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North American Edition
3rd June 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

U.S. proposes tariffs of at least 10% after forced labor probe

The United States Trade Representative has proposed imposing additional tariffs of 10%-12.5% on imports from 60 economies, including the European Union and the U.K., arguing that their failure to adequately restrict goods produced using forced labor places U.S. businesses and workers at a competitive disadvantage. Under the proposal, the E.U., Canada, Mexico, Indonesia, Ecuador, and Pakistan would face an additional 10% tariff due to alleged shortcomings in enforcing existing restrictions, while the U.K. and 53 other economies, including Japan, India, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia, would face a 12.5% tariff for not having effective bans in place. The proposed measures, which remain subject to consultation and review, could reignite trade tensions with key U.S. partners just weeks after the E.U. agreed a trade framework with Washington that capped tariffs on most E.U. exports at 15%. The investigation was conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, providing an alternative legal basis for tariffs after U.S. courts ruled against the Trump administration’s earlier use of emergency powers to impose broad trade duties.
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WORKFORCE

U.S. job openings jump to two-year high as hiring slows

U.S. job openings surged to 7.6m in April, the highest level since May 2024 and well above expectations, signaling stronger labor demand even as hiring activity slowed and worker mobility weakened. According to the Labor Department's’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), available positions increased by 731,000 from March, far exceeding economists’ forecasts of 6.8m. The rise pushed the number of job openings above the total number of unemployed workers, with the openings rate climbing to 4.6% of the labor force. The increase was driven primarily by professional and business services, which added 668,000 openings, while healthcare and social assistance contributed another 89,000. Financial activities saw a decline of 134,000 openings, with most other sectors showing little change. Despite the rise in vacancies, hiring weakened. Employers hired 5.12m workers during the month, down 419,000 from March, reducing the hiring rate to 3.2%. Layoffs and discharges also declined modestly to 1.7m, while voluntary quits fell by 183,000 to just under 3m, their lowest level since August 2020, indicating reduced worker confidence in finding new opportunities.

Ecopetrol workers strike over pay

The USO union at Colombia's state-run oil company Ecopetrol initiated a 24-hour strike due to stalled negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement. Union president Martin Ravelo stated that after 25 days of talks, there has been no progress on their demands. The union, representing 25,000 workers, is seeking a pay increase equal to inflation plus 20% in the first year, followed by inflation plus 10% for the next four years, along with improved health and education benefits.
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PRODUCTIVITY

World Cup could take employees’ eyes off the ball

UKG research estimates the World Cup could cost global employers $17bn in lost productivity, as 37% of workers plan to change their schedules during the tournament. The survey of 8,000 employees across eight countries found 27% may arrive late, leave early or miss work, while 14% expect to secretly stream matches during work hours. The expanded tournament, hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, will feature 48 nations and 104 games. Suresh Vittal, chief product officer at UKG, said: “Productivity drops, customer experience suffers, and morale takes a hit.”

Uber caps AI tool spending

Uber Technologies has introduced spending limits on AI tools for its employees, capping monthly usage at $1,500 per tool. The decision follows the company exceeding its AI budget earlier this year. An Uber spokesperson said: “We think this is all a pretty straightforward way to responsibly encourage agentic AI adoption and experimentation at scale across the company.” The limits apply to specific coding software, and employees can request permission to exceed their caps. Chief technology officer Praveen Neppalli Naga noted that Uber had already maxed out its full-year AI budget, while chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi mentioned that AI agents contributed to about 10% of the company's code. The company is also moderating its hiring pace due to the benefits of AI tools, although chief operating officer Andrew Macdonald expressed uncertainty about whether this will lead to more consumer features in the future.

Meta scales back data collection

Meta is revising its strategy to collect employee mouse movements, keystrokes, and other actions for AI training data, following significant backlash from staff. In an internal memo, the company acknowledged concerns regarding "personal data on work devices, battery life, and wanting more control over when capturing happens." Despite confidence in its privacy protections, Meta is responding to employee feedback to ensure a more acceptable approach to data collection.
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HIRING

AI revolutionizes hiring process

Artificial intelligence is significantly changing the hiring landscape, impacting both employers and job seekers. As Pattie Hunt Sinacole noted: "AI tools are designed to narrow that pool, so a recruiter can engage with fewer, more qualified candidates." Approximately 30% of employers are now utilizing AI in their hiring processes, which includes résumé screening and chatbot interviews. While AI can streamline candidate selection, concerns about bias and privacy are rising. Critics argue that AI may disadvantage non-native English speakers and those with disabilities. Additionally, job seekers are increasingly using AI to enhance their applications, leading to worries about authenticity. Experts suggest that AI should complement, not replace, human judgment in hiring to ensure a positive candidate experience. Regular evaluation of AI's role in hiring is essential to address these challenges.
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Trump administration flips civil rights

Under the Trump administration, efforts to address racial inequities in education have been framed as discriminatory against white students. Michael Pillera, director of educational equity issues at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said: “It's literally flipping the purpose of civil rights law on its head.” The Justice Department has investigated various programs aimed at increasing diversity among teachers and students, threatening funding for those that do not comply. For instance, Chicago Public Schools lost over $20m for refusing to end its Black Student Success Program. In Los Angeles, the Black Student Achievement Plan, created after the murder of George Floyd, is under scrutiny for allegedly discriminating against non-Black students. Advocates worry that these pressures will hinder progress in addressing long-standing inequities for Black students.
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LEGAL

Cartel figure arrested in mining case

Mexican authorities have arrested Gabriel "N", also known as "Gabito" or "80," an alleged cartel figure linked to the killing of 10 individuals associated with Canadian miner Vizsla Silver. The arrest occurred in Sinaloa during a joint operation involving the army, National Guard, and local security forces. This incident highlights the security risks faced by mine workers and foreign companies in Mexico. Vizsla Silver, which is developing a silver project in the region, has been cooperating with authorities in the investigation and recently resumed field activities at its Panuco project. The case emphasizes the ongoing security challenges in Mexico's mining sector, a vital source of silver and other metals for global markets.

MassDOT employees resign amid fraud probe

Six employees from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) resigned while facing "imminent termination proceedings" related to allegations of overtime fraud, according to a MassDOT spokesperson. This follows a Boston 25 News investigation that revealed a pattern of overtime fraud involving seven employees at a Charlestown facility. The investigation found that some employees earned over $100,000 in overtime, with one worker's pay skyrocketing from a base salary of $84,000 to $240,000. The spokesperson stated, “MassDOT is also pursuing all available avenues to recover any improperly obtained compensation.” The agency remains committed to accountability and protecting taxpayer dollars.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Hawaiʻi grant program eases med school debt

Misty Kahale, a medical student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, plans to apply for a new Hawaiʻi grant program aimed at alleviating medical school expenses. This initiative, part of the Hawaiʻi Outreach for Medical Education in Rural Under-resourced Neighborhoods (HOME RUN) workforce pipeline program, will cover tuition for students who commit to working in rural areas for five years post-graduation. "It's almost a sense of duty and obligation because I know the needs of the island so well," Kahale said, expressing her desire to return to Molokaʻi, where a significant doctor shortage exists. The program, funded by a $188.9m federal grant, aims to address the state's healthcare workforce challenges, with $28m allocated for fiscal year 2026.
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AUTOMATION

Humanoid robots set to explode

Humanoid robots are projected to grow into a $200bn market within the next decade, according to Barclays. Zornitza Todorova, head of thematic FICC research at Barclays, stated: “It's the decade of the robot,” highlighting the rapid evolution of humanoid technology. Currently valued at $2bn-$3bn, the market is expected to expand significantly as robots take on roles in sectors like manufacturing and logistics. China leads in this field, accounting for 85% of global installations and producing robots at lower costs than Western competitors. Dan Ives from Wedbush Securities noted that humanoid robots could represent a major opportunity in the AI Revolution, predicting that “this will change the way consumers and businesses operate over time.” The report anticipates two waves of deployment, with the first focusing on industrial applications and the second on services-oriented roles post-2030.
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ECONOMY

OECD warns of global growth slump

The OECD has downgraded its global economic outlook, warning that the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict and disruptions to energy supplies could significantly weaken growth, raise inflation, and increase recession risks if a lasting resolution is not reached soon. In its latest Economic Outlook, the organization forecast global growth will slow from 3.4% in 2025 to 2.8% in 2026, before recovering modestly to 3.1% in 2027, assuming energy market disruptions ease during the second half of the year. However, under a more severe scenario in which shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and damage to Gulf energy infrastructure persist through 2027, global growth could fall to 2.1% in 2026 and 1.8% in 2027, pushing some economies into or close to recession. The OECD warned that prolonged supply disruptions would drive higher energy, food, and industrial input costs, lifting global inflation by up to 1.3 percentage points in 2027, while weakening investment, increasing unemployment, and creating additional risks for financial markets.
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AND FINALLY.....

CarryMen: The shopping assistants you need

CarryMen, a new start-up in Delhi, offers shopping assistants to help customers navigate crowded markets. Founded by Ritu Kandari Srivastava and Kanishka Malhotra, the service provides assistance for up to four hours, starting at 79 rupees. While many customers appreciate the convenience, critics argue it reflects entitlement among the affluent. Ritu stated: "We are just providing assistance to those who have difficulty navigating the streets." The service has gained traction, with plans for expansion to other markets in India.
 
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