THE HOT STORY

Gen Z bets on AI skills to boost earning power

Reuters reports on how younger workers are using AI to boost productivity, build portfolios and pursue new careers. Compared to older generations, they tend to be more excited about the impact that the technology will have on their careers. A 2025 PwC survey of more than 2,000 young workers in the UK found that 67% of Gen Z expect AI to increase their productivity, and nearly half expect it to increase their salary and job security.

Reuters

REMOTE WORKING

Barclays faces backlash over office mandate

UK lender Barclays is encountering significant resistance to its proposed return-to-office mandate. Staff, represented by the Unite union, oppose increasing mandatory office days from two to three for most employees and from three to four for senior leaders. An open letter opposing the changes has garnered over 5,200 signatures. Unite said: "Barclays has been unable to provide . . . an evidence-based rationale."

The Observer

LEGAL

German state leader visits Türkiye to mark labour deal anniversary

Hendrik Wüst, the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, will begin a three-day visit to Türkiye on Monday to commemorate the 65th anniversary of a historic German-Turkish labour agreement. The deal facilitated the arrival of many Turkish "guest workers" in Germany. Wüst's itinerary includes political discussions in Ankara and an economic conference in Istanbul, where he will present a prize for cultural reconciliation to Ilkay Gündoğan, former captain of the German national football team. North Rhine-Westphalia is home to a large Turkish community. Annual trade between Germany and Türkiye reaches up to €12bn.

Daily Sabah

STRATEGY

UK minister rejects pleas to rejoin customs union

In an interview with the Telegraph, UK business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has warned Labour against reopening the debate about EU membership, arguing that it would see the return of paralysing political uncertainty at the expense of the country. Reynolds said he agreed with business leaders who had urged him to focus on improving the relationship with the EU, "as we should do with any of our major trading partners, and at the same time, make the best of opportunities around the rest of the world." Prime minister Andy Burnham is under pressure from unions and some senior Labour figures to abandon the party's red lines on rejoining the single market and customs union.

The Sunday Telegraph

RISK

Switzerland rejects stricter interpretation of its neutrality

Swiss voters have rejected a stricter interpretation of the country's tradition of diplomatic neutrality. More than 70% voted against a proposal that would have prevented the European nation from imposing sanctions without UN approval. The proposal would have also prevented Switzerland from pursuing closer ties with NATO. Russia had openly backed the initiative, which was supported by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) and opposed by the federal government and all other major parties.

Financial Times

BBC News

The Guardian

CORPORATE

German manufacturer Fritzmeier closes Slovak plant

German manufacturer Fritzmeier is ceasing production at its Bánovce nad Bebravou plant in Slovakia after 20 years, moving operations to Germany and the Czech Republic. The decision follows years of financial losses. The plant, which employed 44 people, has not turned a profit since 2020.

The Slovak Spectator

WORKPLACE

Dutch hospitals banned nearly 300 patients last year

The number of patients blacklisted by Dutch hospitals is increasing, with 281 bans recorded last year and 205 already in the first seven months of 2026, according to an RTL survey of 41 hospitals. Martin Buijsen, a professor of health law, noted that hospitals can only terminate treatment for serious reasons, such as violence. A spokesperson from Noordwest Hospital Group highlighted that aggressive behaviour often stems from stressful situations. The Dutch Patients Federation has condemned such aggression, emphasising the need for clear communication to prevent tensions.

NL Times

ECONOMY

Winemakers in Italy hail bumper harvest but cut output

Wine growers in Italy's Piedmont region are celebrating a successful harvest despite extreme heat. Filippo Mobrici, head of the Barbera d'Asti Consortium, described the vintage as "five-star" due to its quality and quantity. However, producers are cutting back on production from nine tonnes to 8.5 tonnes per hectare due to market challenges, including US tariffs and changing consumer habits.

France 24

INTERNATIONAL

'The Profiler' takes aim at the growing scourge of fake job ads

Jay Jones, an unemployed copywriter from the Chicago area who calls himself “The Profiler,” has made it his mission to expose fraudulent job advertisements and recruiter profiles targeting increasingly desperate job seekers. After encountering a fake résumé writer during his own job search following a 2023 layoff, Jones began investigating recruitment scams and says he has since helped remove nearly 60,000 fake jobs and flagged around 7,000 scam profiles, primarily on LinkedIn. The scams range from mass-produced recruiter profiles and AI-tailored job offers to hijacked, verified accounts that impersonate recruiters at legitimate businesses. LinkedIn says its automated systems prevent nearly all scams from reaching users, including blocking close to 90 million fake accounts before they went live in the second half of 2025. However, the company acknowledges that scammers continually adapt to its defences.

Wall Street Journal

Myntra creates more than 26,000 seasonal jobs

Indian fashion and lifestyle e-commerce platform Myntra has created more than 26,000 temporary jobs ahead of India's festive season and its Big Fashion Festival, more than doubling its seasonal recruitment from the previous year as it expands fulfilment and delivery capacity. The company has recruited workers across supply-chain operations including sorting, grading and packing, alongside 8,000 delivery partners and 2,700 customer service roles. More than 350 positions have been reserved for people with disabilities, while women will account for 30% of its fulfilment-centre workforce. The additional employees will support five fulfilment hubs across India and help Myntra meet increased festive demand, including through its M-Express service, which provides delivery within 24 to 48 hours in selected locations.

Economic Times

OTHER

Pope Leo XIV criticises France's assisted dying law

Pope Leo XIV expressed concerns about France's new assisted dying law during his visit to Paris. Speaking alongside President Emmanuel Macron, he warned against societal trends that prioritise profit over human life. The law, passed in July, allows euthanasia for adults with incurable conditions. The Vatican advocates for palliative care instead.

The Daily Telegraph

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