Human Times

European Edition

19th January 2026

THE HOT STORY

EU prepares retaliation for Donald Trump’s Greenland threat

EU leaders are considering hitting the US with a €93bn ($107.7bn) package of tariffs in response to Donald Trump’s threats to Nato allies opposed to his campaign to take over Greenland. Another option that will be discussed at an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday is the to date never-used 'Anti-Coercion Instrument' (ACI), which could limit access to public tenders, investments or banking activity or restrict trade in services, in which the US has a surplus with the bloc, including in digital services. "I'm convinced that [Europe] must not give in," observed Jérémie Gallon, a former French diplomat and current senior managing director at McLarty Associates, a Washington-based international strategic advisory firm. "Resisting a new attempt at humiliation and vassalisation is the only way Europe can finally assert itself as a geopolitical actor." The Copenhagen Post reports that if the EU retaliates against US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, thousands of Danish jobs could be at risk, according to calculations by Danish Industry (DI).

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RISK

Business leaders shun juniors over false allegations fears

One in ten UK business leaders avoids meeting junior colleagues due to fears of false allegations, according to a YouGov survey by global investigations firm Nardello & Co. The study revealed that 25% of leaders consider reputational damage a top concern, with 20% worried about managing wrongful allegations. Alan Kennedy, managing director at Nardello, noted that advancements in AI complicate the challenge of false narratives. Additionally, 42% of businesses are concerned about the reputational impact of data breaches, while 30% cite financial crime as a major threat. Joseph Pochron at Nardello points out that the UK Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, which is expected to be enforced later this year, will force organisations to adopt risk-based cybersecurity measures.

The Times

Cyber risks top global business concerns

Cyber incidents remain the foremost concern for companies globally in 2026, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer. This marks the fifth consecutive year of cyber risks topping the list, with 42% of respondents identifying it as their primary worry. Artificial intelligence has surged to second place, reflecting its rapid adoption and the associated risks. Virgil Șoncutean, CEO of Allianz-Țiriac Romania, noted: "The challenge of 2026 is not just managing individual risks, but understanding how they interconnect." Other significant risks include business interruption, political volatility, and natural disasters.

Business Review

HIRING

McKinsey challenges graduates to use AI chatbot in recruitment overhaul

McKinsey is piloting a shake-up in how it recruits its next generation, asking graduate candidates to use an AI assistant to complete tests designed to reflect consultants’ new ways of working. According to CaseBasix, a company that helps candidates apply for posts at leading strategic consulting companies, the firm is asking candidates in “select final rounds” to complete tests using McKinsey’s internal AI tool, Lilli. Mayank Gupta, chief executive of CaseBasix, said that other top consulting firms, including Boston Consulting Group and Bain, are also likely to adopt AI in their interview procedures.

Financial Times

The Guardian

WORKFORCE

UK media regulator hires security amid online abuse

UK media regulator Ofcom has engaged a security consultancy to protect its staff following online harassment during an investigation into Elon Musk's X. The media regulator's online safety team has faced a wave of abuse, including offensive images generated by X's Grok bot. Ofcom previously hired Control Risks, a firm founded by ex-SAS officers, to enhance employee safety. The recent tender specifies "bespoke external online security checking" to identify and mitigate risks for staff. Ofcom has not commented on the situation.

The Sunday Telegraph

LEGAL

Greece revamps migration laws

Greece is reforming its legal migration framework while maintaining a strict stance on illegal migration. The Ministry of Migration and Asylum plans to submit a new bill aimed at reducing bureaucracy and addressing labour shortages. Minister Thanos Plevris said the legislation will resolve delays in residence permit applications, benefiting both migrants and businesses. The bill introduces automatic renewals for certain permits and allows long-term migrants to reapply after previous rejections. It also simplifies recruitment from third countries, enhancing labour mobility while combating illegal migration. Plevris said: "We are freeing up and accelerating procedures for issuing and renewing residence and work permits."

GreekCitytimes

Luxembourg to set up asylum and immigration court

Luxembourg is establishing a dedicated asylum and immigration court to expedite residence application processing. The government council approved a draft bill for the court, which will initially employ 16 judges. Additionally, the administrative court will recruit six new judges, while the Court of Appeal will add one staff member. The initiative aligns with the European Pact on Asylum and Migration, which aims to enhance migration management and protect migrants' rights. The EU directive will introduce new screening processes for migrants, including health and security checks for those entering without meeting requirements.

Luxembourg Times

ECONOMY

Tourism hits record 1.5 billion travellers

In 2025, global tourism reached a historic milestone with over 1.5 billion international travellers, marking a full recovery from the pandemic. Daily arrivals averaged 219,000, contributing 6.7% to global GDP and generating $11.7 trillion in economic value. Spain led the way with 96.5 million visitors, while Greece welcomed over 31.6 million, both benefiting from strong tourism policies. In contrast, the US saw a decline in inbound tourism spending due to stricter immigration policies. The year highlighted tourism's role as a vital economic driver and a connector of cultures, economies, and people.

GreekCitytimes

INTERNATIONAL

This year's 'Best Jobs' revealed

The 2026 Best Jobs rankings by U.S. News & World Report highlight the top careers across various sectors. The rankings consider factors including growth potential, work-life balance, and salary. Nurse Practitioner secures the top position for the third consecutive year. "After a year of cross-industry layoffs and job market uncertainty, the 2026 Best Jobs rankings offer a resource for consumers to plan the best career moves for them," said Carly Chase, vice president of Careers at U.S. News. "Careers in STEM remain strong in the 2026 rankings due to the persistent need for medical professionals. Nurse Practitioner maintains its No. 1 spot, due to immediate need, flexibility and strong 10-year outlook.”

U.S. News

India urges quick-commerce firms to drop 10-minute delivery promise

India’s labour ministry has called on rapid delivery platforms including Blinkit, Instamart, and Zepto to remove 10-minute delivery guarantees amid concerns over gig worker safety and conditions. Blinkit has already dropped the branding, and others are expected to follow. While the move is seen as a reputational response rather than a change in operations, analysts say fast delivery remains essential in India's fiercely competitive e-commerce market.

Bloomberg

Hindustan Times

Reuters

OTHER

Ukraine's top negotiator says talks with US will continue in Davos

Ukraine's chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, has said discussions with U.S. officials regarding the resolution of the war with Russia will continue at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Umerov noted that previous meetings in Florida focused on security guarantees and post-war recovery plans. He said: "We agreed to continue work at the team level during the next phase of consultations in Davos."

U.S. News

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