THE HOT STORY

US embassies in the Middle East are planning to downsize

The US State Department is preparing for reduced staffing at US embassies in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Personnel displaced from their posts may have the option to curtail assignments. The uncertainty surrounding staffing levels has left diplomats and their families in a difficult position, as they struggle to find housing and schooling options. Former diplomats warn that fewer staff could hinder the Department's ability to provide consular assistance and advance US interests abroad. A State Department spokesperson told CNN that they “do not discuss internal deliberations or post-specific contingency planning,” but noted that the department “continually reviews the security and staffing posture at every diplomatic mission based on conditions on the ground and adjusts personnel levels as appropriate.”

Saudi Gazette

WORKFORCE

Labour dispute at Pazgas is intensifying

The labour dispute at Pazgas, the largest liquefied petroleum gas and energy provider in Israel, has intensified, leading to the closure of the Kiryat Gat branch and planned shutdowns of additional branches in Jerusalem, Ramla, Dimona, and Tiberias. Employees are expanding sanctions, halting payments from business clients, and threatening further action that could disrupt gas supply ahead of the Tishrei holidays. Racheli Saadia-Gol, chairwoman of the Workers' Committee, said: "Pazgas makes millions, but insists on employing its workers for wretched salaries." The company claims gas supply will continue as usual despite the ongoing dispute.

The Jerusalem Post

Morocco’s two-speed economy leaves young workers behind

Morocco’s economy has grown and poverty has declined in recent decades, but that growth has not translated into enough good jobs or better wages for most people, economists say.

Financial Times

LEGAL

Oman workers must be given six months to improve before dismissal

The General Federation of Oman Workers has highlighted that employers cannot terminate workers solely for alleged inefficiency without specifying performance issues and allowing time for improvement. The union said that the Labour Law mandates clear communication of shortcomings and a minimum six-month period for employees to address these issues. Employers must also notify the Ministry of Labour three months prior to termination. Workers receiving performance warnings should document their evaluations and any corrective actions taken. If termination occurs without following proper procedures, workers can file a complaint within 30 days of notification.

TimesofOman

Oman Observer

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Qatar announces milestones achieved through training

The Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB) in Qatar has reported significant achievements through its training arm, the Institute of Public Administration. In the first half of 2026, the Institute delivered 740 specialised training programmes to 13,969 government employees, achieving a satisfaction rate of 93.6%. These programmes focus on behavioural, technical, and leadership competencies, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030. CGB also announced a shift from Key Performance Indicators to Objectives and Key Results for its 2025 operational plans, aiming to enhance adaptability and performance across public sector entities.

The Peninsula

ECONOMY

Oman to develop four industrial cities

Oman is progressing with the development of new industrial cities in Musandam, North Al Batinah, North A'Sharqiyah, and Dhofar Governorates as part of the 11th Five-Year Development Plan (2026-2030), according to Oman News Agency. These initiatives align with Oman Vision 2040 and aim to enhance economic diversification and attract investments. Khalid Sulaiman Al Salehi, Director General of Marketing and Commercial Affairs for Madayn, said: "The projects involve the development of fully integrated industrial cities equipped with advanced infrastructure." The goal is to boost the manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP and create job opportunities.

Emirates24

Oman Observer

TECHNOLOGY

Spotify to begin identifying artist profiles created by AI

Music streaming platform Spotify is to label AI artists and exclude them from algorithm recommendations as part of a crackdown on fake performers. The company is creating a label for AI-generated artist identities called “AI personas” that will appear on the artist profile and on track listings on playlists. Spotify said it will use human review and AI tools to determine whether someone’s profile, including their name and image, “appears to represent photorealistic AI-generated identities.” The company said in announcing the initiative: “Listeners have been clear in telling us that they don’t like seeing an artist profile that seems human, only to find out that the persona is AI-generated . . . Listeners need to be able to trust that the artist behind the music is who they say they are. That’s more essential than ever in the age of generative AI.”

Bloomberg

The Verge

The Guardian

INTERNATIONAL

DR Congo faces fastest growing Ebola outbreak on record

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed 2,011 lives from 4,381 confirmed cases, making it the fastest-growing outbreak on record. Declared on May 15, the outbreak has spread rapidly, with the death toll doubling in just three weeks. Sania Nishtar, chief executive of the Gavi global vaccine alliance, said the latest surge of the highly contagious disease "could well become the largest outbreak ever." Many health workers have gone on strike to protest lack of payment for their work since the outbreak was declared.

France 24

Apple agrees $150,000 settlement over religious discrimination claims

Apple has agreed to pay $150,000 to settle US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) claims that a manager at its Reston, Virginia, store discriminated against and retaliated against a Jewish employee, including by denying requests not to work during the Jewish Sabbath. The EEOC alleged the employee was fired in January 2024 days after refusing a request to work on a Friday. Apple has denied wrongdoing.

Reuters

Brazilian police accuse Goldman executives of fraud

Brazilian police have said two Goldman Sachs executives are suspects in an investigation into whether the US bank misrepresented details about ownership of a stake in cancer-treatment company Oncoclinicas. The Goldman employees are alleged to have concealed ownership details ⁠in public documents and executed transactions to transfer shares without triggering a mandatory tender offer, deceiving minority shareholders and causing them losses in violation of statutory obligations, according to police documents. The bank said the claims were unfounded. "We continue to believe that we acted appropriately," it said in a ‌statement.

Bloomberg Law

Reuters

Rheinmetall boss refuses to be intimidated

Armin Papperger, the head of German defence contractor Rheinmetall, says he refuses to be intimidated amid alleged threats to his safety. He is under police protection due to alleged Russian murder plots: Rheinmetall supplies large quantities of weapons to Ukraine and is also establishing factories there. In comments to Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Papperger said "chickening out" is not an option. "These jobs must be done, and anyone that can't take the pressure doesn't belong in this job," he added. Germany's domestic intelligence services recently called on employees of defence contractors to be particularly vigilant in the face of the espionage and sabotage threat posed by Russian state agencies.

Daily Sabah

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