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North American Edition
16th September 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Trump blasts his own Supreme Court picks

President Donald Trump has slammed the Supreme Court after justices ruled against him on tariffs, birthright citizenship, and mail ballot restrictions ahead of the midterm elections. Trump said the court's decision on tariffs will cost the U.S. trillions of dollars and the ruling on birthright citizenship is “a complete and total disaster for America.” He wrote on Truth Social: “The damage done to America is incalculable, and they know this, just as everyone else does - It is an irreparable and unrecoverable harm! The Court's inability and unwillingness to do the right thing for our Country will go down, in a very negative way, in the annals of History. This Supreme Court is bullied and cajoled by the Radical Left into making decisions that have set America back at least a hundred years.” Trump suggested that his picks for the court are not who he thought they would be. “These are not the people I interviewed to serve on the United States Supreme Court, they are merely a shell of their original selves, a Court that is costing the United States Trillions of Dollars with shockingly bad rulings that are of such magnitude that it won't be easily possible for our Country to recover or heal,” he wrote.
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LEGAL

Cisco 'likely allowed harassment of pro-Palestinian workers'

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has found that Cisco Systems likely created a hostile work environment for Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim employees. The federal enforcement agency's conclusion followed reports of harassment, including derogatory messages shared in an internal forum, where pro-Palestinian activists were derided as animals and one worker told colleagues to “quit living.” The finding is not a binding ruling, and both sides said the EEOC has indicated that it won’t file a lawsuit. The New York Times says such findings tend to bolster employees’ cases if they decide to go to court on their own. Legal Aid at Work believes this is the first EEOC finding against a major U.S. tech company involving discrimination against workers engaged in pro-Palestinian advocacy. 

Abbott to settle lawsuit over baby formula plant contamination

Abbott Laboratories has agreed to pay $385m to resolve allegations regarding the operation of a manufacturing plant linked to contaminated powdered baby formula, which is suspected of causing infant deaths. The contamination led to the temporary closure of the largest formula facility in the U.S. in 2022, resulting in a recall of several brands, including Similac, and contributing to a nationwide shortage. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter said: “The settlement makes clear the safety of our children is not negotiable.” The Justice Department's civil complaint accused Abbott of knowingly producing formula in unsanitary conditions that posed significant risks to product safety. Although Abbott did not admit liability, it stated that testing found no connection between its formula and the reported illnesses. Nearly $349m of the settlement will go to the federal government, while $36m will support state Medicaid and WIC programs. Whistleblowers who reported the issues will receive $69m.

Accenture to pay $25m to settle claims over DEI

Accenture has said it will pay $25m to settle U.S. government claims related to diversity practices. The ⁠Justice Department said the IT consulting firm had weighed race and sex to achieve demographic goals when making hiring and promotion ​decisions. Accenture said it complied with ​applicable laws ⁠and that the resolution agreement did not constitute an admission of liability. "We have cooperated with the government's review, and we are pleased to put ⁠this ​matter behind us to avoid the costs ​and resource demands of prolonged litigation," an Accenture spokesperson said.
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REGULATION

EU set to propose ban on social media and AI chatbots for under-15s

A European Commission document seen by Reuters indicates that the European Union will propose ​a ban restricting under 15s from social media, video sharing platforms, AI chatbots and online games. The ​proposal is part of an EU Kids Act to be presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ​and EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen on Thursday. Reuters says von der Leyen ​may announce some ⁠details in her State of the Union address on upcoming EU policy today. "The Union's approach should allow ​minors to benefit from the huge potential of digital services, while protecting them from abuse and exploitation. It needs ​to limit the access of tech companies to our children, and not the other way around," the document said.

AI regulation meets resistance from top Republicans

Despite warnings from industry leaders about the risks of unbounded AI, GOP leaders are resisting calls for immediate regulations. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) dismissed the need for swift action, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) suggested any regulation should be light-touch to avoid stifling innovation. President Trump reinforced this stance, writing on Truth Social: “The only control or ‘guardrails' that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades.”  The lack of action from Republicans comes amid increasing pressure from Democrats who are pushing for new safety protocols. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) criticized the GOP for abandoning their legislative responsibilities, and urged Congress to remain in session to address AI safety risks.
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CYBERSECURITY

AI shifts cybersecurity hiring toward more experienced professionals

Companies are increasingly using AI to automate entry-level cybersecurity work, including alert triage, log reviews, and data enrichment, while hiring more experienced professionals to oversee AI systems and handle complex threats. A survey of more than 500 chief information security officers found that nearly three-quarters do not expect AI to reduce team sizes, while more than 80% anticipate greater demand for new cybersecurity roles and skills. Cybersecurity hiring remains relatively resilient, with U.S. job postings rising to 13,923 in August from 13,169 in July. However, industry experts warn that reducing junior roles could weaken the pipeline of future senior professionals, creating a potential “talent chasm.” As AI becomes more embedded in cybersecurity, workers are expected to need stronger judgment, business knowledge, AI fluency, and the ability to validate and govern automated outputs.
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STRATEGY

Polymarket appoints first CFO as it targets U.S. expansion

Prediction-markets company Polymarket has appointed Warren Jenson as its first chief financial officer as it expands its U.S. platform following regulatory oversight from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Jenson previously served as CFO of Amazon, Electronic Arts, Delta Air Lines, NBC, and Nielsen, and joins as Polymarket builds out its leadership team for its next phase of growth. Polymarket is valued at around $21bn following a recent $1bn funding round. Major backers include 1789 Capital, which is investing about $300m, and Intercontinental Exchange, which disclosed a $1.6bn stake earlier this year. The company faces increasing competition from Kalshi, Robinhood, and DraftKings, as well as scrutiny over its U.S. marketing practices.

PwC shakes up Indian operations

PwC U.S. and PwC India plan to form a joint venture that will merge PwC U.S.'s India-based offshoring “acceleration centers” with PwC India's consulting arm, according to an internal memo sent to employees by the U.S. CEO, Paul Griggs. Those hubs provide - and as the FT notes, sometimes compete to provide - specialist talent and overnight support to U.S. teams and operate independently of PwC India's operations.
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OPERATIONAL

McDonald’s and Meituan launch China’s first brand-exclusive drone delivery route

McDonald’s and Chinese delivery platform Meituan have launched China’s first catering brand-exclusive drone delivery route, bringing fast-food orders to customers along Shanghai’s busy West Bund. The service, which began operations last week, delivers orders from a McDonald’s restaurant to designated kiosks, targeting office workers, tourists, and other visitors to the riverside area. The 3.1-kilometer (1.93-mile) route in Shanghai’s Xuhui district represents the latest deployment of drone technology in China’s urban delivery market, allowing McDonald’s customers to receive orders while walking, exercising, or spending time along the waterfront.
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WORKFORCE

Deere recalls 375 workers

John Deere is rehiring 375 workers in the Quad Cities to bolster inventory ahead of upcoming labor negotiations. The decision follows the United Auto Workers' rejection of a contract extension, primarily due to job security concerns. Since April 2024, Deere has laid off over 2,000 workers amid an agricultural downturn. The company plans to recall 150 workers at its Moline plant and 225 at its East Moline facility, with the process continuing in phases over the next few months. Deere said it aims to ensure customer service while collaborating with its workforce and union partners during negotiations.
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GEOPOLITICAL

Ukraine ready to de-escalate if Russia halts strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that his country is prepared to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure if Moscow reciprocates. The announcement followed U.S. President Donald Trump's claim of an agreement between the two nations. Zelensky highlighted the increasing intensity of Russian strikes on Ukraine's rail network, which he described as worsening weekly. He noted that while Ukraine is ready to support de-escalation, there has been no genuine indication from Russia to end the conflict. In his daily address, Zelensky highlighted "a strong proposal from the United States regarding a mutual halt to strikes on critical infrastructure," adding: "If this can become the first de-escalatory step – stopping Russian strikes on our critical infrastructure, and ours in response – then Ukraine is ready to support de-escalation."
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OTHER

Seoul Metro worker files defamation complaint against U.S. influencer

A Seoul Metro worker has filed a defamation complaint against American influencer Victoria Prince after she filmed him during a fare evasion incident involving her companions. The Allbaleun Union said the worker faced emotional distress due to Prince's accusations of racial discrimination. The incident occurred on September 7 at Myeong-dong Station, where Prince's friends attempted to evade fare payment. The union noted that fare evasion cases by foreign passengers are rising, with 732 incidents recorded this year. "Our employee handled the situation responsibly," said Song Si-young, head of the union.
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