Human Times

European Edition

8th May 2026

THE HOT STORY

Graduates using AI 'misrepresent abilities' for jobs

Two-thirds of UK employers have expressed concern that the overuse of AI in job applications misrepresents the skills of young graduates. The Institute of Student Employers found that 67% of employers worry about AI skewing perceptions of graduates' abilities, up from 48% last year. The institute's annual development survey report said: "As AI tools become more widely available employers appear increasingly concerned about whether candidates' applications, assessments or interview responses fully reflect their individual skills and capabilities. This raises broader questions about the reliability of traditional selection methods and highlights the need for organisations to adapt recruitment processes to account for the growing use of generative AI." Employers also noted "readiness gaps" in graduates in their motivation and self-awareness, as well as wider contextual understanding, planning and organisational abilities.

The Times

WORKFORCE

Continental reaches labour agreement on job cuts

ContiTech, the rubber and plastics business of tyre manufacturer Continental, has reached an agreement with labour representatives ‌in Germany on a cost-saving programme involving around 1,600 job cuts. The IGBCE union for the ‌German ⁠chemicals industry said the agreement ruled out forced redundancies until at least the end of 2030 and included a commitment to the company's German sites.

Reuters

STRATEGY

Dutch insurer Achmea 'set to shed hundreds of jobs'

Dutch insurance giant Achmea plans to cut 350 jobs across its brands, including Zilveren Kruis and Centraal Beheer, starting in early 2027. The restructuring aims to consolidate distribution units and enhance automation. CNV negotiator André Kramer noted that such changes had been anticipated due to ongoing shifts in the financial sector. While the exact roles to be affected will be confirmed in November 2026, CEO Bianca Tetteroo emphasised the importance of reskilling employees and integrating artificial intelligence into operations. Achmea's workforce currently exceeds 14,000 in the Netherlands.

NL Times

Novartis to cut around 220 jobs in Germany

Novartis is to cut around 220 jobs in Germany as part of the planned closure of a production site ⁠in Wehr by the end of 2028. The facility, which manufactures tablets and capsules, is no longer competitive, the Swiss drugmaker said.

Reuters

REMUNERATION

UK private sector pay awards held at 3.5% in three months to March

A survey by Incomes Data Research (IDR) found that the median pay rise awarded by major UK employers was 3.5% ⁠in the January to March period. Pay awards might have risen in April when a 4.1% increase in the minimum wage to £12.71 an hour came into force. "Higher-end awards worth 4% or more are more common in April than at the start of the year due to the influence ‌of ⁠the uplift in the National Living Wage," IDR senior researcher Zoe Woolacott observed.

Reuters

ECONOMY

Europe urged to cut reliance on energy imports

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has called on Europe to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and energy imports amid soaring energy costs due to the Iran war. “Today’s surging energy prices are a reminder of the cost of that dependency,” she said. “Alternative sources of energy offer the clearest path to minimizing the trade-offs between Europe’s energy-policy goals of security, sustainability and affordability.” Lagarde told a climate conference in Frankfurt that the status quo is “clearly unsustainable.” Europe imports about 60% of its energy, almost all of it fossil fuels.

Bloomberg

LEGAL

ING settles Belgian money laundering case for €1.6m

ING has agreed to pay €1.6m to resolve a money-laundering investigation linked to former European Commissioner Didier Reynders, according to the Brussels public prosecutor's office. The inquiry began after Belgium's central bank filed a complaint in April 2025 regarding ING's Belgian branch. Reynders reportedly deposited nearly €700,000 in cash into his ING Belgium account from 2008 to 2018. Prosecutors examined 245 cash deposits and 779 e-Lotto transfers, questioning why the bank did not report suspicious activities sooner.

NL Times

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Scientists working to create hantavirus vaccine

An international team of scientists is working to create a vaccine against hantavirus, which is suspected of killing three people on a cruise ship in the Atlantic. Chemist Professor Asel Sartbaeva, from the University of Bath, is part of the team involving experts in the United States and South Africa currently working on a vaccine. "Obviously, developing a vaccine would be amazing because then we can prevent instances of this disease happening or at least mitigate the really bad consequences of the infection," she said. In its latest update, the WHO said eight cases of hantavirus - three confirmed and five suspected - have so far been identified in people who were on the ship. The origin of the outbreak is still unknown and it is not known if people other than passengers from the ship have been infected.

BBC News

INTERNATIONAL

China blames ‘foreign forces’ for rising number of disaffected youths

China's Ministry of State Security, the country’s spy agency, says foreign forces are seeking to “erode the minds of Chinese youths” by disseminating anti-work propaganda online. “The youth represent the future of the nation and are the primary targets for ideological infiltration by foreign anti-China hostile forces,” the ministry said in a post published on WeChat, the Chinese social media platform. The Wall Street Journal says the admonishment comes amid signs of weakness in China’s labour market including the growing gig-work economy and a rise in spending on unemployment insurance, according to Xiangrong Yu, Citigroup’s chief China economist. “The unexpected deterioration for early-career workers, who are likely more AI-exposed, seems to point to the unfolding AI-driven displacement,” Yu observed. “We believe the structural headwinds from AI adoption are set to intensify.”

Financial Times

South China Morning Post

Wall Street Journal

New York Times sued for allegedly discriminating against white man

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the New York Times, alleging that a white male employee was overlooked for a promotion in favour of a less qualified woman to fulfill diversity goals. The agency said the decision to exclude the male applicant was influenced by the organisation's commitment to increasing representation of women and people of colour in leadership roles. “No one is above the law - including ‘elite' institutions. There is no such thing as ‘reverse discrimination,'" Lucas said. "No matter the size or power of the employer, the EEOC under my leadership will not pull punches in ensuring evenhanded, colorblind enforcement of Title VII to protect America's workers, including white males.” The New York Times has denied the allegations, claiming that the most qualified candidate was chosen and that race and gender did not influence the decision.

U.S. News

Saudi Arabia urged to ditch foreign labour system

UN rights experts have called on Saudi Arabia to abolish its kafala sponsorship system ahead of the 2034 World Cup, citing ongoing abuse and exploitation of migrant workers. Despite some easing of restrictions in 2021, many workers remain vulnerable. "Five years after the encouraging announcement of labour reforms, we continue to receive reports of abuse and labour exploitation of the estimated 16 million migrant workers in the country," the UN experts said in a joint statement. "Migrant worker deaths have allegedly occurred under unclear circumstances and without accountability. Wage theft, workplace violence, retention of identity documents and the imposition of extortionate recruitment fees are all reported to continue. These practices must stop." They urged Riyadh to ensure migrant workers can change jobs freely and receive full national labour protections, emphasising the need for accountability and safe reporting channels.

France 24

Singapore council aims to help workers and businesses navigate AI disruption

Singapore has established the Tripartite Jobs Council (TJC) to address the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment. Announced by the Ministry of Manpower, the National Trades Union Congress, and the Singapore National Employers Federation, the council aims to support businesses in AI adoption while safeguarding jobs. Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said the TJC will focus on three areas: aiding businesses, enhancing AI training for workers, and providing support for those at risk of job displacement.

Business Times SG

OTHER

Poland probes record number of Russian espionage cases

Poland has carried out as many counter-intelligence investigations over the past two years as in the previous three decades, according to a report published by the country's national intelligence agency.

Financial Times

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