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North American Edition
2nd March 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Leaders must ensure Gen Z is prepared for the workplace

Writing for the Wall Street Journal, Tessa West, a professor of psychology at New York University and the author of “Job Therapy: Finding Work That Works for You”, says many members of Gen Z “are woefully unprepared for surviving - let alone thriving - in their jobs”. She believes “a combination of having fewer real-world relationship experiences, spending their education years in remote environments, and learning to communicate largely through asynchronous methods [means] these 20-somethings have missed opportunities to develop the skills needed to navigate the complex world of work.” Her suggested remedy is that leaders must change how they think about communication for everyone in the workplace with one goal in mind: “Make it clear and direct.”
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RISK

StanChart advises staff to postpone travel to Middle East

Standard Chartered has advised its staff to delay any planned travel to the Middle East due to the U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran. A spokesperson confirmed that the bank's operations remain unaffected, with locations continuing to function normally. Employees in the region have been instructed to shelter in place until further notice. The bank, which is focusing on expanding its cross-border services and wealth management in Middle Eastern markets, operates in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, ⁠Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and Oman.

Dubai's safe image is shattered by missile strikes

Missile and drone attacks by Iran have severely impacted the image of the United Arab Emirates, and particularly Dubai, which has long been marketed as a safe, tax-free haven. The strikes resulted in one death and several injuries, damaging iconic locations including the Burj Al Arab and Dubai International Airport. “This is Dubai's ultimate nightmare, as its very essence depended on being a safe oasis in a troubled region,” Cinzia Bianco, an expert on the Persian Gulf at the European Council on Foreign Relations wrote on X. “There might be a way to be resilient, but there is no going back.” Louise Herrle, an American tourist whose flight home with her husband from Dubai was scrapped, said: “I would probably be inclined to avoid this part of the world when there's increased tensions, it just explodes so quickly." 
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WORKFORCE

U.S. aims to bring in 4,500 white South Africans each month

The U.S. aims to process 4,500 refugee applications from white South Africans each month - significantly exceeding President Donald Trump's stated cap of 7,500 refugees for fiscal year 2026. A U.S. State Department document dated January 27 details the target, which seeks to ramp up admissions from South Africa amid a backdrop of curtailed applications from other regions. As of January 31, only 2,000 white South Africans had entered the U.S. under a program initiated in May 2025. Administrative delays have recently halted all refugee travel, including for South Africans.
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STRATEGY

C3.ai reduces workforce by 26% amid restructuring

Software provider C3.ai has announced it will lay off 26% of its global staff as part of a reorganization under new CEO Stephen Ehikian. The company also predicts that sales for the current quarter will fall short of estimates. C3.ai is set to incur $10m to $12m in restructuring charges and aims to reduce costs unrelated to wages by approximately 30% by late 2027.
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

American Bar Association in settlement talks with anti DEI group

The American Bar Association (ABA) is engaged in settlement discussions regarding a lawsuit initiated by the American Alliance for Equal Rights, led by the conservative activist Edward Blum. The lawsuit, filed in April 2025, challenges the ABA's Legal Opportunity Scholarship program. According to a court filing in Chicago, both parties are seeking additional time to negotiate, in a bid to resolve the matter without further litigation. 
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LEADERSHIP

CFOs boost tenure and CEO prospects by delegating to CAOs

Chief financial officers who delegate financial reporting duties to a chief accounting officer (CAO) are more likely to remain in their roles longer and ultimately advance to chief executive, according to new research published in Management Science. The study, co-authored by University of Iowa professor Adrienne Rhodes, analyzed S&P 1500 companies from 2004 to 2019 and found that firms with a CAO on the executive team responsible for financial reporting were about 19% less likely to experience voluntary CFO turnover. CFOs in these firms were also less likely to move laterally to other CFO roles and more likely to be promoted to CEO. Researchers suggest that delegating time-consuming accounting responsibilities reduces burnout and frees CFOs to focus on strategic leadership and investor-facing work - experience that boards often seek in CEO candidates.
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TECHNOLOGY

Burger King tests AI headsets for staff

Burger King is piloting AI-powered headsets, known as BK Assistant, at 500 U.S. locations. These headsets monitor employee interactions and provide "friendliness scores" based on conversations. The system, which includes a chatbot named "Patty," assists staff with menu queries and inventory alerts. While the tool aims to enhance operations and customer service, it has sparked backlash over privacy concerns. Critics describe the monitoring as "dystopian," questioning the accuracy of AI assessments. All U.S. Burger King restaurants are expected to adopt this technology by the end of 2026, according to a company spokesperson.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

New proposal could push ACA family deductibles to $31,000

The Trump administration has proposed new Affordable Care Act (ACA) rules that would allow insurers to offer lower-premium plans with significantly higher deductibles - potentially up to $15,000 for individuals and $31,000 for families - shifting more health care costs onto consumers. Officials, including Medicare and Medicaid Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, say the changes aim to increase choice and lower monthly premiums without requiring congressional approval. The proposal expands the availability of “catastrophic” or “skinny” plans, which typically carry high out-of-pocket costs and limited coverage. Supporters argue such plans encourage consumers to shop for care and reduce unnecessary spending. Critics warn the changes could make health care unaffordable, especially for people with chronic conditions, and may lead to higher medical bills before insurance coverage begins. Some experts say the high deductibles far exceed those in typical employer-sponsored plans and could discourage people from seeking care.
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INTERNATIONAL

Tesla and IG Metall reach truce in dispute

Tesla and the German union IG Metall are for now to set aside their dispute over a labor meeting at the company's factory near Berlin earlier this month, the union has said. The automaker had filed a criminal complaint against a union member it accused of secretly recording the meeting on February 10. IG Metall had described the claim as a "calculated lie". Local IG Metall leader Jan Otto said: "Now, just a few days before the works council election, we can concentrate fully on the issues [over working conditions] . . . there's a lot to do," said 

Argentina passes Milei's controversial labor reform

Argentina's new labor reform aims to create more formal jobs by easing employer liabilities and limiting workers' rights. The Senate approved the bill with 42 votes in favour, despite public protests and a divided opinion among citizens. President Javier Milei called it a "historic" moment for labor modernization. Key changes include extending probation periods, reducing severance pay, and allowing 12-hour workdays. Critics, including unions, argue the reform will worsen job security, with 40% of workers lacking formal contracts. Sergio Emiliozzi, a teacher, said: "It's quite the opposite" of job creation.

Woolworths reins in AI chatbot after it claimed to be human

Australian retailer Woolworths has adjusted its AI assistant, Olive, after users reported it discussing its mother during customer interactions. Complaints surfaced on platforms like Reddit, where users described Olive's off-topic conversations, including personal anecdotes about its family. A Woolworths spokesperson clarified that these responses were scripted by a human employee years ago to create a personal connection. Following customer feedback, the company has removed this particular scripting. Olive has been operational since 2018 and was recently enhanced through a partnership with Google to expand its capabilities.
 
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