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Middle East Edition
26th March 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Iran-linked hackers step up cyberattacks on Israel

Iran-linked hackers have destroyed the data of over 50 small Israeli companies in the past few weeks and compromised dozens of security cameras, according to Yossi Karadi, the director-general of the Israel National Cyber Directorate. He said most of the targeted companies had existing cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and companies with stronger cybersecurity protections weren’t affected. The near-total internet blackout in Iran has not impacted the pace of attacks. “Some of them are using satellite capabilities, but there are also other ways that they can use to continue doing cyberattacks,” Karadi explained.
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LEGAL

Türkiye’s mediation system 'resolves millions of disputes'

Türkiye’s mediation system, which was introduced by the Justice Ministry in 2013, has led to the resolution of more than 5.6 million cases. To date, a total of 9,273,260 cases have been submitted to the system; of these, 5,630,707 were resolved through mutual agreement and amicable settlement, corresponding to an overall success rate of 62%. Mediation lawyer Fatma Bozkurt Saraç says voluntary participation has played a major role in the system’s growth. "In [such] cases, the parties themselves chose the mediator who would accompany them in resolving the dispute,” Saraç explained. "At least 1.64 million parties resolved their disputes definitively and permanently in a short time, without waiting years for a hearing date, without litigation costs and without facing the risk of an unwanted judicial decision.”

New labour law transforms working hours in Egypt

The New Labour Law No 14 of 2025 in Egypt introduces significant changes to working hours and worker rights. Employees cannot work more than eight hours daily or 48 hours weekly, excluding breaks. The law mandates rest periods, ensuring no employee works over five consecutive hours without a break. Employers must provide a weekly paid rest of at least 24 hours after six working days. Overtime is compensated at a premium, with specific sectors allowed flexible hours. The law aims to protect workers from burnout while offering businesses necessary flexibility, said a Ministry of Labour spokesperson.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

JPMorgan deploys tech to monitor junior bankers’ working hours

JPMorgan Chase is seeking to guard against overwork by scrutinising whether the hours junior investment bankers claim to work match up against activity electronically logged by the bank’s IT systems.
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RISK

Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for seafarer protection

At the 50th session of the Facilitation Committee of the International Maritime Organization, Saudi Arabia highlighted the rising threats to maritime safety, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz. The kingdom expressed its commitment to international efforts to protect seafarers and enhance navigation safety. It said it supported an international declaration condemning attacks on maritime transport and acknowledged the economic impact of these threats on global supply chains. Saudi Arabia also introduced a 30-day waiver for shipping requirements in the Arabian Gulf to ensure safe operations, reaffirming its collaboration with international partners to safeguard maritime security.
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INTERNATIONAL

Epic Games lays off 1,000 employees

Epic Games, the developer of “Fortnite,” is laying off over 1,000 employees and cutting costs by $500m. Chief Executive Tim Sweeney announced the layoffs, attributing them to a decline in “Fortnite” engagement last year. “Despite Fortnite remaining one of the most successful games in the world, we've had challenges delivering consistent Fortnite magic with every season,” he said. The company has faced industry-wide challenges, including slower growth and tougher cost economics. The State of the Game Industry Report from the Game Developers Conference revealed that about one-third of US video game industry workers were laid off in the past two years. Sweeney aims to focus on enhancing “awesome Fortnite experiences” and improving developer tools moving forward.

Malaysian workers who commute to Singapore to benefit from new insurance scheme

Many Malaysian workers commuting to Singapore are underinsured and unaware of their coverage, facing daily risks, but Malaysia plans to introduce the Traveller Scheme (Skim Pengembara) to protect its citizens during cross-border commutes. Announced by Human Resources Minister R. Ramanan, the scheme aims to cover around 400,000 Malaysians by the second quarter of 2026.

New Zealand lawyer warns of rise in AI workplace disputes

William Buckley, an employment lawyer at Auckland, New Zealand based law firm Edwards Sluiters, has reported a rise in employees using AI to draft workplace correspondence during disputes. Buckley noted that while AI can help to organise thoughts it can also escalate issues prematurely. Concerns about the accuracy of AI-generated content are growing amid instances of misstatements and fabricated citations. Buckley emphasised that while AI can assist in drafting, it should not replace professional legal advice, as understanding legal obligations remains crucial during disputes. “We have seen AI-generated correspondence that misstates legal tests, incorrectly summarises court decisions, or even cites cases that do not exist,” he said.

Brazil's new law to protect minors online

Brazil has launched a new law aimed at enhancing online safety for children and teenagers. The Digital Statute of Children and Adolescents requires users under 16 to link their social media accounts to a legal guardian. The legislation prohibits addictive features and mandates robust age verification mechanisms. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said: “Enough of tolerating exploitation, sexual abuse, child pornography, bullying, incitement to violence and self-harm just because it happens in the digital environment.” Guilherme Klafke, a law professor at Getulio Vargas Foundation, a think-tank and university, said the new framework “places more responsibility on those who offer digital products and services that may be accessed by children and adolescents.”
 
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