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North American Edition
15th July 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Meta layoffs face AI bias claim

Twenty-six Meta employees have sued the company, alleging that AI-assisted systems used during mass layoffs disproportionately selected workers with disabilities, medical conditions, pregnancies, or caring responsibilities. The plaintiffs claim employee rankings considered productivity, AI token use, communications, documents, keystrokes, screen content, emails and browser history, disadvantaging those who had taken medical leave. They are seeking to pause layoffs scheduled to begin on July 22 while pursuing individual arbitration claims. The lawsuit also alleges Meta failed to test its systems for discrimination under California and New York City rules. Meta rejected the accusations, with a spokesperson stating: “Workforce management and organizational decisions were and are made by people, not AI.” The case appears to be the first major U.S. lawsuit challenging the alleged use of artificial intelligence to determine layoffs and could test how existing employment protections apply to automated workplace decision-making.
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WORKFORCE

Hiring recovery leaves millions behind

Nearly 2m Americans have been unemployed for at least six months despite improving job growth and a 4.2% unemployment rate. Long-term job seekers represented 27.3% of unemployed people in June, close to the highest share since late 2021 and four percentage points above a year earlier. Prime-age and white-collar workers are particularly affected, including those in professional services, government, finance and information technology. Economists attribute the problem to a low-hire, low-fire labour market in which limited recruitment prevents job seekers from returning quickly. Laura Ullrich, director of economic research at Indeed, said: “I don’t anticipate it changing until we see the hires rate pick up.” Extended unemployment can exhaust savings, interrupt retirement contributions, damage career development and force workers into lower-paid roles. Some applicants report increasing employer interest, but the broader hiring rate remains subdued.
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ECONOMY

AI's dual-edged sword for jobs

On Monday, over 200 economists, researchers, and tech leaders warned that AI could significantly impact the economy, leading to both opportunities and risks, including "large-scale job displacement." Erik Brynjolfsson, a Stanford University professor, emphasized the need for AI to "complement humans rather than simply imitate them" to ensure prosperity for all. The statement titled "We Must Act Now" calls for better understanding and regulation of AI's effects on society. Prominent signatories include Eric Schmidt and Reid Hoffman, highlighting the urgency as companies race to develop powerful AI tools. Public backlash is growing, with protests against AI's rapid advancement and concerns over job losses in various sectors. Tom Cunningham, a researcher, noted, "We are driving in the fog," stressing the need for coordinated efforts to navigate the complexities of AI's impact on society.

Small business confidence rises in June as fuel costs ease

Confidence among U.S. small businesses improved in June, with the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index rising 2.1 points to 97.4, exceeding economists' expectations of 95.7. The increase was driven in part by lower fuel costs, which provided relief for businesses and consumers, while more owners expressed optimism about operating conditions over the next six months. The share of business owners expecting better business conditions rose 10 points to a net 13%, marking the first improvement this year. At the same time, the proportion of owners reporting higher selling prices increased for the fourth consecutive month to its highest level since January 2023, although fewer businesses said they planned to raise prices in the months ahead. Despite the improved outlook, the NFIB said small business owners remain cautious about hiring and capital investment 
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HIRING

Recruitment market shows signs of life

Toby Fowlston, chief executive of Robert Walters, stated that the global hiring market's three-year slowdown is primarily cyclical, not driven by AI. He reassured shareholders that the market is recovering, despite a 4% drop in net fee income to £69.4m in the second quarter. Fowlston noted that the downturn stems from trade wars, political upheaval, and cost of living crises. However, he highlighted that fees are increasing in half of their markets, including the UK, Japan, and New Zealand, indicating a potential recovery ahead.

California's bilingual teacher crisis deepens

California aims to enroll half of K-12 students in bilingual programs by 2030, but faces a significant challenge due to a shortage of approximately 6,000 qualified bilingual teachers. A new $10m state grant seeks to recruit bilingual high school students into teaching, partnering with colleges to facilitate their credentialing. Assemblymember David A. Alvarez said: “I kept hearing from districts and educators that bilingual students want to become teachers but run into a fragmented system.” While the grant is a step forward, experts like Lucrecia Santibañez from UCLA argue it is insufficient to meet the state's ambitious goals. The demand for bilingual teachers varies across districts, with many lacking the necessary funding and programs. The new legislation prioritizes districts with high English learner populations, but educators stress that more financial aid and incentives are needed to attract and retain bilingual teachers. 
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WORKPLACE

The emotional toll on ER doctors

According to a new study published in BMJ Quality & Safety, the emotional state of patients significantly affects the performance of emergency room (ER) doctors. Lead author Linda Isbell from the University of Massachusetts Amherst said: “We need a systemic shift that acknowledges the human reality of uncertainty and emotions in medicine.” The research involved standardized patients who acted either calmly or irritably while providing the same medical details. The findings revealed that doctors felt more anxiety and mistrust when interacting with demanding patients, which could lead to poorer care outcomes. Isbell emphasized that emotions are a natural part of life and that the medical culture should not expect doctors to suppress their feelings.
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LEGAL

Nike faces jury in sex bias case

A jury of eight, comprising seven men and one woman, is set to deliberate a significant sex discrimination lawsuit against Nike, which has been ongoing for nearly eight years. The lawsuit alleges that Nike is a workplace where “women are devalued and demeaned,” with claims of systemic underpayment and promotion biases. The trial, which began with jury selection on Monday, will focus solely on the experiences of Heather Hender, the last remaining plaintiff, who asserts she was unfairly compensated compared to her male counterparts. U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio has limited the case to pay and promotion issues, excluding allegations of sexual harassment. Baggio emphasized that the trial is not a critique of corporate America, stating: “This case isn't about corporate America.” The jury selection process involved extensive questioning to ensure impartiality, with potential jurors being dismissed for biases related to Nike.

Hilton Grand Vacations takes a stand

Hilton Grand Vacations has terminated an employee who sent a racial slur to Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray via social media after the team's recent loss. Gray, 33, shared the offensive message on her Instagram story, prompting Hilton to confirm the individual's dismissal. "The person responsible for posting this information is no longer with the company," Hilton stated, emphasizing that the behavior violated company policies and values. This incident follows similar harassment faced by WNBA players, including Alyssa Thomas, who criticized the league for inadequate protection against such behavior.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Pathways to success: California's students thrive

In California, over 330,000 high school students are engaging in themed “pathways” that blend academics with career-focused courses, thanks to the Linked Learning Alliance. This nonprofit collaborates with school districts to provide more than 600 pathways across various fields, including engineering and entertainment. Anne Stanton, president of Linked Learning Alliance, emphasized the importance of student feedback, stating: “The voices of young people are the most important voices.” A recent survey revealed that students feel these pathways significantly aid their transition into adulthood. For instance, a Los Angeles USD 10th-grader noted: “I felt deeply connected to my learning when I used professional tools.” The California Career Pathways Trust, established in 2014 with a $500m investment, aims to enhance career pathways and align education with workforce needs.
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Robots: the key to inclusion?

Workplace robots could enhance inclusion for autistic adults by redesigning jobs to accommodate their unique needs. Many neurodivergent individuals face barriers due to sensory overload and unpredictable work environments, rather than skill deficits. Physical AI, such as collaborative robots, can streamline tasks, provide immediate feedback, and manage chaotic surroundings. Deloitte's 2026 State of AI in the Enterprise report noted that while 58% of companies use physical AI, 84% have not yet redesigned jobs to leverage this technology. The aim is to adapt work to fit the worker, expanding the talent pool and promoting inclusion.
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INTERNATIONAL

U.K. pension age rise could hit millions

The UK government is considering advancing the state pension age to 68 by 2037, affecting approximately 5m people currently aged 49 to 55. This change, which could save the Treasury around £6bn ($8bn) annually, would mean these individuals must work an additional year to qualify for their pensions, costing them an estimated £12,500 ($17,000). Although no final decision has been announced, the Treasury has indicated this policy shift aligns with previous government reviews aiming for a sustainable pension system. As the landscape of retirement continues to shift, professionals should prepare for potential changes impacting their financial planning and retirement timelines.

Read it and reap the benefits

In Singapore, KPMG and the National Library Board (NLB) launched "Read to Lead: Building an AI-Ready Mind," a year-long initiative aimed at enhancing reading skills among professionals. A recent poll revealed that only 40% of PMETs felt confident in distinguishing accurate information from AI-generated content. The programme, officiated by Minister Rahayu Mahzam, includes expert-led talks and activities to foster critical thinking and discernment. Melissa Tam, CEO of NLB, emphasised the importance of focused reading, while KPMG's Lee Sze Yeng highlighted the need for professionals to read widely across disciplines to evaluate information effectively.
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AND FINALLY...

Snooze control in the driverless lane

Waymo's robotaxi service is encountering unexpected challenges as passengers experience various issues during rides. Kasendar, a frequent rider, recalled waking up to firefighters after falling asleep during a trip, highlighting the growing problem of "sleepers" in Austin, which recorded 99 such incidents in Waymo's first nine months. Remote assistants struggle to manage these situations, often calling 911 when passengers do not respond. "We don't want to commit a significant number of resources to these calls when, statistically, we know that most of the time, these people do not need further medical treatment," said Roger Patterson, a commander with Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services. The rollout of autonomous taxis is proving to be a complex social experiment, with companies like Waymo implementing cleaning fees for messes left behind by passengers. Despite the challenges, some riders, like Kasendar, feel safer in robotaxis compared to traditional taxis.
 
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