Human Times

European Edition

3rd February 2026

THE HOT STORY

France replaces US tech tools with domestic apps

France’s Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has ordered the country's ministries to shift their video calls to Visio, an application developed by the French government, from American-owned tools such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams, by the end of the year. “To guarantee the security, confidentiality and resilience of public electronic communications, it is . . . imperative to deploy a unified videoconferencing solution, controlled by the State, based on sovereign technologies,” he wrote in a letter. The tool was built by the French government with Outscale, a France-based cloud company, and enlisted two French AI companies, Pyannote and Kyutai, to offer transcription and subtitling services.

Financial Times

New York Times

HEALTH & WELLBEING

‘Forever chemicals’ could cost Europe up to €1.7 trillion by 2050, report says

An EU-commissioned report says the continued use of so-called "forever chemicals" could cost Europe up to €1.7 trillion ($2 trillion) by 2050 because of their impact on people's health and the environment. A full ban being weighed by the European Commission could cut health and environmental costs by €110bn by 2050, the report estimates. "The study confirms that addressing PFAS at their source is both crucial and economically wise," European Union environment chief Jessika Roswall said. "Balancing economic interest with nature and health costs is vital."

Financial Times

Japan Times

Politico

TAX

Uber in France faces €1.7bn tax bill

Uber is facing a €1.7bn tax bill from French authorities for unpaid payroll taxes. The company allegedly misrepresented its contracts with around 71,000 drivers from 2019 to 2022, disguising employment relationships as business contracts. The French social security agency Urssaf claims Uber avoided €1.2bn in payroll taxes, and has added €512m in recovery surcharges. An Uber spokesperson said: "We are currently in discussions with Urssaf and are fostering a collaborative, open, and transparent approach." The company contests the lawsuit's basis and has not set aside provisions for potential costs.

France 24

WORKFORCE

IT glitch delays unemployment claims in Luxembourg

Luxembourg's Labour Minister Marc Spautz has confirmed that a computer bug at the Agency for Employment Development (Adem) is causing delays in processing around 900 applications, affecting benefit payments. He described the situation as “unacceptable” and said that it could take one to two months to resolve. During a parliamentary meeting, Spautz also outlined a new plan for professional integration, which includes measures to support individuals under international protection and improve monitoring of disabled workers. A bill on the minimum social wage will be presented before summer.

Luxembourg Times

Greek PM targets 'jobs for life'

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has proposed ‌reviewing guaranteed "jobs for life" for state-sector workers in a bid to restore voters' trust following accusations of graft. Mitsotakis' centre-right government has been shaken by ⁠a corruption scandal in which some farmers, aided by state employees, faked land ownership to get subsidies.

U.S. News

The employees secretly working a four-day week

Many UK employees appear to be working heavily reduced Friday hours without approval from their superiors, and employers are said to be increasingly concerned with Friday absenteeism, the Financial Times reports.

Financial Times

STRATEGY

Dow to cut 4,500 jobs amid AI shift

Dow plans to eliminate around 4,500 jobs as it shifts focus towards artificial intelligence and automation. The chemicals maker expects severance costs of between $600m and $800m as part of its strategy to simplify operations. Dow, which employs approximately 34,600 people globally, has already announced previous job cuts and plant closures.

U.S. News

ECONOMY

Eurozone consumers raise long-term inflation expectations to record high

Eurozone consumers have raised their long-term inflation expectations to a record high of 2.4% for five years ahead, according to the European Central Bank's Consumer Expectations Survey. This marks a 20-basis-point increase from November and is the highest since the survey began in 2022. The median inflation expectation over the next 12 months remains at 2.8%, while it rose to 2.6% in three years. Despite these increases, ECB policymakers may find comfort in the expectation that inflation will decrease over time. The ECB is expected to maintain its policy rate at 2%, influenced by various uncertainties, including the unpredictability of US economic policy.

Reuters

Czech Republic ceases mining black coal

The Czech Republic is ceasing black coal mining with the closure of its last mine, according to state mining company OKD. The decision aligns with the EU's green policies aimed at reducing emissions. Stefan Pinter, union head at OKD's CSM mine, cited declining fossil fuel use and low coal prices as key factors. The region has seen significant job losses, with OKD's workforce expected to shrink to fewer than 700. Environmentalists have welcomed the shutdown as attesting to the country's plan to quit coal mining by 2030, when the last brown coal mine is due to close.

France 24

INTERNATIONAL

Investigation into WhatsApp privacy claims by US authorities

US law enforcement is probing allegations from former Meta Platforms contractors suggesting that company personnel have gained access to WhatsApp messages, contradicting the company's assertions that the service hosts private and encrypted communications. The claims, which highlight alleged “unfettered” access to chats, are being investigated by special agents from the US Department of Commerce, and echo similar allegations raised in a 2024 whistleblower complaint to the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The ongoing inquiry has not been publicly disclosed until now.

Bloomberg

Walmart México recruits software developers through Fortnite

Walmart México is recruiting software developers through Fortnite, making it the first Latin American employer to use the gaming platform for hiring. The initiative features a custom mini-game where candidates complete coding challenges in Java, iOS, and Android. Walmart is shifting its identity from a traditional retailer to a technology employer, having moved its IT hub from India to Mexico in 2025. The initiative targets the 72m gamers in Mexico, emphasising the transferability of gaming skills to workplace collaboration. Candidates competing in in-game challenges can apply via Walmart's Discord server or website.

Mexico News Daily

OTHER

Girls happier than boys at school

Norwegian researchers say that girls tend to be happier than boys at school, partly due to differing biological responses to social interactions. Girls gain more dopamine from friendships, while boys, who have higher testosterone levels, require more physical activity to achieve similar happiness. The study of over 1,600 children revealed that girls and younger students reported greater well-being and a stronger connection to their school environment. Additionally, girls outperformed boys academically in reading and science, despite boys believing they excelled in math.

The Independent UK

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