THE HOT STORY

AI threatens entry-level jobs, PwC says

PwC global chair Mohamed Kande says the growth of artificial intelligence may eventually lead to fewer entry-level graduates being hired, although he said AI was not behind recent job cuts at the firm. In 2021, PwC said it wanted to hire 100,000 people over the course of five years, but Kande said this would no longer be possible. "When we made the plans to hire that many people, the world looked very, very different," he said. "Now we have artificial intelligence. We want to hire, but I don't know if it's going to be the same level of people that we hire - it will be a different set of people." Kande noted that PwC actually needed to hire hundreds of new AI engineers but was struggling to find them.

BBC News

The Guardian

LEGAL

Implementation begins for new Iran law supporting citizens abroad

Iran has begun implementing a new law aimed at enhancing support for its citizens living abroad. Following its approval by Parliament and endorsement by the Guardian Council, the law mandates cooperation among various government bodies, including the Judiciary and several ministries. It seeks to improve consular services and facilitate investments from the diaspora. A Supreme Council for the Support of Iranians Abroad will oversee the implementation. President Ebrahim Raisi said: "This law will streamline processes for Iranians wishing to return or invest in their homeland." A national system for requests from expatriates is expected by year-end.

Tehran Times

HIRING

AI layoffs drive technology workers to dark web jobs

A study by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reveals a significant rise in résumés posted on underground forums, doubling in early 2024 compared to the previous year. The trend reflects a growing shadow job market that is absorbing unemployed and overqualified individuals amid AI-fuelled layoffs. Alexandra Fedosimova, a digital footprint analyst at Kaspersky, observed: "The shadow job market is no longer peripheral; it's absorbing the unemployed." The report highlights that résumés now outnumber vacancies by 55% to 45%, with many applicants willing to take any job, including illegal roles. Kaspersky urges monitoring of online activity to guide youth towards legitimate tech careers.

Khaleej Times Online

WORKPLACE

Qatar holds workplace hazard awareness seminars

The Ministry of Labour (MoL) in Qatar has organised awareness seminars to prevent workplace hazards. Collaborating with Al Tawfeeq & Partners Contracting, the InterContinental Hotel, and Qatar Trading and Contracting Group, the initiative aims to raise awareness among workers and employers in various sectors. Presentations covered major hazards such as falls, heat stress, and chemical exposure. Experts from the MoL and the Ministry of Public Health emphasised the importance of following safe operating procedures to minimise accidents. This initiative supports the MoL's commitment to ensuring safe work environments across the nation.

The Peninsula

STRATEGY

Hong Kong firms eye Saudi Arabia for expansion

According to an HSBC survey, nearly 20% of Hong Kong businesses prefer Saudi Arabia for supply chain diversification, with China following at 14%. The survey highlights a growing trend among technology, media, and telecommunications firms to favour Saudi Arabia. Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po noted that a recent delegation to Riyadh resulted in five memorandums of understanding (MOUs) for collaboration.

South China Morning Post

TAX

Oman amends corporate income tax rules

Oman's Tax Authority has issued Decision No. 313/2025, amending the Corporate Income Tax Law. The change allows companies to deduct donations to registered waqf institutions, increasing eligible categories from three to four. The Tax Authority said that deductible donations cannot exceed 5% of total taxable income for the tax year. Companies can record these donations on their annual income tax returns. The amendment aims to enhance the tax system and promote corporate social responsibility, reflecting the authority's stated commitment to improving tax legislation.

Zawya EN

INTERNATIONAL

Belgium prepares for three days of national strikes

Belgium is set to experience significant disruptions as unions launch three days of strikes starting today. The strikes, aimed at protesting proposed government spending cuts and labour law changes, will unfold in three phases. Public transport will be affected first, with the national railroad company SNCB predicting limited train services. On Tuesday, schools and public services will join the action, culminating in a general strike on Wednesday, which will halt flights at major airports. Unions are urging Prime Minister Bart De Wever to reconsider austerity measures.

France 24

Judge says Tesla lawsuit cannot proceed as a class action

A California judge has said that more than 6,000 Black workers at Tesla's flagship assembly plant In Fremont cannot sue over alleged racial harassment as a class. The ruling by California Superior Court Judge Peter Borkon reverses an earlier decision. Borkon said the 2017 lawsuit could not move forward as a class action because many of the 200 workers who were chosen at random to testify ahead of a trial scheduled for next year were unwilling to do so. “Either together with other victims, or separately, these courageous Black workers will overcome Tesla’s endless delays and continue fighting to hold the company accountable,” Lawrence Organ, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said.

Reuters

Tech Times

Chinese SOEs ask workers to cancel their Japan holidays

Several state-owned enterprises in China are advising employees to cancel travel plans to Japan due to rising tensions between Beijing and Tokyo. An engineer from Wuhan reported that his company had urged him to scrap his upcoming trip to Osaka, which had been approved earlier. He managed to negotiate a refund for his travel costs, except for the visa fee. The diplomatic dispute escalated after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested potential intervention in the Taiwan Strait.

South China Morning Post

Few Finns have received employer training on AI

More than half of IT professionals in Finland use AI weekly, yet only a third have received employer training on its use. A survey for global tech firm HP revealed that while 25% of respondents employ AI in their work, most do so independently. Concerns about AI's accuracy and security hinder broader adoption. Nearly half of the professionals expressed a desire to use AI more effectively. Vesa Jukonen, HP's country manager, observed: "The employees are already prepared, but management and guidance have not kept up the pace."

YLE Uutiset

OTHER

Rich nations retreat from development goals

A new report from the Center for Global Development (CGD) finds that wealthier countries, including the US and Japan, are scaling back global development efforts, slashing aid and multilateral funding. The US dropped to 28th in the Commitment to Development Index, with further declines expected due to policy shifts under President Trump, who has also shuttered the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Although some progress was noted in emissions cuts and migration support, CGD’s Ian Mitchell warned: “The changes the Trump administration is making are very significant.” Sweden, Germany, and Norway lead the rankings.

Reuters

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