Human Times

European Edition

22nd July 2026

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THE HOT STORY

Poland and Hungary move to curb non-EU migration

Reuters reports that Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk - who have both been besmirched by nationalist rivals as soft on immigration - are opting for curbs on foreign labour. Tusk's government cut work permits for non-EU citizens by 22% last year, while Hungary's new government recently ceased issuing worker visas to employees from the Philippines, Georgia and Armenia. Economists and business groups warn such moves may hurt the two countries' growth prospects. "Fewer workers mean slower growth and less tax coming in, while an older population costs more in pensions and health," said Marcin Tomaszewski, lead economist for the EU region at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). "Both [countries] are ageing before they are rich, and both only recently became places people move to rather than leave," he said. Public opinion polls show broad support for migration curbs.

Reuters

WORK FROM ABROAD

How to offer location-flexibility without the compliance risk

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WORKFORCE

Luxembourg government to introduce bill on platform work

Labour Minister Marc Spautz has said that Luxembourg will introduce a bill regulating platform work in the fourth quarter of this year. The legislation aims to transpose a European directive from October 2024, addressing the complexities of new work forms. Spautz noted that discussions with trade unions and employers are ongoing to establish criteria for classifying platform workers as employees, thereby enhancing their social rights. He said: "The main objective of the bill is to strengthen the social rights of individuals performing work through a platform." The bill also seeks to ensure transparency in algorithmic management within platform businesses.

Luxembourg Times

WORKPLACE

London Stock Exchange to launch round-the-clock trading next year

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) plans to launch a night-time trading venue in the first half of next year. The new exchange will operate separately from the LSE’s main market, and will initially offer access to exchange-traded products such as funds tracking the UK or US stock market. LSE 24 will give "global investors greater flexibility ⁠to respond to market events, access liquidity across time zones and manage risk", the company said. The new exchange will operate from 5 p.m. to 7:50 a.m. London time, with a 30-minute pause between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to apply end-of-day processes. The main market will continue to operate its standard hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

STRATEGY

Germany's last bicycle helmet manufacturer shifts production to China

German bicycle helmet manufacturer KED has announced it will move all production to China later this year, ending domestic manufacturing as the country's last remaining helmet producer. The company cited rising labour costs, higher raw material prices, weak consumer demand and intense competition from lower-cost Chinese imports as key reasons for the decision. KED will retain research and development, quality control and sales functions in Germany, but around 25 manufacturing jobs will be affected, with only about 15 employees remaining. Chief executive Viktor Borsche said relocating production would allow the company to protect its brand, invest more in product development and improve speed to market. The move highlights the competitive pressures facing German manufacturers outside sectors protected by European Union anti-dumping measures. Unlike bicycle makers, which benefit from tariffs on Chinese imports, helmet manufacturers receive no such protection, making it increasingly difficult to compete on price with Chinese producers.

Nikkei Asia

CYBERSECURITY

OpenAI says its AI technology caused a major cyber breach by itself

OpenAI has said its artificial intelligence system hacked into another AI company on its own in what the company called an “unprecedented cyber incident.” AI startup Hugging Face last week said that it had detected an intrusion into its data processing systems that it suspected was caused by an AI agent acting autonomously. “AI is accelerating the discovery and exploitation of vulnerabilities,” OpenAI said. “The primary lesson from this incident is that model security and safety must keep pace with rapidly advancing capabilities.” OpenAI said it expected this type of incident to become “more commonplace with the proliferation of increasingly cyber-capable models.”

AP News

Financial Times

Washington Post

TECHNOLOGY

UK firms embrace AI

Analysis by the Office for National Statistics shows that 35% of UK businesses used AI in the past year, up from 12% three years ago. This places the UK as one of the leaders in AI use across Europe but it still sits behind the US, where 43% of employees use the technology. The highest adoption rates in the UK are found in information and communications, at 58%, while only 13% of construction workers use AI. But while overall take-up of AI has widened, the average number of AI tools being used by businesses has risen only modestly since 2023, from 1.4 to 1.6. Meanwhile, a Deloitte survey has revealed that 73% of UK chief finance officers believe AI will enhance business performance, an increase from 59% previously.

Financial Times

The Times

LEGAL

Judge approved night-time Tour de France doping tests

A French judge has approved night-time anti-doping tests for Tour de France leaders Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. The International Testing Agency (ITA) sought the judge's permission for tests conducted overnight on July 18-19, just hours before a crucial mountain stage. Pogacar described the experience as "inhuman," while Vingegaard reported being woken at 2:00 am. The ITA defended its actions, saying that night-time tests are essential for maintaining the integrity of cycling. Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel and Vingegaard's teammate Matteo Jorgenson also expressed concerns about the timing of the tests.

Gulf Times

ECONOMY

Germany debates ending Sunday shopping ban to revive consumer spending

Germany is reconsidering its long-standing restrictions on Sunday shopping as policymakers search for ways to stimulate an economy that has stagnated since 2019. While most European countries now allow seven-day retail trading, Germany's constitution still designates Sundays as days of rest, meaning most shops must remain closed except for limited sales of essentials such as bread, drinks and snacks. The debate has intensified after Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government proposed modest reforms, including allowing municipal libraries to open and extending Sunday trading hours for bakers. Retail groups argue these measures do not go far enough and are calling for broader liberalisation, saying weaker consumer confidence and a sluggish economy require greater flexibility. A recent YouGov poll found half of Germans support maintaining the Sunday shopping ban, although younger people are increasingly in favour of relaxing the restrictions.

Wall Street Journal

INTERNATIONAL

Judge won't block Meta from laying off workers who filed AI bias lawsuit

A judge has dismissed a bid by 26 Meta Platforms employees to block being laid off while they pursue claims that they were targeted for job cuts by the tech giant's AI-powered tools because they have disabilities or took medical leave. U.S. District Judge William Orrick in Oakland, ‌California, said the workers could not show that losing their jobs amounted to the "irreparable harm" required for him to issue an emergency order blocking the layoffs. Meta has said that decisions involving the layoffs were made by humans.

Reuters

Starbucks Korea workers form country's first coffee chain union

Employees at Starbucks Korea have formed the first union in a coffee chain in the country. They joined the Korean Chemical, Textile and Food Industry Workers' Union, citing unaddressed complaints and heavy workloads as key reasons for their decision. The chapter has expressed dissatisfaction with the company's in-house consultative body called "gonggamhoe - the "empathy council," claiming it failed to address their concerns, including understaffing, tight wages, and challenging schedules. Starbucks Korea said it would engage with the new union in accordance with relevant laws.

Korea Joongang Daily

The Korea Times

Decathlon positions India at the heart of future global growth

French multinational sporting goods retailer Decathlon has identified India as a cornerstone of its global strategy, with Global CEO Javier López highlighting the country's growing role in technology, artificial intelligence and supply chain operations alongside manufacturing. As the retailer marks its 50th anniversary, López said India will help build a more resilient, data-driven business capable of responding to changing consumer demand. He also outlined Decathlon's shift towards personalised, AI-powered retail experiences, while still maintaining the importance of physical stores. The company aims to balance profitable growth with employee wellbeing and environmental sustainability, saying its long-term goal is to help people lead healthier, more active lives.

The Economic Times

OTHER

American Heart Association says up to five cups of coffee a day is safe

The American Heart Association (AHA) has said that drinking up to five 8-oz cups of coffee a day, or around 400mgs of caffeine, is safe for most adults and may reduce the risk of heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes. The scientific statement, published in Circulation, reviewed dozens of studies and concluded that evidence supporting coffee’s safety and potential cardiovascular benefits has strengthened over time. The AHA said the greatest benefits appear to come from consuming two to four cups of coffee daily, while noting that individual responses to caffeine vary. Researchers also cautioned that adding large amounts of sugar, syrups, or high-fat creamers can offset potential health benefits, and advised consumers to avoid high-caffeine energy drinks, which have been linked to irregular heart rhythms and high blood pressure.

ABC News

USA Today

Wall Street Journal

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