Human Times

Middle East Edition

29th August 2025

THE HOT STORY

UN staff urge human rights chief to call Gaza war a ‘genocide'

Hundreds of UN staff have written to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to urge its chief Volker Turk to explicitly describe the Gaza war as an unfolding genocide, according to a letter seen by Reuters. According to the letter, the staff say that legal criteria for genocide in the almost two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza have been met. “OHCHR has a strong legal and moral responsibility to denounce acts of genocide,” said the letter signed by the Staff Committee on behalf of more than 500 employees, which called on Turk to take a “clear and public position,” adding “Failing to denounce an unfolding genocide undermines the credibility of the UN and the human rights system itself.”

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Nearly half of all Arab women in Israel are employed

In May 2023, the employment rate of Arab women in Israel reached 49.4%, an increase from 18% in 2006. This change resulted from the Sharikat Haya programme, which provided training and support to Arab women, enabling over 50% of participants to secure sustainable jobs. The initiative influenced national policy, leading to Government Resolution 922 in 2015, aimed at boosting Arab women's employment. Despite progress, wage disparities remain, with Arab women earning about half of what Jewish women do.

The Times of Israel

CORPORATE

Saudi Arabia’s financial hub finally takes shape

The King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh is coming to life as Saudi Arabia races ahead with ambitious plans to become a regional financial hub, the Financial Times reports.

Financial Times

WORKFORCE

Raffles Al Areen boosts Bahraini salaries

Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain has raised salaries for 63% of its Bahraini employees through the Wage Increment Programme by the Labour Fund (Tamkeen). The initiative aligns with Tamkeen's 2025 strategic priorities, which aim to enhance the competitiveness of Bahrainis in the private sector. The programme allows salary increases between 5% and 20%, promoting career progression and retention of high-performing Bahraini talent. Raffles Al Areen Palace plays a significant role in Bahrain's hospitality sector, offering premium services and supporting the local economy.

Bahrain News Agency

LEGAL

ICC chief prosecutor faces new sexual misconduct allegations

A second woman has accused Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), of sexual misconduct. She claims he subjected her to unwanted advances while she was an intern in 2009. Khan, who denies all allegations, has temporarily stepped down from his role as the inquiry continues. The inquiry, launched by a UN watchdog, has received multiple testimonies, including from a staff member who alleges similar misconduct. The woman described Khan's behaviour as a "constant onslaught" of advances.

The Jerusalem Post

The Guardian

TECHNOLOGY

Hackers used AI to 'to commit large-scale theft'

Anthropic, the AI company behind the Claude chatbot, says the technology has been "weaponised" by hackers to carry out sophisticated cyber attacks. The company says its tools were used by hackers "to commit large-scale theft and extortion of personal data." In another case, North Korean scammers used Claude to fraudulently get remote jobs at top US companies. Anthropic says it was able to disrupt the threat actors and has reported the cases to the authorities along with improving its detection tools. Using AI to help write code has increased in popularity as the tech becomes more capable and accessible.

BBC News

ECONOMY

Central bank independence and accountability emphasised by new BIS chief

Pablo Hernandez de Cos, the new general manager of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), has highlighted the critical need for central bank independence and accountability in his inaugural speech. He noted the importance of maintaining a clear mandate for price stability and warned against political interference, particularly in light of recent criticisms directed at the US Federal Reserve by President Donald Trump. De Cos also pointed out the shared challenges facing global economies, such as inflation and geopolitical tensions, underscoring the necessity for robust frameworks to navigate these uncertainties.

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

ANZ staff accidentally learn of job cuts

Australian bank ANZ is offering psychological counselling to senior bankers who received an email sent in error instructing them to return their computers, ahead of news of their firing. The bank, one of Australia's largest lenders, has apologised to staff after mistakenly sending the automated emails about redundancies before informing employees. The bank's acting head of retail, Bruce Rush, acknowledged the error during a call with senior managers. The emails prompted confusion among employees, with many seeking clarification from Ganesh Chandrasekkar, ANZ's general manager for talent and culture. Chandrasekkar confirmed that those who received the emails would be let go. Rush expressed his regret, saying: "It was not our intention to share such sensitive news with you in this way." ANZ is undergoing a major restructure under new CEO Nuno Matos.

Financial Review

Financial Times

Greece's public sector strikes against new law

Greece's public sector went on strike on Thursday against a proposed disciplinary law. The General Confederation of Greek Workers (ADEDY) led the protests, calling the bill “anti-worker.” The bill aims to criminalise trade union activities and remove worker representatives from disciplinary boards. ADEDY is demanding the bill's withdrawal. The Federation of Hospital Doctors' Unions of Greece (OENGE) and other unions have condemned the legislation, labelling it an “abomination.” They argue it suppresses union activities and threatens workers' rights. “The class struggle will not be stopped by laws or decrees,” said the Piraeus Teachers' Union (ELME).

GreekCitytimes

FEMA employees put on leave after criticising Trump administration

Some employees at the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the US agency that responds to natural disasters, have been placed on administrative leave after signing an open letter expressing dissent about the agency's leadership. On Tuesday evening, FEMA's office of the administrator had sent several letters to people informing them that effective immediately, they were on an administrative leave, operating "in a non-duty status while continuing to receive pay and benefits." Dozens of current and former FEMA staff warned Congress in a letter on Monday that the inexperience of top appointees of President Donald Trump's administration could lead to a catastrophe on the level of Hurricane Katrina.

Washington Post

Young UK workers warn of remote work isolation

A survey of 8,000 UK workers shows that four in 10 16-to-24 year olds have become unhappy while working from home, saying they feel lonely or socially isolated. The poll by health insurance firm Bupa suggests that 45% of young adults are considering moving to roles that provide more social interaction, compared to 27% of workers across all age groups. Ben Harrison, director of the Work Foundation, said: "Young people’s experience of work has shifted significantly in recent years," adding that "the rapid introduction of new technologies and a rise in hybrid and remote working practices can risk many young people feeling disconnected from their colleagues and employer."

The Times

OTHER

Nike's ‘walking encyclopedia' of company culture to retire

Nelson Farris, Nike's longest-tenured employee, is to retire after a 52-year career. Farris played a pivotal role in Nike's growth, leading marketing efforts during the 1984 Olympics and launching the company's European headquarters. Farris's adaptability and ability to navigate corporate challenges were seen as key to his success; he held 16 different roles. Recently, he has served as a culture and heritage ambassador, sharing Nike's rich history. “Nelson pretty much did it all,” Nike chief executive Elliott Hill wrote in an email to Nike employees last week. “Nelson has always been larger than life, and he's the living embodiment of joy and love for Nike. There's no one like Nelson, and there will never be another Nelson.”

OregonLive.com

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