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North American Edition
24th April 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

AI spending drives tech workforce cuts

Meta and Microsoft are preparing staff reductions while continuing heavy investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure and talent. Meta plans to cut 10% of its workforce, or about 8,000 roles, as it seeks efficiency alongside capital expenditure of up to $135bn. Janelle Gale, Meta’s chief people officer, said the reductions would help “offset the other investments we’re making.” Microsoft will offer voluntary redundancy to about 8,750 eligible U.S. employees and change its employee stock reward rules. The moves show how major technology companies are trying to control operating costs while funding large AI commitments, including infrastructure expansion and recruitment of specialist engineering talent.
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WORKFORCE

New jobless claims edge higher but labor market remains stable

The Labor Department has reported that new applications for unemployment benefits totalled 214,000 in the seven days to April 18th, up 6,000 from a week earlier, and ahead of the 210,000 expected among economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal. The four-week moving average of claims rose 750 to 210,750, while continuing claims increased from 1.81m to 1.82m. 

Trump administration slashes law enforcement staff

The Trump administration has reduced the workforce of key law enforcement agencies by over 4,000 employees, despite promises to combat crime. Records from the U.S. Justice Department indicate that the FBI's staff has decreased by more than 7%, while the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have also seen significant losses. The Justice Department's National Security Division lost nearly 38% of its staff, raising concerns about its ability to handle critical issues like terrorism and espionage.

USDA shakes up workforce with relocation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans to relocate approximately 2,600 staff from the Washington region to five regional hubs. This reorganization aims to bring the workforce closer to farmers, as most employees already reside outside Washington. Key agencies, including the Economic Research Service and the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, will move to Kansas City. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated: "This move puts our research institutions outside of the beltway and closer to the land grant universities." The USDA will also decommission its Beltsville Agricultural Research Center amid concerns over research interruptions.

Nike to cut 1,400 jobs as turnaround efforts continue

Nike has announced plans to lay off 1,400 employees, primarily in operations and technology, as part of an ongoing restructuring aimed at improving efficiency and supporting long-term profitable growth. The cuts, which follow several years of workforce reductions, are linked to efforts to streamline its operations division and reduce reliance on direct-to-consumer sales, with the company expecting around $300m in related charges, while management emphasized the changes are a continuation of its broader turnaround strategy.

KPMG to axe 10% of U.S. audit partners

KPMG will reduce the number of partners in its U.S. assurance business to enhance productivity and align staffing with market needs. The decision follows the firm's previous offers of early retirement packages to partners. KPMG said: "This action is connected to a multi-year strategy to align the size, shape and skills of our team to the power of our audit platform." The firm aims to better serve clients and protect capital markets through the restructuring.

PGA Tour cuts workforce

The PGA Tour has laid off 56 full-time employees, equal to 4% of its workforce, and will leave 73 open roles unfilled as it restructures around a for-profit model. Chief executive Brian Rolapp sent staff a memo explaining recommendations from a third-party review. The changes follow the creation of PGA Tour Enterprises, backed by an initial $1.5bn investment from Strategic Sports Group. Talks with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which controls LIV Golf, have stalled since a White House meeting in February 2025.
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PRODUCTIVITY

AI threatens 7.35% of jobs

A recent report from Tufts University reveals that Massachusetts is the most vulnerable state in the U.S. to job displacement due to artificial intelligence, with an estimated 7.35% of jobs at risk. The report highlights that Boston, a major innovation hub, could face $20bn in annual income losses from AI-related job disruptions. The study identifies software developers and market research analysts as highly vulnerable roles. Bhaskar Chakravorti, dean of global business at The Fletcher School, emphasized the paradox of productivity gains alongside job risks, noting: “Boston is really interesting. It's almost a Petri dish for how AI is going to increase productivity and also potentially change the way people do work.”
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HIRING

AI tools bring new hiring dilemma

AI tools are transforming the hiring landscape, enabling candidates to present an idealized version of their skills, a phenomenon termed "skillfishing" by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). This disconnect between a candidate's presentation and actual performance poses challenges for employers. As Pattie Hunt Sinacole noted: "The tools that help candidates present their best selves can also obscure their real capabilities." To combat skillfishing, employers are encouraged to set realistic expectations, prioritize multiple interactions, and incorporate real-world assessments during the hiring process. Ultimately, the goal is to focus on authenticity rather than perfection, ensuring a more accurate understanding of a candidate's true abilities.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Workplace stress linked to 900,000 deaths

Workplace stress is a significant global issue, causing nearly 900,000 deaths annually, according to a report by the United Nations' International Labour Organization (ILO). The study, titled “The psychosocial working environment: Global developments and pathways for action,” highlights factors such as long hours, job insecurity, and bullying as key contributors to serious health problems. Manal Azzi, ILO team lead, stated: "Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most significant challenges in the modern world of work." The ILO urges action to address these risks and improve workplace safety for better health and productivity.
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CULTURE

Amazon ditches job titles for builders

Amazon is undergoing a significant change during its annual review season, as hundreds of employees in its Ring and Blink home security units will have their job titles replaced with the term "builder." Jason Mitura, the chief product officer, explained in an internal memo: “We're committed to making this an organization of the future, and that means being transparent and open to change.” The shift aims to foster a culture of experimentation and efficiency, although some employees express concerns about potential impacts on promotions and pay. An Amazon spokesperson reassured that “compensation, growth, and promotion paths remain unchanged.” This move aligns with a broader trend in Silicon Valley, where companies like Meta are adopting similar title changes.
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LEGAL

Ex-employee sues MrBeast's company

Lorrayne Mavromatis, a former employee of MrBeast's media production company, has filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination after returning from maternity leave. The lawsuit, submitted in federal court in North Carolina, claims violations of federal law regarding job-protected leave for family and medical reasons. Mavromatis also reported experiencing sexual harassment and gender bias during her employment. She stated, “I was still bleeding, and I just had to show up,” highlighting the intense pressure she faced to work immediately after childbirth. Additionally, she has lodged a complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, citing discrimination based on sex and pregnancy.
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REMUNERATION

Lunchroom workers demand fair pay

Lunchroom workers at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are advocating for a salary increase to $40,000 annually, as they currently earn between $23,400 and $37,400. The union, Unite Here Local 1, has been negotiating for over 11 months, focusing on wages and staffing levels. CPS has called in a federal mediator to assist in the stalled negotiations.
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ECONOMY

U.S. business activity rebounds

U.S. business activity returned to expansion in April, with the S&P Global Composite PMI rising to 52.0 from 50.3 in March. Manufacturing led the improvement, reaching a 47-month high of 54.0 as companies raised production and built inventories due to concerns over supply disruption and higher costs. Services also improved modestly. However, growth remains weak, while supply chain disruption linked to the Iran conflict has pushed input prices to an 11-month high and output prices to their highest level since mid-2022.
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INTERNATIONAL

ILO appoint deputy DG

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has appointed Sheng Li as its new deputy director general, following delays in the selection process. Li, who previously served as the principal deputy assistant secretary for policy at the U.S. Department of Labor, is stepping into this role as the U.S. remains the largest contributor to the ILO, funding 22% of its budget. The appointment comes after former nominee Nels Nordquist withdrew due to the prolonged delays. As of April 17, the U.S. owes 257m Swiss francs ($328m) in arrears, which has led to financial difficulties for the ILO, including plans for 295 job cuts. The U.S. has proposed a budget of $50m for the ILO in 2026, a small fraction of its total arrears. "The U.S. traditionally holds the deputy role as the biggest donor," said a source.

Unemployment spikes for key Chinese age group

China's labour market is facing significant challenges, particularly for early-career workers aged 25 to 29, with unemployment for this group increasing to 7.7% in March. The increase is attributed to factors including the ongoing conflict in Iran and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on job displacement. “The uncertainties on costs brought by the Iran war might have disturbed hiring plans and led to a worsening of labour market indicators in March, after they showed some improvements in earlier months,” observed Ernan Cui, a consumer analyst at the research firm Gavekal Dragonomics.

Samsung workers demand higher bonuses

Thousands of Samsung Electronics' workers protested at the Pyeongtaek chip complex, demanding higher bonuses amid rising memory-chip profits driven by artificial intelligence. Approximately 40,000 union members participated, calling for transparent compensation and the removal of bonus caps. The union, representing 74,000 workers, threatened an 18-day strike starting May 21 if negotiations fail, claiming it could cost Samsung over 1trn won ($676m) daily. Union leader Choi Seung-ho stated: "We won't stop this fight until our fair demands are met." The semiconductor industry faces challenges from geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains.
 
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