THE HOT STORY

Cisco accused of fostering a hostile workplace for Muslim staff

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has found that Cisco may have violated the civil rights of its Middle Eastern and Muslim employees by subjecting them to a hostile work environment amid anti-Arab and anti-Muslim comments on internal messaging platforms. A group of Cisco employees called “Bridge to Humanity” (B2H), which had voiced concerns that the company’s technology was provided to the Israeli military for use in Israel’s war on Gaza, alleged that Cisco had not responded to their complaints until they created a 76-page report cataloguing the hate comments they had been subjected to in an internal messaging group called Connected Jewish Network. Jeffrey Wang, a civil rights managing lawyer at the Council on American-Islamic Relations' (CAIR) San Francisco Bay-area chapter, said: “Employers have a legal responsibility to address harassment and discrimination fairly and consistently. Workers should not have to fear retaliation or a hostile work environment because of their religion, national origin, or association with protected communities.”

AlJazeera

WORKFORCE

Airline faces strike after workers say they were forced to fly to Israel

Brussels Airlines is facing potential strike action after the ACV Puls workers' union claimed the carrier violated an agreement by compelling staff to operate flights to Israel. Workers expressed concerns over their safety and the ethical implications of flying into a conflict zone. A union representative said: "Staff have serious concerns about both their physical safety and the mental and ethical impact of these flights . . . Nevertheless, Brussels Airlines refuses to give employees the option to refuse such assignments." The airline said it had resumed operations to Tel Aviv with volunteer crews and will monitor the situation closely. The Belgian foreign ministry has warned against nonessential travel to Israel.

The Times of Israel

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Kuwait lifts outdoor work ban

Kuwait's Public Authority for Manpower has announced the end of the outdoor work ban, effective from August 31. The ban restricted work during the day's hottest hours. Employers are now required to maintain safe working conditions and comply with health and safety regulations. The authority said it will monitor adherence and take action against those violating these standards. "Employers must continue to provide a safe working environment," the authority stated, emphasising the importance of worker safety in open areas.

Gulfnews.com

HIRING

Qatar warns against fake domestic worker recruitment adverts

The Ministry of Labour in Qatar has issued a warning about fraudulent domestic worker recruitment advertisements. Residents are urged to verify the legitimacy of recruitment agencies before making any payments. The Ministry cautioned that unlicensed offices may post convincing ads on social media, posing as legitimate agencies. "Not every recruitment advertisement is what it seems," the Ministry said, highlighting the risks of dealing with unlicensed entities. To ensure safety, the public can consult the official list of approved recruitment offices on the Ministry's website and is encouraged to "think twice, verify first and choose licensed."

Zawya EN

The Peninsula

LEGAL

Saudi government employees arrested over corruption charges

Nazaha, the Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, arrested 108 government employees in August on corruption charges. The authority conducted 2,659 oversight visits, leading to investigations of 352 employees suspected of corruption. Those arrested included officials from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Commerce, and Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. Nazaha charged the employees with bribery and abuse of official positions. "We are committed to promoting integrity and combating corruption," said a Nazaha spokesperson.

Saudi Gazette

LEADERSHIP

Tim Cook steps down as Apple CEO after 15 years

Apple chief executive Tim Cook has stepped down after 15 years in the role. John Ternus takes over as CEO as the company enters a new leadership era. In a final memo to employees, Mr Cook said he had “enormous comfort” in Mr Ternus’s leadership and praised his ability to build products, while reflecting on a tenure that included the launch of the Apple Watch and AirPods and major expansions of the iPhone, iPad and Mac ranges. Mr Cook is remaining at Apple as executive chair, where he will continue to oversee relationships with governments around the world, including the US and China. Meanwhile, Phil Schiller, head of Apple's App Store, has stepped down from his position. Responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the App Store move to Carson Oliver, a 14-year Apple veteran who has spent his entire tenure working within the App Store division. The App Store is also being moved from Apple’s marketing department into its services division, which is headed by Eddy Cue.

TechCrunch

Bloomberg

Wall Street Journal

INTERNATIONAL

EY invests $100m in rewards for human skills alongside AI

Ernst & Young’s US division will invest $100m in employee rewards during the current fiscal year to recognize skills including adaptability, innovation, judgment, and effective experimentation with AI. Employees can receive spot awards of up to $500, while individuals and teams making major contributions can earn between $10,000 and $25,000, five times the previous award maximum. The initiative forms part of a broader effort to reshape training and development as AI changes professional services, with EY emphasizing the critical thinking and human capabilities needed to complement the technology. The firm has also expanded AI training and career development programmes, while reporting that its AI-related revenue increased 30% year over year in 2025.

CBS News

Wall Street Journal

Micron's Taiwan unions threaten strike

Unions representing nearly two-thirds of US memory-chip maker Micron's Taiwan staff in Taoyuan and Taichung may strike unless the company overhauls its bonus system and shares more of its profits with workers. Taiwan is Micron's largest manufacturing base, and any stoppage could disrupt chip supply. Unions representing workers in the two cities say that they had nearly 10,000 members among Micron's roughly 15,000 employees there. More than 80% of surveyed members backed strike action, the unions said.

Reuters

France prepares emergency aid for farmers

France will provide several hundred million euros in emergency support to farmers affected by severe drought and heatwaves. The package will include compensation, tax exemptions and assistance with feed, seeds and seedlings. Drought conditions are affecting 65% of France, with major losses reported for corn, vegetables and livestock. Despite the damage, the government expects imports and staggered harvests to prevent food shortages and significant price increases.

Bloomberg

Australia to withdraw staff from Macquarie Island

The Australian Antarctic Division will extract personnel from Macquarie Island due to the psychological risks associated with a potential bird flu outbreak. The island, which is currently home to 24 expeditioners, is at the moment free of the H5 strain but could face severe wildlife mortality, similar to a recent event on Heard Island. "We've come to this really difficult decision of withdrawing staff, " federal environment department deputy secretary Sean Sullivan said. "And that's being done primarily for the psychological risks that will be facing staff if they are there for extended periods of time inside a mass mortality event." The research station on the island is located within metres of a 2,500-strong colony of elephant seals.

ABC Online

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