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North American Edition
7th September 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

U.S. added 162,000 jobs in August

The U.S. economy added 162,000 jobs in August, well above forecasts and marking the strongest monthly gain since March, while July payroll growth was revised up to 21,000 from an initially reported loss of 23,000. The unemployment rate held at 4.1%, labor force participation edged up to 61.6%, and average hourly earnings rose 3.1% from a year earlier to $37.75. Hiring was led by food services and drinking places, local government education, construction, manufacturing, and health care, while information-sector employment declined. Despite the stronger headline figures, economists described the labor market as stable rather than accelerating, with job openings little changed and many workers reluctant to switch jobs. The report could give the Federal Reserve more scope to raise interest rates at its September 16th meeting, although policymakers are expected to weigh the upcoming August inflation data before deciding.
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WORKFORCE

Trump backs federal film tax credit to boost U.S. production

President Donald Trump has endorsed a federal tax credit for film and television production, giving momentum to a bipartisan effort aimed at bringing productions and entertainment jobs back to the U.S. Lawmakers are discussing a labor-based credit of 15%-20%, potentially covering actors and crew members and allowing producers to combine the federal incentive with state tax credits. Supporters argue that the measure could make California more competitive as production increasingly moves overseas. About 45% of U.S. films and scripted television shows were shot internationally last year, compared with roughly 33% in 2022. The proposal has attracted support from lawmakers in both parties, Hollywood unions, and the Motion Picture Association.
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RISK

Global watchdog identifies increasing misuse of informal money-transfer networks

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global ​money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, has said the misuse of informal banking networks, including hawala and other similar service ​providers (HOSSPs), which move payments through agents rather than ​regulated financial institutions, is a growing worldwide problem. FATF President Giles Thomson warned that sophisticated, commercially run networks now act as a “serious risk multiplier,” and make it easier for criminals to hide activities that harm people and communities around the world. FATF ​said in its report that professional service providers, including lawyers, accountants, auditors, consultants and real ​estate agents, are increasingly involved in facilitating the schemes.
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CORPORATE

Congress urged to quickly pass law banning Chinese cars

The Alliance for ‌Automotive Innovation has called on Congress to pass ​legislation permanently barring Chinese vehicles from the U.S. market before the end of the year. "Right now, Chinese automakers are dumping subsidized vehicles with connected software and hardware around the world," the group's CEO John Bozzella wrote in a letter to Congress. "This hasn’t happened inside the U.S. yet, but given the scale and urgency of this threat, we ​urge you to enact a Chinese vehicle, software and hardware ban before adjourning this year and ⁠make this policy the law of the land." The alliance represents General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Honda, Stellantis and other major automakers.
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REMOTE WORK

Billionaire attorney defends firm's work-from-home policy

Billionaire attorney John Morgan has defended his personal injury firm Morgan & Morgan’s controversial work-from-home policy, which includes monitoring employees with cameras and productivity tracking. Describing on a podcast how the arrangement was introduced at America's largest injury law firm, Morgan said: "Here's what we're going to do. You can work from home, but guess what? We're going to put a camera on your computer. We're going to put a camera up your ass." He said 23 employees left within the first week.
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LEGAL

Starbucks anti-unionization case narrowed by appeals court

Reuters reports that a federal appeals court has declined to enforce most of a National Labor Relations Board ruling that Starbucks illegally threatened ​staff with reprisals for seeking to unionize. The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-0 decision, dismissed claims that the coffee chain violated federal labor law when management at a Wichita, Kansas, store told ​staff they closed their hiring portal and reduced hours because of union or ​other protected activities. The court upheld a finding that the retailer illegally ⁠threatened to deny maternity leave benefits to a pregnant employee if workers unionized.

Musk loses court bid to block AI ‘nudification’ ban

Elon Musk’s xAI has failed to block Minnesota from enforcing its law banning the use of AI tools for generating nonconsensual nude images. The state’s first-of-its-kind law prohibits websites, apps, and software programs from allowing users to generate nonconsensual fake nude images or videos with AI. Advertising such services is also prohibited. The law went into effect on August 1st, and imposes civil penalties of up to $500,000 for each unlawful access, download, or use. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Democrat, said the state's ​law was "overwhelmingly bipartisan and nearly ​unanimously approved" by state ⁠lawmakers. He added: "These nudification apps have been used to generate child sexual abuse materials and harass people in the vilest ways imaginable . . . That repulsive behavior is not welcome in Minnesota."
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INTERNATIONAL

Most UAE professionals are not networking effectively

New LinkedIn research reveals that while 91% of UAE professionals plan to stay in the country, many struggle to build professional connections. Despite recognizing the importance of networks, 74% browse work-related content without engaging. Barriers include fear of judgment and lack of guidance, with 58% feeling they lack support in developing relationships. “The UAE continues to be a place where people come to build ambitious, long-term careers. But in a fast-moving labor market, skills alone are not always enough. Visibility and relationships also matter, especially for people who are new to the country, early in their careers, or looking to move into a new sector,” said Najat Abdelhadi, Mena career expert at LinkedIn. “Building a network does not need to start with a big request or a perfectly written message. Small interactions add up,” she added.

Novartis could cut about 130 jobs in Switzerland

Drugmaker Novartis could cut ‌about 130 jobs in Switzerland as it relocates laboratory activities from Kleinbasel, an area of Basel, to its main campus ⁠in the city by the end of 2028. Reuters notes that the company has been investing heavily in sites in the United ​States as the pharmaceutical sector comes under pressure from the Trump administration to ⁠boost manufacturing there. It plans to spend $23bn to build and ​expand 10 facilities in the U.S. over the next five ​years.

CNBC to close Hong Kong operations

CNBC has closed its Hong Kong office and discontinued several international daily shows as part of a significant operational restructuring in Asia and Europe. The decision, communicated to staff via an internal memo, follows a thorough evaluation of the broadcaster's international programming and commercial viability. CNBC said: "As our production needs in Asia evolve, we have made the difficult choice to close our Hong Kong bureau." Key production hubs will remain in London, Singapore, Beijing, and Abu Dhabi.

The unseen workforce behind commercial AI

The sociologist Antonio Casilli has spoken with the Democracy Now website about the hidden workforce - primarily in the Global South - behind commercial AI. These workers perform repetitive work to train and maintain the systems, even though the technology is often presented as if it is autonomous. Casilli says public discussion about AI often focuses on future job threats, but the technology is already changing working conditions for millions of people, many of whom are in unstable, underpaid gig-style arrangements, precipitating demands for fair wages and employment protections.
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OTHER

Older adults outnumber the youngest children worldwide

A new report from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that last year, the global population of people aged 65 and over surpassed the number of children under five for the first time in recorded history, and the global population aged 65 and over will rise from 10.5% in 2025 to 19.6% by 2060. The bureau's August 2026 report, An Aging World: 2025, says this demographic shift is occurring more quickly than expected a decade ago and is creating an unprecedented, increasingly “top-heavy” age structure.
 
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