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North American Edition
6th July 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Analysts question U.S. jobs data after unexpected hospitality employment decline

A growing number of Wall Street economists and analysts are questioning the reliability of the latest U.S. employment report after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on Thursday that the leisure and hospitality sector lost 61,000 jobs in June, despite the economic boost expected from the FIFA World Cup. Jamie Cox, managing partner at Harris Financial Group, described the data as "misleading" and said it should be disregarded, arguing there was "zero chance" the hospitality industry shed jobs while the U.S. hosted one of the world's largest sporting events. Similar concerns were raised by economists at Pimco, RSM, UBS, and EY-Parthenon, who pointed to the sector's reported losses as inconsistent with broader economic activity. Bank of America data showed card spending increased 5.4% year over year during the tournament's group stage, with spending by visitors rising 17.4%, suggesting stronger demand for hotels, restaurants, and entertainment. Analysts said the broader labor market still appears to reflect cautious hiring rather than widespread layoffs, and some suggested that, excluding the unexpected hospitality decline, the employment data would have indicated a steadier trend in job growth.
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AI BUYING GUIDE

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WORKPLACE

Nuclear watchdog to ditch radiation guidance

As part of a new approach which stems from a 2025 White House executive order to reform regulations, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) plans to scrap guidance on radiation exposure for power plant workers that has been in place since the mid-1970s. The NRC proposes replacing the “as low as reasonably achievable” (Alara) standard with regulations based on existing federally regulated dose limits. Critics say that ditching the standard will put workers and public health at risk, but nuclear advocates argue it could free reactor developers from potentially onerous and costly requirements.
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LEADERSHIP

Uber dismisses top leaders at data labeling business

Uber has dismissed two top leaders at its nascent AI data labeling business. Naga Kasu, senior director of engineering, and Pankaj Kamat, director of product at Uber AI Solutions, are said to have departed the ride-hailing company recently. Uber has positioned the data labeling unit as a key growth driver. The division employs a network of gig workers to undertake tasks necessary to prepare data to be used in artificial intelligence models, such as labeling video footage for driverless technology. 
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WORKFORCE

Starbucks to pay baristas for creating approved TikTok content

Starbucks will begin paying participating baristas a share of advertising revenue for creating TikTok videos as part of a new program launching later this summer, as the company aims to capitalize on the popularity of employee-generated social media content. Through TikTok's Custom Creator Network, the coffee chain will provide approved content ideas for paid advertisements, becoming the first brand to pilot the platform's new creator program.
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LEGAL

ICE blocked from holding migrants in detention without bail for more than 90 days

A federal appeals court has ruled that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cannot hold immigrants in detention for longer than 90 days without allowing them to request release through a bond hearing while their deportation cases remain pending. “It is part of the historic majesty of this long-ago founding charter that it makes no exceptions in providing basic rights to those within our boundaries, including a right to be heard when personal liberty is taken,” wrote Judge Leslie Southwick, who was appointed by George W. Bush to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana. The decision was made by a panel of three judges, which means the government will have an opportunity to seek a rehearing of the panel’s decision by the full appeals court.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Trump administration proposes Medicare rule to cut prescription drug costs by $1.1bn

The Trump administration has proposed a rule that would reduce what certain hospitals can charge Medicare for discounted prescription drugs, a move it says would save Medicare patients an estimated $1.1bn in 2027. The proposal would lower reimbursement rates for hospitals participating in the federal 340B drug discount program, reducing markups on medicines purchased at steep discounts and cutting the average Medicare Part B patient's annual co-payments by about $800. The administration estimates the changes could save around $20bn over 10 years, although hospitals warn the measure could reduce revenue for facilities serving low-income communities. The proposal follows an earlier attempt during President Donald Trump's first term that was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2022.
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REGULATION

Trump will oppose heavy U.S. AI regulation, says outgoing tech adviser

Donald Trump will not establish a formal licensing regime for artificial intelligence, says Sriram Krishnan, the president’s departing AI adviser. “There will not be an FDA for AI,” Krishnan said.
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INTERNATIONAL

Argentina's plan for AI-run companies 'can't avoid humans'

Corporate attorneys say Argentine President Javier Milei's vision of “automated companies" run by AI - introduced as part of a comprehensive bill seeking to modernize and cut bureaucracy in corporate law - would be required to have a human ​administrator to oversee operations. It would be "too wild a first step to dispense with ​human agency entirely,” observed Lawrence Cunningham, director of the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware, who nevertheless called Milei's proposal bold. “We’re not ⁠changing the world here so much as we’re recognizing that you might run a business without any HR,” he said. “It’s the beginning of something."

German workers banned from taking sick leave without a medical note

German chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed new rules requiring workers to obtain a sick note in person on their first day of illness. The change aims to enhance productivity in Germany's stagnant economy. "The number of sick days is too high," Merz said. "We are creating a set of tools that will enable those involved, both employees and companies, to correct this." The new rules would replace a system whereby employees can get a note by phoning a doctor and do not need to do so until their third day of work. Frank Werneke, the head of the services sector union Verdi, said Merz was creating "a culture of distrust of employees." Doctors also oppose the change. "Our practices would be flooded with patients who don't need in-person care and would be better off in bed," said the German Association of Family Physicians. Meanwhile, Merz announced a €10bn ($11.4bn) tax cut for middle-class families to stimulate the economy and support his coalition government. Families earning €60,000 annually will receive over €600 in tax relief. This will be funded by raising the top tax rate from 45% to 47%. 

Amazon to act against India delivery partner after fatal warehouse fire investigation

Amazon has said it will take "appropriate action" against M&M Logistics Solutions, a third-party delivery partner in India, once a police investigation into a warehouse fire that killed two workers is complete, while also launching its own internal probe. Authorities are investigating allegations that the facility lacked essential fire safety measures, including fire clearance, alarms and emergency exits. The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of workplace safety standards across Amazon's Indian logistics network.

Russian court hands out 'LGBT Movement' jail sentences

A Russian court has sentenced the owner of an LGBT nightclub and two of its employees to prison for their involvement in what authorities have labelled an "extremist organization" - the ​first case brought under a ban on what Moscow calls the "LGBT movement." Vyacheslav Khasanov, the owner of the "Pose" club, received a seven-year sentence, while manager Diana Kamilyanova and art director Alexander Klimov were sentenced to six years and two years, respectively. All three denied the charges. Russia's Supreme Court designated ​the "LGBT movement" as extremist in ⁠2023 and those supporting it have been designated as terrorists.
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OTHER

FTC warns AI bias safeguards could violate U.S. consumer protection law

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed new guidance warning that AI companies whose chatbots are designed to produce responses aligned with "ideological objectives" could violate federal consumer protection law. The agency said AI developers that train models to avoid responses deemed discriminatory toward certain groups may, in some cases, run afoul of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Act, which prohibits unfair or deceptive business practices. The FTC also said complying with Colorado's AI anti-discrimination law could potentially conflict with the FTC Act, reflecting the Trump administration's broader scrutiny of perceived political bias in AI systems. The proposal is open for public comment through July 31, after which the agency will consider whether to adopt the policy. The guidance is the latest effort by FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson to use the agency's consumer protection powers to address concerns raised by conservatives over alleged ideological bias in technology platforms. 
 
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