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European Edition
21st November 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

Tod's executives face labour exploitation probe

Italian prosecutors are investigating Tod's and three of its executives for alleged labour exploitation involving Chinese subcontractors. The Milan Prosecutor's Office claims Tod's knowingly violated labour laws regarding working hours, wages, and safety. A court document revealed that 53 workers were exploited, with one worker alleging physical abuse over unpaid wages. Prosecutors described the company's lack of oversight as "malicious." Tod's founder Diego Della Valle defended the luxury fashion label's reputation, warning that such investigations could harm "Made in Italy" brands. A hearing is set for December 3 regarding a proposed advertising ban.
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WORKFORCE

Almost 1m young people in UK still not in work or education

Almost a million young people in the UK are still out of work, education or training, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The number of so-called Neets - those aged 16-24 who are unemployed or economically inactive in the UK - had fallen slightly to 946,000 between July and September, down from 948,000 in the three months before. In response to the figures, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden said a planned "Youth Guarantee" scheme would ensure young people "have access to education, training, an apprenticeship - or ultimately guaranteed paid work if they cannot find a job." McFadden said the government wanted to make sure "every young person has the chance to succeed, no matter where they are from or what their background is."

Lisbon municipal workers unite for strike action

The Lisbon Municipal Workers' Union (STML) has announced its participation in a general strike on December 11, opposing the Government's labour package, which its claims undermines workers' rights. The STML has issued a 24-hour strike notice for all city council and municipal workers. Demands include a 15% salary increase, enhanced career paths, and improved public service conditions.

Record number of Britons left UK last year

The UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published a major revision of its immigration and emigration data, showing the number of British nationals leaving the country last year was three times higher than originally thought. Some 257,000 Britons left in 2024, up from the 77,000 originally stated. This means the total net migration figures for 2024 have been revised down to 345,000, lower than the 431,000 previously stated.
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STRATEGY

J.P. Morgan's Luxembourg payments unit shuts

J.P. Morgan is closing its mobility payments subsidiary in Luxembourg, resulting in 33 job losses, according to the financial sector union Aleba. The decision follows ongoing financial struggles, with the company reporting a €28.8m loss in 2024. Aleba noted that the closure reflects a lack of local decision-making; strategic choices are made by the US parent company. The union previously accused J.P. Morgan of using phased layoffs to circumvent employee protections. Aleba said it has secured improved severance terms for affected employees, including additional allowances and training budgets.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

EY: Firms lose 40% of AI gains through poor training

EY has found that companies are missing out on up to 40% of potential AI productivity gains due to insufficient training and fragile talent strategies. Although 88% of employees use AI, only 5% deploy it in transformative ways, with just 12% receiving sufficient training. Shadow AI use remains prevalent, while concerns around skill erosion and rising workloads persist. The survey identifies a “Talent Advantage” among the 28% of firms effectively integrating people and tech strategies. Notably, employees receiving over 81 hours of AI training report higher productivity but are also 55% more likely to leave, underscoring a retention challenge.
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RISK

EU names 'critical' tech providers for finance

EU regulators have designated 19 major tech firms - including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft - as critical third-party computing providers to the financial sector under the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). The law, active since January 2025, allows EU-level regulators to directly oversee these companies to ensure operational resilience. The move addresses concerns about widespread cloud service outages disrupting banking systems. Firms including IBM, LSEG, and Microsoft welcomed the designation and pledged to strengthen cybersecurity compliance. The UK plans to follow suit with a similar regulatory regime by 2026 as concerns grow over financial system vulnerabilities tied to tech reliance.
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INTERNATIONAL

Meta to start closing Australian teen accounts ahead of social media ban

Meta has begun notifying young Australians to download their digital histories and delete their accounts from Facebook, Instagram, and Threads ahead of a new law banning accounts for users under 16. The Australian government mandated that platforms must exclude users younger than 16 starting December 10th. Meta informed thousands of young users via SMS and email, saying: “We will start notifying impacted teens today to give them the opportunity to save their contacts and memories.” With an estimated 350,000 Australians aged 13 to 15 on Instagram, the company is taking steps to comply with the law. Meta's vice president, Antigone Davis, emphasized the need for a more accurate age verification system, suggesting that app stores should collect age information during sign-up. Dany Elachi, founder of Heaps Up Alliance, supported the age restriction, observing: “children under the age of 16 are better off in the real world.”

Trump enthuses about training of US workers by skilled immigrants

President Donald Trump has doubled down on his support for skilled immigrants who can train US workers in high-tech industries. Speaking at the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, he emphasized that allowing this is not at odds with his “Make America Great Again” agenda. Trump told an audience of business executives: “I love my conservative friends. I love MAGA. But this is MAGA . . . Those people are going to teach our people how to make computer chips, and in a short period of time, our people are going to be doing great. And those people can go home.” The MAGA movement has opposed expanding H-1B visas, and other programs designed to let skilled immigrants into the US.

New Zealand's top court says Uber drivers are employees

New Zealand’s Supreme Court has sided with a lower court’s ruling that drivers of Uber should be treated as employees. The country's highest court unanimously dismissed the rideshare company’s appeal of a 2022 ruling by the Employment Court, which had said four Uber drivers were employees of the business rather than contractors. The Workers First Union said the judgement "paves the way for thousands of Workers First Union members to pursue full employment rights, including restitution for historic underpayment of wages and entitlements," and that it would now be advancing collective bargaining.

China introduces cash vouchers for newly-weds

Authorities in Ningbo, an eastern Chinese city, are offering marriage consumption vouchers worth 1,000 yuan ($141) to couples who register their marriage between October 28th and December 31st. The vouchers, limited in quantity and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, can be used for wedding-related expenses such as photography, ceremonies, hotel stays, and retail purchases. The initiative is part of a broader effort across China to address declining marriage rates. Similar voucher schemes have been introduced in cities including Hangzhou and Pinghu. China saw a 20% drop in marriages last year, the steepest fall on record, driven largely by concerns over childcare and education costs.
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OTHER

Ultra-processed foods linked to colon cancer

Younger adults consuming high amounts of ultra-processed foods are at an increased risk of developing pre-cancerous polyps, according to a study published in JAMA Oncology. Women under 50 who ate the most ultra-processed foods had a 45% higher risk of polyps compared to those with lower consumption. Dr. Andrew Chan, senior researcher at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, emphasised the need to reduce ultra-processed food intake to combat the rise of early-onset colorectal cancer. The study analysed data from over 29,000 female nurses, revealing that those consuming an average of 10 servings of ultra-processed foods daily faced a significantly higher risk. Christine Molmenti, a cancer epidemiologist, noted that these foods often lack nutritional value and can disrupt the microbiome, leading to inflammation and metabolic issues. "Ultra-processed foods and junk foods promote disease", she said, highlighting the urgent need for dietary awareness.
 
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