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Recent Editions
Human Times
North America
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recruited many new officers before basic vetting steps had been completed, including fingerprints, identity verification and credit checks, according to a newly released whistleblower complaint from an official who was a unit chief in ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility. “This unprecedented lowering of standards sacrifices proper risk mitigation for expediency, placing [Department of Homeland Security] at risk of infiltration and insider compromise,” the official wrote in a memo to the DHS’s Office of Inspector General dated August 2025. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has charged an ICE officer with lying about the shooting of a Venezuelan national during the Trump administration’s crackdown in Minnesota this year, in a rare instance of the DOJ seeking to hold immigration officers accountable while conducting arrests. Authorities say Christian Castro fired his weapon through a closed door and shot Julio Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan immigrant, in the leg.
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Human Times
UK
Employment in the UK's services sector fell for the 23rd consecutive month in August, according to S&P's latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the industry. The latest dip came as businesses continued hiring freezes and headcount cuts amid rising fuel, transport and wage costs, with some turning to automation to improve productivity. The pace of job losses nevertheless eased to its slowest rate since October 2025, while the services PMI rose from 52.1 to 52.5, indicating modest growth and improving business confidence.
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Human Times
Europe
Volkswagen's supervisory board has approved a transformation plan that will see around 50,000 jobs being cut, in addition to a 50,000-job reduction already under way. The plan, which is the most extensive restructuring in the automaker's 89-year history, includes exploring alternatives for four plants in Emden, Zwickau, Neckarsulm and Hannover. The company said the changes are necessary amid rising global competition, shifting demand, and technological advancements. Volkswagen aims for an operating margin of 9% by 2030, up from 3.8% in H1 2026. "This is a strong signal for the future of the Volkswagen Group. We are taking responsibility for our entire workforce, for our partners and for industrial jobs worldwide," CEO Oliver Blume said. Asset manager Union Investment has warned that VW's credit rating could be cut to 'junk' status unless it cuts costs.
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Human Times
Middle East
New LinkedIn research reveals that while 91% of UAE professionals plan to stay in the country, many struggle to build professional connections. Despite recognising the importance of networks, 74% browse work-related content without engaging. Barriers include fear of judgment and lack of guidance, with 58% feeling they lack support in developing relationships. “The UAE continues to be a place where people come to build ambitious, long-term careers. But in a fast-moving labour market, skills alone are not always enough. Visibility and relationships also matter, especially for people who are new to the country, early in their careers, or looking to move into a new sector,” said Najat Abdelhadi, Mena career expert at LinkedIn. “Building a network does not need to start with a big request or a perfectly written message. Small interactions add up,” she added.
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