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European Edition
15th April 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Renault cuts engineer jobs amid China pressure

Renault plans to reduce its engineering workforce by as much as 20%, resulting in up to 2,400 job losses over the next two years. The French carmaker said it aims to enhance its competitiveness against Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers. A spokesperson confirmed that the cuts would not involve forced layoffs, and the development of new technologies and fundamental design work would remain in France. Last month, Renault CEO Francois Provost announced a major restructuring, and said his intention was to "compete with Chinese vehicle manufacturers in terms of innovation, cost and speed."
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FUTURE OF WORK

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TECHNOLOGY

Novo Nordisk partners with OpenAI to expedite drug development

Novo Nordisk is partnering with OpenAI to deploy artificial intelligence across its business. The partnership will aid the identification of promising drug candidates and improve efficiency in ⁠manufacturing, supply chains, distribution and corporate operations. The Danish firm, the maker of Wegovy and Ozempic, said OpenAI will also help train its global workforce, increase AI literacy and boost productivity across departments. "The aim here is not replacing our scientists. It's about supercharging them," Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar said.
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WORKFORCE

European gas and power markets expand trading hours

European gas and power markets are expanding trading hours to 21 hours from 10 hours amid sharp price swings. The lengthier trading day is expected to reshape how energy traders work and live, and some have voiced concerns about the erosion of work-life balance. Yet many say the change is a logical next step for a market that has been transformed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The new extended day is “an advantage for global players,” observed Marco Saalfrank, head of continental Europe merchant trading at Swiss-based Axpo Holding. “If something happens in the market that affects prices, they can react immediately.”

Lufthansa pilots to strike again for two more days

Pilots at Germany's Lufthansa airline will strike again on Thursday and Friday, the Vereinigung Cockpit trade union has said. This latest action follows a 48-hour strike earlier this week that resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of flights. Additionally, a cabin crew work stoppage is set for Wednesday and Thursday.
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HIRING

Job seekers in UK surge as redundancies rise

The number of people in the UK looking for work rose sharply last month, according to a report by KPMG and the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) which found "demand for workers continued to weaken" in March. The report said: "UK recruitment consultancies signalled sharper increases in the availability of both permanent and temporary workers in March. Overall, the supply of labour expanded at the quickest rate in 2026 to date. There were frequent reports that redundancies and job scarcity had pushed up candidate numbers." REC chief executive Neil Carberry observed: "The Gulf conflict provided a headwind to hiring in March."
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RISK

Xi says world order is ‘crumbling Into disarray’

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Tuesday in Beijing that the international order is "crumbling into disarray." Bloomberg notes that Xi used a Chinese phrase indicating not only chaos but also moral decay. Spain is one of China’s closest friends in Europe. “Both China and Spain are nations of principle and integrity,” Xi said, adding that the two sides should “enhance communication, consolidate mutual trust, and cooperate closely to resist any regression toward the law of the jungle.”
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CORPORATE

PwC plans consulting overhaul

PwC plans to overhaul its global consulting business in a bid to eliminate the sometimes disjointed service when its national firms work together, which bosses view as a competitive disadvantage. The firm aims to standardise offerings and enhance shared technology platforms, with a focus on using staff from lower-cost locations such as India. The Big Four's consulting groups operate as networks of locally owned partnerships, serving under the broader international organisation. This can make serving multinational clients complicated. PwC's UK arm has reportedly told staff that it will merge its risk and consulting divisions, bringing together two of its three advisory businesses alongside audit and tax. The firm said this is in response to growing client demand for "globally integrated advisory services." Marco Amitrano, PwC UK's senior partner, said: "This decision is about global alignment."
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INTERNATIONAL

Many employees still choose not to use AI

According to a new Gallup poll, more American workers are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their jobs, yet scepticism about the technology persists. The survey reveals that while 30% of employees frequently use AI, many remain concerned about job displacement due to new technologies. Scott Segal, a social worker, expressed his worries, saying: “I think everyone who works in a replaceable field or trade should be planning ahead.” The poll highlights that 40% of workers report their organisations have adopted AI tools, with two-thirds noting a positive impact on productivity. However, about half of US employees said they use AI infrequently or not at all, citing ethical concerns and a preference for traditional methods. The fear of job loss is growing, with 18% of workers believing their jobs may be eliminated in the next five years due to AI advancements.

Uttar Pradesh raises workers' wages

The government of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, has increased minimum wages for all worker categories, effective retrospectively from April 1. The decision follows protests by factory workers in Noida demanding better wages and conditions. Many manufacturing units in Noida remained closed on Tuesday as protests persisted ​in some ⁠places. The wage hike will ​increase the pay of unskilled workers in Noida to roughly $147 per month from the current monthly pay of ‌about $121, ⁠government sources said.

Brazilian labour inspector fired for adding China's BYD to 'dirty list'

Reuters reports that Luiz Felipe Brandao de Mello, Brazil's top labour inspector, has been fired for adding Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD to a so-called 'dirty list' ‌of employers accused of subjecting workers to conditions described by the government as similar to slavery. Mello disobeyed an order from Labour Minister Luiz Marinho to leave the automaker off Brazil's ​labour abuse registry, said sources. "The ​dismissal of the secretary signals an escalation of political interference in labour inspections," Brazil's national association of labor inspectors, Anafitra, said in a statement. Brazil's Labour Ministry said the dismissal was "an administrative act."

Hyundai Motor revolutionises the factory floor in its Singapore hub

Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS) is transforming manufacturing with autonomous robots and AI. Launched in 2023, the centre integrates robotics into production systems, enhancing logistics efficiency and reducing lead times by over 50%. Hyundai reported 68% logistics automation and 67% manufacturing automation, significantly surpassing traditional facilities. The company said: "These gains translate into enhanced productivity, improved operational stability and greater responsiveness to production changes." HMGICS employs over 200 robots, including Boston Dynamics' Spot, to support human workers by handling repetitive tasks while optimising operations and reducing waste.
 
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