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North American Edition
27th May 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

AI tools lead to ‘clear racial disparities’ in job hiring, study says

The most comprehensive independent study of AI-powered hiring algorithms to date has identified “clear racial disparities” embedded in the tools used to screen millions of job applicants, with Black and Asian candidates disproportionately affected. A Stanford University-led study of 4m job applications submitted by 3m applicants across 156 employers who used the Pymetrics hiring platform, which assesses people through online games designed to measure cognitive traits such as risk tolerance and altruism, found evidence of “systemic rejection.” Northeastern professor and research co-author Kathleen Creel said: “As a single vendor comes to dominate decision-making in a space, their quirks or shortfalls can be present across that entire sector in a way that wasn’t possible before.” Pymetrics’ owner, Harver, did not respond to a request for comment.
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LEGAL

Ride-hailing drivers in Massachusetts certify first statewide ride-hailing union

Ride-hailing drivers in Massachusetts have become the first in the U.S. to certify a union, marking a significant step in the gig economy's labor movement. The achievement follows the approval of a 2024 ballot measure that allows drivers to unionize while remaining independent contractors. Jean Fredo, an Uber driver, expressed hope for improved pay and protections, saying: “With the union, it will not feel like we're working for nothing.” The union could represent nearly 70,000 drivers statewide, at a time when they face challenges including rising costs and the threat of automation. Julie Blust of the App Drivers Union emphasized the importance of collective action, saying: “Drivers now have an official organization and can speak with one voice about what's happening in this industry.”

White House proposes NDAs for federal workers

The Trump administration has proposed new guidelines requiring federal employees to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent unauthorised communication with journalists. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) said that legal action could be taken against those who violate these agreements. The NDAs would cover sensitive information related to agency operations and would also apply to former employees. “This move is rooted in concerns that unauthorized disclosures of sensitive government information are disrupting agency operations and eroding trust across government,” said OPM spokesperson McLaurine Pinover. Critics, including Lauren Harper from the Freedom of the Press Foundation, argue that the policy undermines whistleblower protections and the public's right to know.
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WORKFORCE

U.S. CDC seeks staff for Ebola screening

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has activated a Level 2 emergency response due to an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. CDC Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya said the agency is expanding recruitment for volunteers to assist with enhanced screening at entry points. The outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization, which has reported 220 suspected deaths. Volunteers will monitor travelers for signs of illness and check temperatures.
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LEADERSHIP

Kroger HR chief announces retirement

Kroger has announced the departure of chief human resources officer Tim Massa, who announced his retirement on Tuesday after 16 years with the supermarket group. The news of his departure follows the exits of senior vice-president Valerie Jabbar, retail executive Joe Kelley, and supply chain chief Gabriel Arreaga, making 2026 one of the busiest years for senior management turnover at Kroger in the past decade. The U.S. grocery chain operates nearly 2,700 stores across 35 states and employs more than 400,000 staff.
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ECONOMY

Rising prices and fuel costs wipe out consumer gains from tax refunds

U.S. consumers are coming under growing financial pressure as tax refunds that supported spending earlier this year are being offset by rising prices and higher fuel costs linked to the Iran conflict, according to economists and retailers. Analysts said average tax refunds of nearly $3,500 had helped sustain consumer spending, but the benefit is now fading as inflationary pressures intensify. Economists warned that prolonged energy price increases could weaken consumer demand and slow economic growth. EY Parthenon chief economist Gregory Daco said higher Middle East-related price pressures have effectively erased the boost from tax refunds, while retailers including Target said the positive impact from refunds is expected to diminish during the rest of the year. The report noted that spending growth has been driven largely by wealthier households, which benefited more from recent tax cuts and are less affected by rising gasoline costs. Meanwhile, middle-income consumers are increasingly feeling financial strain as recurring expenses rise.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

GLP-1 costs put strain on public employers

The Wall Street Journal looks at how cities, towns and public employers are struggling with surging healthcare costs linked partly to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Belchertown, Massachusetts, received a surprise $911,000 invoice after its insurance trust neared insolvency, forcing savings withdrawals and departmental cuts. Lesa Lessard Pearson, chair of the Select Board, said the reaction was “shock” and “it felt like a betrayal”. Some localities are cutting or limiting coverage, while unions and employees argue the drugs are unaffordable without insurance. Officials are weighing short-term budget damage against possible long-term health benefits, with economists still debating whether savings will materialise.
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INTERNATIONAL

Samsung workers set for $400,000 bonus after deal to share AI profits

Samsung Electronics workers have approved a new profit-sharing agreement that will allocate 10.5% of the company’s operating profits to semiconductor employees, potentially resulting in average bonuses of around 600m won ($400,000) for staff in its memory-chip division. The agreement, backed by 74% of union members, ends months of negotiations and averts threatened strike action at the world’s largest memory-chip maker. The deal applies to around 78,000 semiconductor employees and is expected to create a bonus pool worth more than 34tn won ($22.6bn) this year, based on analyst forecasts. The agreement comes amid soaring demand for AI-related memory chips, which has boosted profitability at Samsung and rival SK Hynix, although workers in Samsung’s weaker-performing consumer electronics division are expected to receive substantially smaller bonuses.

No obligation to pay salaries amid drone threat

The Federation of Finnish Enterprises has said that employers are not required to pay salaries if employees cannot reach work due to a drone threat. Atte Rytkönen-Sandberg, vice president of the federation, noted that such threats do not constitute a "normal business risk." He suggested that compensation for lost earnings could be addressed through a separate daily allowance. The Finnish Minister of Employment, Matias Marttinen, is set to meet with labor market organizations to discuss preparedness for such disruptive situations following updated public guidelines on drone threats.

China's new rules protect older workers

China has introduced its first regulations to protect the rights of workers beyond the statutory retirement age. The "Interim Provisions on the Protection of the Basic Rights and Interests of Over-Age Workers" will take effect on July 1. Issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the rules mandate that employers pay over-age workers their full remuneration on time, ensuring wages meet local minimum standards. Employers must also adhere to working hour limits and provide appropriate training and insurance coverage. The regulations followed a public consultation that concluded in August last year.

Iran starts to restore internet access after months-long blackout

Iran has started restoring some internet access, after imposing what monitoring groups said was the world’s longest recorded nationwide blackout following attacks by the U.S. and Israel.
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OTHER

Central Florida Zoo extends quarantine for rescued sloths

The Central Florida Zoo is extending the quarantine period for the rescued sloths connected to Sloth World, the now-bankrupt roadside attraction, as the animals continue recovering from the conditions they arrived in over a month ago. It has been more than 30 days since 13 dehydrated and underweight sloths were rescued from a warehouse in Orange County and brought to the zoo for emergency care. Zoo officials now say that period will be extended to at least 90 days to continue monitoring the nine surviving animals’ health. The zoo originally placed the 13 sloths under a 30-day quarantine after taking them in. “We are expecting to have them all in quarantine for at least 90 days,” Central Florida Zoo CEO Richard Glover said. “We are just reaching the point where some of the food that we gave them is starting to be adjusted because their digestive system is so slow.”
 
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