Human Times

Middle East Edition

3rd July 2025

THE HOT STORY

Microsoft cuts 9,000 jobs globally as it invests in AI

Microsoft has announced a second wave of layoffs, impacting approximately 9,000 employees, or 4% of its workforce, as part of a cost-cutting strategy while investing in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. The cuts will affect various teams globally, including sales and the Xbox division. The company aims to streamline processes and reduce management levels to enhance efficiency. Despite pledging $80bn in capital spending for fiscal year 2025, rising AI infrastructure costs are affecting profit margins. Other tech giants including Meta and Google have also announced job cuts to improve efficiency. Meanwhile, Microsoft has asked managers to evaluate employees based on how much they use AI, Business Insider reports. In an email to managers, Julia Liuson, president of the Microsoft division responsible for developer tools including AI coding service GitHub Copilot, wrote: "Just like collaboration, data-driven thinking and effective communication, using AI is no longer optional - it's core to every role and every level." She told managers that AI "should be part of your holistic reflections on an individual's performance and impact."

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LEGAL

Kuwait's new exit permit rule

Kuwait has started enforcing a new rule requiring expatriate workers in the private sector to obtain employer approval before leaving the country. Over 35,000 exit permits have been issued, as confirmed by Marzouq Al Otaibi, director general of the Public Authority for Manpower. The policy, introduced by Sheikh Fahad Al Yousuf, aims to regulate departures while ensuring compliance with labour laws. The process has been streamlined through digital platforms, allowing both workers and employers to submit requests via the “Sahel” app or “Ashal” portal. There is no limit on the number of permits issued annually, provided employers grant approval.

Gulfnews.com

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Enabel launches $7.6m employment initiative in Jordan

The Belgian development agency Enabel has launched the Employment and Livelihood Programme (ELP) in Jordan, backed by a €6.5m ($7.6m) investment from the EU. The initiative aims to create decent job opportunities and foster entrepreneurship, particularly for vulnerable groups such as youth, women, and Syrian refugees. Enabel's country director in Jordan and Palestine, Heidi De Pauw, described the ELP as “an inclusive, forward-looking programme built to last.” The programme targets individuals aged 18 to 35, with goals of 35% Syrian refugee participation and 50% female engagement. It also focuses on aligning vocational training with labour market needs and promoting economic participation through evidence-based policy.

Zawya EN

INVESTMENT

Five billionaires who have moved to the UAE

Gulf News profiles five billionaires who have moved to the UAE, driven by regulatory reforms, favourable tax policies, and the introduction of long-term Golden Visas. According to the latest Henley & Partners Private Wealth Migration Report, at least 9,800 millionaires are expected to relocate to the UAE in 2025, reinforcing the country's rising status as a premier destination for high-net-worth individuals seeking stability, opportunity, and strategic advantage.

Gulfnews.com

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Activist investors pull back on campaigns

In the first half of 2025, the number of global activist campaigns fell to 129, a 12% decrease from 147 in the same period last year, as economic and geopolitical uncertainties made investors more cautious. Jim Rossman, global head of shareholder advisory at Barclays, said: "The environment was shaped by mixed economic signals, fears about wars and geopolitical tensions." Despite the decline in campaigns, activist investors secured 86 board seats, a 16% increase, and settlements rose by 32% to 37. Most activity remained focused in the US, with 60 campaigns, while Europe saw 24 launched - a 17% decline. Japan saw 37 campaigns compared to 51 a year ago.

Reuters

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Obesity 'difficult to alter' after age five

Researchers from the UK's Academy of Medical Sciences and its Italian counterpart have published a new report calling for more action to tackle early signs of childhood obesity, warning that trajectories on weight "appear difficult to alter after the age of about five," while the period from pregnancy through the child's second birthday represents an "important window of opportunity to set children on a healthy trajectory for life." The report calls for more support for women who are pregnant or considering having children, noting that childhood obesity "has become an urgent public health challenge that is affecting lives today and storing up problems for the future."

Daily Mirror

Daily Express

INTERNATIONAL

Gen Z employees 'are treating the office like an extension of their homes'

The San Francisco Standard reports on how Bay Area companies are hiring etiquette coaches for their Gen Z employees as return-to-office policies have brought in the demographic for the first time, and in many cases after years of working and attending school remotely. Local etiquette coach Rosalinda Randall has said enquiries have risen 50% over the last two months, and "are a variation on the same complaint: Gen Z employees are treating the office like an extension of their homes." Jim Rettew, interim chief executive at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, observes of Gen Z: “They’re great at challenging authority and the status quo, but sometimes I just want someone to buckle down and follow orders.”

San Francisco Standard

India leads global GenAI revolution

India is at the forefront of global GenAI adoption, with 92% of employees using such tools, significantly surpassing the global average of 72%, according to the Boston Consulting Group's report titled 'AI at Work 2025: Momentum Builds, But Gaps Remain'. The third edition of BCG's annual survey, which is based on responses from over 10,600 workers across 11 countries, reveals that while AI adoption is strong overall, only half (51%) of frontline employees are regular users. "[India] . . . ranks among the top nations experimenting with AI agents, with 17% of employees reporting integration into their workflows, placing India in the global top three. However, this rapid adoption brings new challenges. Nearly half (48%) of Indian employees fear job displacement over the next decade, highlighting a growing sense of uncertainty," said Nipun Kalra, managing director and senior partner; India Leader - BCG X, BCG.

TimesofOman

ING to cut jobs as it has ‘too many’ Managing Directors

Dutch banking giant ING is planning job cuts focused on senior staff, saying there are just too many of them. The lender wants to eliminate 230 roles across its wholesale banking division, according to a statement. The cuts “will be focused on directors and managing directors in commercial, front office roles” as ING has “too many senior roles,” the bank said, adding that the cuts will be split proportionally across its locations.

Bloomberg

Niger backs nationalisation of Somair mine

Niger's main mine workers' union, SYNTRAMIN, has expressed support for the military government's decision to nationalise the Somair uranium mine, asserting that production will persist despite tensions with French operator Orano. The government accused Orano of taking an excessive share of production, claiming it has received 86.3% of output since the mine's inception in 1971. SYNTRAMIN said: "For more than 50 years . . . the benefits of this strategic wealth have never fairly benefited Niger." The nationalisation aligns with a broader trend among West African nations seeking to enhance their resource revenues. Niger is the seventh-largest uranium producer globally.

U.S. News

OTHER

President Trump launches new fragrance line

President Donald Trump has launched a new line of fragrances, including a cologne for men and a perfume for women, priced at $249 per bottle. He announced the products on his Truth Social account, writing: “Trump Fragrances are here. They’re called ‘Victory 45-47’ because they’re all about Winning, Strength, and Success - For men and women." The colognes come in golden statuettes of the president dressed in a business suit with his distinctive signature at the bottom. They are being sold by a company called 45Footwear LLC, via Mr Trump’s name, image and likeness partnership with CIC Ventures LLC. The fragrances are the latest in a series of products associated with Mr Trump, who has faced scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest as he promotes merchandise while in office.

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