FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT
Fed nominee Warsh prepares for monetary policy road test before Senate panel
After more than a decade criticizing the U.S. central bank, former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh faces a mark-to-market moment in a Senate hearing on Tuesday when lawmakers will likely press the Fed chief nominee to flesh out his monetary policy and economic ideas and calls for fundamental change.
US Federal Reserve nominee Kevin Warsh faces Senate test on monetary policy
Kevin Warsh faces a crucial Senate hearing for the Federal Reserve chief nomination. Lawmakers will question his economic ideas and monetary policy. Warsh, a former Fed governor, has been a vocal critic of the central bank. His nomination comes amid intense scrutiny of the Fed's independence and calls for significant changes to its operations.
Murshidabad’s forgotten crisis: Beedi workers struggle amid charged political debates, SIR deletions
In Murshidabad's beedi belt, children work alongside mothers to meet daily targets. Families earn meager wages for rolling beedis. Contractors control work and political influence. Many workers suffer from health issues. Political parties discuss other issues, ignoring the plight of these workers. Survival depends on contractors, not votes.
Global Markets: Uncertain global outlook keeps investors balancing risk and opportunity
Markets start the week on a positive note as Donald Trump signals possible easing of the Iran conflict, supporting global equities. However, optimism is tempered by concerns over sticky inflation, mixed economic data, and policy uncertainty. Investors are closely watching the April 21 hearing of Kevin Warsh, with shifting expectations now pointing to fewer or no rate cuts this year.
Resignations and firings have depleted the FBI and Justice Department. They're scrambling to rebuild
The FBI and Justice Department are facing significant staff shortages. To address this, they are lowering hiring requirements and speeding up recruitment. This includes using social media and offering shorter training for new agents. Prosecutors are also being hired directly from law school. These changes aim to stabilize the workforce after a wave of retirements and resignations.
Belgium to mandate online filing for select work permits from May 1
Belgium is transitioning to a digital system for specific work permit applications. Starting May 1, 2026, short-work and commuter permits must be submitted online. This move aims to streamline processing and reduce errors. Employers will need digital access to the 'Working in Belgium' portal. This change is part of a broader digital transformation of the country's immigration services.
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5 world market themes for the week ahead
Markets are optimistic as U.S. President Trump signals an end to the Iran war. Talks may resume soon. However, upcoming economic data could show slowing business and rising prices. Investors also await the Federal Reserve nominee's Congressional hearing. Tesla earnings are also a key focus for U.S. corporations this week.
Huge payday alert: New wage rule from April 24 set to change what US workers take home
US workers wage rule April 24 2026 brings a sharp 14% pay jump as minimum wage rises from $10.50 to $12 in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This fresh wage rule directly boosts weekly income for thousands of low-paid workers. Many will earn over $3,000 more yearly. The change targets rising living costs and economic pressure. Employers must comply immediately or face fines. This US workers wage rule April 24 2026 sets a clear path toward $15 wages by 2028, strengthening worker income stability and local spending power.
Trump govt is hiring again, remember Doge?
The Trump administration is now actively recruiting federal employees after earlier efforts to reduce government jobs. Job postings have increased significantly, with new drives targeting tech, legal, and project management roles. While some departments may see reduced staff, others are slated for growth.
JD Vance's dodgy H-1B sleight of hand
US policies are impacting foreign-trained doctors. Claims of widespread H-1B visa fraud are not fully supported by government data. Recent actions have frozen work authorisations and visa processing for nationals of many countries. This is creating physician shortages in rural areas. Millions of Americans rely on these doctors for care. The situation risks patient well-being.
Gold eyes fourth weekly gain on hopes of US-Iran peace deal
Gold prices held steady, nearing a fourth weekly gain as hopes for a U.S.-Iran peace deal eased inflation and interest rate concerns. A ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, coupled with potential weekend talks between the US and Iran, boosted optimism. Despite stable U.S. unemployment claims, employers remain cautious due to the ongoing conflict.
Tax trap alert: IRA rollover mistake that could cost you big money
IRA rollover rules can be tricky and small mistakes can cost big money. Missing the 60-day deadline or choosing the wrong method can lead to taxes and penalties. Many people don’t understand withholding issues. Experts say simple and safe transfer methods can help avoid problems and protect your retirement savings in the long run.
US Fed's John Williams says Iran war is already driving up inflation pressures
Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said Thursday that the Middle East war is already driving up inflationary pressures, and uncertainty over the outlook is limiting how much the central bank can say about what's next for interest rate policy.
US jobless claims fall last week as layoffs remain low despite global economic uncertainty
Jobless claims in the U.S. have decreased, staying within recent years' levels. This comes as the Iran conflict creates global economic worries. Despite this, U.S. markets have recovered and oil prices have stabilized. Consumer prices, however, have seen a significant monthly jump, impacting businesses and individuals. The Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates remains unchanged due to inflation concerns.
Iran war puts US companies in wait-and-see mode, Fed Beige Book says
US Federal Reserve Beige Book shows economic activity and employment remain steady, but rising energy prices driven by the Iran conflict are creating uncertainty. Businesses are delaying investment and hiring decisions, while inflation pressures persist due to higher fuel and input costs, even as wage growth remains muted overall.
All eyes on the Fed: April meeting date and rate decision predictions
Fed interest rate decision April 2026: As the Federal Reserve's April 28-29 meeting looms, interest rates are expected to hold steady for a third consecutive time. Officials are navigating inflation risks from the Iran war against economic uncertainty. Added scrutiny surrounds Chair Jerome Powell's potential exit and the political hurdles facing his successor.
US Fed's Beth Hammack says rates likely on hold 'for a good while', CNBC reports
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Beth Hammack said on Wednesday that while she sees no imminent need for the central bank to change its interest rate target setting, it's possible cuts or even hikes could lie ahead.
AI ruling prompts warnings from US lawyers: Your chats could be used against you
Lawyers in the US are cautioning clients about using AI chatbots for legal matters. Recent court rulings indicate that conversations with AI like Claude and ChatGPT may not be protected by attorney-client privilege. This means sensitive case details shared with AI could be revealed to prosecutors or opposing parties in legal disputes.
Siddaramaiah seeks Rs 6,000 crore special grant for Bengaluru infra, flags 17 demands to Centre
Siddaramaiah has sought a ₹6,000 crore special grant from Narendra Modi for Bengaluru, along with faster clearances for key rail, highway and infrastructure projects, while flagging pending dues and stressing the city’s economic importance.
Automation vs humans: How industry 4.0 is reshaping jobs in India's auto sector
Recognising that not all workers can transition to automated roles and creating alternative pathways for decent work to prevent polarisation of labour. Robots are marching into factories. What matters now is how firms and workers adapt. And how policy supports that transition.
As AI use increases at work, many employees still choose not to use it: Gallup poll
Most workers using AI report productivity boosts. Roughly 3 in 10 employees are frequent users of AI in their jobs, meaning they use it daily or a few times a week. About 2 in 10 are infrequent users, using AI tools at work a few times a month or a few times a year.
America’s demographic stagnation to make it poorer?
America faces a future of slower economic growth due to demographic stagnation. A declining birth rate and reduced immigration are shrinking the potential labour force. This trend will complicate the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions. A smaller workforce means less overall economic output. Immigrants currently provide a significant fiscal contribution.
Elon Musk's xAI sues Colorado over state's new AI law
The company says the law would force it to alter its flagship AI model, Grok, to reflect the state's views on diversity and discrimination rather than being objective. xAI, which recently merged with SpaceX, is seeking a court declaration that the law is unconstitutional and an injunction blocking its enforcement.
US filings for jobless aid jump to 219,00 last week but remain within stable range of past few years
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits rose last week before Iran, Israel and the U.S. announced a two-week ceasefire deal that injected a degree of optimism into a still-clouded global economic picture.
US economy growth sluggish at 0.5% in Q4, government says, downgrading previous estimate
The American economy, slowed by last fall's 43-day government shutdown, grew at a sluggish 0.5 per cent annual pace from October through December, the Commerce Department reported Thursday in downgrade of its previous estimate.
US economy grew a sluggish 0.5% in fourth quarter, government says, downgrading previous estimate
The economic landscape of America took a notable downturn in late 2025, where growth plummeted to a mere 0.5 percent in the last quarter. This disappointing statistic was a revision downward from previous estimates, propelled by the consequences of a government shutdown that curtailed spending habits.
Canada plans to merge key Express Entry programmes into one new pathway
Canada's Express Entry system is slated for a major overhaul, with plans to consolidate three existing immigration programs into a single, streamlined pathway. This proposed change aims to simplify eligibility rules and better align Canada's economic immigration with labor market demands. Consultations are expected in Spring 2026 before any final decisions are made.
Fed minutes show growing openness to rate hikes at March meeting
In recent meetings, Federal Reserve officials mulled the idea of increasing interest rates as inflation rates climbed beyond target thresholds, influenced in part by the intensifying U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Despite this, there is a strong expectation among many for rate cuts on the horizon.
US Federal Reserve minutes flag stronger appetite for rate hike next month
Federal Reserve officials considered raising interest rates last month. This was due to inflation exceeding targets, partly because of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. However, many also saw rate cuts as likely. They worried the conflict could harm economic growth and the job market. The war disrupted global shipping and oil prices. Policymakers faced conflicting pressures on inflation and employment.
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