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North American Edition
21st July 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

Microsoft issues alert on server software attack

Microsoft has issued an alert about attacks on SharePoint server software used by government agencies and businesses to share documents within organizations, and has recommended security updates that customers should apply forthwith. U.S. state officials and private researchers say hackers have compromised U.S. federal and state agencies, universities, energy companies and an Asian telecommunications company. Users are being urged to take the servers offline or make changes to the SharePoint programs to protect themselves. "Microsoft has provided security updates and encourages customers to install them," a spokesperson said. "We’ve been coordinating closely with CISA, DOD Cyber Defense Command, and key cybersecurity partners around the world throughout our response."
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LEGAL

U.S. CEO resigns after concert embrace goes viral

A U.S. tech company says its chief executive has quit after he was apparently caught on a big screen at a Coldplay concert embracing a female co-worker, in a clip that went viral. Astronomer said in a statement: "Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted." The woman was identified as Kristin Cabot, the firm's chief people officer. A company statement said on Saturday: "As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met." The New York-based firm said its board would begin a search for the next leader and its chief product officer would keep serving as interim CEO.

Wells Fargo banker under exit ban 'is involved in a criminal case'

The Wells Fargo banker who has been blocked from leaving China was involved in a criminal case and obliged to cooperate with the investigation, according to China's foreign ministry. Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the ministry, said Chinese law enforcement authorities have restricted Chenyue Mao's exit in accordance with the law. "Everyone in China, whether they are Chinese or foreigners, must abide by Chinese laws," Guo said.

Judge dismisses FBI agents' lawsuits

U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in Washington has thrown out lawsuits brought by FBI agents seeking to prevent President Donald Trump's administration from publicly identifying those who worked on the probe into the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters. Cobb found that the risk of Justice Department leadership disclosing the names of FBI agents is "too speculative" to allow them to sue. "They do not plausibly allege that Defendants are about to engage in any of the conduct agents are worried about," Cobb wrote.
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LEADERSHIP

Billy Long sworn in as IRS Commissioner

Former Missouri congressman Billy Long has been ceremonially sworn in as IRS Commissioner. He was confirmed by the Senate in June with a 53-44 vote, despite concerns regarding his ties to a tax credit scheme. Mr. Long's appointment comes amid significant staffing cuts and leadership instability within the agency, which have raised concerns about the upcoming tax filing season. In a message to IRS employees, he said: “In my first 90 days I plan to ask you, my employee partners, to help me develop a new culture here. I'm big on culture, and I'm anxious to develop one that makes your lives and the taxpayers' lives better.” Mr. Long, who has no prior experience in tax administration, previously sponsored legislation aimed at abolishing the IRS. His connections to alleged tax loopholes have prompted calls for a criminal investigation from Democrats.
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WORKFORCE

U.S. auto safety agency sheds more than 25% of employees

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is dispensing with more than 25% of its employees under financial incentive programs to depart the government offered by the White House. The U.S. auto safety agency, which is part of the Transportation Department, is shrinking from 772 employees as of May 31 to 555 under the program. The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration are also both losing more than a quarter of their staff. Representative Rick Larsen, top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, expressed his concern about the cuts, questioning how USDOT can “expedite project delivery and advance safety with a decimated workforce.”
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

ACA insurers seek double-digit premium hikes next year

The Wall Street Journal reports that insurers are seeking major 2026 rate increases for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, the coverage known as Obamacare, citing higher healthcare costs and changing federal policy, including cuts to subsidies that help consumers pay for plans. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois wants a 27% hike, while its sister Blue Cross plan in Texas is asking for 21%. The largest ACA plans in Washington state, Georgia and Rhode Island are all looking for premiums to surge more than 20%. Most Obamacare enrollees’ monthly insurance bills will go up substantially next year because of reductions in federal subsidies that help pay for their coverage. Enhanced payments passed by Congress in 2021 will lapse at the end of December. The drop-off in subsidies is both helping to drive higher premiums and making it harder for many consumers to pay them.
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TECHNOLOGY

Top AI companies have ‘unacceptable' risk management

New studies by nonprofits SaferAI and the Future of Life Institute (FLI) say that leading AI companies exhibit “unacceptable” risk management and a “striking lack of commitment to many areas of safety.” The assessments indicate that no company scored above “weak” in risk management maturity. Each report was the second of its kind. The two groups hope they will be a running series that incentivizes top AI companies to improve their practices. “We want to make it really easy for people to see who is not just talking the talk, but who is also walking the walk,” said Max Tegmark, president of the FLI.
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INTERNATIONAL

Italy's Meloni fights to prevent trade war

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has said that her government is doing everything it can to avert a trade war between the EU and the United States, saying that such a scenario would primarily hurt ordinary workers. "These are days in which the government is working to avert a trade war with the United States, which would not make sense and would impact workers above all," Meloni said in her speech at the national congress of the CISL labor union in Rome. "All our efforts have this aim, clearly in collaboration with other leaders and with the European Commission, which has jurisdiction in this area."

More than half of UAE employees check work emails during leave

According to a survey by Robert Walters, over 54% of professionals in the UAE and Middle East check work emails during annual leave, and only 22% feel refreshed upon returning to the workplace. Jason Grundy, managing director of Robert Walters Middle East, said: “Annual leave should provide professionals respite and a chance to reset – it shouldn't cause them to become more stressed than before they went away.” The study highlights that 65% of employees experience anxiety when returning to work, with many resorting to "firefighting tactics" to manage their workload. The phenomenon of "fear of falling behind" (FOFB) is prevalent: 63% of professionals say they find it easier to relax on leave when their teams are also off.
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OTHER

Back-to-school shopping season kicks off early

Back-to-school shopping has begun earlier than usual for most American families, with two-thirds already purchasing supplies - a 55% increase from last year's early shoppers. A key driver is economic uncertainty, particularly concerns over tariffs and inflation, prompting consumers to hunt for deals and shop during summer sales. According to the National Retail Federation, over half of surveyed shoppers cited tariffs as the reason for getting a head start. Amazon, Target, and Walmart are rolling out back-to-school summer sales to attract budget-conscious shoppers. Amazon recently wrapped up its four-day Prime Day event, while Walmart announced price cuts on key school supplies, responding to a survey showing 70% of its customers plan to spend more time hunting for deals.
 
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