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North American Edition
16th September 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

AI shifts cybersecurity hiring toward more experienced professionals

Companies are increasingly using AI to automate entry-level cybersecurity work, including alert triage, log reviews, and data enrichment, while hiring more experienced professionals to oversee AI systems and handle complex threats. A survey of more than 500 chief information security officers found that nearly three-quarters do not expect AI to reduce team sizes, while more than 80% anticipate greater demand for new cybersecurity roles and skills. Cybersecurity hiring remains relatively resilient, with U.S. job postings rising to 13,923 in August from 13,169 in July. However, industry experts warn that reducing junior roles could weaken the pipeline of future senior professionals, creating a potential “talent chasm.” As AI becomes more embedded in cybersecurity, workers are expected to need stronger judgment, business knowledge, AI fluency, and the ability to validate and govern automated outputs.
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LEGAL

Cisco 'likely allowed harassment of pro-Palestinian workers'

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has found that Cisco Systems likely created a hostile work environment for Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim employees. The federal enforcement agency's conclusion followed reports of harassment, including derogatory messages shared in an internal forum, where pro-Palestinian activists were derided as animals and one worker told colleagues to “quit living.” The finding is not a binding ruling, and both sides said the EEOC has indicated that it won’t file a lawsuit. The New York Times says such findings tend to bolster employees’ cases if they decide to go to court on their own. Legal Aid at Work believes this is the first EEOC finding against a major U.S. tech company involving discrimination against workers engaged in pro-Palestinian advocacy. 

Trump blasts his own Supreme Court picks

President Donald Trump has slammed the Supreme Court after justices ruled against him on tariffs, birthright citizenship, and mail ballot restrictions ahead of the midterm elections. Trump said the court's decision on tariffs will cost the U.S. trillions of dollars and the ruling on birthright citizenship is “a complete and total disaster for America.” He wrote on Truth Social: “The damage done to America is incalculable, and they know this, just as everyone else does - It is an irreparable and unrecoverable harm! The Court's inability and unwillingness to do the right thing for our Country will go down, in a very negative way, in the annals of History. This Supreme Court is bullied and cajoled by the Radical Left into making decisions that have set America back at least a hundred years.”  Trump suggested that his picks for the court are not who he thought they would be. “These are not the people I interviewed to serve on the United States Supreme Court, they are merely a shell of their original selves, a Court that is costing the United States Trillions of Dollars with shockingly bad rulings that are of such magnitude that it won't be easily possible for our Country to recover or heal,” he wrote.
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ECONOMY

U.S. median household income hits record high

U.S. median household income rose 2.6% to an inflation-adjusted record of $87,460 in 2025, its highest level since the Census Bureau began tracking the measure in 1967. However, median earnings for full-time, year-round workers were little changed, while elevated costs for groceries, utilities, housing, gasoline, and other essentials continued to put pressure on household finances. The poverty rate fell from 10.7% to 10.2%, while child poverty declined one percentage point to a record-low 13.4%. The uninsured rate remained broadly unchanged at 7.9%. Women’s median earnings increased 3.2%, with women working full-time, year-round earning 83.9% of their male counterparts’ earnings, up from 80.6% in 2024. Health insurance trends were mixed, with Medicare coverage increasing 0.6 percentage points to 20.1% of the population, while Medicaid coverage declined 0.5 percentage points to 17.1%. Future changes to Medicaid and Affordable Care Act subsidies are expected to increase the number of uninsured Americans in 2026 and subsequent years.
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REGULATION

AI regulation meets resistance from top Republicans

Despite warnings from industry leaders about the risks of unbounded AI, GOP leaders are resisting calls for immediate regulations. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) dismissed the need for swift action, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) suggested any regulation should be light-touch to avoid stifling innovation. President Trump reinforced this stance, writing on Truth Social: “The only control or ‘guardrails' that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades.” The lack of action from Republicans comes amid increasing pressure from Democrats who are pushing for new safety protocols. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) criticized the GOP for abandoning their legislative responsibilities, and urged Congress to remain in session to address AI safety risks.
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STRATEGY

Companies return production to China as tariff advantages narrow

Some companies that shifted manufacturing and sourcing out of China to avoid higher U.S. tariffs are moving orders back after encountering production constraints, supply-chain disruptions, higher costs, and infrastructure challenges elsewhere. Target has reportedly restored some orders to Chinese suppliers, Shein is scaling back some operations in Vietnam, and several manufacturers have abandoned overseas production after struggling to replicate China’s skilled labor, extensive supplier networks, equipment availability, and reliable power supply. The financial incentive to relocate has also weakened as the U.S. has expanded tariffs to more countries, narrowing the gap between China and alternative manufacturing hubs such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand. Companies also point to China’s greater resilience during periods of energy and commodity disruption, although production elsewhere can still provide a hedge against future tariff increases.
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TAX

Social Security funding crisis looms

Social Security is facing a significant funding shortfall, with potential benefit cuts looming as early as 2026 if no action is taken. Lawmakers are increasingly considering raising payroll taxes on high earners to address the issue. Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have called for lifting the payroll tax cap, describing it as a “common-sense solution.” The program's trustees project a nearly $30 trn shortfall over 75 years, with only 78% of benefits payable by 2032. Tyler Bond, a senior fellow at the National Academy of Social Insurance, said: “It’s really hard to just ignore the fact that scrapping the cap closes so much of the funding gap.” However, experts warn that such tax increases could have broader economic repercussions, potentially limiting the government's ability to tax the wealthy for other needs.
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INTERNATIONAL

EU set to propose ban on social media and AI chatbots for under-15s

A European Commission document seen by Reuters indicates that the European Union will propose ​a ban restricting under 15s from social media, video sharing platforms, AI chatbots and online games. The ​proposal is part of an EU Kids Act to be presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ​and EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen on Thursday. Reuters says von der Leyen ​may announce some ⁠details in her State of the Union address on upcoming EU policy today. "The Union's approach should allow ​minors to benefit from the huge potential of digital services, while protecting them from abuse and exploitation. It needs ​to limit the access of tech companies to our children, and not the other way around," the document said.

Seoul metro worker files defamation complaint against U.S. influencer

A Seoul Metro worker has filed a defamation complaint against American influencer Victoria Prince after she filmed him during a fare evasion incident involving her companions. The Allbaleun Union said the worker faced emotional distress due to Prince's accusations of racial discrimination. The incident occurred on September 7 at Myeong-dong Station, where Prince's friends attempted to evade fare payment. The union noted that fare evasion cases by foreign passengers are rising, with 732 incidents recorded this year. "Our employee handled the situation responsibly," said Song Si-young, head of the union.

French unions strike across several sectors

Unionised workers in multiple sectors held a day of strikes across France ​yesterday to protest issues including pay rates and rising fuel prices. Energy giant EDF said 59% of its workforce in the electricity and gas industries union, or about 38,000 people, had taken part in the strike action by midday - the highest turnout in decades. The government is expected to present a budget proposal soon; unions fear austerity measures as the administration moves to cut the deficit.

Sullivan & Cromwell opens UAE office

Wall Street law firm Sullivan & Cromwell is opening its first Middle East office in ADGM, Abu Dhabi’s financial hub. “Sovereign capital, private equity and infrastructure investment in the Middle East is fueling some of the most high-profile and complex transactions anywhere in the world,” said Ahmed T. el-Gaili, who will lead the new Middle East practice.
 
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