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European Edition
27th January 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

AI job losses 'are hitting hardest in the UK'

The UK is losing more jobs than it is creating because of artificial intelligence, and at a faster rate than international peers, according to research by Morgan Stanley. UK companies reported that AI led to 8% net job losses over the past 12 months, the study found. This was the highest level in a group that included German, American, Japanese and Australian companies, and twice the international average. British firms reported an average 11.5% productivity increase due to the adoption of AI; almost half experienced even greater boosts.
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STRATEGY

FedEx plans job cuts and restructuring in France

FedEx has announced plans to cut up to 500 jobs in France as part of a significant overhaul to streamline its operations, reducing its number of stations from 103 to 86. The restructuring is expected to cost around €78m, but could also create over 770 new roles, with priority given to impacted employees. The company emphasised that the changes will not affect its international air network and will follow formal consultation processes as required by French labour law.

VW may pull plans for US Audi plant

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume has told Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper that the firm will not proceed with a planned Audi factory in the US unless automotive tariffs are reduced. “Given an unchanged tariff burden, large additional investment cannot be funded,” Blume said. “Reduction of costs in the short term and reliable business conditions in the long term are what we need.”
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TECHNOLOGY

Robots only half as efficient as humans, says leading Chinese producer

Michael Tam, chief brand officer at leading Chinese humanoid robot maker UBTech, has told the Financial Times that its latest machines are at most half as efficient as human workers.
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HIRING

Grant Thornton advises graduates to avoid AI for applications

Malcolm Gomersall, chief executive of Grant Thornton UK, has advised graduates to avoid using AI for CVs. He noted that AI-generated applications complicate candidate assessment, particularly for junior roles. Gomersall said: "We're getting many more applicants per role because it's possible to use tech to generate hundreds of applications really quickly." He says he would encourage graduates "to do the old-fashioned thing and actually apply to a smaller number of roles that you really care about." The firm has tightened recruitment controls, closing job ads earlier and capping the volume of applicants. This has helped reduced applicants from 60 to 39 per role.
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LEGAL

GDPR fines surpassed €1.2bn in 2025

GDPR fines surpassed €1.2bn in 2025, with over 400 daily data breach notifications, according to a DLA Piper survey. Total fines since GDPR's implementation in May 2018 have reached €7.1bn. The increase in breach reports — averaging 443 per day — reflects a variety of factors, including geopolitics and evolving cyber threats, along with heightened regulatory requirements from laws such as NIS2 and DORA. Ireland remains the leading regulator, issuing fines totalling €4.04bn and a notable €530m fine against TikTok in 2025. Overall, the trend suggests GDPR enforcement is becoming more established and systemic.
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WORKFORCE

Record £4bn in claims processed by UK health insurers in 2024

Latest figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) reveal that health insurers processed a record £4bn (€4.6bn) in individual and workplace private medical insurance claims in 2024 – up 13% compared to 2023 (£3.57bn). The demand for employers to offer medical cover has increased as the labour force ages and employees struggle to access treatment against a backdrop of long NHS waiting lists. Rebecca Ward, head of health and protection policy at the ABI, said: “Our figures specifically highlight the value of workplace health insurance schemes in supporting employees to stay well and in work.”
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ECONOMY

January brings small rise in Eurozone consumer confidence

Eurozone consumer confidence improved to -12.4 in January, up from -13.2 in December and ahead of forecasts, according to the European Commission.
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INTERNATIONAL

Chicago paid $26.5m in overtime to ineligible employees

Chicago paid $26.5m in overtime to over 1,000 ineligible employees from 2020 to 2024, according to a report from Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg. Her report noted that many of the employees worked in management positions and without collective bargaining agreements, making them ineligible for the extra pay. Ald. Gilbert Villegas, chair of the City Council Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development, blamed the problem on the city's reliance on antiquated technology. "There is technology out there for time and attendance that will allow the city to take control and make sure that we're monitoring overtime so that people are not taking advantage of it. It's up to this this administration to act quickly by incorporating this type of technology," he said. 

South Korea launches landmark laws to regulate AI

South Korea has introduced what it says is the world's first comprehensive set of laws regulating artificial intelligence. Under the terms of the AI Basic Act, companies must ensure there is human oversight in so-called "high-impact" AI such as that involving nuclear safety, the production of drinking water, transport, healthcare and some financial uses. Meanwhile, companies must give users prior notice about products or services that use high-impact or generative AI, and provide clear labelling when AI-generated output is difficult to distinguish from reality. Startups, however, complain that the laws' language is vague, and compliance will be burdensome.

Thailand's aviation sector struggles to fill key roles

Thailand's aviation sector is grappling with a significant personnel shortage following Covid-19. A report indicates that before the pandemic, the industry employed over 4.3m people, but now faces recruitment challenges and high turnover rates. Pukkanut Makchouy, President of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, said that a newly-signed collaboration with the International Air Transport Association aims to modernise training and improve workforce competencies to meet industry demands.
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OTHER

Amsterdam plans to ban cruise ships

Amsterdam's coalition government is considering a complete ban on ocean-going cruise ships by 2035, citing pollution and overtourism concerns. The proposal follows a previous plan to limit cruise calls, which included a cap of one ship per day starting in 2026. Local politician Rob Hofland said: "We are finally going to free Amsterdam from these floating apartment blocks." The final decision rests with the city council after upcoming elections.
 
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