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North American Edition
7th August 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Departing staff limit new investigations into Trump administration

Staff departures and fears of political retribution have largely sidelined two watchdog offices inside the Justice Department tasked with investigating misconduct, limiting new investigations into the administration of President Donald Trump, according to Reuters interviews with four former DOJ staffers and a review of ‌department employment and investigations data. Nearly half the workforce at the Office of Professional Responsibility has left during Trump’s second term, and about 17% have departed the Office of Inspector General, government records show. Many retired or took buyouts the administration offered to shrink the federal workforce.
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WORKFORCE

Jobless claims edge up, while worker productivity beats expectations

U.S. unemployment benefit claims rose slightly last week, with initial jobless claims increasing by 1,000 to 199,000 in the seven days to August 1st, according to the Labor Department. Despite the uptick, layoffs remain at historically low levels, indicating that the labor market continues to show resilience even as hiring slows. The four-week moving average of new claims declined to 198,750, while continuing unemployment claims, reported with a one-week lag, rose by 24,000 to 1.8m, suggesting some unemployed workers are taking longer to find new jobs. The Labor Department also reported that U.S. labor productivity rose at a stronger-than-expected annualized rate of 1.4% in the second quarter, exceeding economists' forecasts and reflecting improved output per worker despite slower labor force growth. Productivity increased 2.2% from a year earlier, while the labor share of output fell to a record low of 52.9%, suggesting companies are generating more output with relatively fewer labor costs.
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LEGAL

Meta told to pay nearly $1bn penalty over social media harm to children

Meta has been ordered to pay an additional $567m in compensation and strengthen child-safety measures across its platforms after a New Mexico judge found the technology company to be a “public nuisance.” The latest award brings total penalties in the case to $942m, following a $375m jury award in March. The lawsuit, filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez in 2023, accused Meta of exposing children to sexually explicit content, solicitation, and human trafficking. Judge Bryan Biedscheid concluded that Meta’s platforms are a significant contributing factor to New Mexico’s youth mental health crisis, citing evidence of increasing depressive episodes, eating disorders, and suicide rates among adolescents. Torrez described the judgment as a potential “blueprint” for holding social media companies responsible for products that endanger children. Meta has said it will appeal the New Mexico ruling.

Nike theft ring allegedly stole $2m in sneakers

Federal prosecutors have charged Roy Lee Harvey, former Nike warehouse supervisor Michael Reno Perkins, and 10 others with conspiring to steal at least $2m-worth of Nike products between 2021 and 2024 by diverting shipments from the company's Memphis distribution center. Investigators allege that Mr. Perkins recruited warehouse employees to steal highly sought-after sneakers, while Mr. Harvey coordinated orders based on demand from prominent resellers and used "ghost labels" to reroute packages to addresses in Los Angeles. The investigation began after Nike identified suspiciously relabeled shipments and worked with the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department to track 28 diverted packages using GPS devices. Authorities later recovered thousands of pairs of allegedly stolen shoes, clothing, and accessories valued at approximately $5m during searches connected to the case. Mr. Harvey has pleaded not guilty and maintains there is no evidence he knew the shoes were stolen.

Trump signs orders to limit U.S. birthright citizenship

President Donald Trump is seeking to scale back birthright citizenship in the U.S. just weeks after the Supreme Court shot down his previous attempt to eliminate the right. The president has signed two executive orders, including one that expands the existing definitions of non-citizens whose children are not eligible for birthright citizenship. The second order bans so-called birth tourism, whereby pregnant mothers come to the U.S. to give birth so that their babies will be citizens. "This should have happened years ago, but we're taking care of it now," Trump said from the Oval Office, as he criticized the Supreme Court's rejection of his previous bid to end the 150-year-old policy.
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STRATEGY

TikTok to close Nashville office

TikTok has announced the closure of its Nashville office, resulting in the layoff of 250 workers. “We have decided to close our Nashville office to streamline our operations and better align our teams for long-term growth,” said TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, which manages TikTok's U.S. operations. In 2024, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) expressed disapproval of the opening of the Nashville office, because at that time TikTok's parent company was Chinese tech giant ByteDance. The social media company has its U.S. headquarters in Culver City.
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REMOTE WORK

Most legal professionals 'would accept less money to work remotely'

According to a study by Paragon Legal, return-to-office mandates are significantly influencing compensation expectations and hiring decisions among legal professionals. The survey revealed that 61% of legal professionals would accept a pay cut to work fully remote, with 48% willing to forgo up to 10% of their salary. Meanwhile, 55% of respondents indicated they would decline an attractive job offer if the return-to-office requirements were too strict. Additionally, only 30% agreed that in-office time enhances the quality of their work, while 39% felt it boosts productivity. “In-office work has real value in the right context,” according to Paragon Legal, which surveyed more than 200 legal professionals earlier this year. “Intentional collaboration, relationship-building and certain high-stakes matters can benefit from being in the same room. But the data shows that legal professionals sometimes make career decisions based on how much flexibility they are offered.”
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INTERNATIONAL

Qantas weighs offshoring up to 1,000 corporate roles to India

Qantas is considering a restructuring that may involve relocating up to 1,000 corporate roles to India as part of Project iQ, an initiative aimed at cost reduction and enhancing artificial intelligence use. The airline is in preliminary discussions with Accenture about the plan, which may involve shifting parts of human resources, marketing, finance and other back-office functions offshore, but has not finalized any agreements. Chief Technology, AI and Transformation Officer Rachel Yangoyan leads the project, which has raised concerns among the Australian Services Union regarding potential job losses. Union Assistant National Secretary Scott Cowen urged Qantas to honor commitments to local employment, emphasizing the importance of experienced staff for service quality.

Tesla mechanics in Sweden have renewed their strike

Mechanics at Tesla workshops in Sweden will resume their strike on August 13th. The IF Metall union announced the action after failing to secure a collective agreement with the electric car company's Swedish subsidiary. "Despite lengthy negotiations, we have unfortunately not managed to reach an agreement with TM Sweden AB. TM Sweden AB has given notice that they do not intend to sign a collective agreement for their operations," the union wrote to the Swedish Mediation Institute. This latest strike follows a temporary pause earlier in the year. The affected locations include Malmö, Umeå, Uppsala, Upplands Väsby, Segeltorp, and Huddinge.

Widespread layoffs hit Bangladesh garment sector

About 400 of the roughly 4,000 apparel factories in Bangladesh have shut over the past two years, eliminating tens of thousands of jobs, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). The sector employs more than 4.5 million people, most of them women. Analysts say Bangladesh faces a challenge in Europe, its largest market, as India and Vietnam gain ground through free-trade agreements, and the pressure could build as Bangladesh is set to lose duty-free preferential market access in Europe and other countries because its status as a least-developed country is scheduled to expire in 2029. "If Bangladesh fails to strike free-trade agreements after the end of the preferential trade regime, the country may risk losing competitiveness," observed Dhaka University professor Selim Raihan.

UAE professionals are taking on more responsibilities without more pay

A study by Robert Walters has found that 79% of UAE professionals have taken on additional responsibilities over the past year, often without pay or recognition. Many are working longer hours, with 49% reporting increased time at work. The study highlights the rise of "shadow workloads," whereby extra tasks accumulate informally. Andrew Powell, Chief Commercial Officer at Robert Walters, noted that while AI tools are helping employees manage these workloads, they can also raise expectations without formal role changes. The study found that 43% of respondents experience mental fatigue from such pressures. Andrew Powell, Chief Commercial Officer at Robert Walters, said: "AI is already proving to be a powerful tool for boosting productivity and helping employees step into new areas more quickly . . . [However] the challenge is ensuring it's implemented in a way that genuinely reduces pressure rather than simply raising expectations."
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OTHER

Mystery parcels turn returned online purchases into entertainment

Mystery-parcel stores are becoming increasingly popular across the Netherlands and other European countries, offering customers the chance to buy unopened packages returned or left undelivered by online shoppers. For a small fee, customers choose parcels based on their weight and shape, then open them to discover anything from household goods to expensive electronics. The concept combines the excitement of gambling, bargain-hunting and social-media unboxing while giving unwanted packages a second life. Although shoppers are guaranteed to receive an item, consumer experts say the main attraction is the anticipation and possibility of finding something valuable.
 
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