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Middle East Edition
29th April 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Microsoft rolls out Copilot to all Accenture employees

Microsoft is rolling out its Copilot 365 AI assistant to all of Accenture's roughly 743,000 employees. Reuters notes that Accenture is one of the most aggressive corporate adopters of AI, and has even tied top-level promotions to usage of the technology. The latest move is further to Accenture's plan in 2024 to deploy Copilot ​to as many as 300,000 staff. Almost all (97%) of employees said Copilot helped them complete routine tasks up to 15 times faster, and more than half  ​(53%) reported major gains in productivity, according to a company ​poll of ⁠200,000 users. "Our teams are already doing higher-value work because of it," Accenture CEO Julie Sweet said.
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WORKFORCE

Afghanistan at ⁠risk ⁠of losing more than ⁠25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030

Afghanistan is at risk of losing over 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030 due to the Taliban's restrictions on girls' education and women's employment, according to a UNICEF report titled "The Cost of Inaction on Girls' Education and Women's Labour Force Participation in Afghanistan." The report highlights that these limitations have already impacted at least 1m girls, a number which is expected to double by 2030 if conditions remain unchanged. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said: "Afghanistan cannot afford to lose future teachers, nurses, doctors, midwives, and social workers, who sustain essential services." The economic impact could reach AFN 5.3 bn ($84m) annually, equivalent to about 0.5% of the country's GDP. UNICEF urges the Taliban to lift the bans and allow women to participate in the local labour market.

US holds public hearings related to probes of forced labour

​Public hearings are taking place at the U.S. International Trade Commission headquarters in ⁠Washington regarding ​a set of ongoing Section 301 unfair ‌trade practices investigations into dozens of countries suspected of failing to act to prevent imports of goods made using forced labour. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer's office last month launched ​investigations into the economies of ​60 countries, including major US trade partners and allies such as Australia, Canada, the European Union, Britain, Israel, India, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, saying they failed to ban imports of goods ‌produced ⁠with forced labour. Witnesses at the hearings are expected to include human rights groups, US industry groups and representatives of foreign governments.

Law firm urges staff to return to Abu Dhabi office

US law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has urged staff to return to the Abu Dhabi office by May 4 and has agreed to cover any relocation costs. The firm’s regional office is open, with some employees already back. The outbreak of war in Iran prompted many lawyers to work from home. Cleary said it will remain flexible for employees while ensuring high service standards.
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WORKPLACE

‘Half-amused, half-ashamed’: the employees facing phone bans at work

Some companies are asking employees to lock devices in pouches to protect data - and as simply a way to remove distractions, and build discipline, focus and team cohesion within their workforce.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Qatar promotes healthier workplaces to boost productivity

Qatar's Ministries of Municipality and Labour has reaffirmed a commitment to ensuring a safe work environment for all workers. The Ministry of Municipality highlighted its proactive approach to enhancing productivity and sustainability while urging employers to create supportive workplaces. A healthy work environment is vital for innovation and work-life balance, the ministry said, emphasising the need for a stress-free atmosphere, and saying that protecting workers' safety and mental health is a priority.
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ECONOMY

UAE to withdraw from Opec, Opec+

The United Arab Emirates has announced its withdrawal from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and Opec+, effective May 1, 2026. The decision aligns with the UAE's long-term strategic vision for its energy sector and aims to enhance its role as a reliable oil producer. The UAE will continue to increase production gradually, responding to market demands while ensuring stability. The country has committed to investing across the energy sector, including renewable energy, to support global market stability. "It is now time to focus efforts on what the UAE's national interest requires," said a spokesperson.
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CYBERSECURITY

US State Dept orders global warning about alleged AI thefts by Chinese firms

The US State Department ​has instructed diplomatic staff to bring attention to what it claims are widespread efforts by Chinese companies to steal intellectual property from US artificial intelligence labs. The cable, seen by Reuters and which was sent to diplomatic and consular posts around the world, says diplomatic staff should speak to their foreign counterparts about "concerns over adversaries' extraction and distillation of US AI models." 
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INTERNATIONAL

Samsung chip workers threaten 18-day strike

More than 40,000 workers at Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek chip plant could launch an 18-day strike starting May 21 amid a dispute over the company's performance-based bonus cap. The union demands the removal of this cap and proposes allocating 15% of operating profit as bonuses. Analysts predict Samsung's operating profit could reach 300 trillion won by 2026. Samsung's previous compensation offers have not satisfied the union, which has gained leverage from successful negotiations with rival SK Hynix.

Russian publisher's staff quizzed over 'LGBT propaganda'

Moscow's Eksmo publishing house faces scrutiny as authorities question staff over alleged "LGBT propaganda" in its catalogue. Raids by the Investigative Committee targeted Eksmo's offices, leading to the questioning of general director Evgeniy Kapiev and three employees. The investigation relates to titles published by Popcorn Books, which was acquired by Eksmo in 2023, and whose titles feature LGBT themes. Eksmo said that no books were seized and that the questioning is linked to testimony from former Popcorn employees. The Kremlin has not commented on the situation.

Ugandan lenders seek exemption from ‘foreign agents’ registration law

Ugandan banks want an exemption from the Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026 - a proposed law which mandates all businesses and individuals that receive funds from outside the East African nation to be registered. The bill aims to safeguard Uganda from external interference by classifying all those who receive money from overseas as “agents of foreigners.” Civil rights groups say the legislation is unconstitutional and will impede remittances. Sarah Bireete, executive director of the Kampala-based Center for Constitutional Governance, said: “The [proposed] punitive measures are excessive, heavy, ridiculous and unconstitutional.”

Unemployment spikes for key Chinese age group

China's labour market is facing significant challenges, particularly for early-career workers aged 25 to 29, with unemployment for this group increasing to 7.7% in March. The increase is attributed to factors including the ongoing conflict in Iran and the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on job displacement. “The uncertainties on costs brought by the Iran war might have disturbed hiring plans and led to a worsening of labour market indicators in March, after they showed some improvements in earlier months,” observed Ernan Cui, a consumer analyst at the research firm Gavekal Dragonomics.
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OTHER

Lulu Group reassures Saudi ministers on food supply stability

Lulu Group chairman Yusuff Ali has met Saudi ministers to outline measures ensuring stable food supply in the Kingdom amid regional tensions, receiving government support for maintaining supply chain resilience. The retailer also highlighted its ongoing expansion, including the rollout of its ultra-fast delivery service in multiple Saudi cities as part of its broader digital growth strategy.
 
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