THE HOT STORY

CEOs shoulder the burden alone

Chief executives are contending with "mounting pressure and [are] increasingly bearing the weight of that accountability alone" as other senior staff do not share the same urgency, according to a study by consulting firm AlixPartners. The survey of 3,200 executives across 11 countries revealed that 70% of CEOs are facing pressure from high levels of disruption or challenges to their businesses, while less than 40% of their C-suite colleagues share this sentiment. In the UK, over 40% of CEOs believe their leadership teams lack the agility to keep pace with their competitors. Warning of a "growing disconnect" at the top of businesses, Rob Hornby, co-CEO of AlixPartners, said: "Today's CEOs are full-time stakeholder managers, grappling with a relentless and increasingly complex wave of disruptive forces."

The Times

ECONOMY

President Trump announces 25% tariff on countries ‘doing business’ with Iran

US President Donald Trump said Monday that countries "doing business" with Iran will be subject to a 25% tariff on trade with the US, a move that could hit major economies such as China, Russia and India. The threat follows reports from human rights groups that hundreds of people have been killed in a brutal crackdown on protests against the Iranian regime that intensified over the weekend. Mr Trump has previously warned that the US could intervene if Iran’s government uses violence against the protesters. The latest proclamation did not define what qualifies as "doing business" with Iran, raising questions regarding how these additional tariffs could work, exactly which countries would be targeted and whether services and not just goods would face higher duties.

Oman's digital economy investments surge

Oman's Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has reported significant growth in the local digital economy, with investments reaching RO 1.2bn over five years. Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali noted that 70% of these investments came from foreign sources. By 2025, digital transformation performance across government entities improved to 85%, with 2,869 services simplified. The ICT sector's Omanisation rose to 45.5%, and over 11,000 jobseekers were trained through the Makeen initiative. The space sector also expanded, contributing 0.041% to GDP. The launch of an Omani satellite project is expected in 2026.

Zawya EN

HIRING

Nama Dhofar Services holds recruitment exams for 467 jobs

Nama Dhofar Services, in collaboration with Oman's Ministry of Labour and the Authority for Public Services Regulation, held recruitment examinations for job-seekers on Sunday. The initiative aims to fill 467 new positions within operational companies linked to the utility provider. Nasser bin Salim al Hadhrami, Director-General of Labour in Dhofar, said: "These initiatives bolster local employment opportunities and equip Omani youth with essential skills." The recruitment process, conducted via the Tawteen platform, aligns with Omanisation goals and supports Oman Vision 2040 by enhancing the workforce in vital sectors.

Oman Observer

UAE's job market heats up

The job market in the UAE is becoming increasingly competitive, with 72% of employees planning to seek new positions in 2026, according to a LinkedIn survey. About 65% of workers reported that finding a new job has become more challenging over the past year, primarily due to heightened competition. The UAE's population growth, which rose from 11.02m to 11.52m in just one year, is intensifying this competition.

Gulfnews.com

Khaleej Times Online

LEADERSHIP

Central bank chiefs unite behind Jay Powell amid probe into Fed chief

Central bank governors from 11 major institutions, including the European Central Bank, Bank of England, and Bank of Canada, have issued a joint statement backing US Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell as he faces a criminal investigation into a $2.5bn Fed headquarters renovation. The show of solidarity comes amid concerns that the probe, launched by the Trump administration, threatens the Fed’s independence. Mr Powell has called the investigation a political pretext to undermine monetary policy autonomy.

Financial Times

Reuters

STRATEGY

Citigroup set to cut about 1,000 jobs

Citigroup is set to cut about 1,000 jobs this week as part of a plan announced two years ago to reduce its workforce by 20,000 by the end of this year. “We will continue to reduce our headcount in 2026,” a Citigroup spokesperson said. “These changes reflect adjustments we’re making to ensure our staffing levels, locations and expertise align with current business needs; efficiencies we have gained through technology; and progress against our transformation work.”

Bloomberg

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

Colorado cracked open the culture of secrecy around salaries

Bloomberg reports on how Colorado sparked an international trend for salary transparency when it started forcing employers to include pay ranges in job postings in 2021. Since then, about a dozen other US states have adopted similar requirements, and the European Union will follow suit later this year. Colorado’s law mandates employers to specify pay ranges, and also related benefits such as healthcare, in all job postings. The rule also prohibits employers from asking job candidates about their pay history or using it to determine wages. Such practices have been identified as perpetuating the pay discrimination often faced by women.

Bloomberg

UK PM hails parental leave changes

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced significant reforms to parental leave as part of Labour's workers' rights package. Starting from an employee's first day, unpaid parental leave will be available, benefiting 1.5m parents, along with the right to statutory sick pay. Additionally, bereaved partners will gain up to 52 weeks of paternity leave if they lose their partner before their child's first birthday. Sir Keir said: "The changes we're bringing in will mean every new parent can properly take time off when they have a child, and no one is forced to work while ill just to make ends meet." The reforms are part of the Employment Rights Act, which received Royal Assent in December.

The Independent UK

Samsung issues English translation of collective bargaining agreement

The National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) has translated its collective bargaining agreement into English for the first time, making it accessible to foreign employees. Previously available only in Korean, the agreement outlines essential employment terms and protections. Acting chair Woo Ha-kyung said: "Publishing the collective bargaining agreement in English lays the groundwork for eliminating blind spots in the working conditions of foreign employees."

The Korea Times

OTHER

UN court begins hearing in genocide case

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is hearing a landmark case brought by The Gambia which accuses Myanmar of deliberately trying to destroy its minority Muslim population. Myanmar has previously denied the allegations. Dawda Jallow, the foreign minister of the Muslim majority, West African nation, said he had reviewed "credible reports of the most brutal and vicious violations imaginably inflicted upon a vulnerable group."

BBC News

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