products were damaged. The blood service reported no health consequences or product losses. Authorities are investigating how the attack occurred.

British ministers are considering restrictions involving camera-equipped smart glasses. The debate follows concerns about filming people without their consent. The glasses can also help some users with visual impairments. Existing rules already restrict recording in certain settings. No general nationwide sales ban has been announced.

RESEARCH LANE UK researchers modelled nutritional changes when dairy foods are replaced with plant alternatives. They studied iodine, calcium, vitamin B12 and riboflavin intake. Some unfortified alternatives contained much less of these nutrients. The study does not show that every vegan diet causes a deficiency. Researchers suggested improved fortification as a possible safeguard.

The Umbrella Academy: Number Seven has the power to control sound and weather, but her emotions make her powers unstable. After she accidentally hurts her sister, her brother locks her in a dark room, and her fear pushes her toward a destructive breakdown that threatens the whole world.

A Hong Kong court sentenced activist Joshua Wong to ten years in prison on 5 November. He pleaded guilty to a national security offence involving foreign collusion. Prosecutors alleged coordination over international sanctions after the security law took effect. Officials describe the legislation as protecting national security. Rights organisations criticise its effect on peaceful political expression.

CIVIC LANE Serbian authorities detained several serving and former police officers on 4 November. They are suspected of abusing people held during 2025 anti-government protests. The allegations concern intimidation and violence inside a government compound. Local and international outlets have reported the investigation. Detention does not establish the officers’ guilt

CIVIC LANE Israel’s election commission certified the results of the October election on 4 November. It said its review found no fraud that changed the result. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and allies had alleged widespread wrongdoing. Separate inquiries into specific suspicions are not proof of widespread fraud. The election left his governing bloc without a majority.

CIVIC LANE Paraguay’s central bank placed Ueno Bank into resolution proceedings after finding that it had fallen below the minimum solvency requirement. Millions of customers faced disruption to savings, wages and pension payments. On 5 November, President Santiago Peña announced his resignation, and the lower house voted to bring impeachment charges. His announcement did not itself constitute formal acceptance of his resignation; the Senate still had a separate constitutional role. A parliamentary filing alleges conflicts of interest, concerns over appointments and the placement of public pension funds at the bank. Peña has denied wrongdoing. The central bank has announced an initial stage of guaranteed payments to eligible depositors, while the recovery of other funds remains unresolved.