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North American Edition
26th August 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Deloitte to pay $21.5m to settle U.S. government probe over DEI

Deloitte is to pay $21.5m ‌to settle U.S. Department of Justice claims that it discriminated against employees and job applicants on the basis of race or sex. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said the settlement was another example of how the DOJ was “eliminating woke, unconstitutional practices from American workplaces,” adding: “Merit drives opportunity and promotion. Not someone’s sex or race.” The department said that business units within the audit giant received monthly summaries tracking "demographic goals" and alleged ‌that ⁠Deloitte's Partners, Principals and Managing Directors were evaluated, in part, based on their contributions to helping the firm achieve its workforce composition goals. In a statement, Deloitte said it was pleased to have resolved the matter “to avoid the cost and distraction of protracted litigation.”
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TECHNOLOGY

Bill Gates wants ‘human reserved’ jobs to protect workers from AI

In a 6,000 word essay on the impact of artificial intelligence, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has proposed the notion of "human reserved" jobs: occupations or tasks that society would deliberately keep for people even where AI could do them. “I like the phrase human reserved because it makes me think of nature reserves - places where we could put buildings and roads but we choose not to because the loss would be too great,” Gates wrote. “In health, for example, imagine a robot giving you the awful news that you have an incurable disease. There’s no technical reason why it couldn’t. Yet it shouldn’t.” He warned that “many jobs will disappear forever” but policymakers could “set aside certain things for only people to do.”
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WORKFORCE

Trump administration issues pause on immigrant visa applications

The Trump administration has paused all U.S. immigrant visa applications as the state department moves to tighten restrictions and limit access to applicants who it deems could become dependent on U.S. public benefits. A U.S. State ​Department spokesperson said that it had launched a global training initiative at ​all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide and that appointments for visa services ⁠will be adjusted to accommodate the training. The department said the “in-depth training” for consular officers aimed to help them screen out applicants deemed likely to end up relying on U.S. assistance and to ensure the evaluation of visa applicants "comprehensively and consistently."

UAW members reject Deere offer

Members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) at Deere & Co. have rejected a proposed two-year contract extension, citing concerns over job security and outsourcing. UAW President Shawn Fain said: “The company failed to make an offer that addressed the issues weighing on the minds of our members, especially job security.” Despite Deere's claims that the extension would provide stability, the union is pushing for better terms, especially as the agricultural economy struggles. UAW Vice President Laura Dickerson highlighted the disparity between the company's profits and worker compensation, stating that members “see billions going to shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks.”

Manufacturing sector faces 1.9m-worker shortfall

U.S. manufacturers could face a shortage of as many as 1.9 million workers by 2033, even as reshoring, foreign investment, and apprenticeship programs create new jobs and expand the training pipeline. Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute estimate the sector may need up to 3.8 million additional workers between 2024 and 2033, while an aging workforce means manufacturers risk losing decades of practical knowledge as experienced employees retire. The challenge extends beyond recruiting enough workers, as companies must also preserve the production expertise held by veteran employees. Manufacturers are increasingly documenting instructions, processes, and labor requirements within production systems so new employees can learn without relying solely on experienced mentors. Research suggests that better knowledge transfer makes employees 2.7 times less likely to leave within a year.
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ECONOMY

Consumer confidence falls as jobs and business outlook weakens

U.S. consumer confidence declined in August to its lowest level since the start of the year, as concerns about future business conditions, employment, and incomes outweighed improved perceptions of the current labor market. The Conference Board’s confidence index fell 0.8 points to 89.4, below economists’ median forecast of 90.2, while its expectations measure dropped to the lowest level since January. High gasoline prices, broader cost-of-living pressures, and slower hiring have weighed on households, although consumers’ assessment of present conditions rose to a four-month high, with more respondents saying jobs were plentiful and fewer reporting that jobs were difficult to find.
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LEGAL

Mamdani steps up pressure on Amazon over New York labor and delivery rules

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has intensified pressure on Amazon over its treatment of delivery workers and compliance with city regulations, backing the proposed Delivery Protection Act, collecting more than $9m in vehicle-idling fines and issuing a cease-and-desist order over the alleged sale of illegal e-bikes. The Delivery Protection Act would require warehouse operators to meet new licensing, safety, training and employment requirements and would require Amazon to directly employ couriers currently working for independent delivery companies. Amazon has warned that the legislation could put more than 5,000 delivery jobs at risk and has previously said it could consider relocating warehouses if the measure passes, although a spokeswoman said the company is “not looking to leave New York."
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INTERNATIONAL

U.S. starts returning staff to Middle East missions

The U.S. is beginning to send staff back to some diplomatic missions in the Middle East. Diplomatic posts in Lebanon, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Baghdad will see staff return, with family members also allowed back in Riyadh. However, some embassies will operate at no more than 85% of their authorized staff levels initially. The return of personnel is expected to commence as early as this week, following the evacuation of staff after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28, said sources familiar with the matter. “Returning personnel to missions that were partly evacuated suggests the administration believes the war is winding down,” former U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro told the New York Times.

Workers jeer VW chief

Volkswagen's labor unions are opposing proposed job cuts that could affect up to 50,000 workers. Over 10,000 employees protested at the company's headquarters in Wolfsburg, some jeering Oliver Blume, the carmaker's chief executive, as he called on employees to "pull together" behind the company's restructuring. Blume also said that no decision had yet been taken on factory closures, which he called the "last and most expensive resort." Outside, workers waved banners bearing slogans such as "Our jobs are not your balance sheet adjustments" and "Respect is not up for negotiation." Volkswagen labor leader Daniela Cavallo said German factories were "an integral part" of the group. "Our trust in this company's executive board, and especially in Oliver Blume, has been damaged. Not yet beyond repair, but damaged nonetheless," she said. Rival turnaround proposals have been drawn up by labor representatives, which they intend to introduce at a supervisory board meeting next week.

Fortescue suspends executive amid sexual harassment claims

Fortescue, Australia's third-largest miner, has suspended an unnamed executive over sexual harassment allegations, and engaged law firm MinterEllison to conduct an independent investigation into the matter. "As the investigation has progressed, Fortescue has continued to ​take external legal and governance advice," the miner said. "It has been decided that the employee who is the subject ​of the allegations will not undertake any work for Fortescue while the investigation ​continues." Fortescue is already facing a class action lawsuit filed last month that alleges it failed to protect female workers from sexual harassment and discrimination at its mine sites.

Hyundai Motor and union reach preliminary wage deal

Hyundai Motor and its union have reached a tentative wage deal following the most prolonged worker walkout in a decade. The agreement includes a 100,000 won ($72) increase in monthly base pay and a performance bonus equivalent to 400% of monthly salary plus 12.7 million won. The retirement age will be extended from the ​current 60 upon amendment of a relevant law.
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OTHER

Amazon’s Zoox begins paid robotaxi rides as autonomous race intensifies

Amazon-owned Zoox has started charging passengers for rides in Las Vegas and is operating in San Francisco with purpose-built electric robotaxis that have no steering wheel, dashboard or pedals. The vehicles can travel in either direction, carry up to four passengers and represent the first commercial robotaxi service using a vehicle designed from the ground up without conventional driver controls. Amazon is betting on growth in the autonomous taxi market, which Goldman Sachs expects to reach nearly $19bn in annual sales by 2030, up from $376m last year. Zoox currently operates a fleet of about 100 vehicles, while its California factory has capacity to build as many as 10,000 a year. The company says fares are broadly comparable with premium ride-share options. Regulators have allowed Zoox to charge for rides using up to 5,000 vehicles over the next two years, although operations are restricted in heavy rain, snow, large amounts of leaves and on roads with speed limits above 45mph. Zoox has already logged more than 3m driverless miles and carried nearly 1m passengers.
 
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