AI no excuse for layoffs, New Zealand warns of Chinese interference, and Israel approves settlement plans

Luxembourg 

DOCLER MUST NOT BLAME AI FOR REDUNDANCIES – After Docler Holding cut 155 of 170 jobs at its Luxembourg subsidiary Byborg, citing a major restructuring, Robert Fornieri, executive member of the LCGB stated: "This clearly shows the need for strong trade union organisations in this country." According to him, Docler’s leadership avoided meaningful negotiations, presenting AI as the main reason for the dismissals. He warned against citing AI as a blanket justification for job cuts, and pointed to the need for stronger legal safeguards. "We really haven't been able to verify whether that's the only argument, I have to be honest."

UNEMPLOYMENT INCREASES BY 2.8 PERCENT – Unemployment in Luxembourg ticked up slightly in July, with 18,396 people registered with the National Employment Agency (ADEM). This signals a 2.8% rise from last year, mostly among over-45s and university graduates, and in the accounting, secretarial and assistance, IT, and transport sectors. Job vacancies fell by over 10%, while the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 5.9%.

NO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE IN RAIL ACCIDENT – Police in Capellen have confirmed that video evidence rules out third-party involvement in the fatal train accident in Leudelange last week. Three days after the incident, the victim's family met with investigators at their own request, accompanied by their lawyer. During the meeting, they were informed that camera recordings clearly show the event was a tragic accident. The prosecutor’s office stressed that outside influence can be ruled out. Following the accident, rumours were circulating among young people claiming the boy was struck deliberately. The prosecutor's office rejected this speculation as unfounded, warning that such claims only deepen the family's grief: "It is sad that people spread such rumours and cause additional misery to the family," it said in writing.

World

NEW ZEALAND WARNS OF CHINA INTERFERENCE – New Zealand's spy service warned Thursday that China is the most active power engaging in foreign interference in the country, including through front organisations.The spy agency specifically accused China's United Front Work Department of engaging in foreign interference to build influence outside of China. Not all of its activity amounted to foreign interference it said. "However, its activities are regularly deceptive, coercive and corruptive and come with risks for New Zealand organisations."

ISRAEL APPROVE SETTLEMENT PLANS – Israel has approved a major settlement project on Wednesday in an area of the occupied West Bank that the international community has warned threatens the viability of a future Palestinian state. Israel has long had ambitions to build on the roughly 12-square-kilometre (five-square-mile) parcel known as E1 just east of Jerusalem, but the plan had been stalled for years amid international opposition. The latest announcement also drew condemnation, with UN chief António Guterres saying the settlement would effectively cleave the West Bank in two and pose an "existential threat" to a contiguous Palestinian state.

BOLSONARO OBSTRUCTION BID – Brazilian police called Wednesday for former president Jair Bolsonaro and his son Eduardo to be charged with obstruction of justice for attempting to interfere with the ex-leader's trial over plotting an attempted coup. The police also revealed that Bolsonaro, who faces 40 years in prison if convicted of plotting in 2022 to overthrow his democratically elected successor Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, had plans to seek asylum in Argentina last year.

Sport

FOOTBALL – Luis Suárez scored a penalty in each half to give Inter Miami a 2-1 victory over Tigres UANL on Wednesday, stepping up to fill the void after Lionel Messi was ruled out of the Leagues Cup quarter-final clash. Messi, who has battled a "minor" muscle injury since a Leagues Cup group match on August 2, returned Saturday after a two-week absence, scoring a goal after coming on as a substitute in a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Arsenal are poised to snatch Crystal Palace Midfielder Eberechi Eze from under the noses of arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in what could be one of the most audacious moves of the Premier League's summer transfer window, it was reported Wednesday. Spurs appeared to be on course to bring the 27-year-old Crystal Palace attacking midfielder to their corner of north London. But it is now being suggested Arsenal, amid concerns over a knee injury to Kai Havertz, will scupper the deal and bring England international Eze, released by the Gunners as a 13-year-old, to the Emirates. The Athletic said Arsenal had reached agreement in principle with Palace to sign Eze, with the deal worth in the region of the expired £68 million ($91 million) release clause, matching the level of fee Spurs were prepared to pay.

RUGBY – England coach John Mitchell has named an unchanged team from their final warm-up game for the Women's Rugby World Cup opener against the United States in Sunderland on Friday.The starting 15 overwhelmed France 40-6 in the second of England's two warm-up fixtures earlier this month. Zoe Aldcroft continues to captain the team from blindside flanker, with No. 8 Alex Matthews and openside Sadia Kabeya alongside her in the back row and Abbie Ward and Morwenna Talling the starting locks. The pack is completed by a powerful front row of Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne and Maud Muir.

Weather

We could see a little bit of rain, especially in the areas closer to France, and a slight wind that might reach up to 20 km/h. In terms of temperatures: we have 15–17°C for the minimum, and it's gonna be another 24°C kind of day at the top end.

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