Human Times

North American Edition

1st June 2026

THE HOT STORY

Midcareer stalls hit professionals

Roughly a quarter of American professionals experience a midcareer stall, going at least five years without a meaningful raise or promotion before peak earning years. Research by the Burning Glass Institute and NYU’s School of Professional Studies tracked 1.3m careers and found early momentum matters: stalled workers averaged 30% wage growth in their first decade, versus 71% for those who kept advancing. Matt Sigelman of Burning Glass said: “You’re not talking about a niche problem”. Hiring slowdowns and managerial layoffs have reduced upward mobility, while strategic skills, nondegree credentials and adjacent pivots can lower stall risk. Public administration showed the highest stall rate, and workers are increasingly seeking certifications, fundraising experience or side careers to improve prospects and earnings resilience.

Wall Street Journal

WORKPLACE

EEOC's bold move sparks controversy

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is attempting to overturn long-standing rules aimed at combating workplace discrimination, claiming they have led to increased bias against white individuals. Established by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the EEOC has historically collected EEO-1 data to identify hiring disparities affecting people of color and women. Andrea Lucas, the EEOC chair appointed by President Trump, stated: "Regardless of what has happened before, the way to stop discriminating based on race is to stop discriminating based on race." The proposed changes would eliminate annual data collection and rescind a 1979 regulation that allowed employers to take proactive measures to address racial and gender imbalances. Critics argue that this shift could hinder efforts to combat discrimination, as the absence of demographic data would complicate enforcement actions against discriminatory practices.

NPR / National Public Radio

WORKFORCE

U.S. savings rate falls to lowest level since 2022

Americans' personal savings rate fell to 2.6% in April, its lowest level since 2022, as inflation outpaced wage growth and rising costs for essentials such as fuel, food, healthcare and utilities squeezed household budgets. The savings rate declined from 3.2% in March and 5.8% a year earlier, with economists warning that many households are struggling to maintain savings despite recent tax cuts. Inflation rose 3.8% in April, while average hourly earnings increased 3.6%, leaving real wages under pressure. As savings levels fall, more consumers are turning to credit and retirement funds to cover expenses. A NerdWallet survey found 37% of Americans expect to rely on credit cards, loans or Buy Now Pay Later services this month, while Fidelity reported an increase in 401(k) loans and hardship withdrawals during the first quarter.

CNBC

American Axle strike hits GM

Nearly 1,000 workers at American Axle’s Three Rivers, Michigan plant are set to strike after contract talks stalled, threatening production of key axle parts for GM’s Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Colorado and Canyon trucks. Workers say wages have not recovered since 2008, when pay was halved to help keep the plant open, despite American Axle benefiting from strong GM truck sales. UAW president Shawn Fain said members had taken “wage cuts, benefit cuts” while building company profits, and vowed the strike would continue until workers were treated with “dignity and respect”. The walkout comes as GM tries to lift heavy-duty pickup output and capitalise on Ford’s production limits. Workers also want higher pay and restrictions on forced weekend overtime.

Wall Street Journal

Trump cheers lawyer exodus from administration

President Donald Trump remarked on the recent departure of over 10,000 federal lawyers, stating it is “very good” for the administration. He referred to a New York Times report highlighting that many lawyers are moving to Democratic state attorneys general and nonprofits opposing his policies. Trump criticized the media portrayal of this exodus, claiming: “The people that are leaving are Radical Left Deep State Lunatics.” He expressed support for those leaving, wishing them “bigger, better, and brighter” opportunities. The report noted a 17% reduction in federal lawyers since 2024, with significant losses in the Department of Education and HUD. Former HUD lawyer Erik Heins emphasized that the lack of lawyers hampers the administration's ability to function effectively. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated the administration is committed to hiring qualified individuals dedicated to public service.

The Hill

ECONOMY

Chicago business activity jumps to highest level since 2022

Business activity in the Chicago region surged in May, with the Chicago Business Barometer climbing to 62.7 from 49.2 in April, marking its strongest reading since January 2022 and far exceeding economists’ expectations of 50.8. The sharp improvement signaled a return to expansion and was driven by significant gains in new orders, production, order backlogs, and supplier deliveries. New orders rose to their highest level since January 2022, while production reached its strongest level since July 2021 and remained in expansion territory for a fifth consecutive month. Employment declined modestly, partially offsetting the broader gains. Meanwhile, the prices paid index increased to its highest level since May 2022, with businesses citing higher oil prices and transportation fuel surcharges as key cost pressures.

RTT News

Wall Street Journal

TAX

Newsom pledges 100% tax on Californians receiving Trump’s $1.8bn fund

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced plans to tax 100% of the funds Californians receive from President Donald Trump's $1.776bn “anti-weaponization” fund. “Anyone from California that receives any of those funds, we want to tax 100% of those proceeds,” Newsom said. The fund, which is aimed at compensating Trump allies claiming victimization under the Biden administration, has drawn criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans, including Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who labeled it a “slush fund.” Newsom's tax proposal would require action from the Democratic-led California Legislature and may face legal challenges. Additionally, he signed Senate Bill 73 to prevent election interference, addressing concerns over threats to election integrity. Newsom anticipates further interference from Trump in the upcoming election, saying: “I absolutely expect the worst again.”

Los Angeles Times

US News and World Report

TECHNOLOGY

Taiwan is the 'epicenter' of AI revolution, Nvidia CEO says

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has said Taiwan is the "epicenter" of the AI revolution ‌and the $5tn chip company plans to invest around $150bn a year there. "Four years ago, five years ago, Nvidia was spending about 10, 15 billion dollars a year in Taiwan. Now we're spending 100, going to 150 billion dollars in Taiwan each year," Huang said at a launch celebration in Taipei for the chipmaker's planned Taiwan headquarters. "This is where the chips come, packaging comes, this is where the systems are made, this is where AI supercomputers were created. The number of partners we work with here in ‌Taiwan, incredible," he said.

Reuters

Runway's bold move to London

Runway, an American AI company, is set to establish its new European headquarters in London, investing over $200m into the U.K.'s AI ecosystem by 2028. This expansion follows a trend of U.S. tech giants, including Anthropic and OpenAI, seeking opportunities in the city. "London puts us close to many of our largest European customers already doing serious work with Runway," said Anastasis Germanidis, cofounder and co-CEO. The company is developing world models, which learn from diverse inputs, and aims to enhance its video generation and editing tools. Kanishka Narayan, the U.K.'s AI minister, emphasized the importance of Runway's research in driving innovation across various industries. Runway joins other U.S. AI firms in expanding their presence in London.

CNBC

Big Tech taps global debt

Big Tech companies are reshaping the corporate debt landscape by issuing substantial bonds in smaller markets like Europe and Japan, with Alphabet and Amazon leading the charge. Their record-breaking deals are part of a strategy to diversify funding sources and hedge currency risks amidst ongoing investments in AI infrastructure. This trend is pushing total borrowing by non-financial U.S. firms in Europe to unprecedented levels, highlighting the evolving depth of international markets. As tech firms increase non-dollar bond issuance, investors are adapting to build exposure to the growing AI sector, suggesting potential volatility in the future.

Reuters

LEADERSHIP

Candidates rally for L.A. mayor

In the lead-up to Tuesday's primary election, the leading candidates for mayor of Los Angeles, including incumbent Karen Bass, City Councilmember Nithya Raman, and former reality TV star Spencer Pratt, made their final appeals to voters. Bass energized supporters at union rallies, while Raman engaged with local business owners in her vintage convertible. Pratt hosted a block party, focusing on community concerns. Recent polls show a tight race, with Bass at 26%, Raman at 25%, and Pratt at 22%. “I believe God moves mountains; I believe that you can get that 51% on that Tuesday,” said Diane Waterhouse, a supporter of Pratt. The top two candidates will advance to a runoff unless one secures over 50% of the vote.

Los Angeles Times

HEALTH & SAFETY

Aviation safety mandate divides

Federal safety officials and lawmakers remain divided over whether to mandate ADS-B In cockpit technology after a fatal Washington, D.C. midair crash killed 67 people. The system lets pilots see nearby aircraft on cockpit screens, and the NTSB found it could have helped the American Airlines regional jet and Army helicopter avoid collision. FAA chief Bryan Bedford supports more pilot tools but wants Congress to act before any mandate, while NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy warned delays could leave recommendations stalled. Industry groups are split over Senate and House proposals, with concerns about retrofitting costs, compatibility and rollout speed.

Wall Street Journal

INTERNATIONAL

Spain to introduce job-matching plan for migrants

Spain plans to regularize around 500,000 undocumented migrants to boost its economy, according to Secretary of State for Migration Pilar Cancela. The initiative, which has received over 200,000 applications in its first month, aims to match migrants with jobs in key sectors. Cancela said: "It's a huge opportunity to harness the potential of all these people who are already helping to build the country." The government anticipates up to 1m applications and will conduct a survey to assess skills and job preferences. Increased labour inspections will accompany the programme to ensure a smooth transition to formal employment.

U.S. News

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