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North American Edition
17th August 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

AI store manager fires human employee

The AI proprietor of a San Francisco-based retailer has fired one of its employees. The dismissal occurred at Andon Market, a shop operated by Luna, which has been described as “the world’s first AI store owner” by its developer, Andon Labs. The company gave Luna a corporate credit card, internet access, and a $100,000 budget to design and open a brick-and-mortar store, choose merchandise, and hire workers. “Luna’s decision to fire the employee is the first time (to our knowledge) an AI boss has fired a human employee . . . It’s a single event and admittedly one where we had to remind her [sic] to act. However, this event updated our understanding of AI, as we weren’t sure that current AI models would make this decision,”  Andon Labs wrote in a blog post. It is noted that the shop’s staff members are officially employed by Andon Labs.
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HIRING

Job seekers are adding AI terms and skills to their résumés

Job seekers are giving their work history an AI makeover, adding new skills to their résumés and obtaining certifications to demonstrate their aptitude in the technology in hopes of gaining the attention of employers. The share of LinkedIn users in the U.S. who added AI-related terms to their profiles rose 70% last year, according to LinkedIn data. Employers, meanwhile, are doing likewise. Among all titles employers are hiring for on the jobs site Indeed in the U.S., 8% mentioned AI in the first quarter of 2026, up from 3% in 2022. 
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WORKFORCE

Blanche makes plea for unity at DOJ

In his inaugural address to the Justice Department workforce, Attorney General Todd Blanche vowed to make the department “more faithful to its highest ideals than when I found it.” CNN says Blanche’s speech sought to steady a workforce that has been hit by firings, backlash in court and claims of political dealing on the president’s behalf. “I promise you that I will lead this department with integrity,” Blanche said. “I promise you that I will focus on our core mission, which is to uphold the rule of law fairly and impartially, to keep this great country safe, and to protect the rights of every citizen in this country.” He told DOJ employees that disagreement is “extraordinarily healthy,” but said the department works best when staff “execute the decided plan as one team, one mission, one goal.”

Almost half of young Americans view democratic socialism positively

A CNBC Generation Lab poll has found 46% of Americans aged 18-34 view democratic socialism favorably, compared with 23% unfavorably. Nearly 80% were negative about the U.S. economy, with housing and secure employment among the biggest financial pressures. Meanwhile, 45% expect AI to negatively affect their careers, most favor regulation, and large majorities distrust leading technology executives to act responsibly on AI.
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STRATEGY

Stellantis weighs sale of Canada plant, union says

Stellantis is considering the closure and sale of its Brampton, Ontario, plant, according to Canadian autoworkers union Unifor. "This potential ​closure highlights the dangerous repercussions of the ongoing auto tariffs imposed by the Trump administration," the union said, adding ⁠that it would discuss the matter in upcoming contract negotiations with the automaker.
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ECONOMY

U.S. consumer sentiment falls as inflation concerns weigh on households

U.S. consumer sentiment has fallen for the first time in three months as households grew more concerned about worsening business conditions, the economic outlook, and persistent inflation. The University of Michigan’s preliminary consumer sentiment index dropped to 51 in August from 55.2 in July, below the 55 reading expected by economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Inflation expectations have also increased, with consumers expecting prices to rise 4.3% over the next year, up slightly from July and remaining well above levels recorded before the Iran conflict began in February. Longer-term expectations showed consumers anticipating annual price growth of 3.3% over the next five to 10 years. The deterioration in sentiment was widespread, but was particularly pronounced among older and lower-income consumers, as well as those without a college degree, groups that the University of Michigan said are especially vulnerable to the loss of purchasing power caused by inflation. Expectations for both the short- and long-term economic outlook weakened after improving during the previous two months.
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TECHNOLOGY

Companies adopt AI faster than they can govern it, Deloitte says

Companies are deploying AI faster than they are developing systems to oversee its risks, costs, and performance, according to a Deloitte survey of 200 finance chiefs at North American companies with at least $1bn in annual revenue. More than 90% of respondents said their organizations extensively use AI across key functions, but more than half were only somewhat confident in their AI governance frameworks. Nearly six in 10 CFOs cited balancing rapid AI deployment with risk management as a key concern, while almost half pointed to uncertain costs or limited visibility into internal AI use. As AI expands into core finance functions, including financial planning and budgeting, executives are increasingly focused on controls, measurable returns, cybersecurity, and potential litigation involving protected or private content. Deloitte said stronger governance could become increasingly important not only for regulatory compliance, but also for winning customers as businesses scrutinize how suppliers deploy and control AI.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

UN warns Ebola virus is ‘winning’

The Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – the fastest-growing on record and on track to become the deadliest – is killing one person every 30 minutes. The epidemic is doubling about every 20 days, Tom Fletcher, the United Nations’ Under-Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, said. “Ebola is winning in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Fletcher said. “We cannot let the virus outrun our response . . . We need speed, scale and solidarity before this virus gets even further ahead of us.” ”
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INTERNATIONAL

Germany’s domestic auto industry workforce is dwindling

Germany’s domestic auto industry workforce is now at its smallest in more than two decades. In the year through June, the sector lost more jobs than any other manufacturing category, according to the Federal Statistics Office. The workforce at carmakers including Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz fell by 5.8%, or 42,300 employees, to its lowest since 2005. The country's carmakers are experiencing toughening conditions in China, Chinese competition in global markets, and high domestic production costs.

Russia is losing its Central Asian labor force

Russia is experiencing a labor shortage after migrant worker entries from Central Asia dropped by 15% in the first half of 2026. This decline, attributed to stricter migration policies and rising costs, has disrupted essential services. Alexander Safonov of the Financial University notes that bureaucratic hurdles deter workers, and meanwhile the Kremlin's focus on security has intensified scrutiny of migrants, leading to fears of military conscription. Central Asian countries are also diversifying their labor markets, as countries including Uzbekistan promote safer job opportunities abroad. "The trust Moscow has lost could translate into gains for other capitals," experts say.

Gas leak at Bangladesh shipbreaking yard kills at least nine workers

A suspected gas leak at the Ferdous Steel Ship Breaking Yard in Sitakunda, Bangladesh, has resulted in the deaths of at least nine workers, according to police inspector Mohammed Alamgir. An investigation is underway to determine the cause and whether safety measures were adequate. The shipbreaking industry in Bangladesh is a multi-billion dollar sector, accounting for approximately 36% of global ship scrapping and employing tens of thousands of workers.
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OTHER

Last season of legal dog meat in Korea

A nationwide ban on the breeding, slaughter and sale of dogs for ‌meat takes full effect in South Korea in February 2027. In a poll released just before the legislation ​passed in 2024, more than 90% of 2,000 respondents said they had no intention of eating dog meat in future, and more than 80% said they supported ⁠a ban. ⁠Nearly 95% said they had not ⁠eaten dog meat during the previous ​year. Restaurant owner Lee Kang-chun, who has spent 37 years in the trade at the Moran ‌Market in Seongnam, once one of Korea's best-known hubs for dog meat, lamented the ban. "When I see elderly people come all this way and leave because there's no dog meat left, it nearly brings me to tears," he said.
 
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