THE HOT STORY

Less than half of UK adults want full-time work

Less than half of Britons desire full-time work, according to a Resolution Foundation analysis of the British Social Attitudes Survey. The proportion wanting full-time jobs dropped from 57% in 2015 to 47% in 2025, primarily among men, whose interest fell by 15 percentage points. Job satisfaction among men also declined significantly, from 79% to 70%. Hannah Slaughter, the report's author, noted: "Workers today put a little less intrinsic value on work than workers did a decade ago . . . [they] increasingly want jobs that provide flexibility, independence and financial security. But many feel those expectations are not being met. The result is rising frustration among workers, who report lower job satisfaction, declining willingness to go above and beyond, and a reduced appetite for full-time work."

The Guardian

The Daily Telegraph

WORKFORCE

France braces for nationwide strike action

Workers across France are set to strike on Thursday, November 5th, in a nationwide protest addressing wages, the cost of living, and public services. Organised by the intersyndicale, which includes major unions including CFDT and CGT, the strike will impact public transport, education, healthcare, and public administration. This action follows weeks of protests against rising living costs, including demonstrations on October 17th, 24th, and 31st.

The Local

Germany's private banks offer 4.2% pay rise

Germany's private banks have offered employees a 4.2% pay increase from mid-2027 in their collective bargaining dispute with trade union Verdi. The proposed uplift would take effect midway through 2027. Verdi is seeking a larger increase than employers have put forward. The offer follows warning strikes by bank workers. Verdi is also calling for employment protections linked to banks' use of artificial intelligence, placing job security alongside pay in the continuing talks.

Handelsblatt

WORKPLACE

Unions gain access to thousands of Google workers in UK

Google has agreed to let the trade union Prospect organise among about 7,000 employees across its UK operations, including YouTube but excluding DeepMind. The union has a similar access agreement with Meta, covering about 5,000 UK employees across Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. Both arrangements comply with new Employment Rights Act rules allowing unions to contact non-members, encourage recruitment and hold workplace sessions. Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy said tech workers deserved a stronger voice on pay, flexibility, AI deployment and culture.

The Guardian

HIRING

Copenhagen adds more than 100,000 jobs in a decade

Copenhagen will require an additional 4.6m square metres of business space by 2050 to accommodate projected employment growth, according to the City of Copenhagen's comprehensive business report. Between 2014 and 2024, the city added over 100,000 jobs, outpacing economic growth in Stockholm, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Hamburg. Copenhagen's economy is thriving," said a city official.

Copenhagen Post

CYBERSECURITY

Cyberattacks hit supermarket refrigeration systems across Europe

Hackers have targeted refrigeration systems at dozens of supermarkets across Europe, causing freezers to overheat and destroying food worth millions of euros. Retailers affected include Ahold Delhaize, Carrefour, Intermarché, Ikea, and Supervalu. Freezer temperatures at stores operated by Ica and Coop in Sweden reportedly surged to as high as 55°C. The attack exploited security weaknesses in temperature control systems supplied by Danfoss, which has urged customers to update software and strengthen network protection. Belgium has classified the incident as a national cyber security threat, while EU officials have said that Europe’s overall food security remains unaffected.

UK cyber agency warns of AI attack threat

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned that AI-powered malware is highly likely to be used in a ransomware attack on the UK's critical infrastructure by 2028. Power stations, airports and hospitals could be among the targets. Its annual review says AI will help criminals identify weaknesses in IT systems, select targets and develop malicious software, and Russia and China are expected to use the technology routinely in cyber-attacks. NCSC chief executive Richard Horne warns of an unprecedented rise in cyber incidents, and is urging organisations to invest more heavily in cyber resilience.

The Guardian

LEGAL

Serbian banker detained amid scandal

Serbian authorities have detained Davor Macura, the owner of Alta Bank, on suspicion of embezzling 45bn dinars (approximately $428m). The Central Bank of Serbia had already revoked Alta Bank's operating licence and launched bankruptcy proceedings due to liquidity issues. Macura, who has connections to the former government, is accused of illegally transferring funds from the lender. The situation has seen armed police guarding the bank's offices as customers attempt to withdraw their savings.

ABC News

Bloomberg

INTERNATIONAL

Rising living costs dominate US midterm elections

The US economy emerged as the central issue in the final days of the midterm election campaign, with rising inflation, energy costs, and mortgage rates fueling voter dissatisfaction despite strong economic growth and resilient financial markets. Inflation has accelerated to 3.7%, while mortgage rates have climbed above 7%, putting further pressure on household budgets. President Donald Trump's tariffs and the war with Iran have contributed to rising costs, prompting Democrats to focus on affordability while Republicans emphasize economic growth and investment. Democratic candidates and their allies have spent nearly $500m on advertising addressing economic concerns, while a recent New York Times/Siena poll found that 53% of likely voters rated economic conditions as poor. The White House has responded with targeted financial relief measures, including $90 payments for Medicare recipients and $500 rebates for some health insurance customers, alongside a proposed $5,000 payment to every American adult, subject to congressional approval.

New York Times

North Korea opens wave of barbecue restaurants amid scepticism over economic prosperity

North Korea has announced the opening of more than a dozen barbecue restaurants across the country since September, as leader Kim Jong Un seeks to showcase rising prosperity beyond the capital, Pyongyang. The new venues, some spanning several floors and accommodating hundreds of diners, form part of a broader expansion of leisure facilities, including waterparks, coffee shops and luxury shopping centres. The openings come as North Korea's economy grew 3.5% in 2025, marking a third consecutive year of growth above 3%. However, analysts have questioned whether the restaurants reflect genuine improvements in living standards or government propaganda, particularly as more than 40% of the population is estimated to be undernourished. Critics argue that the high-end establishments remain largely inaccessible to ordinary citizens, with the expansion potentially benefiting a relatively small, wealthier segment of the population.

Reuters

OTHER

Adidas gains ground on Nike as marathon victories drive running shoe sales

Adidas is strengthening its position in the competitive running shoe market, recording eight victories at major international marathons in 2026 and outperforming longtime rival Nike in elite race results. The German sportswear company reported a 19% increase in running revenue during the third quarter, supported by growing demand for high-performance footwear and record participation in marathon events worldwide. Adidas has expanded its running shoe development team to more than 100 people and reduced development time for its elite Evo range to approximately nine months, compared with the typical 18–24 months for conventional running shoes. Nike remains a significant competitor, reporting six consecutive quarters of double-digit growth in its running business despite fewer major marathon victories.

Reuters

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