Human Times

European Edition

29th October 2026

THE HOT STORY

Spain's train drivers maintain strike action following deadly crash

Renfe train drivers will proceed with their planned strike today following a deadly collision in Toledo that claimed at least 68 lives. The Spanish train drivers' union Semaf said the strike aims to address unmet safety standards, and the union emphasised the need for improved railway safety protocols and the hiring of additional drivers.

The Local Spain

WORKFORCE

French protests push UEFA to switch match date

UEFA has rescheduled a Europa League match in Rennes due to the potential for a general strike in France on November 5. The match between Rennes and Olympiakos will now take place on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. local time. UEFA said it was informed by French authorities that security could not be guaranteed on the original date. French trade unions are calling for the general strike amid widespread protests that began with students raising concerns about school conditions.

U.S. News

STRATEGY

Norwegian to cut 123 jobs at Copenhagen Airport

Norwegian will lay off 123 employees at Copenhagen Airport, including 53 pilots and 70 cabin crew, amid a reduction in its fleet. Most staff will depart by the end of January; others will leave later in the year. Sara Neergaard, the airline's country manager in Denmark, said: "It is a sad day for Norwegian, and I am incredibly affected on behalf of the affected employees." The Flyvebranchens Personale Union challenged the decision, claiming it undermines Danish working conditions and seeks to replace local staff with cheaper labour.

Copenhagen Post

LEGAL

UK worker rights shake-up 'will hurt economy'

The UK's Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), a non-departmental public body that provides independent economic forecasts, warns that the Labour government's Employment Rights Act (ERA) could negatively impact the UK economy. The OBR says the reforms, which include reducing the unfair dismissal qualifying period to six months and removing the compensation cap, may increase productivity slightly - but higher labour costs and reduced operational flexibility will outweigh these gains. The changes are already straining the Employment Tribunal system, according to legal experts.

City AM

The Times

CORPORATE

Historic Paris department store BHV Marais enters administration

BHV Marais, one of Paris’ oldest and most prestigious department stores, has entered administration as part of a planned restructuring aimed at addressing its financial difficulties. Chair and chief executive Karl-Stephane Cottendin described the move as a carefully considered strategic decision necessary to implement the retailer’s restructuring plan. The development highlights broader challenges facing France’s retail sector, which is contending with economic uncertainty and disruption from nationwide anti-government protests.

Reuters

RISK

Prepping advice triggers supermarket shortages in UK

Supermarkets in the UK have reported increased demand for bottled water, tinned food and batteries after the government urged households to prepare three days of emergency supplies against cyberattacks, extreme weather and hostile threats. Ocado reported shortages of several bottled water and soup brands, while Iceland recorded a 40% increase in tinned food sales. Booths also reported stronger demand for essential supplies. Official guidance recommends nine litres of water per person, non-perishable food, communication equipment and blankets. Supermarkets said improved logistics following the pandemic should prevent widespread shortages. Ministers stressed that the campaign promotes preparedness rather than responding to any immediate threat.

Daily Mail

The Times

ECONOMY

Confidence wanes among consumers in Germany

In Germany, the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions' consumer sentiment index fell to -30.8 points for November from -30.6 in October. “Whilst consumers are increasingly optimistic about economic developments, scepticism still prevails when it comes to their own finances. Growing concerns about inflation and subdued income prospects are dampening the willingness to make major purchases, even though the propensity to save is falling slightly", commented Rolf Buerkl, the Institute's head of consumer climate.

Bloomberg

Reuters

Wall Street Journal

TECHNOLOGY

Microsoft AI tool can diagnose like a doctor

Microsoft has developed an AI tool that the company says can diagnose conditions up to four times more accurately than human doctors. The model identifies and coordinates ‌the questions that should be asked of a patient, and also the exams and tests that should be ordered, by employing a simulated panel of clinical experts partnering to solve diagnostic cases. Microsoft AI chief executive Mustafa Suleyman has nevertheless told The Verge that even though he predicts the arrival of “something that is indistinguishable from human performance on medical superintelligence in the next couple of years,” human clinicians should and will always have a central role in patient care.

Reuters

The Verge

INTERNATIONAL

Uber faces Australian class action over sexual assaults

Uber is facing a class action lawsuit in Australia from women who have experienced sexual assault or harassment while using its services. Law firm Slater and Gordon is investigating whether Uber's policies adequately protect female passengers and if the company has responded appropriately to complaints of driver misconduct. Cindy Bors, the firm's practice group leader, emphasized that the legal action focuses on Uber's responsibility for passenger safety, saying: “Women should be able to get home in an Uber safely.” The investigation follows numerous legal actions globally regarding Uber's handling of such claims. Despite Uber's insistence that its drivers are independent contractors, Bors argues that this should not shield the company from accountability in cases of sexual assault. Taylor Mostacci, a victim of an indecent assault by an Uber driver, highlighted the lasting impact of her experience, saying: “I'll never risk being in an Uber by myself.”

Sydney Morning Herald

Walmart reports that AI training programmes boost employee confidence

Walmart has reported increased employee confidence in AI following the introduction of AI training and certification programmes across its 2.1m-strong workforce. A company survey, which received more than 1.7m responses, found that 77% of office-based employees were excited about AI's potential to improve their work, while 84% of US frontline workers felt confident using digital tools. Employees who completed OpenAI training reported a 27% improvement in confidence using AI, supported by free learning programmes developed in partnership with OpenAI and Google. Walmart also reported that automation has created more quality assurance roles in some operations, rather than resulting in widespread job losses.

CNBC

OTHER

Trump says he will ban the term 'artificial intelligence'

President Donald Trump has said he would ban the term ‌artificial intelligence in documents "and everything else", as he questioned why the Wall Street Journal was not ⁠using his preferred term, super intelligence. "When will the Wall Street Journal start calling Artificial Intelligence (AI), a very bad and inaccurate name, SI (Super Intelligence), the name which ‌virtually ⁠everyone else is using, or soon will be," Trump wrote on Truth ⁠Social. "In short order, we will be officially BANNING the term, “AI/Artificial ⁠Intelligence,” in all relevant documents, and everything else, ⁠due to its inaccuracy."

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